Much has been said in the past that condemns hateful behaviour towards other individuals purely based on their different skin colour. Racism happens within every community, us vs ‘them’ approach.
There has been a lot of campaigns to aim educating people that such behaviour isn’t normal and not acceptable. UEFA portraits “respect” and since the 90s Britain has the Kick It Out organisation who advertise their slogan everywhere.
I have a bad experience with Kick It Out to be honest. Approx a year ago I saw a tweet on Twitter where a football linesman refused to shake hands with a Muslim gentleman. He avoided by deliberately walk behind the match referee and to then return to his position after the man passed by. Guess what? I’ve emailed KIO twice – no reply… As long you get your income to pay off your mortgage, right?
Social media can really be beautiful. It unites [like minded] people and is a great place to be yourself. It also contains many hateful users who only intend to cyber bully or spit out hateful slurs.
You know what is wrong? They SAY “we want to table racism” but, they don’t in the end. Every social media platform you’ve a ‘search’ option where you fill in a word [or two] and it then lists messages containing what you’re looking for. So, how come this is not being used to find abusers?
You know what, since I was a child, thought of? Old days before the mixing an open world discrimination (still happens) against fur example red haired people, short people, not skinny people etc very common. It’s a human race habit sadly, too many are holding. It will ALWAYS stay BUT can be reduced by education and probably to listen to the individual his/her reason of frustration.
Well, another attempt by mega rich (and some in debt) self claimed elite tried to form a breakaway league has been shot down. It is currently laying wounded on the ground, but isn’t dead. You’ll see its face again.
It was the mid 90s where such an idea came up first, to have a small league with us know us clubs, founded by Bayern Munich containing Ajax Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Juvrntus. I forgot the full list but Real Madrid AC Milan and Cektic Glasgow I main to remember as well.
Plans made public to create a closed competition always seems to come out close to a Champions League new ideas meeting, putting pressure on the UEFA to feed the fat cats by even more revenue. An attempt which they’ve successfully achieved as per 2024/25 a minimum of 10 instead of 6 games has been introduced.
But don’t think, now that the European Super has been binmen, the bin gets emptied.
At bigger leagues a lot of clubs are owned by rich people. Only in Germany the football association has a golden law that 51% of a club is owned by the fans. Private ownership means clubs juridical become companies. An other word for that is ‘frsnchise’. Forming a private league is more simple then you think, and closer to reality. They simply see the mass protests and will try to come up with a new idea.
A breakaway league could potential be a following set up (mark my blog!), where 4 to 8 Champions League participants qualify to join top sides from the Major League Soccer (MLS). For example, the “Atlanta Madness Weeks” which will feature two or three weeks of roller coaster matches between all participant’s.
I have chosen Atlanta, who hosted the Olympics in 1996 as they’re the most central located. They have a great infrastructure and have multiple high profile sports teams too. Although the Falcons have never won a Super Bowl.
This set up could also be played on the odd years of the calander (even years currently belong to European and World Cup competitions). This would therefore mean they complete their surge to add extra games without leaving the domestic leagues. And if my blog is being picked up, I’ll end with £0 while they going to generate £100m’s. That’s life.
And he did it again: Mo Salah is one of the most gifted players in the Premier League but has a nasty habit to dive and try to ‘earn’ himself a penalty. The image above is to illustrate it.
There is a law in football that states that if a player tries to deceive a referee with a dive you get booked yourself for putting the game into disrecpect. A yellow card that is never been given when it comes to it. In the mean time they, including the UEFA etc, all promose ‘fair play’ and ‘respect’. It seems to be when it suits them only.
A retrospective ban also never happen. It can only be done if the match official has made a note of it that there was an incident.
Phil Foden was denied a stonewall penalty last Wednesday (March 10). The VAR refused to step in and overturn the decision.
VAR
I personally adore the Video Assistant Referee as it’s designed to help the match officials in case of an accidental missed incident, or to help otherwise if their personal simply couldn’t see it. This is only good for the game as its function is to get a fair outcome of a match.
However, the ‘problem’ is that too many times incidents are being ignored by the VAR. If we saw it on the TV, so did they. Salah his diving for example. The worst of it all is that broadcasters as Sky Sports and BT Sports are part of this problem by deliberate not showing certain replays nor ask questions. How deep is the core to influence Premier League games their outcome?
A quote from Mark Halsey, who used to be a Premier League referee between 1999 and 2013.
“I have been in that situation, where I have seen an incident and been told to say I haven’t seen it. To be fair to the FA… it’s not them. It comes from within the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officals Limited). It doesn’t stop there. We’ve been told to give a certain amount of corners, ot throw ins, fouls, bookings etc. The Premier League is rife with spot fixing and bias towards certain clubsfrom the FA. Every referee in the Premier League could be infront of a court one day”.
The FA have created the Premier League, who jave assigned the company PGMOL to referee the matches. The PGMOL are the only ones who can sanction one of their employees, therefore any complaint is useless to make. And the PGMOL aere of course also responsible for VAR.,
Manchester United had for years questionable decisions in their favour while Alex Ferguson was the manager. This picture was taken shortly after his retirement.
Drew Brees – he came to the city of New Orleans helping to deliver hope and belief after Katrina, with the ultimate win of SB44 the highlight. He remained loyal to the team and all fans, hoping to build another Lombardi dream to come true.
Widespread anger and disbelief broke out not only all around America but also around the globe, after the murder of George Floyd by Derek Chauvin and three of his colleagues – who refrained themselves from stopping the vile killing. This is done by four individuals who thankfully been arrested and to face trial.
The nation stood up, people uniting with solidarity spreading the message that no one should be living in fear. Dialogs on the streets were formed where protesters and Police found each other.
The national flag
we all know and have a [personal] feeling for the symbol of the country. With 328 million Americans living nationwide the protesters spread the message “it is also our flag, too”.
And coming to Brees, I of course cannot speak beyond his sporting successes. In a city [and wide area] a society being very united, where people understand the peaceful protest by Colin Kaepernick, a sports person would probably be best off to let others do the talking
The world is in crisis, in a way none have seen before since the end of World War II. Over 60.000 people have already passed away, and HUNDREDS of thousands have been battling the still unknown virus ever since it broke out and took the globe. In times like these, humanity is the sole focus as only by coming together in spirit (with a mobile phone or PC we are able to touch each other’s soul within a split second).
Oh, how do I miss my daily life. Sports, meeting friends, socialising etcetera. We all do! But during time of crisis, could we actually enjoy sports, music concerts or a full loaded pub knowing Corona is seeking for new victims? This Is a different time which we can overcome together, IF we stick together. People returning to the core of life, but: not all do, sadly.
Due of the fact people need to stay at home, as people can move a virus around, a virus can’t move by itself, businesses can’t run as normal and have been forced to close their doors for producing. Millions of people have already been put without a job, and more sadly are likely to follow. But, if from a big company, don’t you think they have the financial backup sorted ‘in case of’?
Let’s look at the European football association (UEFA), who has created the famous Champions League compentition and as well the Europe League. After a regular domestic season has been completed, the final standing plus cup winners (for American and Canadian readers: a domestic knock out system competition rewards the winner with a place in the Europe League competition) decides which clubs receive their allocations for the following season. And as we know, this season is impossible to be completed due of Corona, sadly.
All leagues simply need to be written off, and to restart all over again from fresh when health authorities declare it safe. Even if played behind closed doors, the virus still hangs in the air and body contact is simply inavoidable. If leagues are to be voided, the current standing will be to allocate the next season European participants. However, the UEFA are trying to intimidate every country that “if season is not completed, you are not allowed to take part next season” – pure blackmail behaviour – all for profit purpose!
Will UEFA have the longest arm? No!
Belgium has been the first to rule the season to be over. People are dying as mentioned and people should prioritize over money. In Holland 5 clubs have publicly said it is only human to write the season off as well. In England, the pressute to void this season is growing rapidly as well. That is of course very hard for Liverpool fans, who are currently leading by an incredible 25 points. Rivalries aside (because I am a Manchester City fan), I salute their great season achievemen. Italy is the hardest hit counttry in Europe, and Spain as well suffers nightmare scenarios as well, so ending the season there is the only logical conclusion.
So now let us here kick the ball back into the yard of the UEFA – due of their ‘money over people’ dominating stance. The just mentioned countries, with the additional of Germany, should leave the UEFA and start forming a super league together. Domensitc football leagues are already registered as being a company, therefore can fly under their own flags instead. The only thing is that country competitions will come to fold. So? The world is in crisis and it is time for a modern change. Not only in football.
And if no trophy is to be awared, I would like to give a message of support to Liverpool FC fans. If Bernie Ecclestone can become a father [again] at the age of 89, than you know dreams can still come true.
(bonus track) Huff & Puff – Help Me Make It Through The Night (1996)
So there I am, being in the possibility to share this with you. There I was, Oxford Redcliff Infermary (guess who Karma matched up City in Oxford last Wednesday?!) completely paralyzed.
This picture is from the now abandoned hospital I was at, and: Nuffield Ward (website opens in a new window) was where I was laying at. An incredible picture overview here, with so many (yes, GOOD) memories.
20 Oasis – Wonderwall (1995)
It was, and in Holland, not many (sorry to make you puke as British hate the term) Britpop songs entered the charts. It was Whenever I that made me introduce me to Oasis. I didn’t had a football team to root for in England, as (this is genuine true) I always didn’t felt connected to ‘major players’. I didn’t knew why (well, Manc accent I absored due of Liam and Noel Gallagher). Once I read an interview, in which they spoke out about their love for City, I knew: that is my team! And: I didn’t abandon the ship after relegation! Loyalty is such a good feeling.
IMPRESSIVE to tell: in 1999 the playoffs took place at Wembley and City had an UNREAL 2 goals in stoppage time to seal extra time: to then win it and gain promotion. I would never have survived my cancer battle to be honest if that never took place. NEVER GIVE UP was the message given.
And: there it was last Wednesday…
A fim thing by the way, and all who know me I know my spiritual things. Coming to MCR – New Orleans is a ‘twin’ to Manchester. South Carolina Gamecocks fans are very equal to City fan banter nature.
19 Rene Klein – Mr Blue (1993)
Where were you when moment that genuinely is something everyone in Holland can remember. AIDS patient Rene Klijn featured at a TV show and gave AIDS a face by speaking about his experience regarding the illness. He at the end perfomed this amazing song, a Yazoo cover, and the emotion you can feel. People wanted to hear more of his amazing voice, but he thought it was pure “oh, they just say it out of sympathy” – when he finally realized it was genuine, he was too weak to record new songs and passed away.
This song became to become the best sold single in 1994. Choose your own capture, mine I always turn into tears is the: “soldiers taking orders, coz we must defend our borders of our nation: an the other’s side is the same”. And: ain’t it true?
18 Krezip – I Would Stay (2000)
So there I returned home, after my mission impossible (I was given up at first stage). Then came live on TV, the Pinkpop (Easter festival): this song performance… with me being in Holland an easy ‘object’ due of my disabilities (and of course some MCFC ‘fans’ joined in too) to target and bully me, the lyrics are simply mind blowing. Mind: I have many good friends in Holland and cherish memories from with and from them. But I moved away for a reason. I think the lyrics speak volumes and it was originally recorded in 1999.
17 Stilskin – Inside (1994)
Possibly a weird entry in my list? This song has something. It has the “and if so” message: if you believe in – don’t keep it all inside. (I do am happy the tumor is OUTSIDE haha!)
16 Baby D – Let Me Be Your Fantasy (1994)
This might be a trigger: what is the best ever produced dance tune of all time? There are so many special creations. What makes this tune so unique is that at one moment ‘it stops’ and the piano play begins and you’re completely being lifted. It was the cross road from rave to public eye, while remaining rave scene. Which is why I included this song to my blog 🙂 this tune is mind blowing as it brings several worlds together.
15 Doop – Doop (1994)
“From Holland” (say: cheeese!), one of the best ever pure tunes ever created. “Possbile, possible – everything is possible” . (CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT 2:26!). Few things that makes this one very special. 1) Dutch songs do not enter the UK charts that ofter. 2) the Charleston dance! And as all who know me know I have a strong connection with Carolina too, as well as Louisiana. Again a from child age, with now me getting ‘Cocky’ here (Gamecocks, hehe). It’s a brilliant melody and very uplifting.
14 Joan Osborne – One Of Us (1995)
Changing meloties, but not messages. Another unique song is by Ms Osborn. What if God was one of us, trying to make his way home? Really a caring song from abouve. It makes it your or ir won’t.
13 Alice Deejay – Better Off Alone (1999)
One that kept me going on back then in 1999 was this amazing upbeat dance tune. A fun story here. It has been produced by two Den Haag (Holland) DJs that used to trash each other when teenagers – both having own pirate radio stations ‘and so were competitors’. When seeing each other again years later, they actualy liked each other and went on to create this tune. Now you understand the meaning 😉 “Talk to me, do you thing you’re better off aline”, really cool, 20 years ago.
12 Bronski Beat – Small Town Boy (1984)
Another special song that reached me as a kid: and there are a few more to come. Due of being disabled and being bullied, this actualy reflects a lot. The weird irony I fled Glasgow to London (the train journey in this video: did the same). But I only really saw that ‘given message’ after I went down south. It is a true ‘give hope’ song. Although it is a gay theme song – it is absolutely about all who seek their independence.
11 Kristine W – Feel What You Want (1996)
A truly unique dance tune here as well, a true underground sonds. What makes it so unique? Kristine had never heard house music before – she is from Nevada, a country singer. The emotion ‘you feel’ because she sang it for her stepfather, who suddenly died. The message she wanted to spread on was like my blog now: feel what you want!
10 Beloved – Sweet Harmoney (1992)
Ain’t this a beautfil given message? “Time is running out, let there be no doubt. If we care, like we say we do: not just empty words, for a week or two”. I’ve added a lyrics only video, because the original video contains nudity (… showing the pure nature of our human soul …) and I don’t wish to offend anyone in case offended.
9 Everything But The Girl – Missing (1995)
A very pure and special song is this one, which is definitely created during the night after a few drinks (well, that seems to be the aura, ain’t it!). Have you noticed the London Underground subway logo on the left hand side? That station is on the Northern Line, Balham, South London! You’re facing south and above you see the national railway track – to the west (right hand side) it’s just 4 stops to Victoria.
8 Gloworm – Carry Me Home (1994)
A pecious song to me has been this release. Sang by Alabama natuve Sedric Johnson, I always seemed to recognize the look of the streets. The mystique and vibes. I only recently though “hey, look up that church [which you see a sign featured at one stage]!” – it is recorded in San Diego, CA, and the sweet touch is that the church is located at the Alabama street! (with of course me Louisiana, it’s a southern feel).
7 Toontje Lager – Stiekem Gedanst (1983)
My favourite Dutch song of all time! I always ‘felt lost’ at the final tones when I was a kid (released when I was 2), as the aura is so sweet and caring. I still have it, but because I recently bought the 7″ single it’s now on my wall – can touch it! The lyrics are about a guy who saw a lady dancing and he ‘secretly joined the dancing’ while standing at a corner.
6 Connells – ’74 ’75 (1995)
Ome of the most genuine purest songs of all time is this [from] Raleigh, North Carolina, song. during a 20 year high school reunion they pose to show how they looked back then and where they stand nowadays. I’ve put the 2015 video here as it’s already 40 years! BUT: these people are of course not music [super]stars, they’ve simply became universal loving one of the biggest cult hits of all time. They deseve their privacy!
5 UB40 – Sing Our Own Song (1986)
Who doesn’t love UB40?! I don’t need many words here: I picked this song as it says it all already :))
4 Moby – Go (1991)
There is the dilemma again: what is the best dance tune ever? The aura of this one is unreal – that of a loner (MIND: I do not know if Moby is that, the whole flow and piano play builds that increidble aura). Of course in Louisinana it is ‘geaux’ hehe!
3 Pet Shop Boys – West End Girl (1984)
Can you imagine, that this has been actually released in 1984?! This unreal song is so advanced gifted coming to synthesizer usage. The flow, the genuine London [mainly] night life vibes is fanastic! The video has great chosen locations as well, which reflechts a lot of how inner city life feels.
1 Guru Josh – Infinity (1989)
Wait: where is number 2?! I simply couldn’t devote it from number one hehe. This song has always been a very important influence to me – as a young child the saxophone sound and impressive rhythem it kept me hypnotized throughout. It was a messenger to me, to come to London, to be there. But that was then, where is now? With N’Awlins of course too the jazzy vibes as well, and why I think.
1 Cher – Belueve (1999)
Legendary from early 1999 comes here. The perfection of autotune the voice of a music legend with modern days dance music – a full swing with a very direct message as well. “Do you believe in life after love? I can hear something inside me say: I really don’t think you’re strong enoguh” – 20 years, and I’m still here!
I hope my story inspires others, and why I wanted to create this festive music themed article. Share it with others who you might feel need the vibes 🙂 and to the haters and bullies: check this picture out 😉
It has now been submitted, the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Shahid Khan, to purchase the London historic Wembley stadium. Why is this move? Well – I wrote it YEARS ago that they’ve been the selected team to relocate to the British capital, Have you seen how it all began by a single game turning into more and more games being staged in the UK? With always the Jags doing one of those, and whose cheerleader team has been visiting other British cities too, to create a ‘homie’ feeling. But, should the Jaguars be relocated? No.
It has been signs like these, staging more and more games, and others. I have seen it coming, and as a wee reminder, I’ve also said that Brexit would be happening before it was even put on the public agenda. I’ve got eyes, I oberve. I’ll make another bold claim: the Queen will invite the US to take part in the Commonwealth games soon. That might be when Trump comes over this summer but it could be in a couple of years from now. It hangs around the Brexit trading deal with the States,
And oh, Prince Harry to marry an American next Saturday, by the way.
It’s all on the same path, because there are also plans (I’ve only tweeted it rarely, but during the last general elections it was briefly said again) to establish both a NBA (should be expanded with 2 franches, London the west and ‘who’ at the east conference) and also a MLB franchise in London. A fun irony is that, just few days after writing this part of my article, it has been announced that the [former Olympic] London stadium will be hosting 2 baseball games next year.
Now, there are a few more interesting bits. The new stadium of Tottenham Hotspur FC has been specially designed in order to host American football games. They reached an agreement with the NFL to have one game per season for the upcoming 10 years, which could become a Jags game. The reason why I suggest this is because I’ve read somewhere in which Mr Khan quickly commented that “the futurue of the Jaguars lays in Jacksonville”. That indeed, and what my article is about, indicates setting up a British own new franchise.
Yes, I have advocate it before, that the NFL needs to expand to 40. The size of the American continent is WAY more bigger than that of the European continent, yet in Europe there are hundreds of ‘soccer’ (the biggest sport, which why I take this as comparison) teams generating hundreds of millions which shows that multi teams can do a good and profitable business.
Although I’ve not heard about this yet, the new Tottenham stadium could become even more interesting: a next phase in which a COLLEGE football team will be established! In Dublin several college games has been staged since 2012, although infrequent due of a very poor locally run organisator, but they have been very popular. The Irish capital has therefore become an interesting market to possible also establish the similar. Creating a competative rivalry down the isles.
I’m very grateful that many Americans, Canadians and others have agreed that London deserves a franchise of its own. One which reflects its own traditional cultures. During the folded European NFL league there were the Monarchs (1991 – ’98). As a personal favourite I’d like the tenue to be that of Beefeaters: black helmet, red shirt, black trousers. Now, let me show you the expansion idea.
The Setup
Now this is interesting, below an idea to which teams could be added – and where they’d fit in. This can of course still be shuffled around and/or other locations can be identified.
East
North
South
West
Buffalo Bills
Baltimore Ravens
Houson Texans
Denver Broncos
Miami Dolphins
Cincinetti Bengals
Indianapolis Colts
Kansas City Chiefs
New England Patriots
Cleveland Browns
Jacksonville Jaguars
Las Vegas Raiders
NY Jets
Pittsburg Steelers
Tennessee Titans
LA Chargers
Toronto, Canada
Columbia, OH
San Antonio, TX
Oakland. CA
East
North
South
West
Dallas Cowboys
Chicago Bears
Atlanta Falcons
Arizona Cardinals
NY Giants
Detroit Lions
Carolina Panthers
LA Rams
Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers
New Orleans Saints
San Francisco 49ers
Washington Redskins
Minnesota Vikings
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Seattle Seahawks
London, UK
St Louis, MO
Birmingham, AL
Portland, OR
UPDATE: My original writing stated: The selectes cities including two new Canadian franchises. It would be interesting to spark some rivalry and both could fit in with interesting local clashes. I named two in the west, as I do not know which of Vancouver or Calgary has the strongest [possible] market. – I was kindly put to the attention that Portland, Oregon, has a natural rivalry with Seattle and that would ‘lit’ the division well. Coming to my article, I can’t see beyond 40 teams, so a second Canadian team doesn’t look the most likely.
San Antonio is of course a logical pick because a) they want a NFL team for a long time now and b) it would please the Rita LeBlanc, Jeff Duncan and others who are eager to relocate the Saints to Texas. Never will that happen, so this would please all. St Louis and Oakland needs to have their teams back, and as mentioned above London deserves their own fresh from scratch team.
The choice for Birminham, Alabama, is because they love their college football, and no doubt they’ll be excited to be part of a strong southern rivalry division. Columbia Ohio seems to be a logical choice as well. Mexico could also be considered, as they’ve hosted games too over the years.
I’m interested in your opinion and welcome your debate! I’d love to update this article in the future adding your feedback [at the bottom] when they come.
Added Games & Bye Reshuffle
My original writing: There will be, in the regular season, 2 new added games: the double with the new division rival. In order to fulfill this the preseason needs to start one week sooner, and that there are 3 games instead of the current 4 games. This shouldn’t be seen as a problem.
Now the thing about the playoffs, though. Currently the top seed is as we know getting the first week off before they enter the stage. Home field advantage will of course not be touched, but the multi millionairs might start crying that their week off needs to be cut.
There will be another interesting bit: with the expansion to 5 teams in a division, you can’t stick to the current 6 [only] playoffs qualifiers per conference. It needs to become 8, the top 2 from each division. This to avoid it will become a ‘to the elite only’, and that’s important. But: thus this would mean all need to start straight away, with the number 1 seed (home field advantage) hosting seed 8 etc until the Super Bowl.
In order to satisfy the loss of the first week off, I have been thinking about the ‘bye week’ system and how to deliver some compensation. The structure I’ve thought of is that after week 5, there will be enough to rank all teams from top to bottom. The lowest ranked teams will get the first bye, and every week after that the remaining will be again compared and so on until the top x listed teams to get the last slot at the beginning of December.
UPDATE: One of the replies was a good suggestion: to only have 2 preseason games (and with the training camps etc enough practice is taking place for months) which would make it possible to have TWO bye weeks! This would work out the best way [indeed] to get the playoffs to start instantly as I wrote.
And as I finished my article before: I’m excited about your responds to this, and also any excuses why the expansion should not take place. To repeat myself again – check for example the English Premier League of soccer, and the European Champions League.
I have published this article about 2 years ago (2014) at the great website of Saints Tailgate (opens in a new window)- and with Jimmy Graham his return to New Orleans I have decided to re-publish my article. but which I only plan to ‘promote’ on Twitter (today) Saturday and pre-game Sunday.
I know that this is a sensitive subject, and I might get some angry faces into my direction. But ask yourself this: Would you forget the history of where you started, and how far you’ve come? I am going to compare an interview of 2006, that is eight years ago, with the current Saints situation with Jimmy Graham.
Jimmy has generated a cult hero status in recent years; he’s known by his dunks after a touchdown which is now his ‘trademark’ and he’s loved by truly countless fans. Many young children around us are loving his strong ‘no nonsense’ approach in the game. Jimmy’s an admirable hero, but… There’s another side of the coin, a sad one.
From Jimmy’s true confessions: “Yes, that’s what it felt like. No hope, love or future. Scuffling for a dime and struggling for scraps at the age of 13″.
That was a quote from an old interview after his birth mother made it clear towards him that ‘he wasn’t in her future plans’. She only wanted one child, was disgracefully cruel, and it was little Jimmy who became ‘disqualified’. Such an extremely sad situation, as every single child deserves unlimited loving and the fullest protection. A child deserves a future with at least some genuinely provided hope and understanding.
Continuing: “I had to fight for something to eat. All my clothes were in a black garbage bag. I cried myself to sleep. I’ve been through some bitterness.” And all Jimmy Graham wanted was someone to listen. Now it seems that he looks to his agent for that, and then Jimmy listens to him like he was the daddy he never knew. As mentioned it was 2006 when that interview took place. The young man who was then still unknown, living in poverty, and who would know he would grow out to be a highly admired athlete? That was about when Jimmy’s life started to turn around. His birth mother didn’t have a dog in that race; it was an over-worked, under-paid woman who had trouble even taking care of her own self. Yet somehow she still found room in her life for Jimmy. Graham recalled the early days with Becky Vinson, who took him in off the street:
“She was so determined. She pushed me even though it was tough on her. She was poor, hard up for money, had a little kid and was trying to get through college. But I saw her, and I was inspired. I never had someone commit to me like that.”
Ok, here is when I start to get upset. The WhoDat Nation came behind Becky, and the love we showered on him was more than he ever could have dreamed of. Still, it doesn’t seem to be enough to the kid. In my humble opinion dead presidents pale beside the type of unconditional love Jimmy has gotten from the Saints fans.
The interview continues, and the heart-broken youngster recalls the amazing moment that he was not on his own any longer. He even briefs that Ms Vinson was living in poverty herself, a very strange contrast to the current situation that a $9m a year contract “is not good enough“. Yes, you can argue about ‘guaranteed money’, but the fact remains that Graham never has to live like a dimeless 13 year old again.
“That was very hard for me because I never opened up to anyone when I was a little kid. I didn’t care about anyone. I was very protective. I had a lot of people who ran over me, used me. By that age, I was smart enough to not let it happen again. And Becky was asking some questions that were very penetrating questions about how I was feeling.”
The first true cracks of irony are now showing up. I understand Graham though for his ‘people run all over me – now it’s time to show zero emotions/mercy’. Hell, I’ve been stepped on, kicked around and cyber bullied myself. But Ms Vinson wasn’t the only one who believed in the young star. The interview continues: “Carlos Perelta (Abundant Life church pastor) took me under his wing and taught me to go back to the basics. He saw something in me no one else did.”
Is a bell starting to ring here? Jimmy had yet more support from coach Frank Haith. “I don’t think he’ll ever forget where he came from, and I think it will always be motivation for him. I tell him to stop looking at the bench because I think he wants to please everyone so badly. I want him to play and have fun. He wants people to be happy about what he’s doing. It’s a great trait, but he’ll be better if he’s not playing with that stress.”
Yet the current New Orleans Saints offer still isn’t ‘good enough’. It’s getting a bit painful to me now. Than came the Who Dat Nation who welcomed Graham with open arms. We listened to his story and gave him unconditional, unlimited love and understanding. Jimmy recounted a story of being in the back seat of a van with the kids from the orphanage and being beaten until his eyes were swollen shut. Extremely sad this. As mentioned: no kid should be living like that. Yet no kid who’s been there should forget where he/she came from.
For me there’s now only one question that I would love to ask Jimmy: Is the current multi-million dollars a year contract that has been offered to you really not good enough? You’ve been a player who, now let’s be honest, folded at the end of last season when he had to deliver but could not. Also: With the WhoDat Nation now in the back seat of your van has all our love been forgotten? I am convinced there will be some people now claiming I have been ‘harsh’ on Graham, and/or I should not have brought certain aspects into the conversation. Some say ‘a sporting career can be from a short period of time – so he may ask ‘all he wants’. I dispute this myself in full. I’m living on a mere $175 a week. Nice enuf money to eat with, and keep my basics. Things are tight but I’m alive.
This is the result of my being disabled. All lives are different and some are more fortunate than others. But for Graham $175 is something he ‘earns’ in a MINUTE. Don’t tell me that he ‘deserves more’ while he should be praising the Lord for the money he already has on his bank account, just saying. Not just me but many more like me are struggling just to survive. Graham has the blessing of an amazing talent, however he seem to have forgotten those roots. This is truly a shame. I wish Jimmy the best, and genuinely hope he’ll come to terms with his past, see the present for what it is, and realize being ungrateful for your blessings isn’t a step forward.
screenshot Jimmy his reply after reading my article…
There are a few things that amazes me. Being from the UK ‘soccer’ football has so many more teams than the American football NFL has – this while the continent is way more larger in scale than the whole of the European continent combined! You can’t genuine tell me that, although college football is more popular compared to the NFL, which I learned, you can’t add 8 more franchises to gain more excitement.
It is realistic, and I will try to find the 8 new franchises. This, I do wish to include an open debate so please reply per tweet of as a reaction under this article to, together, seek where it would be interesting. I might make some wrong suggestions, but being non-American I can’t know it all. Although I am very hungry coming to this amazing game.
First: give St Louis their team back. The re-relocation I can understand, however not towards the local fans who are hard done.
Second: give Lor Angeles an entire new franchise, perhaps paired with a local NBA or MLB team name, for example.
Third: it’s the worst kept secret as Jacksonville Jaguars are the selected team to become the new London team per 2018. The Jacksoneville fans do not deserve this, so an entire new franchise to arise in London would be the best solution. Helmets black, jersey top red and shorts black – Beafeaters – a genuine local tradition used which would be cool.
Above a picture of the already set up home stadium, which Tottenham Hotspurs FC are building, but with agreement by the NFL as they will host the new American football team.
London will also gain a NBA and a MLB franchise too. I’ve said it years ago, the UK would leave Europe and become part of the USA. For some reason I knew.
Cool, we are now with 3 and I will try to seek 5 more franchises, You have to keep in mind it’s only about 2 more regular season games, both being the division. You can compensate it by taking away 1 pre-season fixture. Yet, being it multi millions of Dollars players earn a few extra games shouldn’t be an issue. Let’s compare it with ‘soccer’, only 3 months off while NFL is 7 months. So, why complain?
Fourth teams (a proper suggestion) could be Las Vegas. Being it a multi millionaire area it’s quite odd no NFL team is yet playing there. This one should work.
Fifth: Homerton, Alabama. I am well aware that college football is more popular, and Alabama is definitely impressive coming to commitment to that. Might a NFL franchise add to the excitement? I choose Homerton based on the map I’ve been looking at, my main aim is Alabama.
Sixth, Seventh and Eight I would love you to help me with. I do know certain metropoles enjoying college football but which areas would benefit the most from a new added NFL franchise? Someone has suggested a franchise in Scotland – to spice up some rivalry with London. Dublin has for a longer time been hosting a college football game, and to my knowledge (being the fact that they’re educating American football in the UK and Ireland for a couple of years already) they will enter the university football program soon,
To compensate the 5 teams divisions, all 8 division winners will play against all 8 2nd placed teams. To make certain that top 2 will reach the pays off it would indeed take away the ‘week off’ from the 1st and 2nd seeded teams – yet, it’s a compromise being it a multi million Dollars game. 8th seeded plays away at 1st, 7th away at 2nd etcetera.
Penalties
There are a few things that I question about recent changes coming to rules. Of course, it’s developing and you need to move along the time. But, not all changes are benefiting the beautiful sport.
Pass Interference is, together with ‘holding’, the most common called foul. It’s not justified to instantly give a 10 yard penalty due of the frequent nature of the (easily given) foul. If you are 1 & 10 and than get 1 & 20 due of a given error, you already know that it’s time to punt before the drive has even started. 1 & 15 is less difficult, as it has less of an emotional baggage. Therefore both should be a 5 yard penalty to give it a better flow of game play.
When a game, or any kick, starts it’s at the own 35 yards… It’s a joke! Why not start instantly with a Field Goal attempt, than it comes down to the poorest kicker. My honest opinion is to return it to the own 20 yards line – which hooked me up was the receive and TouchDown return by an impressive run. That might indeed put scores way up higher, but that’s part of the game which makes every single play unpredictable. As we all know an American football game can change with even just 1 second to go – brilliant!
Facemask: this should be handed a standard 20 yard penalty. It’s the absolute protected zone in the sport and rightly so. Last season the Green Bay Packers received a ‘facemask’ call vs Detriot Lions which questioned doubts. For me it wasn’t. His hand was way too high, and although he didn’t aim the helmet he threatened and being it a protected zone the referees had no other choice than to call it a ‘facemask’. Not harsh, because if not given you’d push the boundary to ‘it was not my intention to’ but still intimidate an opposition.
Below here a picture of the actual moment. You can actually even add a ‘sin bin’ of 2 minutes when your team is on the ball to stamp out facemask fouls. If the NFL is genuine concerned about players safety…
These are my genuine thoughts. If you have a reply, please do share. I am happy to update this article including your replies on twitter and/or of course your replies below this article.
UPDATE:as promised an update coming to given feedback.
Irony last Friday the Raiders have received permission to build a stadium in Las Vegas, which reflected my vision a team would be a great potential. This would from here now mean that Los Angeles can create a entire new franchise to build towards my desired 40.
I think the Jaguars are too advanced coming to their planned London move, which means ‘a definitive’ relocation. Suggestions been to add another London team (Manchester for the north of England). This I do not see as useful coming to the long travels. What I do see is a franchise to be created in Scotland, Glasgow for example who has a strong sporting heritage.
Another good suggestion would be San Antonio, TX. And Vancouver, BC – you should seriously look at a team in Montreal (or so) to have 2 (or even 3) Canadian teams to enter the NFL.
This now the 8 new per current discussion. I do still look to update another time if some more suggestions come in. NEW franchises: LA, St Louis (give them their team back), Scotland, San Antonio, any Alabama, 2 or 3 in Canada. Which makes it either 8 or an 8th to still be found.
I know Ireland is ‘selected’ to be a college football entry, but maybe indeed an own NFL team could be there as well. This an interesting subject Irish fans should give their vision about
It’s that time of the year again: the biggest sporting event of the globe, the Super Bowl!
Every sport has its own magical final, for example the ‘soccer football’ Champions League, the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) world cup final, the Major League Baseball world series and so on. You of course can not compare an apple to a pear – but when you’ve seen the Super Bowl you will crave for next season to become part of the NFL!
Now let me first underline this: being it American football there is a word referring to the other football. That word, ‘soccer’, is being used as a short cut for (football) association. It’s a word though that many feel ‘sensitive’ about, seeing it is ‘as an insult’ – this is of course sad and funny combined. It’s there to separate two different sports.
So, the Super Bowl! I will explain to you in a moment the strategy nature of the game. Advertisement for tonight’s TV are the most expensive compared to any other event. A staggering $4.5m (£3.1m) per 30 seconds! With a growing audience peaking at just over 114 million viewers last year you can be certain you will reach your market. Sadly in the UK we won’t see them (a different country of course), but in the States they make those commercials close to Hollywood material. If one actor tells you “I am the law” you better go and buy it 😉
Not only the commercial breaks are spectacular, also the half time music performance by (almost) always a huge current artist are beyond exciting! Normally a half time during a NFL game takes about 12 minutes, but at the Super Bowl it’s extended to around half an hour. The reason is simple: an entire music stage is being build, and not just a soap box with a microphone – no – it’s a full stage including lights and extras. One great example of how a half time show looks like is by Madonna at Super Bowl 4 years ago. If you check the video you do not realize you’re at a football stadium at all! And the fact of course that shortly after this the second half is due to start…
This year’s performance will be done by Coldplay, which sparked some concerns the half time show might not be ‘too flashy’. The choice for an UK artist doesn’t really come as a surprise however, as London is scheduled to have an own ‘franchise’ (that’s how a team is called) per 2018 – as currently planned. London is already hosting 3 regular season games (various franchises gave up one home game to let is be staged in the British capital) and for next season all three games are already sold out! With 2:30pm now the dedicated kick off time, which is 9:30am Eastern Time (east coast) in the States.
The franchise most likely to relocate to London seems to be the Jacksonville Jaguars, but nothing is officially confirmed, apart from a future team move. Many stadiums are in fact trying to bid against Wembley to also host NFL games. The passion is growing in the UK and Ireland.
The game and its rules
It’s a game of strategy. It stands still a lot however that actually builds up the adrenaline rushes. It is always 11 v 11, with all either defenders or attackers. There is no limit to substitutions, as every play is chosen differently. When on the attack, that’s named a ‘drive’. You will see on the top of the screen “1 and 10” a lot, this means “first ‘down’ and 10 yards to overcome”. The down refers to the ball being on the ground and to be thrown towards the Quarter Back (QB) who will decide to either throw it towards a team mate or to let the ball run forward in order to gain yards. IF the QB throws the ball by mistake to an opponent, than it’s being named an ‘interception’ also known as a turnover moment. The drive has failed and the other team may restart the game for a drive of their own.
During every drive you have 4 downs, although the final one is mostly never used. I explain: as mentioned you start with 1 and 10, and now I use an example. After the first play only 4 yards were gained. This means it is now 2 and 6 (second down, 6 yards to overcome). Second play 2 yards gained making it 3 and 4. Now at this third down the ball is thrown but it fails to reach a team mate, it is now 4 and 4. You do not want to risk this as if you fail to gain the required 4 yards, your opponent are allowed to restart the game from that lost position. So instead they will decide to kick the ball towards the opposite team, which is named a ‘punt’.
However: when it is 4 and 1 (or even inches) and you are on the opposite half, than mostly this is still being played. Running the ball forward. I am certain you will see Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers doing this tonight.
However, if you are already near the touchdown area (which is called the endzone) a field goal attempt will be taken at the 4th down. If the ball goes through the posts it means 3 points are gained. A touchdown is 6 points by the way, with an additional kick for an extra point. It is also possible to score 2 points instead of 1, that is when a QB decides to throw the ball from the two yard line. This option is only considered when every point becomes vital.
When the QB throws the ball, they mostly go towards players called ‘wide receivers’ (WR). That’s the position name, just like a winger in ‘soccer football’. You will by the way see a lot of yellow flags as well during a game. There is one head referee (white cap) and a lot of assistant (black caps). For example: if the WR tries to catch the ball but gets a push/or arm is held, than it’s a foul and a flag will be thrown. The team who committed a foul will get a penalty of x yards. Those varies, so I won’t list them all. But let’s say it’s the 3rd and 4, and the throw failed – however, due of the foul the attacking team now moves to 1 and 10 due of the referee sanction!
There are also red flags. In each half both head coaches (the manager compared to ‘soccer football’) may request the referees to look at a game play. For example a foul yes or no, or was the foot in the field when receiving a ball or did it touched the side line. This is something I love because either a referee has overlooked it or you can correct their (wrong) call.
There are 3 timeouts per team per half. Those are and can be used in several ways. First, most logical, if you are on a drive and need to discuss how to play the next down you call one. The coaches, QB and the players gather together. Coaches also communicate to players via their headset. Secondly timeouts help to ‘play the clock’. There is no ‘injury time’ so when the clock is 0:00 the quarter or game itself is simply over. Time wasting is a key if you’re leading. But when you need a score, and the clock doesn’t stand still (it does when the ball goes out wide of the field), a timeout stops the ticking because even 3 lost seconds can be vital.
I think this technically explains the exciting game of American football. There’s one more thing. When a player receives the ball, both feet HAS to touch the field to ‘take positon’ AFTER the receive. If even a toe touches the sideline it’s a ‘no good’ call. You will see some great acrobat skills. Coming to the endzone for a touchdown, it doesn’t matter how as long the ball enters it. In rugby, the original version of this sport, you HAVE TO touch the ball to the ground or else it’s a no score.
I hope everyone will enjoy the 50th Super Bowl edition! Denver Broncos vs Carolina Panthers will be a clash of two breeds of quarterbacks. Broncos Payton Manning has in the last lost several Super Bowls and is most likely to retire after tonight’s game. Panthers Cam Newton likes to run forward himself as well as throwing. He’s also known to give a kid a ball after a touchdown is scored. NFL forbids this however I hope more players will start doing this as it’s a sport and fans should always be central.
screenshot Jimmy his reply after reading my article…
Gabe UK Saints fan 
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