NFR 2011 Preview!

Trevor Brazile is coming to a point in his career where he will surpass $4 million in earnings.

Last couple of years saw Brazile shattering all-around records set by the one and only Ty Murray in which Brazile surpassed Murray in earnings. And we all know both Brazile and Murray had different styles, with Brazile being a team and tie-down roper and Murray was in fact a bull rider.

The reiging all-around returns to the NFR with the always recognizible #1 as the number on the back of his tag. We all know why. The numbers on the back of the contestants represent where they are in the all around standings for the 119 qualifiers who made it to Las Vegas this year.

Some new faces and some returning faces are back this year. Among the newest to qualify for the NFR is PBR veteran Shane Proctor. Proctor currently leads in earnings in the Xtreme Bulls tour.

This ten day journey, part of the diamond anniversary (75 years) of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (prca), begins Thursday through next Saturday (12.10). All the nights will be televised LIVE on Great American Country (GAC), in which not many cable providers carry.

Herman Cain At It Again!?

Another affair with another woman coming out claiming that she was flirted by the 9-9-9 Man.

See! Old Men Can Fight!

This past week, prior to the 99th Grey Cup, it seems that Joe Kapp and Angelo Mosca don't want to let go of their past as rivals.



This dated back to a play back in the 1963 Grey Cup between the Ti-Cats and Lions. The rest is history. Mosca would go to a pro wrestling career through several territories and the Worldwide Wrestling Federation (WWWF).



99th Grey Cup (Coupe Grey): Home Sweet Home

NO. Not those Lions. The BC Lions.

Congrats to the BC Lions! First Grey Cup in five years and the first to win at home since the '94 Lions
did on the foot of one Lui Passaglia as time expired. Lions defeated the Bombers 34-23. The Bombers drought still reaching 21 and counting!

Lions quarterback Travis Lulay was most valuable player while tailback Andrew Harris was the most valuable Canadian in this game.

And of note, Paul McCallum was 4/5 on field goals on the night.

Friday Jukebox 11.25.11

This is a continuation of a two part FJ series looking back on the plane crash that took the life of-among others-Melanie Thornton.

Ten years ago yesterday (Thanksgiving day here in the states), Thornton-one half of La Bouche-and a few others were on a plane and it hit some clouds before plunging down some feet. Thornton and a few others died. We have learned a lot from stuff like this and other plane crashes in the past (the Kurt Budke fatal plane crash most recently comes to mind). As a result, the plane's owner Crossair was at fault. The CEO Moritz Suter would later resign.

As I posted last Friday-Thornton and Lane McCray-who were part of this huge movement of music in the mid '90s called "Eurodance" didn't find success in the states (even though both were from South Carolina) but had more success across the pond. Moreso that a couple of tracks went unreleased by their label. Here's one of those "unreleased" tracks...

99th Grey Cup: A Small Preview.

The oldest professional football trophy in north America will be awarded this Sunday as the Lions and Bombers are ready for themselves to tackle on 60 more minutes to their season.

It's been five years since the Lions won the Grey Cup while the Bombers, whose last Grey Cup appearance was in 2007, haven't won since 1990. One of the longest droughts in the league.

However it's the crowd that will make the difference, for the first time since 2008, the host venue will have the host team in the game as the Lions will play in the newly-refurbished BC Place Stadium, which took over a year since the closing of the Olympics in February 2010. The new BC Place, which reopened this year, is complete with a flat-screen video board at center field, almost similar to Cowboys Stadium.

The game will be LIVE and exclusive to TSN and ESPN3 Sunday night.

BELLATOR 59 and "Fight of the Year" in MMA.

Last Saturday, it was the blockbuster fight between Michael Chandler and Eddie Alvarez for the lightweight title in what is billed as a "fight of the year" candidate. This Saturday, who knows what you'll be in store for. BELLATOR 59 marks the final event of season 5.

At Bellator 59, two tournament finals matches will take place. In the bantamweight tournament final, Alexis Vila will take on Eduardo Dantas. Winner will have a future title shot against Zach Makovsky.In the heavyweight tournament final, Eric Prindle will take on Thiago Santos, who both had early first round KO's in their semifinal matches. The winner gets a shot at the belt against Cole Konrad in the future.

Also on Saturday night, the return of Patricky "Pitbull" Freire, who lost to Michael Chandler in the lightweight tournament final this summer.

 CARD

Lightweight (155lb/69.75kg) feature fight

Patricky Freire v Kurt Pellegrino

Bantamweight (135lb/60.75kg) tournament final

Alexis Vila v Eduardo Dantas

Heavyweight tournament final

Eric Prindle v Thiago Santos

LIVE on MTV2 and epixHD this Saturday at 8pm NACST. 

And did I mention about fight of the year...

Thanksgiving 2011 TV Viewing Plans!

In our household, it's the traditional stuffed turducken roll and turkey complete with dressing and the fixins. But there's more to a Thanksgiving than just a feast. It's a day where we turn on our TVs and witness something magical to happen, not just on Thanksgiving, but also for the weekend as well.

On Thanksgiving will be stacked with the typical college and NFL action, headlined by two gigantic matches to start off round 12 of the 2011 NFL regular season as the 9-1 49ers travel to Baltimore to take on the 7-3 Ravens on NFL Network, while the unbeaten Packers take on the 7-3 Lions early on the day on Fox. The NFC East leaders Dallas Cowboys will be in action as well on Thanksgiving and their game will be in the late afternoon on CBS.

On Friday, headlines another explosive day of sport as the defending Stanley Cup champs Bruins take on the Wings on NBC, the prelude to Arkansas-LSU on CBS.

On Saturday, there's a plethora of college games on, including a possible WAC title on the line for Louisiana Tech at 7-4.

And on Sunday, end your day of footy with the 99th Grey Cup, the oldest professional championship football game in North America as the Lions and Bombers tangle in the newly-reconstructed BC Place Stadium. More on that later.

So the plan for TV viewing this weekend: football, parades, football, hockey, and reruns and movies. Or just turn it off. It's your choice. End of story.

McClubbin'

From last month, check out this McDonald's employee and his "take no shit" way of doing business the McDonald's way:

In the words of one of their old former campaigns: What they wanted was what they GOT.

MLS Cup 2011: Galaxy Ends Six Year Drought.

It took one goal in the 72nd minute by US men's national team captain Landon Donovan and that was the difference in the 16th annual MLS Cup at Home Depot Center Sunday.

Donovan was the MVP and was the first MLS championship for the Galaxy since 2005. Third MLS title for coach Bruce Arena, who won two earlier MLS titles with the United in the late '90s during the league's infancy.

Check it out, see the Dynamo defender slipped in there too late...

For those who were watching Giants/Eagles...shame on you.

Friday Jukebox 11.18.11

This Thursday (11/24, US Thanksgiving) marks the 10th anniversary of Melanie Thornton's death. For the next two weeks, the subject of FJ will be devoted to La Bouche.

Both Thornton and Lane McCray are both from the States. The duo was part of the epic movement in music in the mid '90s that is Eurodance. Eurodance combines elements of electronic house with vocals and rapping.

On November 24, 2001, Thornton was among those killed in a plane crash.

Their biggest success were overseas but not that much in the states. Such success could be found on the duo's masterpieces, like 1994's "Sweet Dreams." (Head straight for the almost five minute original mix)

Another College Coach That Loves to Touch.

This time, it's one of Jim Boeheim's assistants after a SU ball boy came forward. Not a good past couple weeks to be a college coach period.

Because When They Met...

It was murder?

BELLATOR 58: Eddie Alvarez Returns!

Another blockbuster title fight is here! Eddie Alvarez returns as he defends his lightweight belt against lightweight tournament winner Michael Chandler. Alvarez is one of my favorite fighters in MMA and sure excites the crowd.

Middleweight world champion Hector Lombard will be in action as well.

CARD

Lightweight (155 lb./69.75kg) World Championship

Eddie Alvarez (c) v Michael Chandler

Middleweight (185 lb./83.25kg) non-title match

Hector Lombard (c) v Trevor Prangley

For the second week in a row, Bellator on MTV2 and epix HD will be on at 6pm USCST (7pm USEST), because of ZUFFA 139 on at 8pm Central on PPV. 

 

CFL Playoffs 2011: Conference Final Weekend.

It's down to the final four as the Lions, Bombers, Esks and Ti-Cats are paving their way to next Sunday's 99th Grey Cup (Coupe Grey).

The Ti-Cats came off their win over the 2-time defending Grey Cup champ Montreal Alouettes on Sunday. They travel to Winnipeg to take on the Bombers in the Eastern final.

The Esks just came off their win over the Stamps in the West semifinal Sunday and will travel to BC Place to take on the Lions.

EAST Final (Sunday)
Bombers v Ti-Cats

WEST Final (Sunday)
Lions v Esks

Both are on Sunday and LIVE and exclusive to TSN and ESPN3.

MLS Cup 2011 This Weekend!

Last year, it was FC Dallas and Colorado, both original MLS franchises. This year, one of the original MLS franchises return as well as a new face to this year's MLS Cup.

Midfielder Brad Davis (co-captain) leads the Dynamo into their first MLS Cup appearance against the Galaxy on Sunday night, live on cable TV (through Galavision and ESPN-the mothership-NOT ESPN2!).

Big day for soccer in North America, so instead of watching Eagles/Giants on NBC, watch some real exciting MLS soccer!

It's a Video Game Character For Fuck's Sake.

That's right! Back at it again, and this time they're diving into the gaming world. Can't they get it through their thick skulls that Mario is a fucking video game character and is not depicted in reality?



Sad news...

Former Techsters and current OSU Cowgirl head coach Kurt Budke, and assistant killed in plane crash Friday morning, along with a former Oklahoma state senator who was the pilot. Everyone killed in the crash.

Budke was the former head coach for Lady Techsters basketball, and took over as head coach after Leon Barmore retired in late '90s. This was his seventh season as Cowgirl head coach.

It's Official...

After six years, and a marriage that lasted longer than Kim Kardashian's, they are officially divorced.

Friday Jukebox 11.11.11: A Short Tribute to Heavy D.

As you all aware, on Monday, Heavy D of Heavy D & the Boyz passed away, age 44. He has been battling obesity. A key figure of hip hop, including the "New Jack Style" of the late '80s early '90s, he has been everywhere.

In 1989, Heavy D & the Boyz released "Big Tyme," featuring "Somebody for Me," one of my favorite Heavy D tracks.

11/11/11

A day for thanks. To all those who have fought for freedom. Our freedom. God bless the troops.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

BELLATOR 57 Preview!

BELLATOR IS BACK! And with all the hoopla surrounding Pacman and Velasquez-Dos Santos Saturday night, BELLATOR 57 will bring out the combat sports fan in you.

The main matches of Bellator 57 will be the Middleweight and Welterweight tournament finals. In the middleweight final Alex Shlmenko will take on Vitor Vianna. The winner is #1 contender and will face Hector Lombard for the title in the near future. In the Welterweight tournament final it will be Doug Lima taking on Ben Saunders. The winner will become #1 contender and will face Ben "Funky" Askren for the title in the near future.

Scratched from the lineup would have been a non-title match featuring women's champion Zoila (Frausto) Gurgel, whose injury forced her match to be scratched from this weekend.

CARD

Welterweight tournament final

(170 lb./76.5kg)

Doug Lima v Ben Saunders



Middleweight tournament final

(185 lb./83.25kg)

Alex Shlemenko v Vitor Vianna

And because Pacman and Velasquez-Dos Santos begins at 8pm USCST, the time has been moved to 7pm local time, 6pm USCST. LIVE on MTV2 and epix HD and also on theScore cable network (Canada) as well. 

CFL Playoffs 2011: Semifinal Weekend!

It's playoff time in the CFL and for four teams, the road to Vancouver begins this weekend!

The two time defending Grey Cup champs Alouettes will play in the East semifinal against Hamilton. The Ti-Cats are back in the post season for the second year in a row after dismal years at the bottom. What will the greatest quarterback of all time do in this game for the Als? The winner will take on the Bombers next weekend in the East final.

It's the battle of Alberta in the west semifinal with the Esks and Stamps on Sunday. Winner will take on the Lions next weekend in the newly-refurbished BC Place Stadium, the home of the 99th Grey Cup on US Thanksgiving weekend!

EAST Final (Sunday)
Montreal v Hamilton

WEST Final (Sunday)
Edmonton v Calgary

The games are of course live and exclusive to TSN and in the states on ESPN3 (and maybe NFL Network). Consult local listings.

The Riders had a 4-14 record and missed the playoffs and so are the Argos.

Choose Your Words Carefully.

A high school teacher by day, Sarah Jones has another job in the fall-an NFL cheerleader. The veteran Ben-Gal originally sued a website called TheDirty.com claming that she had sex with Bengals players (which is a no-no among NFL standards) including former Bengal PK Shayne Graham, who most recently was cut from the Cowboys before the start of the season.

She sued the website in 2009 for libel and slander and won $11 million, but not saw not one penny. Recently she confronted the owner of TheDirty.com on Anderson Cooper's syndicated show:

That's a Lot of Dough!

Now someone is accusing Presidential candidate Herman Cain of sexual harassment. Cain would later strike back at the allegations:

Centenary Homecoming Saturday 2011-12, With Pictures!

This past weekend was the 2011-12 Homecoming Weekend at Centenary College of Louisiana. The festivities included an "un-parade," swim meet, alumni games and the crowning of the court for 2011-12. So here are some pics for your viewing enjoyment.

Centenary swimming pumping up...

So is Henderson State...

Beginning of Women's 1000m

Beginning of men's 1000m

(For the record, Centenary won the meet overall)

Gents current soccer team and alumni huddle together at center field

The 2011-12 homecoming court, announced at halftime of the Gents-alumni friendly

And there are more photos from this, but its too many to take up a blog post.



"Five Women" at Marjorie Lyons This Weekend!

This is basically the only student-directed production of the 2011-12 season at Marjorie Lyons Playhouse. Five Women Wearing the Same Dress, was written by Allen Ball. Ball is the creator of some shitty vampire show on cable TV. Directed by Emily Slazer and Lauren Morrison, who are both senior theatre majors at Centenary (and will most likely graduate in May). Can't tell you what's about, just go see the damn show. I have the script if anyone wants to get a refresher course in what you'll see this weekend.

Five Women stars Marion "Fish" Paton, Chelsea David, Sandy Rather, Colleen Watts, Maddie Gilcrease, and Emma Foreman, and runs through Sunday afternoon. For tickets and details, ring up Luke at (318) 869-5242.

Don't forget, Marjorie Lyons Playhouse is on Facebook and Twitter too!

It's Gerry! Not Jerry!

In light of the "J"erry Sandusky pedo scandal, "G"erry Sandusky reminds you to spell his name right!

On his twitter account (follow him @GerrySandusky) he tweeted on Monday for everyone to give him a nickname. There are various responses to his tweet, too many to name.

Who is "G"erry Sandusky? No relation to the PSU defensive coordinator who was guilty on 40 counts of child molestation. However, he is the lead play by play on radio for the NFL's Baltimore Ravens, and serves as the sports director at WBAL-TV in Baltimore.

So remember, when in contact or referring to the guy, spell his first name right. Also it's not the PSU defensive coordinator/child molester. Thank you.

Joe Paterno SACKED as PSU Coach!

The scandal. Nuff said. PSU board of trustees told the 84 year old to "get the fuck out, your history." One of the winningest coaches in all of college football didn't inform anyone of the Jerry Sandusky scandal. So the PSU board of trustees decided to go the next step and sack his ass.

Good riddance.

"Smokin'" Joe Frazier: 1944-2011

Round 15, "Fight of the Century" at MSG 1971. The rest is history.

Frazier and Clay would meet again at MSG three years later, as well as the "Thrilla in Manilla." Clay won both by unanimous decision.

Even Clay himself issued a statement. Both would later appear sitting beside together at various events. And for the record, Clay was in the press box at the Cards game this Sunday in which Patrick Peterson returned a punt for a touchdown that won the Cards the game in overtime.

Frazier was 67 and have been battling cancer.

Centenary Homecoming 2011: The Lowdown.

Heading out to homecoming festivities on Saturday?

For those who don't know about this, Centenary College of Louisiana's homecoming is this weekend, and for the first time, it will be in the fall rather in the spring. No snow and ice to deal with compared to February.

On Saturday, is the busiest day of this weekend's festivities, headlined by the friendlies and the swim meet at 1pm. The homecoming court for 2011-12 will be announced at the halftime of the Gents friendly (around 2:30pm). There will be two friendlies played at Mayo Field, and a baseball friendly at Shehee involving the current teams against former players. A basketball intrasquad will take part at 11am.

Saturday's schedule
11am-Basketball intrasquad match
1pm-Swim meet with Henderson State
2pm-Gents v Alumni soccer friendly
2:45pm-Gents v Alumni baseball friendly
3:30pm-Ladies v Alumnae soccer friendly

For those who wish to come to these events, simply find the best parking spot available.

Friday Jukebox 11.4.11

In case you heard the news, GWAR guitarist "Flattus Maximus" was found dead once the band was en route to Canada to continue touring. Corey Smoot, his real name, joined the band in 2002 and was part of the band's 2004 release, War Party, featuring "Bring Back the Bomb."

I'll hopefully see y'all tomorrow for homecoming festivities over at Centenary.

Juggalos are Now a Gang!? *RANT!*

The FBI announced in a recent report that Juggalos are now recognized as a "gang" to their standards, after the wave of crimes by FAKE fans. You read it folks. FAKE fans who make all of us who have repped the hatchet over the years (me personally since 2000) look really bad.

It seems that there are worst fanbases that have their worst section of their fanbase and the Psychopathic fanbase-who enjoys the likes of ICP, Twiztid, Boondox, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Anybody Killa (ABK), and of course-Psychopathic Rydaz ('Duk da fuk down') are in that group. Sure there are some who are phony fans who commit such heinous bullshit, but they're NOT the worst fanbase in music overall. That should go to the Beliebers, who have the most brainless fanbase and whenever anyone talks shit about Bieber, these morons would use death threats as their lamest comeback.

Music can and does influence people to go too far in negativity. Look at the Columbine shooters. Huge fans of Manson that they listen too much of his music (I like Manson though) and started opening fire on the students on campus during lunch. There are more of those types that listen to music and take their words and use it on their own terms to make one fanbase look bad, no matter if they're riots or shootings.

The overall message is this: music is to be observed on a more mature level. If you think music is causing you to go too far and commit crimes, then seek help immediately. It's the possibility that it could be more about your anger rather than the music you listen to. Plain and simple.

The same could be said on today's forms of art, including TV, film and especially gaming. If people just enjoy these things on a more mature level and instead of imitating these notions in real life, then we could be mentally sane. If stuff like music, TV, film and gaming gets you too irate, simply go away and just go outside, walk the dog, read a book or something. It's just a suggestion.

Justin Bieber: You Are the Father!?

It doesn't sound like an episode of Maury, but this could be a future buildup to a special episode of that show.

Talk About Eliminating the Competition!

Domino's just recently launched three new flatbread "Artisan" pizzas. I had one this past weekend. But this is really not an excuse for a manager of a Domino's in northern Florida to burn down a Papa John's store. link

If their sales are hurting despite the company's new line of Artisan pizzas, then those locations have to shut down after the Artisan pizzas are gone forever. Just my two cents.

Cards Win and La Russa Retires.

A great seven game series that had its ups and downs for both the Rangers and Cards, and now at age 67, Tony La Russa has officially retired. God speed to a career spanning over three decades.

Get That Dirt Off Your Shoulder!

I don't care for Arsenal, but the man was just brushing off his left shoulder. And this goal celebration was deemed a "NAZI salute." I mean what the fuck? He probably told the Chelsea supporters to fuck off once and for all! What a very ultra-sensitive world we live in.