Denard Robinson Beats Usain Bolt In The 40

When I first heard the comments by Denard Robinson claiming he could beat Usain Bolt in the 40 I dismissed them as nonsensical garbage. Bolt was coming off a record setting performance at the summer Olympics and college football wasn't even on the radar. In the past few days I've re-visited the crazy notion and my opinion has changed dramatically. After talking with some track guys and watching film(yes I really did watch film on this) it's quite possible Denard has a valid point.

Here's the conversation I had with my track buddy(he was all state in the 200 and 400)

"If I raced Eugene in the 100 he smokes me. By the time we get to 200 I got him by a step or two. By the time we get to 400 I've dusted him."

Anyone who ever watched Carl Lewis run knows that he never really got to top speed until 60 meters or so then he turned on the jets and blew everyone out. Usain Bolt is similar only his strides are longer. By the time he gets to top speed he's obliterated the competition and can literally shut it down for the last 10 meters and still break world records. Amazing. That being said his starts are not always stellar and for the first 40 it's not a foregone conclusion he'll be ahead in the race.

Although Denard's comments were controversial he's not delusional. He freely admits that in the 100 he probably wouldn't be in the screen if you were watching at home. Speed is an interesting thing. How you use it and what kind of speed you have translates differently in respective sports. That's why guys who run a 4.6 at the combine can't be caught once they get past a DB and why guys that run a 4.3 sometimes can't get to the end zone and get caught from behind. Any ways it goes I would love to see this race.

The Replacement Refs Won't Last Long

The NFL is without question the most profitable and popular sport in the United States. It's a multi billion dollar entity that prides itself on the integrity of the game. NFL franchises have sports fans in the palm of their hands as they root Sunday after Sunday for their favorite team to win and make the playoffs. The game is so popular that even pretend hypothetical football(we like to call it fantasy) has millions of participants that spend hours analyzing stats and stressing over injuries and suspensions. With so much at stake why would the NFL leave the game in the hands of a bunch of scabs?

They're control freaks. They have so much power and influence it's intoxicating. The NFL is the modern day Narcissus. If Roger Goodell saw a reflection of the NFL logo in a lake he'd fall in and drown. That much power breeds arrogance and a disregard for the thoughts and feelings of those around them.

That being said NFL franchises are owned by billionaires and billionaires don't like to lose. Once the founder of Microsoft or the #1 producer of automobiles in this country loses a game on a botched call by an incompetent referee things will change drastically. There's only 16 games and every one is important. The NFL is trying to flex its muscles and prove a point to the NFLRA, but once they see the replacement refs can't live up to the standards set by the "starters" things will change.

Everyone complains about refs until they see what the alternative is. The NBA tried this once and the results were disastrous. Teams, coaches, and players were begging for the "real" refs to return after getting a look at the replacement guys. The NFL will be the same. There's no way you leave a league this valuable in the hands of replacements. A few blown calls and things will get back to normal. Just hope your team isn't on the wrong end of an erroneous flag or a missed pass interference.

5 Reasons The Seattle Seahawks Will Make The Playoffs

Before training camp started I must admit I was skeptical about the Seahawks chances of making the playoffs. There were questions about the left side of the offensive line, uncertainty at the wide receiver position, and a brutal schedule that includes the New England Patriots, the Green Bay Packers, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Chicago Bears. Now that the preseason is winding down I feel much more optimistic. The Seattle Seahawks are a legitimate pick to make the playoffs and if they can stay healthy it could be a magical season. Here's 5 reasons why the Seahawks will make the playoffs.

1. Pete Carroll. Pete Carroll is the architect, the alchemist, and the mad scientist behind the organization. In 3 short years Carroll has turned over the entire roster and infused it with young talented players at virtually every position. He preaches competition on a daily basis and puts the best players on the field regardless of age, contract money, or size. So far Pete seems to be pushing all the right buttons and the team has responded in a positive manner.

2. Russell Wilson. And to think I thought this guy made a mistake not playing baseball. The 5'10 quarterback defied the odds by beating out Matt Flynn to become the opening day starter. All he did was master the playbook, earn the team's confidence, and excel in game situations every time he stepped on the field. His arm is strong and accurate and his ability to make plays outside of the pocket give the Seahawks an added dimension they could definitely use. Wilson made the most of his opportunity and from the looks of things he will be a starter in this league for years to come.

3. Robert Turbin. I wasn't sold on Robert Turbin when the Seahawks drafted him (I thought they should have picked Chris Polk), but after watching him in training camp I'm on the Turbin bandwagon. He's got size, speed, and catches the ball out of the backfield. Turbin's skill set blends nicely with Marshawn " Beast Mode" Lynch and he's a great insurance policy if Lynch gets hurt.

4. The Defense. Without question the defense is the heart and soul of this team. They have a massive defensive line, agile linebackers, and the best secondary in football. Rookie Bruce Irvin has shown flashes of brilliance with his pass rushing ability and pro bowl safety Earl Thomas is super special. He deserves to be mentioned with the likes of Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu. If everything goes well they could potentially be a top 5 defense in the NFL.

5. Weak Division. Although the San Francisco 49ers were an impressive 13-3 last season the NFC West is not a strong division. The Arizona Cardinals and the St. Louis Rams are a work in progress that will not get finished this year. The Seahawks should sweep those two teams and split with the 49ers giving them 5 wins in the division. If they can win half of their games outside of the division and get to 10 wins the playoff are well within their reach.

Fantasy Football Madness

You may have noticed that for the last few weeks I haven't really talked about football too much. That's because I was preparing for my fantasy football drafts and didn't want to leak any insider information. I had to be stealthy because my opponents are sharks that will use any tid bit of information to gain an advantage over me. Now that my 3 drafts are over I can resume normal conversation. The 3 drafts went well. I must say my GM skills are exceptional. With the 3 teams I've put together a championship is a foregone conclusion. Here's how my rosters look.

Trash talking league:

Drew Brees
Demaryius Thomas
DeSean Jackson
Marshawn Lynch
Doug Martin
Antonio Gates
Rob Bironas
Houston Defense


Hurt your feelings league:

Drew Brees
DeMarco Murray
Jonathan Stewart
Eric Decker
Julio Jones
Aaron Hernandez
Santana Moss
Steelers Defense
Steven Hauschka


Family league:

Drew Brees
Wes Welker
Jeremy Macklin
Marshawn Lynch
Jonathan Stewart
Aaron Hernandez
Eric Decker
Jason Hanson
Earl Thomas
Jared Allen
Patrick Willis


As you can see I'm putting my title hopes in the hands of the Breesy. Somehow I managed to get the most prolific fantasy QB in all 3 of my drafts and that spells doom for the other teams trying to chase me. We all know what the Breesy is capable of and with a little help from Peyton's new bff (Eric Decker), beast mode, and the other tight end in New England things look promising. Which one of my teams do you guys like the most?

Lance Armstrong: The End Of An Era

Lance Armstrong is tired of fighting the good fight. After years of vehemently denying the use of performance enhancing drugs during his cycling career Armstrong will not appeal the latest ruling by the USADA. The organization has stripped Lance of his record setting 7 Tour De France titles and banned him for life from the sport. Does the punishment fit the crime?

According to Lance Armstrong there is no crime. He's never had a positive drug test and all the rumors and speculation are created by jealous people that are envious of his success. They are spiteful and vindictive in nature and spread a bunch of lies to tarnish his good name.

If you listen to the rest of the cycling world he's guilty as sin. Former teammates have rolled over on him. Long time competitors have rolled over on him. Coaches and friends have rolled over on him. Organizations and governing bodies all over the world have made it a priority to investigate and prosecute Armstrong for using drugs. The court of popular opinion found him guilty a long time ago.

To be fair cycling is one of the dirtiest sports there is. Only Track and Field comes even close to the number of athletes suspended for drug use. At least half of the Tour De France winners of the last 20 years have tested positive after the race. Anytime your success or failure is measured in hundredths of seconds the pressure to use performance enhancing drugs is greater than you can imagine. The stakes are high and the rewards associated with being a champion are extraordinary. Lance Armstrong won't be the last high profile athlete to use performance enhancing drugs, just the latest one to get caught.

Does The Olympics Hurt The NBA?

Anytime you have Mark Cuban saying I told you so you know you screwed up bad. Cuban has been telling David Stern for years that playing NBA players in the Olympics is a risky proposition that jeopardizes the owners investment. In the off chance a player gets hurt the team has no insurance policy. The owner could lose millions paid to a player that can't perform or millions in ticket revenue because the team underachieves. After the 2012 Olympics Cuban's words sound almost prophetic.

The Los Angeles Clippers had two members on the Olympic team and both of them got hurt. All star power forward Blake "The Barbarian" Griffin suffered a knee injury that may not be fully healed by the time training camp starts. The injury happened shortly after Griffin signed a 5 year $95,000,000 contract. Considering this is Griffin's 2nd knee surgery (The first one sidelined him for an entire season) and his game is predicated on his explosive jumping ability we can only hope he's the same player.

All star point guard Chris Paul tore a ligament in his thumb and will be out 8 weeks. Paul is considered one of the best point guards in the game and the main reason the Clippers made the playoffs last season. Without their floor general the Clippers are a mediocre bunch at best so having him at 100% is extremely important to their success or failure.

Anytime you lose two starters to injury (Much less two all star Olympians) there's cause for concern. Fortunately training camp is a few months away and both Griffin and Paul should return before the start of the season. That being said the injuries could have been much worse causing a scenario the NBA isn't prepared for. I'm not saying stop sending NBA players to the Olympics, but I question whether the risk is worth the reward. Your thoughts?

Rookie Quarterbacks Get Their Shot

In the past NFL franchises have brought rookie quarterbacks along slowly. The idea was to have them sit behind a veteran quarterback for at least a year learning the game from the sidelines. In 2012 that old school philosophy is out the window. The recent success of Cam Newton and Andy Dalton has NFL teams throwing young studs into the fire on day one. Andrew Luck and RGIII were expected to get the nod, but there have been some surprises added to the list of rookie starters around the league.

Brandon Weedon was handed the keys to the offense with the expectation that Trent Richardson would be available to carry some of the work load. Now that Richardson will be sidelined with a knee injury there will be added pressure on Weedon to make something out of nothing. Although he's mature for a rookie (28 years old) I don't think Cleveland has enough weapons around him to make a significant impact. Look for him to struggle early and if he's not careful Colt McCoy might just win his job back.


Ryan Tannehill was the talk of the 2012 NFL draft. Everyone marveled at his athletic ability and tremendous upside, but they questioned his body of work. Tannehill, a converted wide receiver only started one full season at Texas A&M and looked average against high caliber opponents. It's interesting that the Miami Dolphins have seen enough in training camp to make him the starter in week 1. Not sure if he looked impressive, or if the other quarterbacks looked very mediocre. My guess is they felt he couldn't do any worse than Matt Moore or David Garrard so why not let him get his feet wet? I think he'll do better than Weedon, but not much to write home about.

Then there's the Pete Carroll experiment. Pete surprised everyone when he took Russell Wilson in the 3rd round and again when he included Wilson in the starting QB competition. Wilson has excelled with the 2nd unit and will get his chance with the 1st unit on Friday. Conventional wisdom says he will struggle a bit and Matt Flynn will ultimately be the opening day starter, but if Wilson keeps playing with poise and making big plays Pete Carroll might just go the other way. This one is too close to call, but if Wilson performs well and Flynn continues to look solid I'm happy either way.

Weekend Observations

Melky Cabrera forgot that we live in the new millennium. When the 2012 MLB all star game MVP got caught using performance enhancing drugs he did what any normal person would do, he tried to cover his tracks. On the verge of losing in excess of $50,000,000 in free agency contract money Cabrera and his people tried to set up a fake website. The theory was to blame a fictitious manufacturer for supplying him with the substance that led to his failed drug test. Unfortunately for Cabrera technology has advanced to the point that poorly planned capers like this one can be detected rather easily.

Before you go throwing the book at Melky Cabrera and getting all self righteous ask yourself what are you willing to do for 50 mil? Chances are taking a pill that will help you hit the ball farther and work out longer is on the list. I'm not condoning Melky Cabrera's actions, but I understand why he did what he did. Here are some observations over the weekend.

The Seattle Mariners have only given up 4 runs in their last 4 wins. This includes a perfect game by King Felix Hernandez earlier last week. With a bunch of young arms waiting to come up from the minors is it time to start getting optimistic about the future? Not until they find someone that can hit.

Novak Djokovic is still a great player, but nowhere near his 2011 form. After losing at WImbledon and the Olympics Djokovic lost in the finals of the Cincy Open to Roger Federer 6-0, 7-6. Judging from his body language and shot making capability I'd say he's vulnerable at the US Open.

Kevin Kolb is on borrowed time in Arizona. After a dismal performance in the Cardinals 2nd preseason game the Oakland Raiders Tommy Kelly was heard saying, "That boy is scared!" Those are 4 words you never want to hear about your starting quarterback. It's time for John Skelton to step in and take the reigns.

He may be a malcontent capable of drinking three times the legal limit, but Justin Blackmon is a hell of a football player. If he can keep his off the field problems in check the Jaguars may have an all pro receiver. Making Blaine Gabbert look good is no easy task and Blackmon did just that. Stay tuned.

Billionaires Don't Like To Be Wrong

The Bobby Valentine era in Boston has been a complete disaster. The Red Sox are 4 games below .500 and trail the division leading New York Yankees by 13 1/2 games. There is dissension in the locker room, disgruntled players (most notably Josh Beckett), and disappointed fans. After an epic collapse to end the 2011 season Valentine was brought in to instill discipline and accountability. Instead the Red Sox are on track to have a losing record and miss the playoff for the 2nd consecutive season. Who's to blame for this fiasco?

They will never admit it, but ownership made a mistake with the hiring of Bobby Valentine. Although he's a life long baseball guy and his knowledge of the sport is unquestioned Valentine has communication issues. His brash and arrogant personality rubs people the wrong way and they respond in a negative fashion. Things got so bad with infielder Kevin Youkilis the team eventually had to trade him to the Chicago White Sox. It is only a matter of time before Valentine has a run-in with another player that ends badly.

With the 2nd highest payroll in baseball the Red Sox are feeling the pressure to perform. The stakes are high and billionaire John Henry is not accustomed to losing. Even though their record clearly reflects there's a failed experiment in process the Red Sox front office is emphatic there will be no changes this season. As the losses continue to pile up the stubborn approach taken by management is hard to justify. The only reason they support Valentine is because billionaires don't like to be wrong. Just say it didn't work and move on already! Everyone makes mistakes, even the super wealthy know it alls.

Andrew Luck's No Win Scenario

Andrew Luck is in a precarious position. To whom much is given much is expected. Since he learned how to walk Andrew Luck has been groomed to be an NFL quarterback. Under the watchful eye of his father (Oliver Luck was an NFL quarterback) Andrew refined his skills and landed a scholarship at Stanford. He flourished under Jim Harbaugh's system and was considered the best quarterback prosect in college. Then things got weird.

In an interesting twist of fate Luck was asked to follow a living legend. The Indianapolis Colts parted ways with future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning to make room for the heir apparent. As if it wasn't enough pressure to be selected #1 overall in the 2012 NFL draft Luck has to deal with constant comparisons to one of the greatest quarterbacks that has ever lived. 4 NFL MVP's and a Super Bowl ring is a lot to live up to not to mention the respect and admiration Peyton Manning receives for his off the field demeanor. Like Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay and Steve Young in San Francisco Andrew Luck is asked to do the impossible, duplicate the efforts of a football god.

To make matters even more complicated Robert Griffin III was selected #2 overall in the NFL draft. By all accounts RG3 is every bit Andrew Luck's equal and projected to have a long and productive NFL career. If Luck doesn't match or surpass the accomplishments of RG3 every season(or week for that matter) the media and fans will start to second guess and scrutinize his every move. Like Magic and Bird in basketball these two will forever be linked and their success will be measured in comparison to one another.

Most NFL rookie quarterbacks have enough pressure just trying to learn the plays and adjust to the speed of the pro game. Andrew Luck has the added pressure of being the son of an NFL quarterback, the #1 overall pick in the NFL draft, Peyton Manning's replacement, and RG3's biggest rival. That a lot to put on some one's plate. No matter what he accomplishes in his career chances are he will come up short of the unrealistic expectations placed upon him. Great simply will not be good enough. Immortal is what people expect. Sorry Andrew. You are at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Weekend Observations

For all of you that think I'm too critical of reality TV vixens I hope the events of this weekend put things in their proper context. Former all pro wide receiver Chad Johnson was cut by the Miami Dolphins after being arrested Saturday night for alleged assaulting his wife Evelyn Lozada. At least they were happy for the first month of their marraige. Miami was Chad's best chance to make an NFL roster so the fight effectively ended his football career. I'd like to feel sorry for Chad Johnson, but my conscience won't allow it. Anyone stupid enough to get into a relationship with a professional groupie known for hooking up with athletes deserves to suffer the consequences.

This thing had train wreck written all over it from the word go so the outcome is somewhat predictable. Now Chad has to look himself in the mirror and say " I let Antoine Walker's old girl and Kenny Anderson's side piece ruin my career, tarnish my image, and destroy my legacy." Happy trails Chad. I'm sure we'll see you on the NFL Network in no time. Evelyn Lozada strikes again. Here are some observations over the weekend.

The good news for Kevin Durant is he won a gold medal in London and set the record for most points scored in one Olympics. The bad news is while he was leading Team USA to victory the Lakers re-tooled behind his back and now the championship is out of his reach. The signing of Dwight Howard (along with Steve Nash and Antawn Jamison) puts LA in the drivers seat to win the West. They are definitely on a collision course to meet Miami in the 2013 NBA finals. Vegas has both of them at 8-5to win the chip.

Tyrann Mathieu loves weed more than fame and fortune. The LSU standout cornerback was dismissed from the team for failing a drug test and unfortunately this means the Tigers will not win the national championship. They have depth at every position, but the honey badger was special. His presence won't easily be replaced.

The Seattle Seahawks will have a top 5 defense this year if they stay disciplined and stop over pursuing on screen plays. From what I saw against Tennessee it's going to be very difficult to throw on this secondary.

Jamaica set the world record in the 4x100 meter relay with a time of 36.84. If you do the math that means the 100 meter splits were 9.21 seconds. As if those numbers weren't mind boggling enough they did this without former world record holder Asafa Powell on the team. Unreal.

The Evolution of Dr. Dre

As I watch the Olympic athletes enter the venues for their respected events I notice quite a few participants are listening to music as they get prepared for competition. I can't help but wonder what songs are helping them get in the proper mindset for victory. Is it classical to calm their nerves? Is it hip-hop to get them pumped up? Do different sports require different genres of music to get them motivated? One thing is for certain, the most common headphones being used for this task is Beats by Dre.

Having followed Dr. Dre's career from its inception it's hard to believe the rap moguls transformation. 25 years ago his rap group NWA was labeled as a menace to society and held responsible for the corruption of America's youth. The lyrical content of his music depicted a life of violence, crime, and drug abuse causing a fear factor that was not conducive to mainstream popularity.

In 2012 that is not the case. Dr. Dre is a household name that's associated with Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and 50 Cent. The negative connotation has subsided and people from all walks of life have grown to accept him. His persona now is that of a businessman and a technological innovator. His influence on the world is much more positive than in his teenage years. It's amazing what maturity and a few dollars can do for a person.

Forget about the guy dressed in all black carrying a machine gun yelling f*ck the police. Forget about the videos with a fridge full of 40's and a caravan of 64' Impalas. Dr. Dre's influence reaches much further than his humble Compton beginnings and his success is measured by more than just record sales. If the world's best athletes use his headphones to prepare for the biggest moment of their lives it's a testament to his impact on this generation. Dr. Dre has come a long way.

Can Terrell Owens Save The Seahawks?

Pete Carroll the alchemist has added an extremely volatile component to the Seahawks formula. Seattle has signed the much traveled wide receiver Terrell Owens to a one year contract. It is a move that will test the patience, confidence, and trust of the Seattle Seahawk fan base. Whether you love him or hate him there are 3 things you must always remember remember about Pete Carroll.

1. Pete Carroll is a risk taker.
2. Pete Carroll's methods are not conventional.
3. Pete Carroll is a tremendous assessor of talent.

Pete Carroll took a gamble on T.O., but don't think for one second he will allow Owens to ruin all the hard work and progress the Seahawks have made. At his best Terrell will give you 100 catches and 1,000 yards for a season. At his worst Terrell will alienate his teammates, throw his quarterback under the bus, and poison the locker room with his "me first" attitude. Whether you love him or hate him there are 3 things you must always remember about Terrell Owens.

1. Terrell Owens is a physical freak.
2. Terrell Owens is a first ballot Hall of Famer.
3. The same passion that drives him to greatness can cause conflict and turmoil.

I'm not ecstatic about the pick up of Terrell Owens, but I'm not upset about it either. The guy came in off the couch and ran a 4.45 in his workout. Very few people can do that. In addition, this is Terrell's last opportunity to be a professional athlete. Chances are he'll be on his best behavior and won't be a distraction.

On the flip side this is T.O. and you never know what to expect. In the end it's a low risk high reward scenario. If it works out Pete Carroll is a genius. If it fails, Terrell Owens goes back to Dr. Phil to sort things out. If I had to guess which way this thing will go I would choose the latter, but hopefully he is hungry, humble and ready to help the Seahawks anyway he can. Get your popcorn ready!

Weekend Observations

I went into the 2012 Summer Games with an open mind. My goal was to watch a wide variety of events to appreciate the skill and athleticism involved with sports that traditionally aren't very popular. Badminton (which I think I could win a gold medal in), ping-pong, handball, fencing, weightlifting, and Judo have all received their fair share of air time, but after a week of this I discovered I'm just old school.

For me the Summer Olympics is all about Track and Field and there are few things more exciting in the sports world than the 100 meter final. The stare downs, the posturing, and the anticipation brings you to the edge of your seat. After this weekend there is no doubt Track and Field dominance begins and ends with Jamaica. Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake captured gold and silver while Shelley-Ann Fraser-Price and Veronica Campell-Brown captured gold and bronze. From the looks of things the 200 meter final will have a similar outcome. Must be something in those yams they eat as a staple of their diet. Here are some observations over the weekend.

Serena Williams became the 2nd woman to win a golden slam (all four majors and a singles gold medal) by demolishing Maria Sharapova 6-0,16-1. She followed up that a$$ kicking by winning the gold medal in doubles with her sister Venus for a 3rd consecutive time. No wonder she felt the need to crip walk on Centre Court. Loved it.

Andy Murray exorcised some demons by winning a gold medal over Roger Federer in front of the home crowd. It's not a grand slam, but beating Djokovic and Federer in the same week is impressive. You've done your country proud.

Don't look now, but Felix Hernandez is making a case for his 2nd Cy Young. The King has won 5 of his last 6 starts giving up only 4 runs in 47 innings. When he's on his game there's no one better.

Missy Franklin has won four gold medals, but insists she will compete for her high school team at the state meet in Colorado next year. Is this really necessary? Sometimes keeping it real goes wrong. A word of advice for Ms. Franklin, you're not just one of the girls anymore and you've outgrown the Boulder swim circuit. Let the normal girls get some glory huh?

Pete Carroll is bringing Terrell Owens in for a look which means the Seahawks receiving corps is a major concern. Why else would you even entertain the idea of trying out someone that was cut from the Arena league? Ricardo Lockette and Golden Tate better step up. This is your wake up call.

HTB Statements

It's time for another installment of HTB statements. For those of you not familiar with what HTB stands for HTB refers to statements that are hard to believe. Here's a few for your reading pleasure.

During her record setting performance in the 400m IM Ye Shiwen, a 16 year old swimmer from China, swam the last 50m faster than Ryan Lochte. In addition she is 7 seconds faster than she was last year. Hmmmm..........

The NBC commentators act as if they are handball experts and know the history of every single competitor. Have you ever seen a handball game on TV other than during the Olympics?

Carmelo Anthony scored 37 points in 14 minutes pacing the the US to an 83 point victory over Nigeria. It was the worst beating in Olympic history.

The bad news is Michael Phelps lost a 200m IM race for the first time in 12 years. The good news is he has 16 gold medals and 20 overall in his historic Olympic career (as of August 3rd at 10:00).

1/3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder's roster is playing in the Olympics.

Kobe Bryant has played over 50,000 minutes of professional basketball and he's only 33.

Kendrys Morales homered from both sides of the plate in the same inning. Only two other players in the history of baseball have accomplished that feat.

The Philadelphia Phillies will pay 3 pitchers (Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay, and Cliff Lee) $65,000,000 next season. That is more than the entire payroll of 5 major league teams.

Cortez Kennedy will be enshrined into the NFL Hall of Fame having played only one playoff game his entire career.

The Kardashian Effect Part III

Everyone knows I dislike the influence the Kardashians have on the sports world. Kim and Khloe have single handedly ruined the careers of several high profile athletes. Since dating Kim Miles Ausitn has never been the same, Heisman trophy winner and Super Bowl champion Reggie Bush is a shell of his former self, and Kris Humphries went from a no name back up to the most hated athlete in sports.

Although Khloe has only impacted one sports figure the result has been just as devastating. Lamar Odom went from a two time NBA champion and 6th man of the year to an emotional ball of goo. After demanding a trade to the Dallas Mavericks (his feelings were hurt the Lakers tried to move him)he performed so poorly the team paid him to stay away. in short Lammy Kardashian's career is on life support.

To make matters worse the Kardashian effect has found its way into the coverage of the Olympics. Keeping up with the Kardashians is so popular NBC hired Bruce Jenner (Khloe and Kim's stepfather) as a commentator. His interviews are self serving and filled with references to his TV show and career wrecking daughters. It's shameful that NBC and Jenner would purposely use a platform like the Olympics to promote their own agenda and detract from the accomplishments of the athletes. The athletes deserve better.

For the record I'm not hating on the Kardashians success. Any organization that can parlay a sex tape into a multi million dollar empire is clearly business savvy. They are opportunists that struck while the iron was hot and rode the wave. Irregardless of what I think about the show millions of people tune in to follow their soap opera, drama filled lives every week. That being said I don't need to hear about them when I'm watching sporting events. Keep the Kardashians where they belong, in their own distorted reality.