Slam Dunk Supertramp Style
If you like high-flying acrobatic dunks (and who doesn’t) then check out this video of the Hungary Acrobatic Sport team.
Category: Sports
These Base Jumpers are Crazy-Awesome
Last September, 91 base jumpers from 17 countries met at Menara Kuala Lumpur and performed over 2,200 jumps in 3 days.
They say they’re not crazy, they’re awesome.
I say they’re a bit of both.
Hanging with Olympic Medalists
That’s me, Ato Bolden, Allyson Felix, Joanna Hayes and Aries Merritt. I’m in some pretty fast company, folks. In case you didn’t know it, they’re all Olympic Track and Field Medalists.
- Ato Bolden: 4-time Olympic medalist [two bronze 1996; bronze & silver in 2000]
- Allyson Felix: 6-time Olympic medalist [silver 2004; bronze & silver 2008; 4 gold in 2012]
- Joanna Hayes: Gold medal winner 2004
- Aries Merritt: Gold medal winner 2012
These Olympians were in town for the USA Track and Field annual meeting and are all part of the “Win with Integrity” program sponsored by USATF. They came to our school and spoke with our 8th grade honor roll students. Their message focused on students staying in school, getting a good education and living life with integrity. Our students were able to ask them questions, hold a real gold medal and get photos and autographs.
It was truly a pleasure to have these Olympic heroes on campus to speak to our students.
WWMAD? What Would Muhammad Ali Do?
Have you ever had the discussion with friends about whether or not you (or they) would give up years of your life to be famous actor/singer, world class athlete, or to have some super-human powers? Discussions I’ve had and articles I’ve read seem to indicate that most would.
Recently Dick Cavett wrote How the Mighty Are Fallen (Or, Where’s My Friend?) for the New York Post. The article is about Muhammad Ali.
Cavett asserts, and rightly so, that it was Ali…
- “not Elvis, not J.F.K., not Mickey Mouse, not Jackie, not Honest Abe, Mick or Marilyn“
…who had the most recognized face in the world. Further, Ali was perhaps the greatest athlete who ever lived.
Muhammad Ali was a boxer… the only three time World Heavyweight Champion. Boxing brought Ali both his fame and his fortune. Yet, as Dick Cavett writes,
- “Few doubt that Ali’s sad state was caused by head blows, akin to N.F.L. cranium-smashing.”
The sad state that Cavett refers to, is the Parkinson’s Disease which many feel was caused or at the very least accelerated by many wars Ali fought in the ring.
Would Ali, given the chance to go back in time, trade away all of his fame and accomplishments for a healthy life?
Would you?
Like Cavett, “I don’t suggest the answer is an obvious one.”
Thanks and another round [non-alcoholic and non-boxing to Mark Evanier for the original link.]
Chris is a Marathoner!
Big congrats to my son, Chris, who completed his first Disney Marathon today. Way to go, Chris!
RIP: Smokin’ Joe Frazier
Last night the world lost one of the greatest fighters to ever enter a boxing ring. Smokin’ Joe Frazier passed away at the age of 67 from liver cancer.
Joe Frazier only lost 4 times [twice to Muhammad Ali and twice to George Foreman] in his career which saw him crowned the heavyweight champion of the world. Joe Frazier will forever be remembered as the first man to beat Muhammad Ali.
Although he fought Ali two more times [losing by decision in the first rematch], it is their third meeting, The Thrilla in Manilla that many consider to be the greatest boxing match ever. After the fourteenth round, with Joe’s eyes swelling shut, his trainer, Eddie Futch called the fight. Futch then said to Joe, “Sit down, son. “It’s all over. Nobody will ever forget what you did here today.”
And we won’t.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Joe Frazier’s family, friends and fans.
Gerardo Moreno
SZoner, Gerardo Moreno is back with his version of a new “First Blood″ teaser poster.
Well done, Gerardo! To see more of his art, click here.
Chris Z Runs His 1st Half Marathon
Last weekend my son Chris, ran his first half marathon. He was joined in the race by his girlfriend Mikala, and her mother.
Of course Chris’ mom and I were there for moral support. [I’m the guy behind the camera.]
Before the race Mikala and Chris are all smiles.
In fact everyone is smiling…
Once the race starts Chris moves from smiles to all out laughter!
At the halfway point and he’s still smiling.
Chris about to pass the older couple in the blue. ; )
My wife is terrible at taking pictures. She always cuts off heads. Perhaps in a past life she was an executioner. Mikala and her mom are also all smiles at the halfway point.
Chris coming in for his final lap!
Mikala and her mom finishing the race!
Before the Lights Go Out
If you’re looking forward to the premiere of Lights Out, the new series on FX that premieres on January 11th, then you’ll probably want to check out the trailer below. If you haven’t heard about Lights Out, give it a look and see if the show might be something you’d like. Since you read this blog, there’s a good chance it will.
A Quick Look Back…
As we head into a new year, I always take a moment or two to look back. Since today is the first day of 2011… The top photo is of me taken during the middle of a tough game. I was a sophomore at Mainland High School and played defensive tackle.
This photo is of me and Mike Singletary. The Chicago Bears have always been my favorite pro football team. Mike Singletary is one of my all-time favorite players [and he would have been even if he wasn’t a Chicago Bear]. Singletary was never the biggest player on the field, but he always played with the most heart. I got a chance to meet Mike back in 1993 or 1994. He had been brought in as an inspirational speaker and I was lucky enough to get some face to face time with him afterward. Funny, but my hair doesn’t look as gray in that photo…
The Greatest Pro Wrestlers of All Time
Recently UGO listed their choices for The Greatest Professional Wrestlers of All Time. Using just their list, here is my top ten:
- Hulk Hogan – Without a doubt one of the worst “wrestlers” to make the list, but also without a doubt one of the most popular of all time. Hogan at the top of his game could sell out any arena no matter who he was wrestling. Everyone knew who Hulk Hogan was and he was one of the first wrestlers to successfully move into movies.
- Ric Flair – The “jet-flying, limo-riding, kiss-stealing, dirtiest player in the game.” Flair wrestled for so long, for so many organizations and always at the top of the card that he became a fan favorite despite his bad guy image.
- “Stone Cold” Steve Austin – came in and changed the face of wrestling at a time when it was fading. Austin had “tried” other personas with limited success, but his no-nonsense, take no guff from the boss attitude struck a chord with fans. Austin has made the transition to movies.
- Bruno Sammartino – one of the most popular wrestlers of all time. Because of his popularity, Bruno held the title for over ten years in two runs [something unheard of in the last few decades] and at one time held the record [perhaps still does?] for selling out Madison Square Garden.
- Dusty Rhodes – After a run in the midwest as part of a “bad guy” tag team, Dusty came south and became a literal Superstar.
- Mick Foley – has had more wrestling personas than most, but it’s Mick Foley the fans love. His “hell in the cell” match with the Undertaker made him a legend.
- The Undertaker – Biker or Spawn of Hell? “It doesn’t matter!” said in the best Rock voice. The fans love him.
- The Rock – had the Rock stuck with wrestling he’d be higher on the list. Actually I’m glad he didn’t since I dig most of his movies.
- Andre the Giant – a living legend. Fans came to see Andre. It didn’t matter who or how many wrestlers he was wrestling.
- Superstar Billy Graham – Paved the way for Hulk Hogan and all the musclebound, roided wrestlers of the 80’s and on…
UGO’s list is very limited. Where was Dick the Bruiser [my personal choice for #1], Mil Mascaras, Blackjack Mulligan, Wilbur Snyder, and so many others. And yes. Andy, I did see Moose Cholak wrestle many times, but he wouldn’t have made my top 50. Sorry Moose.
UFC 110 Results
UFC110 was Saturday night, so let’s take a look at the fight results and my picks:
Minotauro Nogueira vs. Cain Velasquez – My pick: Velesquez by decision. The result: Velesquez wins by KO in the 1st keeping him undefeated. I’m not sure if this says more about where Velesquez or Big Nog. [[My picks 4-3]
Michael Bisping vs. Wanderlei Silva – My pick: Silva via TKO. The result: Silva wins by close decision; 29-28 on all 3 judes’ cards. Good for both fighters! Even though he lost I underestimated Bisping. [My picks 3-3]
George Sotiropoulos v. Joe Stevenson – My pick: Stevenson by submission. The result: Sotiropoulos wins every round on all judges’ cards. This does not bode well for Joe “Daddy” Stevenson. [My picks 2-3]
Keith Jardine v. Ryan Bader – My pick: Bader by KO or TKO. The result: Bader wins by 3rd round KO. [My picks 2-2]
Stephan Bonnar v. Krzysztof Soszynski -My pick: Soszynski by decision. The result: Soszynski wins by 3rd round TKO due to a bad cut. [My picks 1-2]
Brian Foster v. Chris Lytle – My pick: Foster by decision. The result: Lytle wins by 1st round submission due to a knee bar. [My picks 0-2]
Goran Reljic v. C.B. Dolloway -My pick: Reljic by decision. The result: Dolloway wins by close [29-28 all all judges’ cards] decision. [My picks 0-1]
UFC 110: Predictions
UFC110 is Saturday night, so let’s take a look at the fights and my picks:
Minotauro Nogueira vs. Cain Velasquez – My pick: Velesquez by decision.
Michael Bisping vs. Wanderlei Silva – My pick: Silva via TKO
George Sotiropoulos v. Joe Stevenson – My pick: Stevenson by submission
Keith Jardine v. Ryan Bader – My pick: Bader by KO or TKO.
Stephan Bonnar v. Krzysztof Soszynski -My pick: Soszynski by decision.
Brian Foster v. Chris Lytle – My pick: Foster by decision.
Goran Reljic v. C.B. Dolloway -My pick: Reljic by decision.
If you’d like to see Ryan Cody’s picks and rationale, then click here.
Alexis Arguello & Karl Malden – R.I.P.
Alexis Arguello and Karl Malden passed on today.
Alexis Arguello, who was a champion in three weight divisions, died at the age of 57 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Arguello, was a charismatic champion who compiled an amazing 82 – 8 record before finally retiring in 1995. Although Arguello never lost a fight 130 pounds he is best known for his first brutal and controversial war against Aaron Pryor in 1982. Arguello moved up in weight with the hope of being the first champion in four weight divisions. Pryor won the fight by knocking out Arguello in the 14th round of the epic fight which had seen both fighters taking and giving as good as they were getting. Arguello seemed to be gaining the advantage, but in the respite before the 14th round, Pryor’s trainer, Panama Lewis, called for a specific water bottle — “the one I mixed” — the mysterious drink seemed to revive Pryor who went on to win. The fight against Pryor was voted Fight of the Year and Fight of the Decade by Ring magazine. Arguello fought for 13 more years and remained a popular figure after leaving the squared circle. He appeared in commercials, carried his country’s flag in the Olympics and was currently the mayor of Managua, the capital of Nicaragua.
Karl Malden, 97, died today from natural causes. An Oscar winner for Best Supporting Actor in 1951 for his role in “A Streetcar Named Desire” which starred Marlon Brando. Malden also appeared with Brando in “On the Waterfront” and “One-Eyed Jacks” as well as several dozen movies without him. Malden had a five year run with Michael Douglas in the popular “Streets of San Francisco” tv series which ran from 1972 – 1977.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families, friends and fans of Alexis Arguello and Karl Malden.
Things Could Always Be Worse
Last night the a bunch of the family met up in DeLand to see my nephew pitch for East Tennessee State University against Stetson. Although hanging with the family was fun, the game didn’t go our way. Josh started as pitcher and went five innings. The score was 4-2 when he was relieved [and two of the runs came after errors]. Things went pretty much downhill after that. ETSU went through four more pitchers as Stetson hammered in a total of 19 runs. Final score Stetson 19, ETSU 4. Arrgh.
After the game, when we went out into the parking lot we discovered that one of the foul balls hit out of the stadium had busted out Josh’s mom’s car’s back window. Sheesh! You can see that Joey was shocked at the look of his Aunt’s car!
Still, the night did have it’s moments. It was fun hanging with family members. And Grandma Peggy came up with a few new ones: “They’ve got more runs than a pair of my old hose” — “That kid is swingin’ like it’s the 60’s!”
