LOVE & BASKETBALL

All is well with love and basketball. Kim Kardashian's sister, Kloe just married Los Angeles Lakers, forward, Lamar Odom. Although the two only dated for about a month, Odom says the love and marriage is real. Kardashian and Odom married on Sunday, September 27, with guest such as Kobe and wife, Vanessa, Phil Jackson, Ryan Seacrest and many others. Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds sang a song at the reception. Odoms baby mama of two, well actually ex wife, Liz Morales is not too happy with the union, and many others are in disbelief and if the marriage is a publicity stunt for the two. Lamar spoke on that too, stating that he gets more than enough publicity being a Laker. The LA Lakers are the 2009 NBA Champions, with Odom starting in 5 of those post season games. Odom appeared in 23 games, averaging 12.3 points, 9.1 rebounds and 1.35 blocks in 32.0 minutes, while posting 14 double-figure scoring games and converting seven double-doubles. At the end of the season the Lakers were on the verge of getting rid of Odom, but since has come to a contract agreement. I tip my hat off to anyone getting married.

HONORABLE MENTION

The St. Louis Blues made it to the first round of the playoffs and lost, not bad. The St. Louis Cardinals are having one heck of a year and it looks like they will be in the playoffs again... Here is my 2009 Honorable mention… The Saint Louis Rams! This is my home team and I would love to blog about them throughout the season, but there might not be much to say about them this season, so I am getting it out of the way early… I just cant figure out what it is that they are exactly doing. The Rams had the best game on turf… What the hell happened? The league took away their bob n weave celebration dance in the end zone and the Rams as we knew them are no more. We lost coaches, we got rid of coaches. The Georgia past away… did she take their moe joe with her. The original players that were with the Rams in LA, that came to the StL are no more, once they threw out Isaac Bruce. No more Kurt Warner, no more Tory Holt, no more Orlando Pace… my goodness, I could go on and on.
What are the rams missing? Is it key players? Do they have what it takes to win a game this year or are we looking at another year of rebuilding?
I was checking out their 2009 schedule and I gave the Rams 3 wins, 4 if they are lucky. I had the Rams beating the Seahawks @home, the 49’ers @home, the Detroit Lions, and the Redskins (which leaves them 3 games, since the redskins beat them, 9/20).
The Rams made some key plays, Sunday but could not win against the Washington Redskins. The Redskins beat the Rams 9-7. Then there was the 28-0 game loss against the Seattle Seahawks. The Rams are now 0-2… I will still say my prayers at night, that God will bring about a change, a winning change!

THE CRABTREE PLOT THICKENS

There might be a good reason that Michael Crabtree has sat at the bottom of the barrel and has not signed with the San Fransisco 49'ers. The New York Daily reported that the San Francisco 49ers have reportedly filed tampering charges against the New York Jets, relating to the holdout of rookie wide receiver Michael Crabtree.

Crabtree has rejected the Niners' contract offers and is threatening to reenter next year's draft.

Reason for the grievance: The 49ers may believe the Jets contacted Crabtree's agent, Eugene Parker, to let him know they'd be interested in trading for his rights, or in drafting him in 2010 with a better salary than San Francisco is offering.

Through a team spokesman, the Jets denied the allegations.

I must admit that the rookie quarter back, Mark Sanchez is looking pretty good. The Jets beat New England Patriots this past Sunday, and if you add Crabtree to the mix, that would add a nice spice.

The NFL's trade deadline is Oct.20, while the 49ers must either sign Crabtree by Nov.19, or surrender his rights, putting him back into the draft pool for 2010.

If the allegations are true, I can see why Crabtree made the move that he made.

"BIG EGO"

Floyd “Money” Mayweather, need I say more… It has been 651 days since his last fight. Mayweather faced off with Juan Manuel Marquez, Saturday night in Vegas, leaving the ring with a 40-0 record (25 KO’s). Mayweather landed 290 punches out of 493, while Marquez landed 69 of 583. What more can I say. I am glad to hear and see that Floyd’s dad, Floyd Sr. is back on his team, ending a 9 year battle. Mayweather won in the ring but lost money for being 2pds over weight, $600,000 was the penalty. I wonder how soon will it be before he fights again and who will the match up be with…

Floyd "Money" Mayweather Quotes (just a few):

“Credentials don’t lie and my record speaks for itself. I was in the sport 11 years and I was a champion for 10 years. I left on top, and I am coming back on top. I am ready to reclaim what’s mine."

“I am the king and no one has taken my crown."

“I am back because the sport of boxing needs me and the fans want me to. Everywhere I go, they go crazy."

“Some day someone might shut my mouth, but right now I am going to talk. I am the top dog and I am back in the spotlight."


~He talk like this 'cause he can back it up (i just sang that like Beyonce did)

GATEWAY CLASSIC 2009

Friday, September 25, 2009
St. Louis Rams Coaches Luncheon
Gateway Classic Sports Complex

Honorees: TBD

Tickets $25.00
12:00 Noon
For more info call the Gateway Classic Office: 314-621-1994

Friday, September 25, 2009
St. Louis Downtown Partnership Pep Rally
Baer Plaza, across from Edward Jones Dome - 5:00 p.m. Featuring Kentucky State University and Tuskegee Bands.

For more info, call the Gateway Classic office at 314-621-1994.

Friday, September 25, 2009
Lifetime Achievement Awards Scholarship Dinner
Millennium Hotel

Honorees: TBD
6:00 p.m. Reception - 6:00 p.m. Dinner - 7:00p.m

Tickets $125.00 each or $1,250 for a table of 10
For more info., call the Gateway Classic Office at 314-621-1994.

Saturday, September 26, 2009
St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation Parade
Co-sponsored by AmerenUE
Begins at 12th and Market Streets in downtown St. Louis

10:00 a.m.

Saturday, September 26, 2009
American Family InsurancE GATEWAY FOOTBALL CLASSIC
featuring Kentucky State University and Tuskegee University

3:00 p.m.

Advance tickets: $15.00, $22.00, $30.00, $30.00
Tickets available at the Gateway Classic and through Ticketmasters.

Suites are also available and start at $1,040

Saturday, September 26, 2009
AmerenUE Battle of the Bands Half-Time Show
Edward Jones Dome

Half-time of Gateway Football Classic Competition.

MONDAY NITE BANGERS

Monday night football was great! What a way to start the season! I must admit… I was rooting for the Oakland Raiders and the Buffalo Bills. I do believe the refs got it wrong for the touchdown that they reversed and said that rookie, Louis Murphy did not have control of the ball… that was a touchdown and they know it! That call, right there hurt the Raiders and the defense on that last offensive play by the Chargers and Sproles dashed into the end zone!!!! Defense Raiders, DEFENSE! The San Diego Chargers came out victorious 23-20. Overall, I was proud of Jamarcus Russell, he was 13-30 and 2 interceptions. Philip Rivers was 24 of 36, passing. The Raiders has lost their 7th straight season opening game, but hey, they fought the good fight, it was a great game. Fans that some players would love to hate are those Raiders fans!!!! I must admit they are some of the most DEDICATED fans I have seen in NFL history! Now if we talk baseball I would say Yankees & Mets, but no other fan base stand out like the Raiders, OMG!!! I swear I think they are crazy, but I’m sure the Raiders love them! Gotta Love It!
As for those Bills, my GOODNESS! New England look good, but my opinion is that Trent Edwards outperformed Tom Brady. T.O. only caught two passes for 46 yards… talk about teamwork, that was a team effort and a team loss. I thought we had it the game and threw it in the bag!!! Boy was I wrong, by one point! That is the worst! ONE POINT! New England 25, Buffalo Bills 24, That’s all I’m gonna say… Stay Tuned… Preview for next Monday night game
MON, SEP 21
Indianapolis @ Miami

HERMAPHRODITE, STILL A GEM

A gender test was performed on 800m gold medalist, 18 year old, Mokgadi Caster Semenya who got the whole world talking when she finished the race with a time of 1:55.45, leaving the other running in her tracks to finish with a time of 2 minutes plus. No sooner than the race was over, many people was calling this young teenager a boy and the web posted over 75 photos from various angles for the world to view. Although her victory poses did seem very mannish, Semenya handle the rumors with class. Semenya was unaware of the test. She thought she was being tested for drugs. The test requires a physical medical evaluation, gynecologist, psychologist, internal medicine specialist, endocrinologist and a gender expert. Amidst unconfirmed reports that Semenya is a hermaphrodite. Although Semenya has a ton of testosterone, actually three times a woman, she previously stated that she is all woman, “God made me the way I am and I accept myself”. The IAAF league, coaches, and other accusers were extremely embarrassed on how they handled the situation, now that the unconfirmed results are in, now what? Do they take away her medal, do she get to race again, most importantly how does she move forward. Semenya is a true gem to her family and South Africa. She is a human that has a heart and feelings. Do you think the results should have been made public? This is still a vulnerable teenager.

WHAT LIES AHEAD OF US

DUN DUN DUN DUUUN, you know how the rest go… insert NFL theme music here!
GAME OPENER TONIGHT! Are you excited as I am? I would like for the 1st game of the season to be on Sunday night rather than Thursday, but who am I (LOL)? Moving right along... We have such an unpredictable season ahead, no football analyst knows what is in store for us this season. The Super Bowl XLIII Champs, Pittsburgh Steelers will kick off the 2009 NFL season with last season, 13-3, Tennessee Titans. Although the Titans beat the Steelers twice in the regular season last year, Mike Tomlin and his Steelers are ready, with no doubt what-so-ever in Big Ben, to lead them to another Super Bowl victory.
Will the Tennessee Titans come out of Pittsburgh with a win tonight? DUN DUN DUN DUUN…(once again insert music here)
NFL Week 1:
Thursday Sept. 10
Pit vs Ten

Sunday Sept. 13
Mia vs Atl
KC vs Balt
Phi vs Car
Den vs Cin
Min vs Cle
NYJ vs Hou
Jac vs Ind
Det vs NO
Dal vs TB
SF vs Ari
Was vs NYG
Stl vs Sea
Chi vs GB

Monday Sept 14
Buff vs NE
SD vs Oak

AS THE NFL TURNS

September 10 can’t come fast enough. The NFL season starts and I can’t wait to see how the NFL teams kick the season off. We should be able to tell what teams will be winners and losers. There is so much drama and speculation in the preseason; you would think it was a NFL soap opera!!!
We got many thinking that New England or the NY Giants will steal the big show: Super Bowl XLIV. I am really praying for a league upset… not just a divisional upset. I am talking like Detroit Lions, or Buffalo Bills upset! San Francisco 49er’s or StL Rams upset!!! Miami Dolphins or those Philly Eagles come through!!!! You guys cant count out the New Orleans Saints. All it takes is one key player to step their game up or get hurt, and it’s a done deal. (giggle giggle) I know you all are like, “is this girl crazy?” Well I am not lying when I tell you, that is what I want to see. Arizona is not going to make it as far as they did last year. Pittsburgh will not win 2 in a row, I don’t want to see NY Giants or Jets win. I have sprinkled a negative potion on the Minnesota Vikings for their wrong doings, Brett won’t get them far. Who needs a quarterback? Just about everybody, well I think they got Tavares Jackson for sell!!! *SMH* so ridiculous. We got Matt Cassell down and out with KC Chiefs. Cincinnati Bengals could use a QB. The StL Rams got to cut about 21 people, and they have already got rid of Tye Hill. They really are starting over… let’s see who they might grab from some other team. So what the Rams are 2-1 in the preseason, and Stephen Jackson has about 8 touchdowns. It means nothing if they cant score in the regular season. Arizona is 0-3 and they were Division Champs. The cuts and signings are not over just yet. I am wishing that T.O. (Terrell Owens) show his @ss on the field and the Buffalo Bills come away with some wins, so everyone can shut their mouths (CHEESE)! It was not T.O.’s fault in Dallas, maybe it was in Philly, but not Dallas! I really think the Philadelphia Eagles would have won a Super Bowl had T.O. cooperated (LOL). I think they are lying about Daunte Culpepper toe injury (your toe don’t hurt that bad), so now the rookie, Matt Stafford will be starting. You got coach, Al Davis being the talk of the Oakland Raiders. Pittsburgh Steelers, QB, Big Ben “I didn’t do it” law suit, no good. Michael Crabtree still has not signed yet. I know I am all over the place, but so is everybody else. So, let me wrap up this soap I got going… Here are my Division picks:
NFC North: Chicago Bears
NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles
NFC South: New Orleans (my co worker begs to differ… ATL)
NFC West: San Francisco 49er’s
AFC North: Baltimore Ravens (I hear a bunch of yall screaming Pittsburgh)
AFC East: New England Patriots
AFC South: Tennessee Titans
AFC West: San Diego Chargers