*Urban Media Outlet*

Who  said sports was unforgiving?  Have we not seen NBA player Kobe Bryant give his heart on the basketball court and feed us something else to talk about instead of his alleged Colorado sexual assault scandal?  Isn’t Michael Vick once again suiting up for the Philadelphia Eagles in the National Football League after being found guilty of running a dog fighting ring? Well if one of the most unforgiving and critical sports cities in the United States of America is willing to give that brother a second chance, there must be some slack that can be cut for the dethroned U.S track queen, Marion Jones.

After winning 5 medals (a feat that no other female track athlete accomplished) for the U.S in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, she was also the first to be stripped of 5 medals.  Like many others looking for victory by any means necessary, in this technological and scientific-infested day and age Marion too fell into the trap of taking illegal performance enhancing drugs to get that extra edge.  Consequently, she fell over her edge and did the time for the federal crime.

Since then, Jones has sincerely apologized and profusely let us know that she does not endorse cheating; her misguided actions just revealed that over all things she could just have loved winning.  Now, maybe because she all too knows of the “nature” of the edge winning athletes have, or in light of the search for a new challenge, or in pursuit of another love, Marion Jones is now signed to the WNBA’s Tulsa Shock team in Oklahoma.   As a student at the University of North Carolina, she had both successful track and basketball collegiate showings.  In 2004, she was previously drafted to play in the WNBA, and currently at age 34, Jones is brushing close to WNBA retirement time.  But still faster than the average Joe (and Joanna), there is still some bright and hopeful years to see how speed, a mature understanding for the game of basketball, and proven skill will play out for Tulsa’s new addition.

Jones stated that the word “redemption” has been removed from her vocabulary, and rightfully so.  She paid her dues behind bars for six months, still has a family that loves her, and sees this opportunity as “a second chance” to find a niche which she can breathe comfortably in.

*Philadelphia Inquirer sports columnist Stephen A. Smith is citing various NBA sources who claim that fired Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson is a bona fide alcoholic and has a serious gambling addiction, having already been banned from casinos in Detroit, Memphis and Denver.

“If numerous NBA sources are telling the truth — and there’s no reason to believe they’d do otherwise in a situation of this magnitude — Iverson will either drink himself into oblivion or gamble his life away,” Smith wrote in his Sunday column.

This latest news comes after a string of bad breaks for the 35-year-old athlete. In late February, Iverson left Sixers indefinitely to tend to his sick daughter. Two weeks later, it was announced he wouldn’t return to the team. And just as soon as his professional life crumbled, so did his personal life when his wife filed for divorce last week.

But in a report from Smith, who covered Iverson extensively as the Sixers former beat writer, Iverson also has serious problems with alcohol and gambling that is causing him to self-destruct.

In calling on Iverson’s former mentor/coaches to step in, Smith writes:

Where is Pat Croce when you need him? Or Iverson’s coach at Georgetown, John Thompson?

Where is the person with the ideal combination of compassion and toughness who would shelter Iverson at the same time he’s holding his feet to the flames? Someone whose vested interest is in Iverson’s well-being, someone who doesn’t need his money or cachet?

Continue reading Smith’s column here.

I am very glad to see Jamaican  Marvadene Anderson ,High School athlete, featured in Miami Live Magazine. This is a e-mag that features the likes of DJ Khaled, Flo-Rida and Pretty Ricky!! You go girl, a blessings and support wi say:

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Why does she look like Castor Semenya in the after pic?

The Mayweather-Pacquiao is not going to happen. After a rigmarole of talk and demands the March fight between the two champs broke down over drug testing negotiations….yeah right… somebody was scared that they were gonna lose their title. Instead Manny Pacquiao will fight Joshua Clottey from Ghana on March 13 available live on pay per view.

Mayweather will be fighting rapper Rick Ross!!!  For real…. read about these big men acting stupid below

Floyd Mayweather Jr’s bout with Manny Pacquiao may be off, but news from Las Vegas is that he has found other potential opponents in the rap division. At a nightclub opening last weekend Mayweather was involved in an altercation with Rick Ross, and although he walked away from it with his precious unbeaten record untarnished, it was only after they had been separated by P Diddy.

Mayweather v Ross has been brewing since Mayweather, poked fun at Ross, who was — mortifyingly — exposed for wearing Louis Vuitton glasses that were counterfeit.

Ross fired back with a line in his track Deeper Than Rap that raised questions over Mayweather’s wealth. Given that his moniker is “Money”, it seems this really hurt.

Source: Owen Slot, UK Times

The Nevada boxing commission on Monday ordered Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. to submit to urine tests in an attempt to break a stalemate that has threatened to derail their proposed March 13 megafight.

Each boxer must submit to the tests within 48 hours or face possible fines or suspension by the Nevada Athletic commission, reports the Associated Press.

“That at least starts the ball rolling,” said Keith Kizer, the commission’s executive director.

As previously reported, Mayweather’s camp has accused Pacquiao of using steroids, and has demanded that the Filipino fighter submit to additional blood tests, which are necessary to find performance-enhancing drugs that may not be detected by urine tests alone.

Mayweather backed off earlier on a demand for the tests to be conducted by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency but has insisted all along that they be done randomly and include blood tests within 30 days before the fight, preferably two days before.

Pacquiao argued that a blood test so close to a fight would weaken him in the ring. Mayweather’s representatives said there was footage on HBO’s “24/7″ program that showed Pacquiao having blood taken 14 days before his knockout win over Ricky Hatton.

Mayweather’s promoter, Richard Schaefer, said he was told that Top Rank representatives would be talking to Pacquiao in the Philippines this week to see what cutoff date he would agree to on blood testing. Schaefer said there was a possibility the two sides could compromise somewhere between Mayweather’s demand for testing up until the weigh-in and the 14 days Pacquiao had blood taken prior to the Hatton fight.

The commission’s demand for urine tests comes a day after Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum said he would not budge off a proposal to do just three blood tests on the two fighters — and none within 30 days of the fight. Arum, who had suggested the NAC decide next month who will prevail in the dispute, said he planned to begin negotiating a fight with Paul Malignaggi if Mayweather’s camp didn’t agree to the terms.

But Mayweather’s manager, Leonard Ellerbe, said Monday there would be no fight on Arum’s terms, and charged the promoter with trying to shift the blame for the fight not happening from Pacquiao’s side to Mayweather.

“If he’s unwilling to do random blood and urine it’s a nonstarter,” Ellerbe told The Associated Press. “He knows that. If they want to walk away from the richest fight in the history of the sport, that’s their decision.”

(source)

For this holiday season, Villanova University in Pennsylvania has given people over the U.S and as far as places like Puerto Rico, Jamaica and even Australia, another reason to be in good spirits.  After 25 long years, (American Football) Coach Andy Tally can now sit adorned and join the likes of other Villanova Wildcat coaches of the school’s basketball, cross country and track and field teams.

Wildcats Whitney (17) & Sczcur (4) enjoy the moment

On December 18, in a prolific game in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and less than one month after Villanova’s cross country team was awarded the institution’s  17th NCAA title, the Villanova football family copped the 18th.  As characteristic as it may seem for a university with countless Division 1 successes, the 18th championship was unique as it was the first of its kind.

Being a feat that could not even be achieved with the presence of Wildcat alum, Brian Westbrook (currently one of the NFL’s powerhouses), it took the heart of underdogs to force their way to the top.  For a team that has smiled in past years with a brush in the playoffs, the tenacity of their 2009 season (with a win/lose record of 14-1), hinted to the fine style in which they would knock off number 1 seed, Montana.

Linebacker Thomas gives close up of national trophy

As quoted by senior Osayi Osunde in the pre-game conference, it was the “one game at a time” mentality that kept MVP favourite Matt Szczur business mindedly bringing his team to set new school records to reach for.  To make things even more delightfully rewarding, ESPN awarded senior Brandyn Harvey a top ten highlight spot for his prowess, and hats went off to Chris Farmer for saving his first collegiate touchdown for his final collegiate game.

For an outstanding season and with the support of an amazing coaching staff, Tally was named the CAA and AFCA Region 1 Coach of the Year.  And as for the deserving student-athletes of the 2009 football team, they too were recipients of countless sports and academic awards in true Wildcat fashion.

You know rugby- that sport that kinda like American football but more European; fashion folks will know Ralph Lauren has been making a lot of money from clothes inspired by rugby gear these past couple seasons.

A Reggae singer is getting some flack in South Africa and France for singing the South African anthem off-key at a Rugby event.

South African flag

The performance of the singer, Ras Dumisani, ahead of a Nov. 13 rugby match between the South African and French national teams, was criticized by the South African Rugby Union, players, the national coach, political parties and newspapers. The embassy said it had the name of only one South African singer in France and forwarded this to France’s rugby union. The South African Rugby Union said it was “shocked and horrified” by the rendition, in a statement on its Web site.

The South African flag was also displayed the wrong way around, an error noticed too late to be rectified, it added.Dumisani, who lives in France, was born in Durban, South Africa

Dumisani is now giving interviews all over South African radio to prove that he knows the words to the anthem, can sing and is a reputable artist.

Here’s the video of the Ras singing the anthem at the game. Check out the faces of the players Some are trying not to laugh, others are mad, some are just like WTF??? Then the commentator pulls that snide remark as Dumisani is shoutin “RAAAAASTAFARIIII!!!”

(Antony Sguazzin)

If Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) boss Paul Campbell has his way, next year could see the start of a national female cricket competition, as the organisation looks to build on the success of the island’s young female cricketers and continue the sport’s development.

The move, besides being geared towards the growth of women’s cricket, is also being pursued as a strategic tool in the association’s push to attract more women spectators to the game.

Paul Campbell confirmed the developments and pointed out that the country can be proud of the steps being taken with regards to improving the sport among female players.

Campbell said, “It’s interesting to note that Jamaica is the first of the territories to have integrated women’s cricket into its programme. To date, they are still struggling to do that in Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados has not done that yet also so in truth we are the leaders and we will continue to move forward in terms of our development programmes at all levels of the sport,” Campbell beamed.

Stafanie Taylor of the West Indies recieves the player of the match award during the ICC Women’s Twenty20 World Cup match between West Indies and South Africa at The County Ground on June 11, 2009 in Taunton, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Jamaica’s female cricketers have been placed into sharp focus after the exploits of 18-year-old Stafanie Taylor, West Indies all-rounder who became the first female to be named JCA Cricketer of the Year after she cracked the world top ten rankings at number nine and number five as an all-rounder.

This also comes on the heels of the national Under-19 female team’s success at the regional championship earlier this season.

At present, there are approximately five local clubs which facilitate female players.

(Jamaica Star)

Today, while watching PBS I came across an interesting piece about a man named John Mackey.

John Mackey is an NFL Hall of Famer who played American Football in the 1960’s and 1970’s with the Baltimore Colts. Now, John Mackey is only 68 years young….. and living with dementia.

Mackey lives in complete assisted living and is taken care of by his wife, Sylvia, who believes that his mental deterioration was caused by the powerful blows suffered to his head while in the NFL.

Mackey in 2007

Mr Mackey says, ” Every year, he would go back to the Hall of Fame ceremony, and, every year that I went back, I noticed that more and more players — and these were Hall of Fame guys — had dementia.”

Slyvia began to investigate whether American football-induced hits and concussions could  lead to illnesses like Alzheimer’s and dementia and how the NFL should go about protecting the men who play the sport. These former players with mental issues from their time playing American football could not receive disability care from the league because they could not prove that their injuries where from the NFL.

A University of North Carolina study into 2,500 former NFL players  would show they faced a 37 percent higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease than other men their age.

In response the NFL and the NFL Players’ Association started the “88 plan”-Mackey played in #88- which provides $88,000-a-year for nursing home care and up to $50,000 annually for adult day care for the former players suffering from football induced mental issues.

While its good that they are taking care of the former players, it left me thinking about what will be the fate of the T.O’s and the Reggie Bush’s of today… Even worse what about the boys and girls playing from age 4???

Its a hard one to think around because this is like the top most sport to Americans but it is being found to be very dangerous.

Similar issues have arisen in other sports such as kickboxing but I guess these dudes know what they are getting into a suit up and run out on the field.

MONTE CARLO- Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, who became one of the world’s most recognized athletes, and American women’s 400 meters world champion Sanya Richards were named IAAF world athletes of the year on Sunday.

Bolt, who won the award for the second year in a row, wiped out his 100 and 200 meters world records with stunning runs in the Berlin world championships in August.

“He has raised (his performances) to an unbelievable level,” International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) president Lamine Diack told a news conference, calling Bolt a brilliant runner in both his specialties.

“He brings a lot of prestige to our sport,” Diack said. “He is one of the best-known people on the planet.”

Richards, who previously won in 2006, described the honor as being on the same level with her Berlin victory, her first global title.

“I am going to be dancing all night,” the 24-year-old Richards said ahead of the IAAF’s annual gala.

Prince Albert II of Monaco, Sanya Richards, Usain Bolt and Lamine Diak at the World Athletics Gala

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Usain Bolt is leading the field as a nominee for the 2009 Athlete of the Year award presented by the International Association of Athletics (IAAF). The Jamaican superstar has sprinted his way back into headlines with the nomination and could take the title for the second year in a row.

Bolt faces some fast competition for the title–fellow sprinter and American 100 meter record holder Tyson Gay received the noteworthy nomination, as did distance great Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia. While Gay ran in the shadow of Bolt for the past two years–Bolt has a 25 race win streak going since 2007– Bekele won double gold at this year’s IAAF World Championships in the 10k and 5k, the latter a distance he hasn’t lost at in three years! Bekele has also won the IAAF Athlete of the Year title twice before.

In addition to Bolt, Gay and Bekele, pole vaulter Steve Hooker of Australia and javelin thrower Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway also received male nominations. Fellow Jamaican Sanya Richards leads the female contenders, but pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia, shot putter Valerie Vili of New Zealand and high jumper Blanka Vlasic of Croatia will all serve as steady competition. The awards will be announced on November 22, 2009.

On Tuesday morning NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar revealed that he was diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer, Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia. Abdul-Jabbar’s prospects are good because the cancer was caught in the early stages and it is now in remission.

Fellow LA Laker, Derek Fisher, had this to say about Jabbar in the L.A. Times

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After months of being out of the public eye, former major league baseball champ Sammy Sosa attended an after-party for the Latin Grammy Awards with a new ‘lite-brite’ skin tone that could give Lisa Hype a run for her dermovate money.

Sosa is from the DR-Dominican Republic- where they have a long history of race/shade based discrimination. Like in Jamaica and other Caribbean and South/Central American countries, the mantra of “if yuh black get back, if yuh brown stick around, if yuh white yuh just right” still stands.

What I think makes the situation in the DR different is that the government, in its bid to be closer to the European demagogues, created the race/ethnicity of ‘indio’ for mixed race people to furthur disassociate themselves from blackness. In DR, blackness is synonymous with Haiti, the tense and unruly country that sits on the other side of the one island.

Popular DJ Vybz Kartel and his main lady Shawty- both are accused of bleaching.What do you think?

Men are bleaching too

This indio race (‘coolie’, ‘Jamaican white’ or plainly ‘pretty hair girl/boy’ as they may be called in Jamaica) is total bullshit because the only indio’s native to the Caribbean are the Maya, the Taino, the Carib, the Azteca etc etc that were mostly exterminated from 1492 onwards when Columbus landed. But people are literally stripping their skin to reach this ideal

Here’s what Sosa had to say, plus before an after pics of SOSA inside

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