Should I Stay or Should I Go?

The past 3 weeks in sports have not been the most impressive, to say the least. First, the Steelers win the Superbowl, then our "hometown hero" Michael Phelps was in deep water for his bong shenanigans, and Alex Rodriguez completely ruined the face of baseball. Just another mediocre month on the world of sports if you ask me. However, February isn't over.

It has been heard that our own Baltimore Raven's free-agent linebacker, Ray Lewis has been trying to convince the Dallas Cowboys the entire off season that it has always been his dream to wear that star on his helmet. Just when I thought things might make a turn for the best, Baltimore's most lovable man, our bread and butter, our glue that holds the city together now wants out.

It has really disappointed me that the NFL has just become a big business to players. Hey, as long as they get their 15 million a year, they don't care if they get shipped to Japan. Ray Lewis is the last player I ever expected to deceive his home team. After all we have been through Ray!!

I guess it really doesn't matter if he left. Ray has given us memories to last a lifetime, and I am forever grateful for that. He will always be the most outstanding linebacker of my generation, and I am thankful he was able to play in my home city. I figured that all the best football players never ended their career with their long-relationship teams. Emmitt Smith left for Arizona, Favre left for the Jets, and even Johnny U never finished with the Colts. Maybe it really is the end of the Ray Lewis era.

But, it's just the principle of the fact that it has always been Ray's dream to be a Cowboy. It makes me feel like he was just wasting his time here in Baltimore. As if he was just here for the money, and then when free agency came along he was going to bolt. It feels like a slap in the face to everyone Baltimore, even to the organization, and by him trying to CONVINCE the Cowboys to sign him is just the twist of the dagger. Just like a long-term relationship with your boyfriend/girlfriend, this one is definitely going to hurt for a while.

We'll see how things go down next week when Ray officially becomes a free-agent on Friday. We'll also see if the Cowboys even have enough money to give away because right now they're trying to make Demarcus Ware one of the richest men in football. It should be interesting. Even is he stays here, I honestly do not know how I will take it. As I said before, it's unfortunately all about the money.

Coming Clean

Is it just me, or is everyone else tired of hearing about Alex Rodriguez? We get it, he took steroids. So did every other Major League Baseball player in America. Well, maybe not every player, but they all have taken some sort of substance or formula to help them perform better, or heal an injury.

About two weeks ago, Alex Rodriguez was found to have allegedly taken steroids from 2001-2003. It was not until last week that he confessed to the allegations of using performance enhancing substances. In an ESPN interview, Alex owned up to what he did, when he did it, and why he did it. He said he used steroids between 2001-2003 when he was with the Texas Rangers because he felt the pressure of being the highest paid player in the league, and he wanted to live up to those expectations. Alex went on to say that he was young and stupid, and that the culture at that time "very loose." (Whatever that means). When asked what kind of substances he was taking, Alex answered by repeating what he had just said, "Peter that's the thing, it was such a loosey goosey era that I'm guilty for a lot of things. I'm guilty for being neglagent, naive, not asking all the right questions, and to be quite honest, I don't know exactly what substances I am guilty of using." It sounded like an intelligent answer. Very well thought out as if rehearsed. I'm not buying the bull that you're feeding, Alex. We all see right through you. You're already confessing to using banned substances, don't pretend like you don't know what it is that you used.

I really do want to believe Alex Rodriguez. He was always, and still is very fun to watch. But, after watching the interview, I'm not sure what to believe. Who is to say that he only took steroids between 2001-2003? I just feel that, all these players who are now finally coming clean are still not telling the complete truth. If they can lie once, then they can lie again. Players like Rodriguez are forever tarnished with the image of steroids. Everyone will always see him play, and think, "Oh, he's still on steroids."

Alex still was not completely honest with Peter Gammons in his interview about what substance he used, and where he got it. A few days ago, he came clean again and confessed that a relative introduced him to a drug that was banned in the United States, but anyone could get legally in the Domincan Republic. Another lie being told. When will this stop? He obviously knew the substance he used was illegal, it came from a different country for crying out loud! But I guess it was just that "loosey goosey" culture again.

As I said before, I really want to believe A-Rod, but I really don't know anymore. I don't know if I can believe anything these players say. It deeply saddens me that players as great as Alex Rodriguez, or Andy Pettite, and Rafael Palmeiro even have to take a drug to enhance their performance. They were good even before using them. The only thing these players got out of using steroids is a bad name, and will forever be looked down on throughout Baseball history. It shows disrespect to the game, and oh yeah, its cheating! Whether A-Rod deserves the Hall of Fame or not is a completely different discussion.

Gone 4 Good...?

This week I was planning on blogging about the Alex Rodriguez fiasco that everyone could not stop talking about. I wanted to stay away from another football topic as last week's blog was about the Steelers. However, I woke up today and found out that Jets QB Brett Favre announced his retirement......again. This was the perfect opportunity to finally share how I truly feel about one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.

Brett Favre announced this morning that he will be stepping away from the game of football once again, telling the New York Jets that he will not be returning for a second year. This is coming only 11 months after he announced his retirement from the Green Bay Packers.

Brett Favre used to be my absolute favorite quarterback that ever stepped onto the field. I always thought that he was a class act. He never got into trouble, or created drama. Favre went out every single Sunday, 276 consecutive times to be exact, and played 110%. He never let anything get him down, and always had a positive attitude toward himself, his players, and the NFL. His poise and presence on the field along with his great athletic ability, and his rocket arm caused him to have an amazing career. Every snap Brett took was more memorable than the last. He is one of those players that can create moments that last a lifetime, simply because he's Brett Favre, and he has gained the credibility and respect from anyone that has seen him play.

Favre ended his career with the Green Bay Packers by coming one game short of the Superbowl. Everyone expected that the NFC Championship was Favre's last game in uniform. His gallant effort in his last season left everyone in awe. To see a man his age turn a losing team around and take them to the playoffs, while having one of the best years of his career, is absolutely admirable. In my eyes, he will be forever thanked for showing us what football is all about.

There is just one problem. His so called, "Last Season", was not his last season. As soon as I came to acceptance that I would never see him play again, he comes out of retirement. I did not want to see him come back because I felt that his time had come and he should have left while he was on top, while he still had the respect of everyone that loved football. Instead, he, like every former athlete, got the itch to play football for a second time. I still cannot understand why he couldn't just stay retired, and leave his legacy alone. He caused such a stir about wanting to come back that it annoyed anyone that turned on ESPN. "Favre" this, and "Favre" that. He even caused trouble with his own Green Bay Packers who felt it was time to move on from the Favre era, and finally start a new beginning with Aaron Rodgers. Favre eventually landed a job for the Jets, kick out out their franchise quarterback, Chad Pennington. This disgusted me to no end. I hated Favre for causing so much drama, only to play for a year at the least.

There comes a time when you just have to realize that enough is enough, and Favre never saw that. Instead, he left a grudge with his former team, and pretty much ruined the Jets chances of ever finding another quarterback because Favre had to kick the last one out. Now, one season later, he is retiring again. I cannot say I didn't see this coming. At age 39, he is definitely not what he used to be, and had a below mediocre year with the Jets. I despise the Jets for even taking a chance on a man almost over the hill, thinking he would be the one to reach them to the Superbowl, while not even reaching the playoffs.

Brett Favre may be one of the best quarterbacks of all time, but he definitely left a bad taste in my mouth.

Steelers/Ravens Rivalry

February 1, 2009 was yet another holiday for football fans across the United States. It was the NFL's 43rd Superbowl, and for the 2nd time in 4 years, and 6th time overall the Pittsburgh Steelers hoisted the Vince Lombardi trophy proudly, as they beat the Arizona Cardinals in an epic battle. Tampa Bay, Florida was the site of the most depressing Superbowl ever watched by a Baltimore fan.

For Ravens fans, this is the last team that you want to see popping the champagne in the locker room of where we won our first Superbowl. The Steelers/Ravens rivalry began in 1996, and ever since then, the fans have grown strong hatred for each other. A few things come to mind when thinking about a Steelers/Ravens matchup: Close games, bad calls, hard hits, and pure hatred. Growing up in Baltimore it is considered a sin too even remotely like Pittsburgh. Both teams have never gotten along. Players and coaches absolutely despise each other, and neither of them like the way they play the game.

I never really had a huge problem with Steeler fans until this year. Sure, I couldn't even bare to look at a Terrible Towel, or even wear black and yellow at the same time. And maybe I DID see Steeler fans as arrogant, cocky, and classless. But, as a Ravens fan, I knew the bad mouthing was all in fun because we can sometimes get the same way. The little respect that I did have for Pittsburgh was flushed completely down the toilet when I went to Heinz Field for this year's AFC Championship game. The Ravens were trying to avoid a 3 game sweep in one season by the Steelers. This might have been the most crucial, hard-nosed, blood and sweat game anyone had ever witnessed. It felt like I was enlisting into World War III. The battlegrounds were brutal, and the victory was worth more than just a trip to the Superbowl, it was about dignity and pride.

Never in my wildest dreams have I ever thought about sitting in a bright yellow chair in Heinz Field. For some strange reason, it felt pretty good. It felt as if I was part of the rivalry, as if I was suited up and ready for war. I felt like I belonged, and maybe I was right about never really having a problem with the Steelers. I figured, both teams made it this far, the least we could do is congratulate each other, and wish them the best. WRONG. To put this lightly, I have never met a bigger group of classless, disrespectful degenerates in my life. Everyone told me I was crazy for wanting to go to Pittsburgh, and get hounded. Well, I took that with a grain of salt and never really thought my experience would be as bad as it was. My comfortability level completely collapsed, and I felt like the smallest person in the world.

I will admit that in Baltimore we are not the most welcoming fans. Up until now, I really did feel as though the ridicule was just for laughs. NOT in Pittsburgh. The fans genuinely hate everything about Baltimore and the people that live there. Let's just say the time I spent there wasn't exactly like a trip to Disneyworld. I have never felt so low in my entire life. The verbal abuse that I took was more psychologically harmful than a physical beating I could, and almost received. I really did fear for my life at one point during the game.

Of course, the Steelers came out winners, and we once again felt like complete losers. Our walk of shame out of the stadium consisted of trash thrown at us, gloating, and still more bad-mouthing. The torture we were going through did not strike me until a Steeler fan bragged about the near death hit one of his players put on Willis McGahee. From that moment, I 100% lost all respect for anyone who supported the Steelers. How could any human being be so rude as to say stuff about a player that was almost killed? A human being with no respect. I expected a little more from everyone at Heinz Field. I promised myself I would never go back to Pittsburgh.

Two weeks later, Superbowl XLIII rolled around. The Cardinals were clear underdogs in the matchup, but that did not stop me from wearing red and rooting against the Steelers. After the heart wrenching loss, I never wanted to watch football again. Baltimore fans can not catch a break with the team that steamrolled past them 3 times this season.

No matter how badly I hated the Steelers and the city of Pittsburgh, I was absolutely impressed with the way they played this season. They truly are the greatest team, and deserved every bit of their 6th Superbowl victory. It breaks a piece of my heart to say that the Pittsburgh Steelers are extremely talented, and that Big Ben is possibly one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. I have to commend every player on the squad for an amazing season. Everyone says how lucky they get, and I disagree. If teams do not cash in on big scoring opportunities, then they do not deserve to beat the Steelers. After sulking for 2 days, I was given a new found respect for the Pittsburgh Steelers. They really are a great team. I still will never forget how badly I was treated, but the experience might be worth remembering.