Fair Sports

In participating & covering sports for more than 4 decades, I have seen so many changes in the talent level of the athletes, coaching styles and the decline of officiating!!!

In football, it is about the safety of the players, the rules are changed to protect them and thus far the game is played at it's highest level from the NFL, College and High School!!!  Referees abide by these rule changes and use their knowledge and common sense to implement them!!!

Basketball, on the other hand has changed, the talents of players have surpassed the rules and the officials ability to make calls per rules

CHEAP SHOTS, No Place in Sports is this acceptable!!!

CHEAP SHOTS in Sports or any walk of life are NOT ACCEPTABLE!!!

In Sports in the past few years, actions on the field, court, etc.,  has given Professional Sports a BLACK EYE for the Sport and soured it for both the avid sports fans and for the occasional sports fan!!!

If you cannot win a game, series, championship without playing fair or CHEAP SHOTS, you don't need to be playing at all and should be banned from the Sport!!!  Actually you should just quite on your own!!!

If you are the Professional you say you are in a Respectable Professional League, you wouldn't have to lower yourself to these unacceptable  actions!!!

Every game is on TV and/or on the Net!!!  Social Media has accelerated the opportunities of seeing this almost instantly!!!  Whether you realize it or not, you are a role model to someone and yes you influence them and their actions!!!  Is that what you want to play unfair, to inflict CHEAP SHOTS so that the ones that idolize you do the same thing???  I don't think so!!!

I normally don't point fingers, however, you have to look at the Coaches and/or Players that are involved in these unacceptable actions, where are the league officials where are the game officials and where are the coaches that have integrity, don't they even care or are they just there to put on a show!!!  I realize it is Professional Show Biz, it is a Sport and Entertainment that people love, so there should not be any place for this in any Sport or at any level!!!

*Please Note, I don't have to mention any leagues and/or names because it is just a few that show these unacceptable actions, yet they get 95% of the press!!!  Those that always do the right thing within the rules and respect their profession and others, they only get 5% of the press!!!  This is just another reason why we do what we do everyday with our stories and production, we morally driven to contribute inspiring stories and special features and you can see this at our website www.midwestsportsweekly.com

God bless!!!

Tim Tebow

I have not heard much of the talk on Tim Tebow being released by the Jets, yet I have heard enough from media experts and their opinions!!!

#TimTebow is one of the most celebrated and successful #collegefootballplayers of all time!!!  He has established himself as a role model for thousands of people because he is a real person that inspires others through his high values, determination, work ethic, play and faith!!!

When he is playing he raises level of play of those that surround him both on and off the football field!!!  He may not be the most talented football player at QB, however, he is a winner, he is gifted, inspiring and a leader with all of those he touches!!!

Tebow will land with another #NFLTeam!!!  This team is one of high character, dedicated ownership, great coaches and a nucleus of veteran and youth players that want to win and make a significant impact in the NFL!!!

Tim Tebow will be successful in the NFL!!!  So don't listen to those that are critical of him or those in the media that evaluates him in the media or through the social networks, most have never walked in his shoes nor will they!!!  Evaluate him for all that he stands for, you won't be disappointed, just rewarded!!!
God bless!!!

Don't Over Think it, The 2013 NFL Draft!!!

Led by my Faith, Family, Sports and my passion to inspire others and produce TV shows that inspire others, I find that in most cases, most people over think things!!!  I always encourage people to keep it in perspective and don't over think it!!!

The NFL is a Billion dollar business and is the most watched and influential sport and sporting season of any other professional sport!!!  All of the talk, analyzing, opinions, keeps the fans in the game during the off season, so there really isn't an off season for professional football!!!  This keeps the excitement brewing during the off season and leads into the College Football Season and then the NFL Season!!!  It also keeps those dreams of high school and college football players in the moment!!!

Now on with the Draft, it is one of the most talked about and analyzed process in sports today!!!  By the time the experts and analyst are through with their OPINION they have either swayed one's destiny either for the good or not so good for the draftee and/or the team that may or may not select them!!!

These owners, GM's and coaches of NFL teams are prepared with their own scouts and vision and usually make the right decision that will benefit their team, either through their selection in the draft or trading for a FA for another place in the draft!!!  Not all draft choices pan out the way they were expected to be and for those NFL Teams that adjust are the ones that normally succeed!!!  For those NFL Teams that go out on a limb, or make a pick that was not projected, it is most always a success!!!

So during this NFL Draft, don't over think it, your team will make the decision that will benefit their needs both at the skilled and the position players and those that solidify their team with depth will be playing after the regular season is over!!!

Good luck and may the best available and your expert knowledge benefit and inspire your team!!!
God bless!!!

Blind Side the Standard of Excellence

I just watched, for the third time, The Blind Side featuring Michael Oher!  Today as well as yesterday many less fortunate people are overlooked!  If each one of us would take that step that Sean & Leigh Anne Touhy took to make a life possible for Michael our World would be a better place to live, direction, nurture, inspire and make a difference in others!  It's not that we have to give them everything, we can provide them, through God's message, Faith, Family and Love!  These components alone will open doors that may never have been opened!
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Groups can make a difference!  The University of Oklahoma, including several of their football players, Women's basketball team, coaches and administration made a mission trip to Haiti with the Mission of Hope and their life was changed forever!  To see the joy on these Haitians faces, the love they gave, their love for God and satisfied with what they have been dealt, yet this group of Sooners made a significant difference in the Haitians lives as well as their own!  These life changing events makes you think and appreciate what we have and what we can do for others!
Coaches, mentors, teachers, churches, ministers, stewards, every individual and most importantly those who have the means to make a difference, through their Faith, their Love and giving of their resources and time will make this significant difference!
There are so many stories just like these and if we GIVE of our Faith and our resources and time, we can make a positive impact!
There is a reason God gives us, who believe in him, every opportunity to be forgiven, to help others and to share his word!  God Bless!!!

Sports & Life, Ups & Downs!!!

Most of us take life for granted, today is a perfect example, life is precious and it should NOT be taken for granted.
One of the most respected and loved professional football players, Junior Seau died today!

During most of my adult life, I loved to watch Junior play football, back when he was at USC and then throughout his professional career mostly with the San Diego Chargers.

Junior was larger than life, he played this game intended for men, like a kid!  He was always tenacious on the field, yet after making a play from his linebacker position, he was always smiling and making his fellow teammates feel at ease.  He was a gifted athlete, he was genuine, caring, loving father and son and most importantly always cared about others on and off the playing field.  He was always in the community giving back.

Ill never forget the time I met him in Kansas City and just had been selected to the Pro Bowl, he was elated and honored to represent the Chargers and the AFC.  I knew from our conversation, his intention was to go out there, play a great game, respect his peers and was certainly going to have fun and share his experience with others.

Junior was a unique individual, always giving, caring about you, even though he might be hurting himself.  It is always said it is better to give than to receive, he was a perfect example of this.

I know from the reports that he was such a passionate individual and player that he would always beat his fellow teammates to the practice field, to the game, etc, just to keep himself ready and prepared for the next challenge.

He is for sure a future Hall of Fame member.  Last November he was elected to the Ring of Honor with the Chargers, something that meant everything to him, playing most of his entire career in Southern California!!!

My thoughts and prayers go out to his children and family!!! You are in our hearts Junior!!!

Now, where did we let him down?  When you see someone that is this successful, you ASSUME everything in his or her life is great, that is not always the case!  Most of these types of people won't share with you what they are really feeling, because, they typically don't most to burden or get you down, they have an image to portray!

This is where I feel we need to do more, at the professional ranks as well as regular people.  Most people don't feel as though they can share with those they play or work with or close too, even family which is all to familiar!  This is where I truly believe that professional teams and work places should have someone available to be a listener, someone with common sense, understanding, non judge mental and one that can keep  these conversations confidential!  Only exception, if the conversations lends its self to harming others and/or themselves, then additional help should be beckoned.

These individuals, that represent the team from the outside, doesn't have to be a physician, lawyer, specialist, etc, just someone that cares and understands.  This would go a long way defusing potential harm to others or to them selves!  This just might prevent this type of death and/or harm to yourself or others!

If we keep things in the right perspective, we can represent God and minister to others through the work of
God!!!  Think about it, if you could talk to someone knowing it would never go any further than the two of you, you would do it!  You owe it to the people that you work with or work for you and the people you love and care for!!!

Allow God in your life first and everything else, well there is nothing you and God cannot conquer together!!!

Twas the night before the NFL Draft!

Twas the night before the NFL Draft, when all through the league
Not a player was stirring, not even the GM's.
The decisions are made and sealed with care,
In hopes that Roger Goodell would call their share.

The Coaches were tossing and turning, yet nestled all snug in their beds,
With visions of drafting their franchise player, danced in their heads.
And owners making sure they stay under the cap,
Had just settled their mind on mastering their agenda in a snap.

When out on Broadway arose the Commissioner,
Who sprang from his chair to see all the draftees.
Away to the podium he flew like a flash,
Tore open the envelope and began to gasp.

The moon on this night would shine on the new,
Draftees embrace their veterans success learning their knew.
When, what to our wondering eyes would appear,
But a trade that would effect our other peers.

With the Commissioner ready to announce,
We knew in a moment it was going to be our pick.
More rapid than return men he read the decision,
Waited at the podium to shake their hand to welcome their precision.

 Now Colts, now Redskins, now Vikings, now Browns!

On the clock Buccaneers, Rams,  on Jaguars, Dolphins, Bills and Chiefs !
To the top of the your pick to the top of your game!
Now play away! Play away! Play away all!"

The players spoke not a word, but went straight to work,
And filled all the positions, to learn from the veterans following their work.
Coaches were pleased what they saw beyond their nose,
They knew this was special of what was composed!

All the teams had finished their draft, now it was time to put into motion,
Their plan for success was their only notion.
 Luck and Griffin, Blackmon and Claiborne, Kalil and Richardson, Cox and Tannehill favorites of all will work to help their teams win it all!
"Happy Drafting  and success to all!"