The Republic of Sport

perfect360

perfect360's Comments

Posted Monday October 19, 2009, About: Did faulty measurement aid Steelers' win?

For anyone who thinks this was a fix and just not a bonehead call by some ref, wouldn't it have been much easier to just SPOT the ball forward a few more inches?

I mean there were allot of bodies in the pile making it hard for fans to know the exact spot, it would have been a hell of allot less obvious.

Posted Friday September 11, 2009, About: How bad is Polamalu's injury?

Yeah, I guess the refs were favoring the Steelers when they called the pass interference on Polamalu (that negated one of the illegal formations) when the Titan WR basically ran over his back while Troy was looking back for the ball.

Or the hold on Max Starks where he could possibly be the only human being capable of holding someone with the outside of his forearm.

Or all last year with the countless horse-collar holds on James Harrison that were never called.

Now, don't mistake me for saying the refs are biased against the Steelers, I'm just saying there are bad calls that go both ways in every game. If you choose to only see those that go against your team, you're simply lying to yourself.

Posted Friday September 11, 2009, About: Terrelle Pryor: Everyone kills people

I am quite glad PSU lost out on this guy (and just for the record, I really doubt they'd punish him in any serious way for this comment if he were a Lion right now).

Some team really needs to do a spoof of REM's "Everybody Hurts" and play this every time Pryor steps on the field. I mean, I know the kid's young, he's from Jeanette, but still, EVERYBODY? (might actually make that song bearable)

Or maybe Pryor has some real skeletons in his closet and is speaking from personal experience?

Posted Friday September 11, 2009, About: Accuser wants list of Roethlisberger's sex partners

Last i checked, he hasn't sexually harassed anybody, or at least hasn't been proven to have done that. The big difference between Ben and Vick, Vick was found GUILTY of CRIMINAL charges. Barring any new evidence, there's pretty much zero chance of the same happening to Ben.

Two adults having consensual sex isn't sexual harassment, which most but a few delusional people feel is the case here. Having bad judgement in who you choose to have sex with isn't either. While one night stands may not be the most honorable act, if you give it up that easily, you probably shouldn't be expecting anything beyond that night. This isn't something the NFL has any business regulating.

If you're referring to his lawyer's handling of his defense as "sexual harassment", what would you propose he do? Sit silently while his name and reputation are trashed? And if you are considering his defense as sexual harassment, let me just say one thing. If you're planning on suing someone, you better have the truth AND solid evidence to support your charges. Again, barring any evidence none of us are aware of, it appears she herself is going to be Ben's star witness based on her actions that have come to light so far, which is another way of saying she doesn't have anything to back her claim, as her word is highly questionable at this point.

Keep in mind, getting all googley eyed and talk about long term relationships with their rapists isn't exactly the normal behavior of rape victims.

Posted Friday September 11, 2009, About: Accuser wants list of Roethlisberger's sex partners

While I'm not a big fan of digging up dirt on potential victim of sexually violent act through the mud, in the case of civil suits (especially in the absence of preceding criminal charges) where virtually the only known basis is the word of the accuser, it is unfortunately necessary.

While to rape or commit any other form of sexual assault is a horrid act, it is almost equally as bad to falsely accuse someone of doing it. This will follow Ben for the rest of his life, whether he settles, or the jury rules for or against him, and most importantly, whether it's true or not.

Many may not be aware because it didn't get much press, but Jerome Bettis was falsely accused of raping a woman a few years back. I believe he was even arrested, cuffed, the whole 9. It was quickly figured out that she was lying, which may not be why it got much press. I can't recall for sure, but he may not have even had sex with her. Imagine having to tell your mother or having her see it on the evening news that you have rape charges against you. True or not, that's something that will never be forgotten.

Posted Friday September 11, 2009, About: Accuser wants list of Roethlisberger's sex partners

Not saying Ben shouldn't have higher standards, but I'd like to see some of the women all you critics have in your black books. In this particular case, I think higher standards in the mental stability category would have been of greater value than anything to do with looks.

I know few guys who don't have at least one notch on their bed posts that they're not particularly proud of. Most have more than one. I'm guessing the same holds true for most of you Internet studs whether you admit it or not.

Posted Saturday August 08, 2009, About: Roethlisberger accuser claims harassing calls

Oh, and by the way, in addition to the whole soldier story she apparently made up, seems like her case is starting to fall apart...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4385103

Posted Saturday August 08, 2009, About: Roethlisberger accuser claims harassing calls

This a vile and horrible act either way. If the charges are false, while it may not equal the offense of rape, falsely labeling a man as a violent rapist for the rest of his life is despicable.

If it turns out to be false, I hope Ben and the casino mgmt she's suing turn the tables and sue the **** out of her.

Posted Saturday August 08, 2009, About: Roethlisberger accuser claims harassing calls

So by this one comment I made you can conclude that ONLY refers to Roethlisberger's situation, you can conclude that I felt black athletes with criminal or civil charges against them were guilty before they got their day in court? And I guess you could also conclude the color of my skin from that post as well?

You're either psychic or have some racist issues of your own, and given I had serious doubts about Kobe's guilt, Bettis's guilt and even some with Tyson's, I'm leaning against the psychic theory. On the flipside, while different charges, I think pretty much any of the high profile baseball players (Clemens, McGuire, Bonds, Gonzalez, A-Rod) are lying, cheating pieces of ****, regardless of their skin color.

So try and fit that into your racist profile.

Posted Friday August 07, 2009, About: Roethlisberger accuser claims harassing calls

While I may be biased (Steelers fan) in doubting the validity of the claim, and don't in any way condone the harrassment of victims (or alleged victims) of sexual assault, you've gotta wonder what this woman and her lawyer were thinking. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that when you sue a high profile athlete, claiming he committed a violent crime of a sexual nature, you're going to get some crazies coming out from underneath their rocks.

That being said, the fact she hadn't previously gotten an unlisted number (either through her own common sense or that of her lawyer) leads to speculation that this was an intentional move to garner sympathy and portray her as a continued victim.

From what I've read, her lawyer is very accomplished, making it hard to believe the possibility of a few of Ben's fans harassing her by phone never crossed his/her mind.

Probably not a coincidence that the accuser requested and was granted a jury trial, as also stated in this article. A judge most likely won't be swayed by stuff like this that's played out in the media, but there's a much better chance that a juror or two might.

Posted Wednesday July 22, 2009, About: Roethlisberger accused of sexual assault

From the Trib article:

"According to the lawsuit, the woman reported the assault to Harrah's security chief, Guy Hyder. The lawsuit accuses eight Harrah's employees ??? including Hyder and John Koster, regional president of Harrah's Northern Nevada ??? of covering up the incident and defaming her by making false statements about her character."

Well, it could be an attempted cover up to protect a VIP customer, but at the same time, the fact that she's going after some pretty high ranking members of management at a well known gambling company also lends to the theory that she's taking the shot gun approach, and trying to score $$$ from anyone who has enough to make it worthwhile.

Posted Monday July 20, 2009, About: Reebok no longer mad at Belichick

Let him wear the grey hoodie. Just don't let him cut off the sleaves. Is he some former muscle head stuck in the 80's? Reebok probably caved on the hoodie, but drew the line on BB rockin' the Zubaz pants on the sidelines.

Posted Tuesday July 14, 2009, About: Cuban: Mavericks talking to Odom

It seems that for the remaining FAs of note, the big money is almost all gone. Either teams have spent it, or for those with more than the mid-level, they aren't going to.

It seems to me that the fate of any FA of Odom's caliber is largely dependent upon what happens with Utah/Portland and Milsap. If Utah matches, Portland's still in play for Odom and other notable FAs. If not, then it looks like it's mid-level or take what you can get from your own team over and above the ML.

It's almost a game of chicken at this point.

Posted Thursday July 02, 2009, About: Ariza unhappy with Lakers offer

$5M isn't chump change, no matter who you are, and what taxes are where you live.

After buying a house? What kind of house are you buying? Even if it's some $3M mansion, it's not like you're paying for it all at once.

While I'm not saying Ariza doesn't necessarily deserve more, don't make it out like an NBAer is going to struggle making ends meet making $5M. The only reason anyone making $5M a year should struggle is if they're stupid with their $$$. And by stupid I mean the entourages, the 15 luxury vehicles, the $8M house, drinking Chrystal like it's water, the bling, etc.

Posted Wednesday June 24, 2009, About: Gasol deal still irks Memphis owner

OK, the Spurs give up two aging vets for Richard Jefferson, and almost nobody talks about that being unbalanced, but when LA got Paul Gasol by trading Kwame Brown's expiring contract, Marc Gasol, Javaris Crittenton and three first round picks, it was considered highway robbery. Two seasons later, most still consider it highway robbery, even as Marc Gasol appears to be developing into a solid young center, giving Memphis 12 ppg and 7+ rpg last year. Crittenton has since moved on to Washington, but even though he hasn't produced much, the verdicts still out on him, as he's only 21. They traded away Donte Green (who they used their first pick to Houston (later sent to Sacramento as part of a package for Artest), and much like Crittenton, while he didn't produce much as a rookie, at age 21, the verdict's still out, not to mention Memphis later basically traded him for a future first rounder. And Memphis still has two more 1st rounders coming their way from the Lakers. It could be years before we can truly judge the outcome of the Gasol trade, but even if Marc Gasol and one of the future first rounders or Crittenton end up being an impact player, it may not end up being nearly as lopsided as most feel it was now.

Back to San Antonio's trade for Jefferson. What did the Bucks get? Cap space and Amir Johnson. That's it. No picks, just cap space. The Spurs got a star for two aging vets who they probably wouldn't have resigned after this season anyway.

Posted Friday June 19, 2009, About: Do Lakers want Odom back?

While so many people were quick to get down on Bynum in the playoff run this year, I think the fouls were largely due to him being a little slower, whether it be due to still not being fully recovered, not being in game shape yet, being timid about another injury, etc.

If he can get over this and not suffer another setback next season, the Lakers should be solid. In each of the last two seasons, prior to the injuries, Bynum was showing significant progress towards being the player they thought he could be when they drafted him (and extended his contract).

Posted Thursday June 18, 2009, About: Jail time likely for Stallworth

The difference is, the NFL isn't financing or otherwise involved in the gambling on NFL games, as far as any of us know.

Vick financed it, providing money for placing bets, owned the property on which the illegal activity occurred, ran the kennel that provided the dogs, and on and on.

Not exactly the same as the NFL holding games every Sunday that those unaffiliated with it place bets on.

Posted Wednesday June 17, 2009, About: Jail time likely for Stallworth

Um yeah, racketeering. Racketeering is defined as "obtaining or extorting money illegally or carrying on illegal business activities, usually by Organized Crime . A pattern of illegal activity carried out as part of an enterprise that is owned or controlled by those who are engaged in the illegal activity. The latter definition derives from the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corruption Organizations Act (RICO), a set of laws (18 U.S.C.A. ?? 1961 et seq. [1970]) specifically designed to punish racketeering by business enterprises."

You may make light of it because it's dog fighting and it doesn't meet YOUR definition, but what Vick did does in fact meet the legal definition of racketeering.

Posted Wednesday June 17, 2009, About: Jail time likely for Stallworth

I don't disagree that Stallworth got off easy. My point is, the fact that he got off easy doesn't make Vick's punishment wrong. People are trying to compare the two simply because they're both NFL players, although in reality, the two cases have nothing to do with each other, or the NFL. There are probably tens of thousands of other cases NOT involving NFL players where the offenders got heavier sentences than Stallworth and their crimes didn't result in anybody dying, but nobody's comparing their sentences to Stallworth because those guys don't put on a helmet and play football every Sunday.

The bottom line is, just because Stallworth got off easy, it doesn't mean Vick or anyone else got anything more than what they deserved.

Posted Tuesday June 16, 2009, About: Jail time likely for Stallworth

Allot of people make the mistake of simplifying it to just abuse of a few dogs, when in reality, in addition to abusing numerous animals, the guy was a key figure in an organized crime ring. Now, you may say yeah, but it was only dog fighting, but when you factor in the fact that the main reason for dog fighting is illegal gambling, and the fact that in most cases of organized crime, there are usually numerous other illegal activities like drugs, violence (against people), etc., it's not something the fed's are going to let you off on with just a slap on the wrist.

And, factoring into his sentence was the fact that he lied to the judge who was deciding his fate when he had agreed to come clean about his role in the situation certainly didn't help his situation. Generally not a great idea to piss off someone who's holding your balls in their hands. Yet another in a long line of brilliantly stupid decisions from a guy who had it all.

While I'm not saying taking a man's life is a lesser offense than what Vick did, just because Stallworth is getting off light doesn't make the Vick sentence wrong.

Posted Tuesday June 16, 2009, About: Jail time likely for Stallworth

Actually (not defending him, mind you), .126 isn't much at all, depending on your body weight. The average sized male could hit that after only a few drinks in a couple of hours, and a short/petite woman (or your average jockey) could be at .126 after only a couple of drinks.

It wasn't that long ago that the legal limit in many states was .1, but most, if not all states have lowered it to .08 because the federal government basically coerced them to do so in order to continue to receive federal money for highway projects or something like that.

Regardless, a professional athlete making millions has even less excuses than the average person for drinking and driving.