Iverson Retiring

"Re-retirement? You talking about retirement? Not a career, not a career, not a career man. Not a career, a career that I have worked so hard for, that I love. You talking about retirement?" Well, unfortunately we are talking retirement for Allen Iverson, possibly the best pound for pound athlete the NBA has ever seen.  Iverson was drafted in 1996 to the Philadelphia 76'ers with the number one overall pick.  He spent most of his career in Philly wracking up a shelf full of awards including league MVP.  Iverson may be one of the most polarizing figures in sports stemming all the way back to his high school days when he got arrested for his role in a fight.  He has been called many things over his career: lazy, arrogant, selfish and troubled but no one can doubt his skill and passion for the game.  Known for his ridiculous crossover, Iverson will be greatly missed from the league.  His street style of play within the con finds of an offense will be forever unmatched.  Thank you Allen Iverson, for providing us with a show.

EA Out

The video game company EA (Electronic Arts) and Tiger Woods are cutting ties after 15 years together making the Tiger Woods PGA Tour video game.  The partnership ended with unspecified reasoning but members of both parties said it was mutual.  Electronic Arts will continue to make a PGA Tour video game, however the game will no longer continue with Tiger Woods' name attached to it.  The fallout from this may not be immediate for EA but the end of the company may be in the not too distant future.  This is the second big hit to the company since the summer.  It was announced that in the midst of being sued by many former and current NCAA football athletes, EA will no longer be making an NCAA Football video game.  Both hits will have a major impact on EA's bottom line.  The split with Tiger will have financial burdens on both parties but in the end Tiger will continue to have more than enough to survive while EA may be a dead company walking.  It has been a rough couple months for EA.

Rodgers Out... Favre In?

"Down goes Aaron Rodgers!" The phrase that all Packers fans would wake up to in a cold sweat from a night terror became real.  The fractured left collarbone has sidelined Rodgers since week nine.  The quarterback carousal that has ensued since the injury must have at least some Packers fans thinking Favre.  The quarterback play has been less than consistent, which is something new to Packers fans.  The Packers have started more different starters at the quarterback position since Rodgers injury then the franchise has started since Favre took over the starting position in 1992.  As the quarterback situation gets murkier for the Packers the seemingly ageless Favre looks better as a viable option.  Favre at 44 years of age has fielded his fair share of phone calls from general managers since retiring and this year has been no exception.  Packers fans just hope they can get Favre out of the Wranglers commercials and into a Packers uniform again.

The Power of the Beard

After going nearly 100 years without winning a World Series championship the Boston Red Sox have won three championships in the last ten years.  The most recent is without a doubt the most impressive track to the series.  Just a year earlier the Red Sox finished last in their division.  The turn around is one of the most dramatic of any team in Major League Baseball history.  However, the secret behind the turnaround may be more surprising than the turn around itself.  The power of the beard lead the Red Sox to the post-season success.  

The Red Sox roster decided to not shave their beards late in the season and throughout the playoffs.  The beards took a on a life of their own.  It became a symbol, and identity, not only for the team but for the city of Boston as a whole.  Fans would show up to games wearing fake beards to show their support.  The beard became an obsession in Boston, the driving force and symbol of the championship run.