Day Ten: My Favorite NFL Stars Part One

It is late. I don't know why I wait so late. Yes, I do, because lately I've been just trying to come up with topics.  Forty topics in forty days is rather a leap for me. Normally, I would write once a week and only during football season. So, this has been a bit different.  Anyway...

Tonight, in honor of my favorite players birthday, I am going to do a list of my favorite players.  I'm going to divide it into two parts.  Part one will cover retired players, while part two will cover current NFL players. These are players that I simply loved to watch play every Sunday afternoon.  Some, I just loved to watch, but all helped to make football my favorite sport.

#10-Shawne Merriman-Linebacker, San Diego Chargers.  I didn't want to like Shawne Merriman. He played for the enemy, but 1) he was cute, 2) he had that back story that would make Annie cry, and he would do the most horrible things to quarterbacks. He almost reminded me of Derrick Thomas. I know there are Chiefs fans who will hate me for saying that, but man, when Merriman was at his best he was so dang quick. Seriously, if it hadn't been for that game in Tennessee, and a bad decision to play on a bum wheel, who knows how good he could have been.  Still liked watching him play though, sue me.

#9-Junior Seau-Linebacker, San Diego Chargers.  I originally liked to look at Junior Seau.  Plus, he had an awesome name for a linebacker, SAY-ow!  Seau was a tremendous linebacker with a great smile, a big heart, and a penchant for destroying my Chiefs.  I was bummed that he (like Tony G.) never won a Super Bowl.  It's been almost three years, and I still can't believe the tragic way his life ended. He will be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in the Class of 2015.

#8-Steve Young-Quarterback, San Francisco 49ers. I didn't like Young at first.  He was taking Montana's place, and I didn't like it one bit. Young, though, grew on me.  Even though I always rooted for Joe to beat him when they played each other, no one was cheering louder than me when he finally won Super Bowl XXIX.  HOF Class of 2005.

#7-Ronnie Lott-Cornerback/Safety, San Francisco 49ers.  Yes, I'm aware he played for other teams, including a brief stint with the Kansas City Chiefs, but I loved watching him play for the 49ers. This guy was one of the toughest men in the NFL.  He had part of his finger amputated for goodness sakes!  HOF Class of 2000.

#6-Will Shields-Offensive Guard, Kansas City Chiefs.  Will Shields was a part of one of the greatest offensive lines in Kansas City Chiefs history, if not NFL history.  He blocked for Marcus Allen, Priest Holmes, and that guy I'd rather not talk about. 223 consecutive games, an iron man at guard. 12 time Pro Bowler, and now a member of the Hall of Fame Class of 2015.

#5-Marcus Allen-Running Back, Kansas City Chiefs.  Yes, I know he had his best years with a team that shall not be named, but when he moved over to the Chiefs, I could legitimately root for him. He was handsome and still better never lost a game to that team while he was a Chief.  Even at the tail-end of his career during his five years with the Chiefs he scored 44 touchdowns, averaged about 740 rushing yards a season, and about 230 receiving yards. HOF Class of 2003.

#4-Jerry Rice-Wide Receiver, San Francisco 49ers. Remember, this is not a Greatest of all time list. It's my favorite players list. What's not to love?  First, he's from my home state of Mississippi, and he is literally the greatest receiver to ever play the position. Fun was watching Montana to Rice, especially in that 55-10 beatdown on Elway and the Broncos, and later Young to Rice. He still holds practically every record at the position.  Yes, I know he played for other teams.  I just don't acknowledge those years.  My prerogative. HOF Class of 2010.

#3-Derrick Thomas-Linebacker, Kansas City Chiefs.  Derrick Thomas is the reason I became a Kansas City Chiefs fan. While I never have been nor ever will be an Alabama fan, I could not help but fall for this guy's play.  He was every quarterback's nightmare and still holds the single game sack record. He embarrassed more offensive lines than the law would allow, but his time was cut tragically short by an accident that claimed his life.  Hard to believe that has been 15 years. Still miss him.  RIP DT.  HOF Class of 2009.

#2-Joe Montana, Quarterback, San Francisco 49ers/Kansas City Chiefs. See what I did there. Most of these players I only acknowledged the teams that I actually would admit they played for. Joe Montana played for my two favorite teams.  He was my first football hero.  You like Tom Brady? Keep him, for me, Joe Montana is the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be. Never lost a Super Bowl, Brady. Never lost a Super Bowl... HOF Class of 2000.

#1-Tony Gonzalez, Tight End, Kansas City Chiefs/Atlanta Falcons. I have followed his entire career, perhaps a little too closely. I didn't think he was going to make it at the start, but I'm glad he is stuck around for another 16 years, and in the process, became the one of the greatest (I say the greatest)tight end of all time. Watching him catch a pass was a thing of beauty, and I was fortunate enough to see him catch his 100th and 101st touchdowns in person. If Derrick Thomas made me a Chiefs fan, Tony G. helped keep me in the Red and Gold.  Although I listed the Falcons, I still haven't forgiven them for that abomination of a last season they awarded him with, and unlike most fans, I didn't feel disrespected in the least when he dunked at Arrowhead.  Alas, he was the last on this list to retire taking his trademark dunk with him.  Happy birthday, Tony Gonzalez, hope to see you with the NFL HOF Class of 2019 or 2020 depending on whether or not he actually filed that pesky paperwork...

That's it. My favorite players. Remember, not a list of the greatest of all time, just mine.

Until next time, "Winners, I am convinced, imagine their dreams first. They want it with all their heart and expect it to come true. There is, I believe, no other way to live."-Joe Montana

Fans, Stans, or Groupies...

Happy Monday, everybody. Like most relationships, I have a love/hate relationship with Twitter. Last night, some people were dropping some knowledge that sort of irked me. It reminded me of a quote one young man dropped a few weeks ago. This young man who shall heretofore remain nameless made the following generalization that women who follow sports are either groupies or gay (I won't repeat what he actually said, because I find that term offensive). I took exception to this comment, because I am not a groupie or gay, and I love sports. Most of my blog is devoted to my love of sports.

As far back as I can remember, I've followed sports. My Grandmother introduced me to sports. She was hopelessly devoted to the New Orleans Saints and the San Francisco 49ers. My oldest cousins were mostly boys with whom I was not going to play "dollies." It was tackle football (mostly on gravel, no wonder my legs are jacked up), stinger baseball (which is played with a tennis ball, which is used basically to nail you as you round 1st, 2nd, 3rd or even if you are safe), and track (which often included one of them trying to trip you out of the starting gate). Even hide and seek turned into a contact sport. When it was over, it was into our grandmother's house to watch football (They liked mostly like the Cowboys, while I was a 49ers fan [converted to the Chiefs in the 90s]), basketball (They were and still are Lakers fans, while I supported and still support the Celtics), and wrestling (They [surprise] rooted for the bad guys, and I rooted for the babyfaces). Thursday nights, we went to junior high school football games, Friday nights high school football games. The reason I joined the band was because I couldn't play football, and this would get me into all the games for free. Two of my cousins were pretty good football players, one even played for Mississippi College. My uncle who is a workaholic, would always turn to me for information on any and all of his favorite players and teams. I was my family's walking talking version of ESPN.

When I was in 7th grade, I had a final growth spurt and shot up to 5' 4". My P.E. teacher thought it would be a good idea for me to join the basketball team, as I was one of the taller girls. She thought. I sucked. One, there was a reason I was in band. I had no coordination, and band was spent mostly in a chair. Two, the running. Like my favorite baseball player, David Justice, I wasn't that keen on all those damn laps. Three, I can't shoot a basket to save my life. To leave practice, we would have to shoot 10 free throws in a row. I would be the last girl there with only one or two baskets. I would shoot until she felt sorry for me. After two days, we both realized that this was a bad idea. *Shrug*

I grew up with Joe Montana and the catch, loved Dwight Clark, Jerry Rice, Roger Craig, Ronnie Lott, Brent Jones, Derrick Thomas, Neil Smith, Cornelius Bennett, Bruce Smith, Darryl Talley, Rod Woodson, hated Danny White, Tony Dorsett (I don't really hate him. He seems like a nice dude, but he wore the star), Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irving, John Elway, basically all things Denver, Dallas and Oakland. When I was younger, I wasn't looking at these guys going, "OMG, Becky, they are gorgeous." Mostly, because they weren't. I watched sports for the pure athleticism, for the head knocking, and the trash talking (which was the only reason I remotely like Shannon Sharpe). I loved it!

I admit as I started Jr. High school, I started realizing how cute some athletes were. While my friends had Michael Jackson, Bon Jovi, New Edition, or NKOTB on their walls, on their binders and in their lockers, mine were covered with David Justice, Rod Woodson, Warren Moon, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and Derrick Thomas. When I started college, while the girls were watching 90210 and Melrose Place in our lobby, I was across the alley at the rec hall watching the Braves or the NFL with the guys, who were often at a loss for words at my ability to learn and spout off facts, or the fact that I would give them a hearty STFU without fear of retaliation. Most of my friends were athletes; most of my boyfriends were athletes. Not because, that's what I was looking for, it was with whom I was hanging out.

Now, I will fully admit the only reason I have remotely rooted for the San Diego Chargers is because of one Shawne Merriman. If he ever leaves the Chargers, I will go back to ignoring them, like I basically did before he came into the league. I almost did when they fired Marty Schottenheimer. I honestly rooted for the Saints, because they are considered our "hometeam" and Darren Sharper. Reggie Bush? Uh, no. "Sideline" Reggie is cute, but I can't really think of one thing I would like to hear him talk about. The gay aspect, I am not gay. I love men. So, why wouldn't I watch sports that have the finest specimen of the opposite sex. It's why I watch movies, too. That doesn't mean I want to jump the bones of every single guy on the screen. I love Don Cheadle the actor; it doesn't mean I want to be his baby momma. Add Forrest Whittaker and Morgan Freeman to that list.

I love 48 Hours, but I'm gonna keep it on the real. I pay more attention to the story when it's told by Troy Roberts rather than Peter Van Sant. Why do you have to degrade women? Let's keep it real. You boys watched Tomb Raider minamally for the action and maximally for Angelina Jolie and her boobs. You watched Transformers for the action and Megan Fox, clearly storyline was not important with that film. I'm the girl who was pissed that they added too much of the love story between Aragorn and Arwen in the Lord of the Rings.

I love fantasy football. I'm in a league with several of my former students, and I join a couple of other leagues every year. I'm not the best fantasy player, but I know enough to have won two championships, two second place finishes, three third place finishes, in addition to finishing last and next to last twice each. I don't look to find a husband in these leagues. My goal is to take them down. It makes me feel better for every bruise that my cousins gave me.

We don't call men groupies who solely watched Monster's Ball or Swordfish to see Halle Berry naked. We don't call men gay who watch soap operas (My favorite baseball player David Justice said he loved The Young and The Restless). So, why do you feel the need to generalize women who like sports as groupies, Stans, or gay? I am well aware that there are women who watch sports for those reasons, but most of us are genuine fans. I admit that I might be a Stan when it comes to Tony Gonzalez or Shawne Merriman, but give me one reason, I'm still a fan of the Chiefs if not for my love for the team...I'll wait...

I'm also not delusional. I know that I have a snowball's chance in my backyard of meeting, much less doing anything with any of these guys at any time. I'm a dumpy, fat chick who likes watching the best of the best knock the snot out of each other every Sunday, Monday, some Thursdays, and Saturdays, and if they happen to be a good looking dude, well that's all the better.

Until next time, "I feel like I'm the best, but you're not going to get me to say that."-Jerry Rice

Somedays...I Would Like to Shoot my TV...and other Random Thoughts

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." Martin Luther King Jr

I'm taking a minute away from my normal diatribe about my life as a fantasy football owner to talk about a subject that has dominated the airwaves for the last two weeks-The Tiger Woods Saga. It all started innocuously enough. Most of us had that momentary heart skip a beat when we heard that Tiger Woods was in serious condition after a car accident. "Oh, no," most of us thought, "I hope Tiger is okay." After a summer of people the world has come to know and love leaving us, it was a rational idea. That is until we heard that the accident had happened in the wee hours of the morning (like grandma said, nothing good ever happens after midnight). Then, we hear about unusual scratches, alleged arguments, broken out back windows, golf clubs, and of course, we became interested. Why? Because we are a country that thrives on "reality" shows, we grew up with The Maury Povich Show (Joe, you are not the father), cut our teeth on Jerry Springer (Jerry, Jerry, Jerry), read tabloids as we check our groceries (Branelina adopts #3), because we like to know that there is somebody's life out there who is more interesting and jacked-up than mine.

We are the reasons these trainwreck shows, The Girls Next Door, Flavor of Love, Rock of Love, The Hills, The Real World, Cheaters, Frankie and Neffe, Tiny and Toya, Bravos Housewives, Keeping up with the Kardashians, etc. are all still on the air. (Most of these people, to quote Ulysses Everett McGill, "are just dumber than a bag of hammers!") I'll be honest with you. I don't really watch these shows. What I know about them comes from Joel McHale making fun of them on The Soup or Chelsea Handler on Chelsea Lately. Just watching the commercials makes me want to take a shower, and they have the same affect on my intellect as driving my head through a wall. America, however, wanted more. It wasn't just the tabloids anymore. It was ESPN (who shouldn't be casting any stones), CNN, Dateline, 20/20, Today...Blah-Blah-Blah.

Over the course of the last two weeks, everyone everywhere has been giving there opinions on the whole Tiger drama. So, since this is my blog. I'm going to share mine. There were just some statements that, to speak the venacular, hit me in the wrong way. I would like to take the moment to address a few of these comments.

#1-"Why are we surprised? He's just a man. He's a handsome, rich, athlete, why wouldn't he?" Guys, you should be insulted by this comment, because it is a cop out. It is an excuse. That's like saying to a fat kid that its okay for him to eat a dozen Krispy Cremes, cause he's a fat kid. Okay, well it's an apples to oranges comparison, but you get my point. So, let me get this straight. As long as he did not "physically" hurt his wife, kept her in a nice house, and kept her wearing the best clothes while driving their kids in the best car, it's alright for him to have as many affairs as he wants to? If he wasn't rich and athletic, would we feel the same way? What if he were your child's high school science teacher, would you still feel the same? I doubt it. He could have physically hurt her, as well as, his children with STD's. She's blessed, as far as we know, not to have that issue. Golf is one of the few sports that rely on the golfers to tell the truth about their actions on the course. They have score cards that they themselves fill out, and they are suppose to be honest and truthful. As a husband or a wife (ladies, I'm not excluding you either), you make the same commitment. You are suppose to love, honor and cherish your partner. If you are not ready to fulfill those obligations, you should not get married. Being a player hasn't hurt Derek Jeter's image, why not? Because HE IS SINGLE! He hasn't committed himself to one woman. He can date as many girls as he wants because he is not MARRIED. If you want a buffet of ladies, don't get married. If he had honored his marriage vows the way he honored his PGA card, Nike, or GM deals, none of this would have happened to him.

#2-"Why does he only date white women? Why weren't any of the girls Black?" Wh-wh-what? First of all, black people let it go. Tiger is mostly Asian. I don't see Asian people offended, by the fact that he didn't "hook up" with Asian girls either. Some people just have a preference. I prefer black clothes. So what... Get over it. This guy knows who he is. He celebrates his "individuality," so much so that he gave it his own name. Big deal. Did you miss the fact that he cheated on his wife, with an unknown number of women (We don't know the exact number. We just know that he says he had transgressions. As an English major, by adding the "s" and making it plural, we assume that he had more than one.). He admitted his infidelity, and you concern yourself with what shade the women are? Shaq allegedly cheated with black women does that make it better for you? It doesn't for me. I'm pretty sure his wife isn't considering the shade of skin tone either.

#3-"Tiger Woods was set up by "The Man" who doesn't want to see a "brother" succeed." Really..."The Man"...Really? What is this 1970? While Tiger's libido may resemble one of the swingers of the 70's, are we really going to go there? When did this turn into I'm Gonna Git You Sucka? "The Man" made Tiger swing his driver and polish his balls. C'mon, really? Blaming "The Man" is like blaming "The Devil" for your transgressions. Neither can make you do anything that you yourself aren't willing to do anyway. I don't care if "the man" had naked women swinging from Tiger's chandelier; Tiger made the choice to partake in the naughty buffet, and like a fat man on a diet at Golden Corral, he was "weak" and succumbed. Period, end of discussion. Tiger can blame no one but Tiger.

#4-"He's a busta for letting people chase him off the course. I ain't letting no body keep me from my job for this." Uhm, folks, Tiger literally never has to work another day in his life, unless he wants to, and unless he goes all Nicholas Cage or Mike Tyson with his money, he will be okay. That said. In my profession, I can tell you that there is a about a 95% chance that I would not be able to keep my job, and I don't make millions or hundreds of thousands of dollars. Tiger makes more swigging G2 than I will in my entire life time. If he had concentrated on his relationship like he does making the final cut, this wouldn't have happened. If he had spent as many hours working on his relationship as he did getting ready for the Masters, this wouldn't have happened. Just like the petulant young man on the golf course who gets fans thrown out for taking a picture of his swing, Tiger is use to having things his way. Things have now spiralled out of his control, and he feels like he needs to gain control of it. How pray tell can he do that on the golf course? Best revenge is success? Who has already had the most success on the course? So, he hasn't captured Jack Nichlaus' majors. The man is 33 years old. He could win one major a year and still have that record by 40. He needs to step back and look at what he has done to his family and his reputation. We don't know that he is running, and so what if he is, it is now his business. Let it go.

Whew, stepping down from my soapbox. I expect that a lot of people will not agree with me. That's okay. This is simply what it is my opinion. I stopped looking up athletes and movie stars as role models as a kid... Why? I stopped being naive a long time ago. Because, nobody is perfect. I learned that when I saw Jerry Rice drop F-bombs during a heated post-game interview, Magic Johnson admit his HIV status, Larry Bird and Dr. J's outside kids, Derrick Thomas' list of children after his death, and Shawne Merriman busted for steriods. I watch these players for the talent they display on the field. I enjoy them for the entertainment, joy and memories their athletics have brought me, and I leave it at that. We don't really know these people, but at the end of the day, that's what they are extrodinarily talented "people" who make mistakes just like you and me. I'm not going to stop watching because of their indiscretions, neither are you. Just like every Easter, Thankgiving, and Christmas, I watch a little girl (a girl who eventually left this world dead of an overdose on a bathroom floor) following the yellow brick road just trying to find her way home.

It’s a Believable Story…Y’all saw Hancock, Right?

Welcome back, everybody! Week Twelve of the fantasy football season has come and gone, and it left my team with about as much love as a Thanksgiving turkey after dinner. So, what’s been happening? We digress for a moment to talk about an athlete not an NFL player getting in trouble. What’s up with Tiger Woods y’all? Who knew he was a playa? I’m sorry, player. Wow, Eldrick… Big ups on the story about the back windows of the vehicles, it is really believable. No, really, we believe you. *wink* Now, I don’t condone Tiger’s actions, but seriously was anyone really shocked? Okay, we were shocked temporarily, because he billed himself as “Mr. Perfect.” After words, it was more, eh… Back to football. The New Orleans Saints laid a smackdown on The Hoodie and the New England Patriots. Tom Brady looked as if he were ready to cry, and The Hoodie looked perplexed…He still looked perplexed two days later. Drew Brees and Darren Sharper and all those people who catch the ball from Drew Brees are showing that the Saints are leaving their “Ain’ts” history behind. Peyton Manning pulled out another victory against the Houston Texans who appear to be writing a book on how to lose the Indianapolis Colts. This makes five comeback victories in a row for Peyton. The Minnesota Vikings had two players cited for speeding off the field this week, Bernard Berrian and Adrian Peterson, clearly they thought they were still on the field as they and Lord Favre walked all over the Chicago Bears last week. Hines Ward questioned Big Ben’s head after the Steelers dropped their third game in a row as the Ravens defeated the Steelers with young Dennis Dixon at the helm. Tennessee made it five wins in a row with Vince Young returning to the pocket. The San Diego Chargers introduced their 50^th anniversary team and then proceeded to introduce my Kansas City Chiefs to a world of hurt with a 43-14 victory. Larry Johnson then add insult to injury by running for 107 yards in Cedric Benson’s absence in Cincinnati’s victory against Cleveland. The Bengals have swept the NFC North. Now, who saw that coming? The Sanchize injured himself Thursday night against the Bills, and Rex Ryan called him a knuckle head. Tony Gonzalez and the Falcons pulled out a victory after losing Matt Ryan and Michael Turner. Washington, St. Louis, Carolina, and Jacksonville lost…Nothing to see there.

Now, for my weekly Shawne Merriman statement. Rest up, big man. You don’t really have to play against Cleveland. They will find a way to lose. I need you well rested for December 20^th and Christmas Day. Why you ask? I need to see the match against Cincinnati and OchoCinco. Christmas Day, it will be payback against the Titans who injured your knee. (That’s right Mawae, I haven’t forgotten). Now, San Diego fans, get off his back. I had a similar injury in my arm. Spent a week in a sling, and a month in physical therapy. He tried to play last week; he couldn’t. Yes, Eli played with the same injury, and they lost to Denver. I hope he leaves (Kansas City or San Francisco?). Ingrates. Be careful what you complain about, just ask the Chiefs how they would love to have Jared Allen, Scott Fujita, and Tony Gonzalez back. I’d rather have a 50% Merriman than what we have half the time. I saw that game last week. Wasn’t pretty. Sigh…I guess I’ll talk about what happened to my fantasy team last week…

This past week my fantasy teams went 1-3. Whatever…

The Merry Mad Men (7-5) v. the Last Cowboy

My Merry Mad Men took on The Last Cowboy of the Hell Raisers League. I played the following team: QB-Matt Hasselbeck, RBs-LaDainian Tomlinson and Ricky Williams, WR-Donald Driver, Mike Wallace, Reggie Wayne, TE-Tony Gonzalez, K-Nate Keading, DST-San Diego Chargers.

My MadMen fell off considerably last week without Kurt Warner steering the helm. Kurt was hurt (hey that rhymed), so I started Matt Hasselbeck, whose 5 points weren’t much better than the inactive Warner. LDT and Ricky Williams both turn in okay performances. TG had 8 points even without his starting QB. My receivers are killing me with these single digit performances. My Player of the Week is the Chargers D/ST who ran up 23 points against my Kansas City Chiefs. *Sigh* It didn’t help as the Last Cowboy lassoed the MadMen 121-104.

Hecate’s HellHounds (5-7) v. Tim Grim Reapers 2

Well the HellHounds will definitely be cleaning out their lockers this week. The Playoffs are history for this team. This victory was too little, too late. Playoff hopes are gone with the wind. My starting lineup: QB-Drew Brees, RBs-Ryan Grant and Ricky Williams, WRs-Nate Burleson, Mike Wallace, Donald Driver, TE-Tony Gonzalez, K-Olindo Mare, DST-San Diego Chargers. This game showed all the hope that I had for this team when the season began. There was all kinds of points springing up for this team. Even the bench had 66 points. My Player of the Week was, of course, Drew Brees with 44 points. The HellHounds are going down swinging taking out Tim Grim Reapers 2, 133-57.

The Crazy 88’s (6-6) v. Jawbreaker

Turn out the lights; the party’s over for the 88’s who are tied for last place in our division. SMH… I started QB-Donovan McNabb, RBs-Mewelde Moore and LDT, WRs-Donald Driver, Reggie Wayne, Mike Wallace, TE-Tony Gonzalez, K-Dan Carpenter, DST-San Diego Chargers. Blah-blah-blah, They lost. The San Diego Chargers D/ST was my player of the week with 23 points. The Crazy 88’s fall (again) to Jawbreaker 106-89.

Gonzalez menos un Gonzalez (5-7) v. Big Fat Ugly Dudes

Team Gonzalez menos un Gonzalez was on the ropes. Now, we have gone down like Oscar de la Hoya against Manny Paquiao. I lined-up with: QB-Mark “But, I’m a rookie” Sanchez, RB-LDT, and Mike Bell, WR-T. J. Houshmandzadeh, Mike Wallace, and Larry Fitzgerald, TE-Tony Gonzalez, K-Dan Carpenter, DST-San Diego Chargers. The Chargers D/ST was my player of the week with 18 points. The Big Fat Ugly Dudes sat on the GMG and destroyed my playoff hopes with a final score of 81-56.

A brief moment...

I would like to take this moment to congratulate one of my all-time favorite players, Derrick Thomas. Derrick Thomas was the reason I became a Kansas City Chiefs fan. I loved watching him fly around the field and taking down quarterbacks. His 7 sacks in a game is record that stands to this day, and one many think will never be broken. When Derrick Thomas died, Chiefs fans lost more than a player. I actually stopped watching for two years after his death. It just wasn't the same. Thomas spent his entire career in a Kansas City Chiefs uniform. This past August, DT was finally inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. Today, December 6, 2009, the Kansas City Chiefs will retire his number 58. It feels good to know that no one will ever wear his number 58 as a Chief again. There will never be another that could fill those cleats. Thank you, #58. RIP Derrick Thomas (1967-2000)...

Well, that’s all I’ve got guys. This week is the final week of the fantasy football season. Playoffs begin next week. Good Luck to you guys during week 13. Until next week, kids… I’d like to leave you with this from Herman Edward, “I wish we could have made more of a game of it, but it wasn't. They took us behind the woodshed and whupped us.” Have a good fantasy week, y’all…

Questioning My Fanhood

There is something that you guys should know about me. First of all, I have ADD, and no it was not adult onset I have always have it. Thank God, I'm not ADHD. So the idea that I can follow or do anything for an extended period of time is amazing. Guitar, lasted two lessons so far. Spanish, lasted two months. Lost, I was lost after two years. I mean, right now I am writing this blog, Twittering, and checking my Facebook.

The one thing that I have always managed to maintain my love of football. It started watching my oldest cousin pound the pigskin against our local high school rivals. Then, I saw Joe Montana. I immediately became a San Francisco 49ers. Although I could not see every game, I could not wait until Sunday to watch Joe, John Taylor, Roger Craig, Jerry Rice, Tom Rathman, well you catch my drift. One of my favorite Super Bowl memory was Joe Montana and Jerry Rice dropping a double nickel on Elway and the Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV. I like most Niners fans had a healthy disdain for the Cowboys, Raiders, and later the Packers and the Broncos.

Now even though I was a 49ers fan, I had brief flirtations with other players. PLAYERS, not teams. Sure, I rooted for the Buffalo Bills in all four of their Super Bowls, but as Niners fan I could not root for any NFC team. As I was saying, flirtations with players on other teams. Rod Woodson, Cornelius Bennett, Deion Sanders, Junior Seau were a few, but there was only one player who caused me to question my fanhood-Derrick Thomas.

Now unlike Rod Woodson who was talented (but let's face it, if he were not cute, I would never have watched the Steelers), he could not tempt me to leave the Niners, but Derrick Thomas and Neil Smith did. I started cheating on my Niners with the Kansas City Chiefs. Keep in mind, in my hometown, we had a better chance of seeing the Chiefs than the Niners, and nothing was finer than Derrick Thomas breaking a quarterback in the morning. Then, I was devestated to learn that Joe Montana was being traded-until I learned it was to the Kansas City Chiefs. All of a sudden it went from my Niners to my Chiefs. I actually found myself rooting against the Niners when the played against my Chiefs. Marty, Joe, the formerly hated Marcus Allen, and Derrick Thomas, what was there not love. Then, they drafted Tony Gonzalez. I was addicted. Then, tragedy struck. Derrick Thomas passed away in 2000. For the first time in my life, I didn't want to watch football.

Then in 2004, I discovered NFL Network by accident on my satellite, and they were showing Chiefs game. I saw Tony Gonzalez leap into the air and score in the endzone, and once again, I was hooked-it was a full on addiction. I could not get enough and, thanks to the NFL Network and the internet, I didn't have to. Everything started out well, but quickly it began to fall apart, and now five years later, I am now questioning my Chiefs fanhood. First of all, I don't like Scott Pioli, nor Todd Haley. I don't know them personally, but they seem to be arrogant jerks. I could be wrong. They keep dropping players right and left; I don't recognize my team. They trade Tony Gonzalez to Atlanta. They haven't made up their mind about Brian Waters and Larry Johnson. Maybe they will, maybe they won't trade Glenn Dorsey. I can't wrap my mind around it. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have won six games in two seasons. That said, outside of Tony Gonzalez, no player for the Chiefs have done anything on the field worthy of admiration. I know most of the blame fell on Herm Edwards and Carl Peterson, but the players didn't do a heck of a lot on the field where it matters.

The 49ers are getting better, but they are in the same boat. Vernon Davis showed flashes, and Patrick Willis is awesome, but neither of them, have impressed me enough to bring me back into the fold. What is a girl to do? I still root for both teams; I still bleed red and gold (both shades), but I need to see something this season. I don't have the stamina to be like the Cubs fans. It has been a long time for both teams (Chiefs, longer of course). There, of course, is this other linebacker who reminds me a lot of the havoc that Derrick Thomas wrecked upon the AFC West. I already find myself watching him more than the Chiefs (mostly because I have Dish Network, and the Chiefs are rarely shown thanks to Lord Favre, Peyton, Eli, and the Saints. I watch a lot of the San Diego Chargers because of the nationals. Even so, I hope TG has a good season in Atlanta (not too good, we need a good draft pick next year considering the Chiefs have nothing this year to show for this trade. I swear, it was like trading a mint condition 1997 Rolls Royce, for what Ford might roll off the line next year.) But, I will not be rooting for the Falcons, just TG, while I hope my Chiefs and Niners get off the skids. I will keep questioning my fanhood, and find myself cheering for the Chiefs and the Niners, even if they go 3-13.

Go Chiefs!!!!!!!!!!! Go Niners!!!!!!!!!