Sports Anchor Rafer Weigel

Eye gouging is an act so deplorable it's not acceptable in even the most violent of sports. Mixed martial arts will let you elbow a guy in the head, but not gouge an eye. Pro wrestling will let you hit a guy with a chair, grab his hair, or step on his head, but no eye gouging.

Hey Spikes, watch where you put those fingers, ok?

Apparently the act of trying to blind someone who is defenseless is not a big deal for the Florida football program or the Southeastern Conference. Gator linebacker Brandon Spikes was caught on-camera blatantly jamming his fingers into the facemask of Georgia’s Washaun Ealey. And now his coach, Urban Meyer, suspended him for a half in their upcoming game against Vanderbilt. A HALF a game for what is basically assault.

Now, I’m not so naïve to think eye gouging doesn’t happen all the time. I know Spikes just got caught. But that doesn’t make it right and it’s why he should have at least SOME kind of punishment that sends a message that these kinds of things are not tolerable.

Tim Tebow—who I normally respect a great deal—said, “I don’t think we did anything in that game that they didn’t do.” This is supposed to be the team’s leader in every sense of the word and he’s justifying it by saying essentially, “Well, those guys did it too.” So essentially, his excuse is since they were doing it, we were doing it too.

Meyer said he doesn’t “condone” Spikes' behavior. Really? That’s good since he could have blinded the guy. Glad to hear you don’t “condone” trying to blind someone.

The people who should be the most upset about Spikes' behavior and his coach’s non-punishment are Florida Gator fans. UF is the reigning BCS National Champion. They hold themselves to a higher standard. To inadequately penalize this means that they also hold themselves to a double standard.

What gets me mad is, coaches are supposed to not just be churning out football players they’re supposed to be churning out men. They’re not just supposed to build champions but build character. Meyer’s response basically confirms what we all inherently knew—the NCAA isn’t about achieving excellence. It’s about winning and generating money off the backs of unpaid athletes many of whom will never play the sport after college. It just would be nice if those in positions of authority like conference cfficials or Meyer would pretend it’s not all about that.

It would also be nice if we could discourage behavior that could leave a player with long-term or permanent injury once they leave school.

Sports Anchor Rafer Weigel

Don’t feel bad for Rush Limbaugh. The man who’s made a career of making himself and his fans out to be victims of the left just got material for months. But this is one he can’t blame on the liberals. This was a business decision born out of free market principals—the very thing Rush prides himself on supporting to the end.

Limbaugh was forced out of a business deal to buy the St. Louis Rams. Given his past comments about the NFL, it's really no surprise.

In case you haven’t heard, Rush was given the “bum’s rush” by his investment partner, Dave Checketts, who’s leading the group’s bid to buy a stake in the St. Louis Rams. After Colts owner Jim Irsay said he would not approve any bid involving Limbaugh and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he too did not support Limbaugh’s past comments, Checketts released the following statement, which reads in part:

"Rush was to be a limited partner – as such, he would have had no say in the direction of the club or in any decisions regarding personnel or operations. This was a role he enthusiastically embraced.

However, it has become clear that his involvement in our group has become a complication and a distraction to our intentions; endangering our bid to keep the team in St. Louis. As such, we have decided to move forward without him and hope it will eventually lead us to a successful conclusion."

Rush’s response? What else? He blamed the left. Rush’s said on his radio show:

"This is not about the NFL, it's not about the St. Louis Rams, it's not about me, this is about the ongoing effort by the left in this country, wherever you find them, in the media, the Democrat Party, or wherever, to destroy conservatism, to prevent the mainstreaming of anyone who is prominent as a conservative."

The problem with that is, there’s not a more conservative group than NFL Owners. I checked on the Federal Election Commission’s website to see what Irsay’s political leanings are. He’s given thousands of dollars to the Republican National Committee and specifically to George Bush and Dick Cheney’s campaign as well as incumbent Republican Indiana Congressman Mark Souder.

Now, to be fair, Irsay has also contributed to some Democrat’s campaigns but it’s been much less than what he’s given to Republican candidates and those Dems have mostly been Hoosiers from his home state. So while Irsay’s not a “straight-down-the-ticket” Republican, he’s not a “latte-drinking” liberal either.

What Irsay is, is a businessman. And Rush Limbaugh was going to be bad for business. If you’re a champion of the free market—like Rush’s followers are—then you have to see that. You can’t say the NFL resembles a game between the “Crips and the Bloods” or that one of the league’s top quarterbacks is only considered good because he’s black and expected to join the club. I’m sure whatever country club Limbaugh belongs to has turned others away. It’s probably just shocking for him to be on the other end of that spectrum.

And it’s not because he’s a Conservative as he alleges. Keith Olberman would have been denied as well. Mark Cuban would be denied by the NFL if he tried to buy in.

So don’t make him out to be a victim, and he shouldn’t either. Unfortunately, he’d have nothing to talk about if he didn’t.

How do you feel about it? Agree? Disagree? Post away!

Sports Anchor Rafer Weigel

Here’s the most ironic thing about Rush Limbaugh wanting to buy into the NFL. If he does, he’ll become the very thing he’s been rallying against—a socialist.

Rush Limbaugh is interested in an ownership position in the NFL. The players association isn't so sure that's a good idea.

I’m exaggerating somewhat, but follow me.

The NFL practices corporate Socialism, i.e. profit sharing. The teams that make the most money “share the wealth” with the lower-market teams. That way Green Bay can compete with New York.

Rush wants to buy in to the St. Louis Rams—who specifically benefit from this financial model. They pull in less money than other larger market teams like the Bears and Giants who in turn pony up cash to them so they can stay competitive (which they’re not right now, but that’s another blog post). Would Rush suddenly change his tune if he should benefit from the model he seems to despise so much?

And while Rush would only be a part of the group bidding to buy into the team, his past comments on people of color are drawing the ire of some in the league. On his brief stint on ESPN he said Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was overrated because he’s African American and once said the NFL resembles more of a game between the “Crips” and the “Bloods”—referring to rival gangs.

Union chief, DeMaurice Smith, is trying to create a unified front against the possible purchase. In an email Smith wrote:

“Sport in America is at its best when it unifies, gives all of us reason to cheer, and when it transcends. Our sport does exactly that when it overcomes division and rejects discrimination and hatred.”

Whether you agree with Smith’s point or not, the reality is, you can’t keep Limbaugh from buying in if the NFL lets him. It is America and it is a free market. Plus denying him plays into his whole “schtick”.

Rush’s whole thing is to rally against big government and regulating the free market. If you keep him from doing business because of some agenda, you’ll only give him more fuel to fan those flames.

Not that contradicting his agenda should be the league’s concern. But let the free market dictate his success or failure. Some players have said they won’t play for him. Let’s see. If the top free agents won’t go to St. Louis, that’s them exercising their rights within the free market system. But I think, if Rush should become a part of the fraternity, the only color most players will be paying attention to is green and the millions of dollars they’ll get playing for him.

Sports Anchor Rafer Weigel

Imagine being at Mozart’s first concert or witnessing Michelangelo’s first painting in the making. Imagine that moment of being so moved by raw genius, and knowing that things would never be the same after that.

His Air-ness, the man who forever changed the game.

That’s what happened on a brisk November night on Chicago’s west side in 1984.

Thousands pilled into aging Chicago Stadium gathering for what they figured would be an otherwise pedestrian basketball game.

But instead lightning struck.

In the crowd was a 13-year-old boy tagging along with his dad—a sports reporter covering the game. The duo was in the press box where you’re kicked out if you’re caught cheering. It was a tough exercise in restraint for the boy. But on this night he wasn’t alone.

It was Michael Jordan’s 9th game as a rookie. The Bulls were hosting the San Antonio Spurs. There was some excitement over the kid from North Carolina. But nobody had any idea how his Air-ness would fly in the Windy City.

A few minutes into the game, Jordan went up against two defenders for a lay-up. He would change hands with the ball and change direction of his shot in mid-air. This would later become a patented move of Jordan’s. But this was the first time these fans had seen it. Just how impressive it was could be seen on the faces of those paid to cover it.

If you’ve never been to a press box you won’t find a more tepid atmosphere. While most watch games with some enthusiasm or emotion the folks in the press box show about as much excitement as judges at an equestrian event.

But when Jordan made that move a hush came across the box. It wasn’t like a guy had just made a great move. It was as if an alien had just landed on center court.

When the whistle blew and Jordan was going to the line, the boy couldn’t contain himself. An audible cheer escaped his mouth. “Damn! That was it!” he thought. “They’re going to kick me out!”

But when he looked up at his father expecting to be scolded, instead he saw something on his dad’s face he had never seen in all the years the two had gone to games together: A look of amazement.

And it wasn’t just the boy’s father. Every reporter seemed to be caught up in what they were seeing. As Jordan made move after move, dunk after dunk, there were gasps and outbursts all across the row. Here were seasoned veterans seemingly being transformed with child-like awe. They knew they were seeing something truly special. And just from that night you could tell the game would never be the same again. Jordan finished that night with 45 points and 10 rebounds.

For the boy it was the last time he and his dad seemed to share that “fan-like” moment together. As the boy got older he continued to stay passionate about Jordan and the Bulls and followed their every move to their six championships. For the dad, he covered the man and the team with professional enthusiasm only.

But for that moment they were all fans—a moment that boy will remember forever, thanks to Michael.

And now, we say “thank you” back to Michael for all those memories as he takes his rightful place in the Hall of Fame today.

Share your favorite Michael moment. Even you Knicks and Jazz fans!

Sports Anchor Rafer Weigel

I thought it was just me. It always seemed that quarterbacks were the best looking dudes. It’s not something a guy likes to discuss. Maybe it was just sour grapes since they always seemed to get all the women where I went to school? Or maybe the sour grapes stem from the starting QB at my high school giving me a wedgie when I was a nerdy freshman (I haven’t forgotten Gave Val Class of ’85!)

A football player with looks on par with a supermodel? He's a quarterback, that explains it.

It turns out, I’m not crazy. Bitter and jealous? Perhaps. But not crazy. A new study printed in the Wall Street Journal actually looked into this and, get this, measured the faces of every starting quarterback in the NFL. It found that every quarterback had a more symmetrical face than your average person.

So what does that mean? Symmetry apparently is linked to good looks and is believed to be co-relative to how successful you are. The average person’s face is about 90% symmetrical. Every starting QB in the NFL has a face that is at least 96% symmetrical. In other words, if you’re a pretty boy, you can start at QB in the NFL. (This would be a good time to refer you to Mark Sanchez’ GQ spread).

The list has Falcons QB Matt Ryan at the top, followed by Brett Favre, and his replacement in Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers, third. The curious part is New England’s Tom Brady is at number 8 and Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger is ahead of him at number six. Now, I don’t have a man crush on Tom Brady. But there’s a reason he’s married to Giselle. Big Ben is a great quarterback, but he is not a pretty dude. Again, this is a topic I’m not the most comfortable talking about. But let’s just be real for a second.

So, does symmetry mean you’re good-looking? Apparently not. But it apparently will help you obtain the most glamorous job in the world—an NFL quarterback.

Some guys have all the luck.

Sports Anchor Rafer Weigel

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me four times? Put a bag on my head.

Brett, we actually thought you were retiring. And we were kind of excited.

I’m not mad or annoyed with Brett Favre. I’m mad at myself—mad because I believed him. I thought he could change. I believed him the first time he walked away only to see him go back to his old ways. Then just a month ago he SWORE he was done with football. Now we find out it was all just a charade! That secretly behind our backs he was flirting with another team and now the two have run off together to … Minnesota!

Let me put this in perspective—the Vikings are the Green Bay Packers biggest rival. After Packer fans canonized Favre putting him on par with the Pope to have him go and now play with their neighbors to the north is like a guy divorcing his wife then marrying her sister—a sister she hates and won’t speak to.

So why would Favre risk tarnishing his legacy like this? It’s either out of spite for his former team or out of a pathological inability to walk away. His relationship with the game has taken the tone of a crack-head not being able to put down the pipe.

But the Vikings are the enablers here. They keep dangling the carrot like some depraved dealer making it hard for him to say no. And they risk having a big crash to reality as well. They are risking their team’s chemistry and dividing their locker room over a guy who’s aged body probably won’t last the whole season.

To be fair, the Vikings are a better team RIGHT NOW with Favre on their roster, but I don’t believe the honeymoon will last. Favre just had surgery. It’s highly unlikely his 39 year-old frame and repaired arm will last 17 games and into the playoffs.

The second he breaks down, the land of 10,000 lakes will be the land of 10,001 - one being filled with the tears of fans.

Because with this signing comes inflated expectations of a Super Bowl. The Vikings have never won one and they now expect Favre to lead them there. It’s all or nothing on this one baby. They are all in on Number Four.

It’s a story that all has the makings of a disastrous finish or very possibly the greatest age-defying miracle in sports since Roy Hobbs. Let’s not be totally negative here. But, one thing’s for sure, it’s a story we’re going to watch. Since I have been watching since season one let me give you a little background if you’re just joining us.

Don’t believe anything this Favre character says.

Sports Anchor Rafer Weigel

We are witnessing the most dramatic and polarizing comeback in the history of sports. Michael Vick’s return to the NFL shows all the makings of a Phoenix-like rise from the ashes that started when he did something Friday and again on "60 Minutes" Sunday night that most had never heard him do: He spoke.

Michael Vick says he understands that 'Playing in the NFL is a privilege not a right'.

While it’s hard for us sports fans to imagine prior to his crimes a large majority of people had actually never heard of Michael Vick. My wife hadn’t. Neither had some of my friends. Not everyone follows the NFL. To them he was a faceless, ruthless dog killer, a monster who should not be allowed anywhere near the legions of “heroes” in the professional ranks. And he may still be. We don’t know yet.

But Vick showing what seems like genuine remorse and contrition has caught some off guard—even those who had followed his career. And now some are changing their stand and are now leaning towards the idea that Vick may have learned his lesson.

Me, I’m more of a cynic. I know Vick lost a record $130 million contract when he was arrested. If I lost that much money, you can bet I’d be remorseful too. But it was what Vick said that got me thinking that this experiment could actually work:

“If I can help more dogs than I hurt, then I’m contributing.”

Having covered crime, I can tell you dog fighting is more rampant around this country than many might realize. It’s more popular in the inner cities. Even Vick himself referred to it in his “60 Minutes” interview as a cultural crime. Vick has the power to help change that culture in some areas.

He was and still is a hero to millions of kids—many of whom are in the inner city. This is not to say every inner city kid wants to do dog fighting. But hearing Vick speak out against it could keep a kid from making that bad decision. And in the long run, more dogs’ lives could actually be saved and some young people may just be less likely to make such a stupid mistake by learning from his example.

Most of our animal cruelty laws are a joke. Remember Vick spent two years in prison because of racketeering and gambling charges, not because dogs died. Because of that Vick actually could have more of an affect on reducing this horrific crime nationwide than even law enforcement.

Eagles owner Jerry Lurie says he’s an animal lover. His condition for Vick joining the team is that he does speak out against it and work with the Humane Society. Lurie along with Vick’s mentor, Super Bowl-winning coach and devote Christian Tony Dungy, say they will keep Vick accountable to this promise. Their involvement makes me believe that will happen.

Maybe I’m being too naïve. Maybe I’m being too optimistic. I have to be. I have first-hand knowledge of how many dogs suffer and die at the hands of the sport.

And for those of you who say, “Why should Vick be responsible to save the world when he’s served his time?” let me quote something Vick himself said:

"Playing in the NFL is a privilege not a right."

Vick has been given back that once-squandered privilege. With that comes responsibility. If he takes that responsibility and does something good with it he will have my support again which is why I’ll be more concerned with what he does off the field than on it.

How do you feel after hearing Vick speak? Did it change your perception at all? Do think any good can come out of this?

Sports Anchor Rafer Weigel

We knew this day was coming but it hasn’t lessened the surprise.

In case you haven’t heard, Michael Vick was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles to a one year deal worth a reported $1.6 million with a second year option for over $5 million. Huh? The Eagles? We heard Vick might be going to the Steelers, or the Patriots, or even possibly the Ravens. NO ONE had Philly on the radar. In fact, the Eagles had previously said they had NO interest in signing him.

Michael Vick signed with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Apparently things changed.

Hearing from the other players and head coach Andy Reid, it appears everything is sunny in Philadelphia. Reid says he’s excited. They run an offense similar to what Vick ran in Atlanta. He’ll back up McNabb and run some of this new novelty offense, the “Wildcat”, where the quarterback runs or passes like the option. Vick will see the field this season.

Some fans are not happy and understandably. But most in Philly are embracing Vick and will even more if he helps them win. The Eagles have never won a Super Bowl. If Vick helps them to that elusive title, for most fans…and let me emphasize, MOST…will show brotherly love for Vick. Especially once Donovan McNabb gets hurt at some point in the season, as he always seems to.

I’m having a tough time getting my head around it. I respect that everyone deserves a second chance. I respect that he served his time and paid his debt. But I can’t get out of my head the fact that he hung dogs from trees, electrocuted them and held them underwater until they drowned. In short, I’m happy for Vick that he is back with a team in the NFL. God Bless him. I wish him well in his road to recovery. I’m just glad I don’t have to root for him or sign his paycheck.

Sports Anchor Rafer Weigel

Normally when it comes to haters, I delete your emails without a second thought (Mom, cool it on the criticism, will you?)

But this time Sports Haters, I want to hear from you!

He's baack! ... And not so much by popular demand.

Fan is short for fanatic and with that passion comes the dark side of adoration—disdain! Forbes Magazine recently published a poll of the most disliked athletes in sports. Here they are:

1) . Michael Vick, former NFL quarterback
2. Manny Ramirez, Los Dodgers outfielder
3. Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees third baseman
4. Terrell Owens, Buffalo Bills receiver
5. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers guard
6. Allen Iverson, NBA free-agent guard
7. Isiah Thomas, Florida International basketball coach
8. Stephon Marbury, NBA free-agent guard
9. Nick Saban, Alabama football coach
10. John McEnroe, former tennis champion / bad boy

The biggest surprise was McEnroe who hasn’t played for 17 years. Obviously he left an impression. Unless his commentating is turning folks off? Some missing notables? O.J., Roger Clemens, and Jose Canseco for reasons that are obvious. Who would you say is your least favorite sports figure? It could be a coach, a player, active or retired. We wanna hear from you!

Check out some responses Morning Express viewers sent, via text message:

Kru in SoCal texted:
David Beckham. I can't list all my 50mill reasons. But one of them is he promised many things but delivered none. GO Galaxy.

Anonymous:
I don't like Kobe..to me he thinks he's all that..and he's not..a Michael Jordan wanna be and i don't like his attitude..

Jeremy D Traverse City, Michigan:
Most disliked athlete?
O.J. Simpson, why isn't he at #1??

Bob:
Barry Bonds. He has done more to ruin one sport than any other person. Vick looks like a boy scout in comparison.

Anonymous text:
I dislike Peyton Manning. I respect his game but hate his arrogance. People make him out to be so much but he is not all that.

JAC, TENNESSEE TEXTED:
I dislike Brett Favre. He has played the attention game as much as he has football during his long drawn out 'retirement'. He lost my respect.

Anonymous text:
Robin. One name should do for the list . Jose Canseco and we all know why

Anonymous text:
Wayne Gretzky because he was so arrogant and no player, no matter how good, should have his number retired league wide.

Camer texted:
I dislike Dale Jr. The most because he is over-rated as a driver & cant win a race let alone finish one. He relies on his dads fame.

An anonymous text:
its definitely tiger woods. He is an arrogant spoiled brat! Just look at his actions n the british open. Nuf said. None of the greats ever did that trash.

Frank in Iowa texted:
Pete Rose is my most disliked. He is conceited, arrogant, a liar and madly in love with himself!

Billyum, from West New York:
Ocho Cinco! or Chad Johnson or who ever he is. If you're gonna be a bragger you have to be able back it up, and he doesn't.

Sports Anchor Rafer Weigel

Michael Vick will be back on an NFL roster this year—he just won’t see the field.

Michael Vick is back on the NFL roster. What do you think?

In case you haven’t heard, Vick became a free man today. After serving a 23-month sentence for federal dog fighting charges, Vick will be able to shed his electronic monitoring device and be out of home confinement. Vick’s acts were so heinous it’s hard to get them out of your head. He not only fought dogs but also killed them by drowning or electrocution when they didn’t perform. His sentence though was primarily based on racketeering charges for financing the illegal gambling ring.

With the justice system satisfied next will be Commissioner Roger Goodell. Goodell has been known to bring down the hammer, but given that Vick has already been suspended and that he’s out of jail, my guess IS, Roger will let him back. But will a team sign him?

Yes, but in a limited role.

It’s not because of the PR nightmare Vick’s presence might have but that’s part of it. Believe me, if Vick was close to playing at the level at which he used to be, most teams would take that risk. The problem is he’s not. Vick’s out of shape—that’s the real reason he won’t see the field…at least not this year.
He will see a roster though. One team will sign him … but to their practice squad. Each NFL team has an 8-man scout team of players who are there just to simulate plays of the other team. They’re not necessarily good enough to play on Sundays but good enough to pretend to.

While Vick was gone, a new formation sprang up in the NFL—the Wildcat. Miami was the first to use it where a running back lines up in the quarterback position and either runs it himself or hands off. It’s essentially what Vick did his whole career in the NFL but didn’t have a formal name for it.

Someone will pay Vick the minimum NFL salary to run that offense in practice—perhaps a team that plays Miami twice a year like the New York Jets or maybe even Baltimore. Otherwise look to the Raiders to take a gamble on Vick. Owner Al Davis likes to defy convention and do what he wants. Signing Vick would certainly be a bold move.

What do you think? Are you ready to see this man in an NFL jersey?

Does he deserve another chance?

Post a comment below.