Frank Gifford, 84

Link.

After NFL career, turned to broadcasting with CBS Sports, then from 1970 until 1996 playoffs was with ABC Sports, a span which included Super Bowls XIX, XXII, XXV and XXIX.

Friday Jukebox 7.24.15

As this year's CONCACAF Gold Cup comes to an end Sunday, I found out this was the unofficial theme song! Very good, even though I've never been a fan of Tom Neuwirth's stuff ("Rise Like a Phoenix" is one of the worst ESC winners ever in my opinion), why not? Remember, "You Are Unstoppable" is the unofficial Gold Cup anthem. Not joking. 

USWNT Wins Canada 2015!

Tourney over. In summary:

• First WC win for US Soccer WNT since on home turf in PK's against China 1999. 
• Golden ball: Carli Lloyd
• Golden glove: Hope Solo
• Golden boot: Celia Sasic
• Golden knuckles: Hope Solo

That is all. See you in 2019. 

It's Here: FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 Canada (Featuring Rio 2016 Qualifying)!

All the bullshit within FIFA are gone, and now we have football, at the moment.

FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 is in North America this year, and the action kicks off on Saturday as Canada (host nation) is in action in Group A play at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.

Defending World Cup champions Japan and US Soccer are back this year, and will start play later in the week.

As far as the groups go, here are the 24 in this year's field:

GROUP A
Canada (host)
China
Netherlands
New Zealand

GROUP B
Germany
Norway
Ivory Coast
Thailand

GROUP C
Japan
Switzerland
Cameroon
Ecuador

GROUP D
United States
Sweden
Nigeria
Australia

GROUP E
Brazil
Republic of Korea
Costa Rica
Spain

GROUP F
England
France
Mexico
Colombia

And yes, the field is to 24 for the first time ever, up from Germany 2011. Amazing.

This is also a new era of FIFA TV in the US, as Fox Sports and NBCU's Telemundo Deportes (free to air) service will take over coverage of all things FIFA in the US. The Bell consortium (mainly CTV and TSN networks) will be host broadcasters in Canada.

There are also some spots available for the Rio 2016 women's football tournament, mainly for some of the top finishers amongst the UEFA representatives in this tournament.

Friday Jukebox 6.5.15

Amid the scandal, it's time for football! Saturday will mark the first day of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015(TM) and here is the official anthem, "Beautiful Life" by Nick Fradiani.

Enjoy!

The Ongoing Drama at FIFA: Bribery Arrests, Now Blatter Resigns!

Over the past week, FIFA has been involved in scandal. That's right. Scandal. Just on the eve of the Women's World Cup, to kick off Saturday afternoon with the first match at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.

First, the arrest of FIFA personnel, including vice president Jeffrey Webb, who is the president of CONCACAF. CONCACAF is one of six confederations of football in the world, and serves North America, Central America and the Caribbean. US Soccer is among the participating federations, as well as Canada. This comes after an investigation over money laundering and bribery. In response, CONCACAF, as well as two other confederations--COMNEBOL and UEFA--made statements regarding those arrests.

Second, the election of FIFA President. Joseph Blatter (pictured) has been the president for over a decade of FIFA. With no one to challenge, Blatter was unanimously elected. And today, Blatter resigned despite the investigation, which is the right thing. We knew he might be a part of this. We know that as a result, sponsors might lose interest with the governing body. Yes, the likes of Coke, AB InBev, Kia, Hyundai, Sony, McDonalds, and more.

Finally, the vacancy. Whoever is FIFA president in the long term, please maintain from bribery for good. At 78, Blatter's move is a good one because who knows? He might die in office. Time for someone fresh who know what football is all about. That's my two cents.

#FreeUAB: Football Reinstated in Birmingham

Link.

Great news! Hopefully they won't have to leave C-USA altogether!

Super Bowl XLIX: In Game Commercials Part 2: Honorable Mention

Here in part two, here are the in-game ads during NBC Sports' coverage of Super Bowl XLIX in which I gave an honorable mention. Though the ads are mediocre to T-Mobile terrible (see below), you will see why they didn't make the top five on my list. And here we go.

I lost my dog. Find my dog.

Forget the Internet. It's all about the Coke-rnet.

Jeff Bridges or Kevin Nash?

Arm wrestling the rainbow.

LOCTITE really saved our marriage.

God Made a Farmer. Part Deux.

The two worst ads of the night were from T-Mobile. The next to worst was that 'sorry, it's a boy' ad with Chelsea Handler and Sarah Silverman (very disappointed). However the worst was the first T-Mobile ad with Kim Kardashian. So before you folks say 'Sorry, It's a Boy' was the worst due to its sexist overtones, remember, the first T-Mobile ad of the night. May lose a lot of customers because of  the super-whore.

Without no Audi or Pepsi, the ads this year have been mediocre, but who knows what will be the trend for SB50, in which CBS Sports is paying $5 million for ad spot! Just because it's the 50th annual Super Bowl!

Super Bowl XLIX Commercials Review Part 1: The Five Best Ads (In-Game)

It's that time again. For the fifth consecutive year, in game ads were viewed, and will once again be divided into two parts. This first part will deal with the top five ads in-game, while part two will be about honorable mentions. No Audi this year, but anyway, here we go.

5. A former 'Bond' wants to be a re-charged action star (the 'KIA Guy' from the Australian Open men's final was not in this ad).

4. This land is your land,

This land is my land,

From California to the New York Islands,

From the Redwood Forest to the gulf stream waters,

This land was made for you and me. 

3. Here comes PAC-MAN.

Hey PAC-MAN, what's up?

2. Remember, slow and steady wins the race. 

And the best ad of Super Bowl XLIX is...

1. Finally, a car that can run on a pill. The forefront of Pfizer's VIAGRA (sildenafil citrate) fuel additive. 

That's part one, and as you see, it's no surprise that the automobile ads trumps all. Coming up, part two, featuring the honorable mentions. 

Super Bowl XLIX: Thoughts From the Game

I was tired from the Aussie Open, so that's why I didn't put up some teaser. However, my thoughts on the game:

1. It was a good game.

2. Bad ending.

3. Bring back the biff.

4. Legalize fights like in the NHL, AHL and juniors.

That's all. Check out their rings, very cool.

Now stay tuned for the commercials.

NFL Conference Championship Weekend 2014-15

The 12th Man (sorry Seahawks, that's A&M's property!) is back for another year as the Seahawks are this close to returning to the Super Bowl as CenturyLink Field will once again be host of the National Conference championship on Sunday.

By the way, I posted the singles matches of interest at the Aussie Open, so if tennis is not your thing, try the American Conference championship.

Conference championship
AMERICAN
(1) Patriots v (4) Colts 6:30pm CBS

NATIONAL
(1) Seahawks v (2) Packers Noon Fox

Times local to home team, of course.

NFL 2014-15 Conference Semifinal Weekend

Conference semifinal weekend is here.

The Cowboys finally got their first playoff win in eons. It is a big week in the Metroplex because of the CFP final on Monday night. However the Boys will be on the frozen tundra at Lambeau Field on Sunday. Ice Bowl redux?

With that in mind...

Conference semifinals (times local to home team)
AMERICAN
(1) Patriots v (6) Ravens Saturday 1/10 4:30pm NBC
(2) Broncos v (4) Colts Sunday 1/11 1:30pm CBS

NATIONAL
(1) Seahawks v (4) Panthers Saturday 1/10 5pm Fox
(2) Packers v (3) Cowboys Sunday 1/11 noon Fox

Oh well...

NFL Wild Card Weekend: The Road to Glendale Begins

In case you heard the news, Lions defensive end Ndaumakong Suh (pictured) will play after an 'accidental' stomp on the Packers' Aaron Rodgers in the season finale on Sunday. Suspension overturned, but will play in Arlington on Sunday. The biggest headliner of NFL Wild Card weekend 2014. That and ESPN getting the first wild card game on Saturday from Charlotte.

With that in mind...

AMERICAN
Wild Card
(3) Steelers v (6) Ravens Saturday (NBC)
(4) Colts v (5) Bengals Sunday (CBS)

NATIONAL
Wild Card
(3) Cowboys v (6) Lions Sunday (Fox)
(4) Panthers v (5) Cardinals Saturday (ESPN, Fox 46 Charlotte and 'CW6' Phoenix)

So there you have it. Four teams will await the result and play next weekend in the conference semifinals.

Congrats Stamps!

Okay Flames. Your turn!

102nd Grey Cup Sunday: Ti-Cats vs. Stamps

It's that time again.

The 102nd Grey Cup on Sunday in Vancouver's BC Place Stadium will have so many stories as both the Ti-Cats and Stampeders are trying to end their Grey Cup droughts. Calgary last won in 2008, while Hamilton has been without a Cup for about 15 years.

Should be quite a game in a season which seen Ottawa return to the CFL, among the stories. TSN will once again be official television carrier of the game, while here in the states, ESPN2 is your destination, so step away from the NFL, and see one of the oldest trophies in sport being awarded for yet another year!

DEA and NFL: For Wellness.

Link.

For wellness.

Leave Nothing: 'A.P.2'*, Nike Sever Ties

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Isn't Kobe and Tiger (adulterer and supposed rapist) still with the brand? Just do it.

*-the real Adrian Peterson played collegiately at Georgia Southern (now in FBS) and with the Bears in the NFL. The end.

Former USL (ULL) Cajun and NFL Veteran Dies of ALS Complications

Link.

Ravens Cheer Member Falls, Injured and is Okay.

Link.

Second time that a past or present part of the best cheer squad in the NFL has fallen to something. Glad she is okay.

After 13 Years, Jason Sehorn, Angie Harmon Split

Link.

Will he go full blown Richard Sherman mode on her? I hope not. That's sad anyway.