This is just starting to suck...

A couple of days ago, beloved Reggie Bush suffered the consequences of accepting cash payments while at USC by forfeiting his Heisman trophy. And apparently that act has come others to forward. Next up, and perhaps even more disheartening, is Sir Charles Barkley's recent admission of improper payments while at Auburn. I mean, I wouldn't say I'm surprised that this happened (how could you be with previous incidents like this), but Chuck has been so open in punishing people that I at least thought he could stay out of trouble until his entertaining post-NBA career. But, at least Charles let the world know of his wrongdoings with a bang. It wouldn't be Barkley without some controversial quotes, such as "If a guy wants to borrow money from an agent because he's poor, what's wrong with that...Most of the players I know borrowed money from agents". All of these incidents lead me to think that maybe it's about time the NCAA stops milking every dollar from college athletics, and gives the players a little bit more than a weekly stipend. If a normal college football fan can sell a jersey to someone else, why can't Georgia WR A.J. Green do the same with one of his?? That's a debate for another time, but in the meantime, keep being you Sir Charles:

Read more »

Funny Shiz

Can't Stop Won't Stop

Charles Barkley isn't giving up the booze anytime soon - or ever for that matter. After serving a two day sentence in jail for drunk driving after running a stop sign in Scottsdale, AZ, Barkley is barking about how much he enjoys drinking. On Monday night, Barkley insisted he wouldn't stop drinking, although he does intend to stop drinking and driving. Instead, he's going to try to hitch rides home with random women. I just made that last part up but it's a good plan... hint hint.

In other news, Braylon Edwards (who was partying with Donte Stallworth the night before Stallworth had an accident with a pedestrian leaving one dead and one without a career), another pro-bo, was arrested this week on charges of misdemeanor assault resulting from a bar fight which spurred his trade to the Jets. Personally, I am thrilled that Braylon is on the Jets now, because having former Wolverines close to me makes me feel good. Between Braylon and Mario Manningham, I feel like I'm in college again.

The incident leading up to Edwards' arrest took place outside a Cleveland nightclub just before Edwards was traded. Allegedly, Edwards punched a friend of LeBron's who reportedly weighs a mere 130 lbs. On the one hand, that has to be an awkward relationship for Bron Bron, having male friends that small. On the other, doesn't Edwards know better than to mess with Bron Bron?!?

The Days of High Life

So as Ruby and I were sitting poolside classing it up with our Busch Lights we learned of the tragic news about Michael Jackson. Within minutes we had commenced our honorary dance party which continues as I write this. Soon after, we realized several additional things were in order including making a mad dash to the liquor store to get a case of High Life so we could drink the Champagne of Beers rather than the classy, yet not as classy, Busch Light. While I should absolutely be studying for the bar, today's tragedies have reminded me that celebrating life should come above all else.

Of course, I am celebrated life, I began contemplating many other important philosophical matters. Specifically, I was reflecting on the shock that comes when life defies our expectations. This led me to consider what I read last night in Sway, a wonderfully insightful book which I recommend to all. In Sway, the authors discuss a study conducted on the 1984 NBA draft which included players such as Michael Jordan, Hakeen Olajuwon, and Charles Barkley. The study found that regardless of the individual players' statistics on a per minute basis, those drafted later saw statistically significant fewer minutes of play. The Brafmans' conclusion was that coaches attributed less value to those players who were drafted later than earlier draft picks, regardless of the players' actual performance. Ultimately, that the value attributed to these players was prejudiced by their draft numbers even years into their careers. Not only did they get less playing time, lower drafted players had shorter careers and were more likely to be traded, again, regardless of the value they actually added to their teams in plays per minute.

Subconscious attribution of worth based on some perceived value absent objective analysis is nothing short of failing to recognize the potential right before our eyes. Life is potential energy and it is what we choose to do with that energy that matters most. It behooves us all to embrace the potential surrounding us and abandon our preconceived notions. I for one, am starting with the (wo)man in the mirror.