Sports Spectrum

WOW. What a game. This is one of the better Super Bowl games that I've seen in recent years. Two great teams, coached by some of the best in the game, with some of the most loyal fans.

It was a head-to-head match in good weather conditions. The New Orleans Saints not only reached their first Super Bowl Game, they won it as well. As the party continues in the French Quarter, players like Drew Brees have a continued platform to share their faith.

Congrats to first year Head Coach Caldwell and the Colts on a great season and well played game.

The Saints and Drew Brees (Sports Spectrum's cover athlete) played an outstanding game. It was a moving moment following the game as well as Brees teared up while holding his young son in his arms. Great guy and deserving of the MVP honors.

Enjoy the celebration Who Dat Nation. Going from the Aints to the Saints in just a few short years. That's a Cinderella story.

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Things are moving and shaking all across the sports world. Here are just a few of the headlines.

Mike Dunleavy is done, as coach of the Clippers at least. He will still maintain his role as GM and focus his attentions on drafts, free agency, and team development. Assistant coach Kim Hughes will be the interim head coach, and attempt to elevate the Clippers above their 21-28 mark so far this season.

LaDainian Tomlinson thinks that his days in San Diego may be over as well. In a recent interview, LT changed his answer from "I don't know" to "I think so" to the question of a trade. While a fan favorite, LT's numbers have continued to slip and a $2 million bonus is coming up. That puts him on the chopping block. Who knows what the future holds. Maybe Tomlinson could join other former Chargers who go on to great success - i.e. Drew Brees.

The New Jersey Devils signed Ilya Kovalchuk to help develop their scoring capabilities. The Atlanta Thrashers had offered a 12-year, $101 million extension deal to keep Kovalchuk, but were refused.

And the winner this week for the most frequent to shake things up - George Edwards stayed just 27 days as the Florida Gators defensive coordinator. He's now off to coach with Chan Gailey for the Buffalo Bills.

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The world of sports really is a microcosm of the world around us. The same issues faced in everyday life can be seen in sports.

So in these days of economic turmoil, it isn't surprising to hear that professional sports organizations are struggling financially as well. The equation is easy. People with less disposable income --> Fans buy fewer tickets --> Teams lose income --> Teams make tough decisions or become no longer viable.

Sporting organizations struggled with the same issues that put so many of us into economic crisis; living beyond our means, buying on credit or anticipation of what is to come, striving for appearances rather than substance, looking for a quick fix, etc.

Now teams have to make the tough choices. Will they learn from their experiences or look for the easy way out?

Our finances aren't who we are, but rather reveal so much about who we are. What we invest in, spend on, and save for is a glimpse of our priorities and purpose in life. Now is a time to see what our favorite teams truly stand for, plan for, and what they can do...

No one ever said that the right choices would be easy, just that they would be the right choices.

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I looked up the phrase "in character: in keeping with one's usual pattern of behavior."

Since Tim Tebow's character has been on global display over the recent years, he has maintained it by boldly proclaiming his allegiance.

An article by Jemele Hill of ESPN sheds light on some of Tim's character-building years, as Jemele points out her early encounters with Tim at church in Orlando: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/commentary/news/story?page=hill/100202

The big flap revolving around "his" commercial slated to air during the Super Bowl seems to draw new commentary daily from all sides. Thankfully, Tim and his family remain steadfast in their faith and convictions.

Sidenote: I find it laughable how the media portrays the two sides of the commercial's focus -- "anti-abortion" vs. pro-life & "pro-choice" vs. anti-_____... life? health? baby? mommy's overall well-being? adoption?
If that gives away my stance on the matter, so be it. :)

I'm just glad the Tebow family's stance on matters of conviction and faith remains rock solid (unlike my round-about stance!).

Feel free to Comment on what sorts of things you find worthy of remaining steadfast in your convictions.

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Pro football is attempting to shake things up down in Miami these days.

A rainy season Super Bowl is on tap -- been there, done that? Looks like in order for Miami to continue to be considered as a site for the Super Bowl in the future, they're being pressed to make good on their promise (going as far back as 1991!) to put a roof/dome over the stadium to accommodate us American fans who are getting use to the comfy confines of various other sports venues. Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys have really raised the bar on stadium accommodations -- now people are more and more getting use to climate-controlled, monster-screened, cushy-seated setups!

Also making news has been the Pro Bowl switch to the week before -- see this week's poll on the SS homepage on whether you like the change or not. Personally, it seems a bit odd -- the premier athletes aren't playing? They sat on the sidelines in street clothes and watched, so as not to get injured before the Big Game. Makes sense... but, by comparison, how would it have been if Michael Jordan or (currently) Lebron James sat out of the NBA All-Star Game? Why not go to a similar scheduling setup: Make week 12 or 14 the week for the Pro Bowl? Very few people get injured in the NBA's event 2/3rds the way through their season, since it is all about show-boating and very little defense is played -- I can see (based on the recent Pro Bowl in Miami) the same being true for the NFL.

I'm just a semi-interested bystander.... so what do I know? :)

Your thoughts? Feel free to Comment!

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Bulletin board material... you hear it referenced by players, coaches, sports reporters, etc. Has it really ever paid off for the brash (or should it read, rash) talkers in the world of sports?

Recently, in the building hype surrounding the Big Game coming up this weekend, there have been yet another rash of trash talking from brash ballers (and coaches) who publicly air their thoughts on who is going to get driven deepest into the muddy, soaked turf of (ironically named) SunLife Stadium in Miami...

[aside: I can nearly guarantee it will be a mess -- preliminary weather shows Saturday will be wet, but it seems that weather patterns tend to drift into the following day!]

I can't recall the last time a trash-talker actually fulfilled his rash remarks "on behalf of" his team and teammates. I had planned on rooting for the Saints (especially since Drew Brees is on the cover of the Winter 2010 Sports Spectrum!). But now I'm almost resigned to the fact that it will not work out, based solely on the fact that most of the trash talking has come from the Saints camp, while the Colts remain cool and quiet about such things... Just as they were when the Jets started talkin' big.

Can anyone rightly recall a brash statement that actually turned out recently?

Shoot us your Comments!

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So we wait to hear with Kurt Warner has to say about his future with the NFL. Many speculate that in today's press conference that the long-time QB will announce his retirement. Although Warner had one of his best seasons this year with the Arizona Cardinals, he also suffered a concussion and bruised chest. This is following a serious hit on teammate Anquan Boldin last season that caused Warner to question his future.

Congratulations Kurt on a great season with a positive witness for Christ. We would like to see Warner back on the field for another season, but wish him well if his decision takes him elsewhere.

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When Pam Tebow got sick during her fifth pregnancy, I'm sure she had no idea the ramifications that her decisions would make. The doctors advised an abortion. She chose to continue with the pregnancy.

A fifth Tebow child was born and they named him Tim. He was not given life because he would grow up to be one of the best college QBs in history. Pam chose life for her child out of love.

The story of Pam Tebow's decision is now the basis for a Super Bowl ad funded by Focus on the Family. The content has many pro-choice groups calling for the commercial to be pulled due to its controversial nature.

The response from CBS, the network carrying the Super Bowl, is that they have broadened their policies on advocacy ads and that there were still spots available that others groups to purchase - for a mere $2.5 million to $2.8 million.

With the media debate continuing, one thing is sure, the commercials will be watched for more than a laugh this year.

SIDE NOTE: Tebow's performance during Senior Bowl practice has been shaking. Tebow's agent Jimmy Sexton and brother Robby reported that Tim had been taken to the hospital for fluids as a result of strep throat. Senior Bowl spokesman Kevin McDermond claimed that it was not strep, but rather he might be "a little under the weather." However, Tebow continues to practice.

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