Attempting to compare Olympic gold medals and NFL touchdowns is an apple-orange type debate. One is a four-year culmination of hard work (unless you're a backstroker, then you just need to learn how to swim on your belly like everyone else) condensed into several hundred seconds celebrated on a world stage. The other is a week's worth of hard work condensed into several seconds celebrated on a ... Oh.
Well, maybe they are kind of similar, value and frequency aside. Which would explain why pool-pals Michael Phelps and Braylon Edwards are making a bet on quantity, which was confirmed by an NBC halftime report during the Notre Dame - San Diego State game.
The foot injury wasn't a complete loss. Edwards used the time on his couch to catch up with swimmer Michael Phelps' chase for history at the Olympics.So, as you can see, they actually made this bet before the Olympics. Whoops, Braylon.
Edwards and Phelps have University of Michigan ties and struck up a friendship. Edwards bragged before Beijing that he would more than double Phelps' gold-medal total with touchdown catches. After Phelps' record eight golds, Edwards needs to set another franchise record.
Now the Browns wideout, who has been dealing with a Stallworth on his foot all preseason, has to beat his 2007 total of 16 touchdowns, since Phelps recorded eight golds at Beijing. (At least I think that's the number; I can't recall it being reported anywhere.)
So Braylon, you better get your focus on. And that means no watching Rich Rodriguez turn Michigan back into a powerhouse, and certainly no celebrating in strip clubs with a bunch of half-naked Playmates.
Of course, at this point we don't even know what the actual bet is -- only that 1/2 Olympic Gold = 1 NFL Touchdown. And that Braylon probably wants the replay tapes of that 100-meter butterfly released.
Michael Phelps
Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps, left, explains his technique to Shaquille Terrell during a swimming class at the Fosco Park, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008 in Chicago.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
AP
Talk show host Oprah Winfrey (C) joins more than 175 US Olympic medalists, including swimmer Michael Phelps (front row 3rd L), for the 23rd season premiere episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" at Millennium Park in Chicago September 3, 2008. REUTERS/George Burns/Harpo Productions, Inc./Handout (UNITED STATES). NO SALES. NO ARCHIVES. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
Reuters
Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps speaks at a news conference after teaching a swimming class for kids at the Fosco Park, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008 in Chicago.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
AP
Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps explains his technique to kids at the Fosco Park, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008 in Chicago.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
AP
Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps high-fives with kids after swimming class at the Fosco Park Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008 in Chicago.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
AP
Olympic gold medallist Michael Phelps explains his technique to kids at the Fosco Park, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008 in Chicago.(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
AP
** ADDS BROADCAST DATE OF SHOW ** Olympic men's swimming gold medalist Michael Phelps and his mother Debbie Phelps arrive for the taping of the season premiere of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, at Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago's Mellennium Park. Winfrey invited 150 U.S. Olympic athletes to join her to launch her 23rd season. The show is scheduled to be broadcast on Monday, Sept. 8. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
AP
** ADDS BROADCAST DATE OF SHOW ** Olympic men's swimming gold medalist Michael Phelps and his mother Debbie Phelps arrive for the taping of the season premiere of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, at Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago's Mellennium Park. Winfrey invited 150 U.S. Olympic athletes to join her to launch her 23rd season. The show is scheduled to be broadcast on Monday, Sept. 8. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
AP
** ADDS BROADCAST DATE OF SHOW ** Winfrey Show" Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, at Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago's Mellennium Park. Winfrey invited 150 U.S. Olympic athletes to join her to launch her 23rd season. The show is scheduled to be broadcast on Monday, Sept. 8. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
AP
** ADDS BROADCAST DATE OF SHOW ** Oprah Winfrey, center, hugs Olympic gold medalist Nastia Liukin as gold medalist Michael Phelps, behind Liukin, applauds during the taping of the season premiere of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, in Chicago's Millennium Park. Winfrey invited 150 U.S. Olympic athletes to join her to launch her 23rd season. The show is scheduled to be broadcast on Monday, Sept. 8. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
AP
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
9-06-2008 @ 9:49PM
EastMark said...
Phelps: We pulled for you in the olympics, but now, we don't want to hear anything else from/about you. You're boring, obnoxious, and ugly. Take your money and spend it... quitely, if possible!
Reply
9-06-2008 @ 10:05PM
Deena said...
Why do you have to be so mean?? Did someone dump in your Wheaties this morning? Let the kid have fun and do his thing..my gawd, he deserves it!!
9-06-2008 @ 10:11PM
Michelle said...
well they did over do your story Micheal but i think your a great swimmer i've met your mom she's a very nice lady
9-07-2008 @ 8:20AM
rich said...
Looks like someone needs to learn how to spell before throwing stones at glass houses.
9-06-2008 @ 10:47PM
Rich said...
Looks like someone needs to learn how to spell before he starts slamming someone for becoming famous and working hard his entire life practicing 4 hours a day only to have some 12 sandwich eating couch potato spectator that can't spell make a stupid comment.
(Quietly) that's how you spell it!!!
9-06-2008 @ 11:11PM
tim said...
man shut the hell up, he is an american hero, he trains hard for four years and finally does this well to represent our country on a global scale, and you shit on him for it? wow somebody must have pissed in your cheerios this morning
9-06-2008 @ 11:22PM
Vincent said...
jerk
9-06-2008 @ 11:59PM
mauro said...
shutttttttttttttttt uppppppppppppppppppp sir. He deserves everything that is put in front of him with good judgement in mind. He has worked hard for what he has accomplished. If you believe in what you want to accomplish then you shall succced--Michael Phelps I'm proud of you and you are a mentor to my children. Thank you
9-07-2008 @ 1:23PM
abe said...
He made a history for the great country and put his and the country name on the olympic book and how you give such comment you have to look back yourself again
9-07-2008 @ 1:48PM
Bret said...
Yeah dude, you're a douche. Where are YOUR eight gold medals? Don't forget to watch Phelps on 'Saturday Night Live' Sept 13 2008. Douche!
9-10-2008 @ 12:49PM
Jr Mom said...
You don't have to be such a jerk. Obviously you don't understand just what Michael has accomplished. Nobody else in the world has ever done what this kid has and he deserves to do whatever he wants. Jelousy gets you nowhere....
9-06-2008 @ 10:07PM
Mike said...
Bitter jealousy Mark??? Your friends say it's just you being you!!!
Reply
9-06-2008 @ 10:11PM
runner34 said...
Eastmark, wow someone is being a little jealous.... just cause he made a ton of friends and money and you don't have either doesn't mean you have to bash him. Go back to your mom's basement.
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9-06-2008 @ 10:18PM
EVE said...
You mark are the definition of "a HATER" why don't you go and accomplish something... quietly if possible!
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9-06-2008 @ 10:34PM
Rich said...
Sports question of 2008: Which member of the Browns organization has the biggest mouth and is the least capable of backing up their bulls*it? Braylon Edwards or Kellen (I am raping my Dad's image with my total lack of commitment) Winslow?
Reply
9-06-2008 @ 11:05PM
Kate said...
Go Braylon - Go Michael - wish you both the best. But Braylon... psst... who is kidding who? You're no more impressed with Rich Rod than the entire State of West Virginia, are you? I say bring back Erik Campbell....
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9-06-2008 @ 11:12PM
nancy said...
You go Michael, enjoy every moment!!! You have made your country proud and you deserve everything that brings a smile to your face.
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9-06-2008 @ 11:25PM
DJmore said...
I like them both, but there is the ultimate test. After all is said and done, we all know who possess the biggest D.
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9-06-2008 @ 11:30PM
SomeDumbKid said...
Great job on the medals, eastmark F**K you, someone should take a dump on ur face wile ur sleeping
Reply
9-06-2008 @ 11:36PM
Jesse said...
Lol you think they overdid his story???? I mean i admit i got sick of it at a point to almost but they could have talked about it every second of every day for 3 or 4months and you couldnt say they overdid it. The guy did something NO PERSON ON EARTH HAS DONE. He did something the best of the best of the best of the best of the best have never done IN ALL TIME. Come on now you gotta give him a little more credit and respect for that. Plus what is the name of this service we are commenting on?? AOL - do you know what that first letter stands for. He represented your and mine's country against the best from every other coutry and he beat them in every event he tried. Im not like a super fan of the guy or anything of the sort but come on now you cant say things like that and expect to sound like your makin much sense....
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