NFL FanHouse

Could 49ers Move to Los Angeles?

Michael David Smith — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 11:22:00 EST

Filed under: 49ers, Los Angeles, San Francisco

The San Francisco 49ers want a new stadium. They're not sure which Bay Area city will pony up to build one for them -- of if any Bay Area city will do so at all. And that means the 49ers could be looking at moving south, all the way to Los Angeles.

Bill Soliday of Inside Bay Area writes:

the City of Industry, on the eastern edge of Los Angeles County (population 777 in 2000), could be Plan D for the 49ers, perhaps for the Raiders when their lease expires in 2010 - or for any NFL team wanting to move into the second-largest population center of the United States.

While Northern California lurches forward without decisive results, Ed Roski has boldly moved forward independently to bring pro football back to Los Angeles.

In April, Roski, a billionaire builder, unveiled plans for a privately funded stadium to be built in the City of Industry, 25 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. All he asks before breaking ground is for a current NFL team to agree to move into his $800 million baby.

Will the 49ers be that NFL team that agrees to move into the $800 million Southern California stadium? It sounds farfetched to me, but the NFL clearly wants to at least leave open the possibility that teams who can't get public financing for their stadiums could find a home in Los Angeles. I don't think the 49ers are moving to Los Angeles, but I do think they want the leverage they get from local governments believing it's a possibility.

Could 49ers Move to Los Angeles? originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 01 Jun 2008 11:22:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oakland Raiders Moving to L.A. in 2011? Or Vikings, Chargers, Bills or Jaguars?

Michael David Smith — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:10:00 EST

Filed under: Raiders, Los Angeles, Oakland

This is obviously very premature and speculative, but following up on the news that billionaire developer Ed Roski wants to build an NFL stadium in the Los Angeles area, The Hater Nation has an interesting point:

the stadium could start construction this fall and be ready by 2011. The same year the Raiders could get out of its lease in Oakland.

Hmm. The Raiders left Los Angeles to return to Oakland in 1994, and the speculation that the Raiders would leave Oakland to go back to Los Angeles started almost immediately afterward. But most of that speculation hasn't been backed by anything as strong as a billionaire developer saying he wants to build an NFL stadium in L.A.

There's also speculation that the team to relocate to Los Angeles could be the Vikings, Chargers, Bills or Jaguars. My best guess is that the Bills wouldn't move to Los Angeles because the NFL would rather see them move to Toronto if they're going to move at all, but that the Raiders, Vikings, Jaguars and Chargers -- probably in that order of likelihood -- could all move. One way or another, the NFL wants to put a team back in L.A., and if there's a good stadium deal in place, Al Davis would love for that team to be the Raiders.

Oakland Raiders Moving to L.A. in 2011? Or Vikings, Chargers, Bills or Jaguars? originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lakers/Kings Part Owner Wants to be the One To Bring the NFL Back to Los Angeles

Sportz Assassin — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:09:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Fans, NFL Rumors, Los Angeles

Edward P. Roskie, Jr ... part owner of the NBA Lakers and NHL Kings ... is the latest in the long line of rich dudes wanting to bring the NFL back to Los Angeles. Roskie has scheduled a news conference at the Staples Center for Thursday where he's promising a "major announcement":

On Thursday, Roski will unveil his latest concept for a stadium in the City of Industry, near the southern intersection of the 57 and 60 freeways some 20 miles east of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Times reported on its Web site Wednesday.

The stadium would be surrounded by a high-end shopping mall, already in the works, the newspaper said.

The Rams and Raiders left the LA area in 1995 and the NFL has never been back. Oh, others have tried to figure out some way to bring the nation's top league to the nation's second largest market but they all failed.

I will give Roskie this: he was instrumental in getting the Staples Center built. Current tenants (Lakers, Kings, Clippers) were stuck in old facilities.

However, California isn't one to just build a stadium/arena. The Raiders and Athletics play in old McAfee Coliseum (it was gutted and remodeled), Warriors in Oracle Arena (gutted, remodeled), Angels in Angels Stadium (gutted, remodeled), Chargers in old Qualcomm Stadium, Dodgers in old Dodger Stadium, 49ers in Candlestick Park and SacKings in outdated ARCO Arena.

The Chargers, 49ers and SacKings are desperately trying to get new venues. The only notable differences are the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park and the tenants of Staples Center.

Lakers/Kings Part Owner Wants to be the One To Bring the NFL Back to Los Angeles originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:09:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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42 Stops to Super Bowl XLII: #14 - There's an Extra Vince Lombardi Trophy Out There

Sportz Assassin — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 06:00:00 EST

Filed under: Colts, Rams, Super Bowl, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Baltimore, St. Louis

The 42 Stops to Super Bowl XLII is a series that will feature stories, stats and interesting trivia that you can use to act smart as you prepare for Super Bowl XLII.

There have been 41 Super Bowls to date ... yet there are 42 Vince Lombardi Trophies (given to the Super Bowl winning team) out and about. How is that?

Well, that little ditty comes to light after the recent passing of Rams owner Georgia Frontiere. Frontiere's husband, former-Colts and Rams owner Carroll Rosenbloom, is the reason behind the story:

However, when Colts owner Carroll Rosenbloom, Frontiere's late husband, traded the Colts for the Rams in a franchise swap in 1972, he decided he wanted to keep the Lombardi Trophy the Colts won in Super Bowl V.

When Super Bowl VII took place in Los Angeles, Rosenbloom told the Colts he was going to put on a display of Super Bowl trophies and asked them to bring it to the West Coast. They did. There was no display, and Rosenbloom never returned the trophy. After the Colts complained to the league office, former NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle had a duplicate made for the Colts, which remains in Baltimore (it was originally shipped to Indianapolis when the team moved but a deal was struck and it was returned to Maryland). The original Super Bowl V trophy? It presumably was in Frontiere's possession and now belongs to her heirs.

So, there are two Vince Lombardi trophies awarded for Super Bowl V ... yet neither are with the franchise that won it. The original was in St. Louis with Frontiere with the other in Baltimore, the Colts old digs. Meanwhile, Indianapolis can only show off the trophy they won last year.

42 Stops to Super Bowl XLII: #14 - There's an Extra Vince Lombardi Trophy Out There originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 29 Jan 2008 06:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The 1986 Rams Liked to Ram It

Michael David Smith — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:15:00 EST

Filed under: Rams, NFL Video, Los Angeles

Kudos to The Postmen for finding the video of the day, with the 1986 Los Angeles Rams singing a bizarre and somewhat frightening song called "Let's Ram It":

I really, really wish those 1980s football team videos had ended with the Super Bowl Shuffle.

The 1986 Rams Liked to Ram It originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eric Dickerson Doesn't Want Adrian Peterson to Break His Rushing Record

Michael David Smith — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Rams, Vikings, Los Angeles, Minnesota

Former Los Angeles Rams (and Colts and Raiders and Falcons) running back Eric Dickerson owns the all-time single-season NFL rushing record, with 2,105 yards in 1984. And while Dickerson says he believes Vikings rookie Adrian Peterson has the ability to break that record, he also says he doesn't want it to happen.

"He has a good shot at doing it. I hope he doesn't, to be honest,'' Dickerson, 47, said in a telephone interview. "You want those records as long as you can. That's part of having the record, your name gets brought up, and it's great for him and it's great for me.''

I'm betting a lot more retired athletes feel that way than will admit it. I appreciate Dickerson being honest enough to come right out and say it, and not do the politically correct thing and say he's rooting for Peterson. Right now Peterson is at 1,036 yards, putting him on pace to finish with 2,076, or 30 yards short of breaking the record.

Hat tip: Pro Football Talk.

Eric Dickerson Doesn't Want Adrian Peterson to Break His Rushing Record originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SoCal's Post Mortem

Adam Rank — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 02:10:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, Raiders, UCLA Football, USC Football, Pac 10, Los Angeles, Angels, Anaheim, San Diego, USC, UCLA

An eight foot birdie putt stopped just short of the hole Friday morning, giving a momentary pain we all have felt, but also foreshadowed a rough sports weekend that was ahead. Honestly, when missing a birdie putt is the highlight of your sports weekend, then you know it was a rough one.

This weekend was so bad, it beat the previous worst sports weekend in SoCal history which occurred in June, 1981 when the Red Sox eliminated the Angels in the ALCS, the Rams moved to St. Louis, Magic Johnson contracted HIV, Steve Garvey went to the Padres and A.C. Slater lost in a wrestling match to that dude from Valley High.

Alright, maybe all of those things didn't happen in the same weekend (or at all). And in this internet age, we are so quick to proclaim anything as the best or worst weekend ever (blame Dan Shanoff). But make no mistake, this weekend, like, totally sucked, dude.
The Angels, USC and UCLA football teams and the Chargers all combined to make this a painful weekend. And you might ask yourself, "Hey, didn't the Chargers win this weekend?" Well, that's true. But wins will only keep Norv Turner around long enough to ruin the Chargers franchise which he is doing a pretty good job of right now. Five more wins should clinch the AFC West. If you don't think so, take a look at who is in first place in the division. That's right, it's the Raiders. That's the state of the NFL right now. But Norv will continue to do just enough to keep his job, because even the Chargers can't fire a second coach who led his team to the playoffs, right?

If the NFL isn't bad enough, trying being a Southern Californian who doubles as a Pac-10 apologist. The local talk shows spent most of the week joking about how both USC and UCLA were on a bye week, considering the dismal state of its respective opponents, Stanford and Notre Dame. Nobody was laughing at the end of Saturday night.

Except for those who root against SoCal. You know, the guys who were secretly giddy when Matt Leinart was knocked out of the Cardinals victory over the St. Louis Football Team.

Losing to Pac-10 teams happens. And this blows Loss Miles theory that the Pac-10 is week when Stanford can knock off the No. 2 team in the country. An argument that doesn't hold much weight when UCLA loses to freaking Notre Dame. Yes the same Notre Dame that was blown out by Division I-AA power, Michigan. The same Notre Dame who would probably have lost to Mater Dei.

If there's anything worse than an SEC leading the polls, it's Cal being No. 2. Seriously, Pac-10 pride aside, but couldn't ASU, Oregon or somebody else take the flag for being USC's understudy? Does it really have to be the team from Frisco? Not only did Cal move up, but Boston College jumped up, too. Not that the front-running Red Sox fans at Angels Stadium needed anymore ammunition.

Losing is one thing, but being treated like a female dog is quite another. The Angels won three division titles during my childhood and college life. Now they have won three since 2004, but they all feel hollow. The Angels didn't just lose, they were destroyed. The worst is that those cheating Sox (and let's be honest, everybody in Boston cheats, via videotape, bloody socks, or unethical trades) purposely hit Vlade for the second time this season. And the Angels won't retaliate. David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez should be eating out of a feeding tube, but instead Jered Weaver is lobbing gopher balls to let them go back-to-back. Only two guys in that whole lineup can hurt you, and the Angels let them. Say what you want about the lack of a bat protecting Vlade, but the Angels not protecting him is much, much worse.

And speaking of Weaver, they selected him with the 12th overall selection a few years back. The guy they passed over? Local product Phil Hughes who pretty much saved the Yankees season on Sunday. Traitor.

This might not have been the worst sports weekend in SoCal history, but if you don't mind, my head is going to be buried until UCLA goes and loses in the Final Four again.

SoCal's Post Mortem originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 08 Oct 2007 02:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Review of Dan Patrick Radio Show: Thumbs Down

Michael David Smith — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Media Watch, Los Angeles

Former ESPN star Dan Patrick has left the Worldwide Leader and started his own syndicated radio show, and the first broadcast was today.

Sports by Brooks has a review of the first show, and it's not pretty. Brooks calls Patrick "A self-important dullard," and continues:

This morning the show moved at the same pace as a Herman Edwards' sideline (brain) synapse. We hate the fake morning show cackling as much as you do. But in the two hours we listened, we laughed exactly zero times. ...

We're not completely condemning Patrick's latest foray into hosting a sports radio show, but it's painfully obvious that he doesn't have the charisma and/or personality to carry his own production without a talented on-air ensemble around him. If changes aren't made to slick things up, the show has no chance to be high-profile.

I didn't hear the show, but I agree that Patrick needs someone to work with. The high point of Patrick's career was when he worked with Keith Olbermann on SportsCenter, and that's because his function should be as a straight man who can set up a funnier, more charismatic partner. As a solo act, Patrick won't succeed.

First Review of Dan Patrick Radio Show: Thumbs Down originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 01 Oct 2007 19:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dan Patrick Gets L.A. Radio Slot

Michael David Smith — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 12:34:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Media Watch, Los Angeles

Former ESPN radio host and SportsCenter anchor Dan Patrick is about to launch a syndicated radio show, and Sports by Brooks and LARadio.com are reporting that he's landed a Los Angeles affiliate.

The affiliate, KLAC, is the flagship station for the Lakers and UCLA, and the announcement came from the guy who's going to be replaced:

Current KLAC-AM morning host Fred Roggin broke the news this morning: "This is going to be our final show together on KLAC. Yesterday, [we received] the somewhat sobering, yet exciting news. As many of you know, Dan Patrick, who worked for ESPN for many years, left that network and became a free agent and decided to go with syndicated radio.

Getting a slot in L.A. is obviously important for Patrick's show, so this is a big announcement. I remain a little skeptical of how successful Patrick's show is going to be, though. There just aren't that many national shows outside the ESPN Radio empire that succeed, and I always thought Patrick's success came mostly as a result of his affiliation with ESPN and the access to top guests that that affiliation brings.

Dan Patrick Gets L.A. Radio Slot originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 27 Sep 2007 12:34:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Todd Marinovich Arrested on Felony Drug Possession, Resisting Police Officer

Michael David Smith — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 21:27:00 EST

Filed under: Raiders, Los Angeles, Oakland

In 1991, when the Raiders made Todd Marinovich their first-round draft choice, he was supposed to be the perfect quarterback specimen, an athlete whose birthright had been to become a star NFL quarterback. His father used to brag about how he never allowed Todd to go to McDonald's or watch cartoons, because the only activities permitted in the Marinovich home were the ones that advanced his potential for future NFL stardom.

Marinovich never amounted to anything in the NFL, and when it was clear that the only thing he was prepared for -- football -- wasn't working out, his life became a mess. Now comes word that he has been charged with felony drug possession and resisting a police officer.

"(Marinovich) was found hiding in a carport about 1:30 a.m. (Sunday), police Sgt. Evan Sailor said. After searching Marinovich, police found about one gram of methamphetamine, a metal spoon and a hypodermic needle, Sailor said.

"Marinovich was charged with possession of a controlled substance, which is a felony, as well as unauthorized possession of a hypodermic needle and resisting a police officer, both misdemeanors."

He is still in Orange County jail in lieu of $50,000 bail. If convicted of the felony, Marinovich could be facing serious jail time, considering "Orange County court records show Marinovich has pleaded guilty or no contest to drug violations or resisting a police officer on at least four occasions since 1997."

From "Robo-QB" to four-time drug loser. The Todd Marinovich story.

Todd Marinovich Arrested on Felony Drug Possession, Resisting Police Officer originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 28 Aug 2007 21:27:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TMZ: Thirty Matt (Leinart) Zone

Scott Olin Schmidt — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 18:27:00 EST

Filed under: AZ Cardinals, NFC West, NFL Gossip, Overpaid NFL Players, Los Angeles, Phoenix

Few sports heroes have been able to cross the velvet rope of Hollywood's Thirty Mile Zone--the namesake of our sister blog TMZ--but the celebrity gossip blog is breaking news about Arizona Cardinal quarterback Matt Leinart with surprising regularity, and some folks think its kind of fishy.

At issue is the dispute between Leinart and the mother of his child, Brynn Cameron. When the former USC woman's basketball captain got too verbose about Leinart's "parenting" to the Ventura County Star, it was TMZ who reported that Cameron was asking for a seemingly outrageous $30,000 a month in child support to take care of son Cole whilst living in her parents' house.

But the story doesn't end there.Today, Leinart's team was apparently shopping around a story that a settlement had been reached to pay half as much, and TMZ bit, calling it an exclusive. Regrettably, Los Angeles Daily News USC beat reporter Scott Wolf had also been pitched the story, and found it to be denied, and blogged about it, suggesting that TMZ was carrying the water for Paris Hilton's ex-boyfriend in his custody dispute.

As bloggers we know the risk of trusting our tipsters, but with the news cycle becoming faster and faster it's easy to get caught flat-footed, especially when taking informatino from a trusted source. But there's one thing I have to ask: if Leinart's publicists want him to be taken seriously as a football player, and not a bit-Hollywood playah, then why not send your exclusives to FanHouse?!?

Previously in FanHouse:

Matt Leinart's Baby Mama: 'I'm Doing All the Work, but He Gets All the Credit'
Report: Brynn Cameron Wants Matt Leinart to Pay $30,000 a Month in Child Support

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TMZ: Thirty Matt (Leinart) Zone originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 30 Jul 2007 18:27:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Reggie Bush Will Be in the Booth When David Beckham Makes His MLS Debut

Michael David Smith — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 06:00:00 EST

Filed under: Saints, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Soccer

By far the most annoying thing ESPN does with its NFL coverage is invite people who know nothing about football into the booth during Monday Night Football games. Hearing the announcers ignore the game on the field so they can talk on and on and on (and on) with Jamie Foxx about his latest movie is unbearable.

Now ESPN is going the other way, planning to put a football player in the booth while its viewers are trying to watch another sport. On July 21, when ESPN broadcasts David Beckham's first match with the LA Galaxy (against the English team Chelsea), Saints running back Reggie Bush will be in the booth.

Bush will discuss adidas' ad campaign featuring Bush and Beckham playing each others' football games. Because whether it's football or futbol, it's all about the marketing, not the game on the field.

Reggie Bush Will Be in the Booth When David Beckham Makes His MLS Debut originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 06 Jul 2007 06:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Peyton Manning Practices With USC

Michael David Smith — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 21:02:00 EST

Filed under: Colts, NFL Video, Indianapolis, Los Angeles

Peyton Manning is known for two things: His tireless work ethic in football and his insatiable desire to appear in every TV commercial in America. So it only makes sense that Manning would go to Los Angeles to film a commercial, and then head to the USC football facilities to get some practice in. There's even some low-quality video of Manning tossing passes to USC receivers:

USC basketball coach Tim Floyd is a friend of the Manning family, and he's the one who hooked Manning up with some of Pete Carroll's players.

Manning gave some pointers to USC quarterback John David Booty and threw to USC wide receivers Patrick Turner, David Ausberry and Brandon Carswell tight ends Fred Davis and Anthony McCoy and tailback Joe McKnight. When asked how they compared to Manning's NFL targets, Manning said, "That's not a fair question. I feel I have the two best receivers in the NFL (Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne).''

Peyton Manning Practices With USC originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 29 Jun 2007 21:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Look: Futbol Meets Football

David J. Warner — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 12:55:00 EST

Filed under: Saints, NFC South, NFL Media Watch, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Soccer

Fellow FanHouser Tom Mantzouranis wrote yesterday about adidas' new ad campaign featuring Reggie Bush and David Beckham playing each others' football games. The Futbol Meets Football web site has now gone live. Here's the video. To my surprise, it actually does resemble a similar adidas campaign a few years back that featured Beckham and rugby star Jonny Wilkinson.

Beckham's spiral may not be all that tight, but he's probably still a better option for the Saints than Aaron Brooks. The fact that he hit a route-running Bush in the hands with a kicked soccer ball ought to make his future L.A. Galaxy teammates smile, too.

First Look: Futbol Meets Football originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 27 Jun 2007 12:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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David Beckham and Reggie Bush Spend a Day in Each Other's Adidas Shoes

Tom Mantzouranis — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 20:03:00 EST

Filed under: Saints, NFC South, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Soccer

Adidas, it appears, knows how to market. As they gear up for David Beckham's MLS arrival, the company has decided to pair him with Reggie Bush for an online campaign titled "Futbol Meets Football."

Starting this week, users will be able to watch Beckham and Bush match their skills at www.futbolmeetsfootball.com. On a field marked half for football and half for soccer, the video shows Beckham teaching Bush how to kick a soccer ball with the curve that inspired the movie Bend It Like Beckham.

Bush tutors Beckham on kicking, throwing and catching an American football. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid player shows he has the makings of a placekicker or punter, but he heaves a wounded duck when attempting to throw a pass. "You sure you're right-handed?" Bush kids.

In Beckham's defense, there's no shame in heaving mallards -- Chad Pennington has made a very successful career out of it. Anyway, the pairing and cross-promotion of Bush and Beckham is more significant than it might seem. Beckham is seen as the tipping point MLS needs to get going. Bush has the on-field ability and personality to become the company's leading spokesman. This campaign acknowledges the two as Adidas' big money-makers for the forseeable future.

I don't think Bush or Beckham brought the requisite cross-sport skills to challenge the other seriously (unlike Kim Kardashian vs. Victoria Beckham, which is a legitimate competition). Still, it's got to be more entertaining than watching Bush take on a vending machine.

David Beckham and Reggie Bush Spend a Day in Each Other's Adidas Shoes originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 25 Jun 2007 20:03:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Politician Lied About NFL Background

Michael David Smith — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 10:24:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Gossip, Los Angeles

Tucked away in a long Los Angeles Times profile of Rocky Delgadillo, the Los Angeles city attorney, is this little tidbit about his background:

At Harvard, he played football and later tried out for the NFL's New York Giants, but didn't make the team. (He subsequently claimed in campaign speeches and promotional materials that he went to Harvard on a football scholarship, was selected as an All American and played pro football. But those claims have since been modified or retracted.)

That raises a curious point about the role sports play in our society. Why on earth would a politician feel the need to lie about his athletic achievements? I could see lying about having credentials in law or business or some other field that could show a person's qualifications for political office, but sports?

I think it comes down to the way we make overstatements about athletes as people. Being big and strong and fast has nothing to do with being a good person or a smart person or an ethical person, and yet our sports heroes are often described as if their athletic achievements endow them with those qualities. Maybe if we stop doing that, politicians will stop lying about what great athletes they were.

Politician Lied About NFL Background originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 24 Jun 2007 10:24:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fire Rages In Hollywood Hills, Threatens Retired NFL Player's Home

tallglassofmilk — Wed, 09 May 2007 03:20:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, Packers, Los Angeles

Retired NFL player--and my award- winning local sportscaster--Jim Hill, was evacuated from his home late Tuesday night in Los Feliz, Calif.

Hill's home near Griffith Park is one of several threatened by fire, which has been raging through the park since about 1:30PM Tuesday afternoon claiming 500 acres so far. The cause of the fire is still unconfirmed, but early speculation suggests that a homeless man claims to have fallen asleep while smoking.

Hill called in to his station shortly after being evacuated. He said the evacuation was going smoothly, people were calm and helpful to each other, despite not really knowing what to do. He also said that more than panic, the residents and bystanders are consumed with fascination, storming the streets with their cameras. I happened to be one of them.

I first heard about the fire today at about 3 o'clock and was told that it was almost contained. That might have been the case at the time, but not so now ... as I learned as I drove towards home. I live about 3 miles from the park. You can see a couple of my very unprofessional pics here.

Just after midnight here and reports still say the fire is only 30% contained. It is burning dangerously close to the Griffith Park Observatory, which just reopened after being closed several years for a $93 million renovation. Not to mention the fire threatens some of the most beautiful homes in all of Los Angeles.

CBS2.com has extensive coverage.

Fire Rages In Hollywood Hills, Threatens Retired NFL Player's Home originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 09 May 2007 03:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Christine Daniels Posts Photo on L.A. Times Blog

Michael David Smith — Sat, 05 May 2007 14:26:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Media Watch, Los Angeles

The attractive blond you see here is Christine Daniels, the Los Angeles Times sports writer who spent 23 years writing for the paper under the name Mike Penner before changing her byline and her gender last month.

To the extent that Daniels is newsworthy -- and judging from the reaction to her announcement last month that she is a transsexual, she is -- her photo is newsworthy, too. But her words are more important than her picture, and reading her Woman in Progress blog is a fascinating look at what her life has been like in the last few weeks. It's especially interesting to read the e-mails she has received, which she describes as overwhelmingly "supportive, sympathetic, encouraging, understanding, touching, and moving."

Hat tip: Sports by Brooks.

Previously at FanHouse:
Sportswriting Requires No Specific Genitalia
Transsexual Sports Writer Is Not Unique

Christine Daniels Posts Photo on L.A. Times Blog originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 05 May 2007 14:26:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NFL's Gene Washington Doesn't Know Where Raiders Play

Michael David Smith — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 11:07:00 EST

Filed under: Raiders, NFL Draft, Los Angeles, Oakland

NFL director of football operations Gene Washington got the second day of the draft off to an embarrassing start when he announced that with the first pick, the Los Angeles Raiders were on the clock.

Yes, as you probably realize, the Raiders don't play in Los Angeles anymore. They haven't played in Los Angeles since 1994. Apparently Washington hasn't been paying much attention.

A few minutes later, when he announced the Raiders' fourth-round pick (Louisville running back Michael Bush), Washington emphasized the word "Oakland." Give him credit for that.

NFL's Gene Washington Doesn't Know Where Raiders Play originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 29 Apr 2007 11:07:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Reggie Bush Not Banned From Playboy Mansion

Michael David Smith — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 19:56:00 EST

Filed under: Saints, NFL Gossip, NFL Rumors, Los Angeles, New Orleans

Here's the latest on the Reggie Bush/Playboy Mansion story: Max Soto of Ace Entertainment e-mailed FanHouse to let us know that the Kiss & Tell Party at the Playboy Mansion is very much on and that Reggie Bush is on the guest list and definitely not banned from the Mansion.

The Kiss & Tell Party is on April 21; Bush's appearances in New York are the following weekend. If we've learned anything the last couple of days, it's that there's no shortage of PR people looking to plug events involving Reggie Bush.

So is this the last word? Not quite. It would still be nice to know how the L.A. Daily News got its initial report that Bush had been banned and whether it stands by that report. So far no word on that.

Previously at FanHouse:
April 27 Playboy Party? Reggie Bush Has Other Plans
Reggie Bush Still on Playboy Mansion Party Guest List
Reggie Bush Banned From Playboy Mansion

Reggie Bush Not Banned From Playboy Mansion originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 04 Apr 2007 19:56:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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