The above statement is jarring enough. In a statement released on Wednesday in reference to the many allegations he has faced in the past two weeks, Tiger Woods admitted to “transgressions” and being “far short of perfect”. ESPN’s report can be read here. We don’t know the details, and Woods would prefer to keep them within his family, but these statements are enough of an admission to the many rumours that have been swirling regarding his infidelity.
The scary thing is that Woods is a role model to children and adolescents around the world. They want to be like him: strong, in full control of their emotions, able to perform their best under pressure. And now he’s a cheater, allegedly. Unfortunately, he’s not alone. Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, David Beckham, and countless other sports superstars have all been caught being untrue to their wives.
But this is not about them, it’s about Tiger. We were not surprised when Kobe’s story came out – after all, he was married at the age of 22 to an 18 year old! Beckham was the world’s playboy, did anyone expect his marriage to Posh Spice to last this long?
Woods was on a different level. He learned to handle scrutiny when he was just a child. He never said anything to anyone that would raise eyebrows or cause a stir. He had the PR thing down pat. And what about the fact that he was married to a beautiful Swedish model? Shouldn’t that be enough to keep him from straying?
But let’s take a moment to feel sorry for Tiger. Not only is he dealing with his wife finding out about his “transgressions” this week, as she realizes she can’t trust him anymore. The entire world has just found out the same harsh truth. Though at the end of the day, none of the ire he faces from the world will matter compared to the heat he has faced and will continue to cope with at home.
Five days before the Grey Cup Championship Game this Sunday, Saskatchewan Roughriders’ head coach Ken Miller revealed that he suffered from prostate cancer 2 years earlier and underwent treatment during the football season. What a stroke of genius, deflecting attention from his team so that they could focus on the upcoming game against the Montreal Alouettes.
However, this tactic has not fooled us at Head to the Net, and we are not going to lose direction! Don’t be distracted, people, from the fact that Darian Durant is playing in his first Grey Cup Final and the weight of the world is on his shoulders. Don’t forget to ask Jason Clermont about his struggles this year, and how he has faced those inner demons that haunt his dreams every night. Remember to remind each player that their General Manager, Eric Tillman, is embroiled in a sexual assault case, and find out how it has affected the team’s mindset throughout the season. Tell Chris Getzlaf that his brother has a championship ring from the NHL, but he has yet to achieve the ultimate success in his sport.
All of these facts should be brought up and explored before the game, with no stone left unturned. Surviving scrutiny like this is a large part of winning in any professional sport, so let’s not give the Roughriders a pass just because their coach was not well a few years ago. Fans: if you see the players in the street, remind them of what’s at stake! Media: to use a football term – send the blitz!
This post was not intended to make light of the serious issue that is prostate cancer. In fact, I have been growing a mustache for the "Movember" prostate cancer awereness fundraiser, and if you would like to learn about or donate to the cause, please visit my "Mo Space" here.
The 2010 Olympics are taking place in hockey mad Canada, only a short 1 hour flight away from Calgary. One would think that any NHL player would jump at the chance of representing his country in the tournament, in any capacity, but that’s not the case for Flames’ goaltender Mikka Kiprusoff. He doesn’t want to come unless he is assured to be the number 1 goalie for Finland.
Considering he is most likely their best option, with Minnesota’s Niklas Backstrom being the only true competition, his comment, “If I'm not going to start for sure, I think I'm going to take that time off and rest," reported in the Calgary Herald, is completely uncalled for. The only thing accomplished is that he shows selfishness and a lack of support for the Finnish hockey program.
So what happens if he is selected to represent his country, starts the first game and plays a stinker? If he is asked to sit the next game out, will he pout? What if he is outplayed in the round robin portion? Is the team obligated to play him in the elimination rounds, just because they promised him the number 1 position? Will he hop on the first flight back to Calgary if he is asked to sit?
Finland hockey should think this through before pushing Kipper into attending. Do they really want such a self-serving, individualistic player on their roster? Come to think of it, do the Calgary Flames even want a player with his attitude? Kiprusoff is obviously not a team player and this mind-set cannot help any team he plays for.
To read CTV's report on this story, click here.
In the days leading up to December 31st, Steve Yzerman, Hockey Canada Executive Director, is going to have a number of tough decisions to make regarding the personnel on the Olympic roster. One big decision that he will leave on head coach Mike Babcock’s shoulders will be choosing the number one goaltender.
Clearly, both Martin Brodeur and Roberto Luongo will be on the squad, and whoever fills the third spot will be there just for insurance purposes.
Here’s the scenario: on February 16th Luongo will play in Canada’s first game against Norway. On the 18th, Brodeur will start the second against Switzerland. A
nd unless Luongo was a disaster in game 1, he will start again in the third game on the 21st against USA. This might be the other way around, but essentially, whoever plays better in the round robin matches will be the starter for the elimination rounds.
The question is, who will Mike Babcock favor?
The Case for Brodeur:
His history speaks for itself:
- 3 Stanley Cups
- 2002 Olympic Gold Medal
- 2004 World Cup Championship
- 4 Vezina Trophies as NHL’s best goaltender
And he is not slowing down: he already has a 12-6-1 record in the 2009-2010 season.
The Case for Luongo:
Ok, so Luongo’s got nothing on Brodeur’s list of accomplishments, but he has been stuck with the New York Islanders and Florida Panthers for most of his career. So why should Mike Babcock give him the job over the incumbent Brodeur?
It’s his city, it’s his arena, and it’s finally his turn. At 30, he’s in his prime and he has certainly paid his dues, playing backup to Brodeur at the 2004 World Cup and 2006 Olympics.
If there are any nuances to know about the ice rink known as “Canada Hockey Place”, Luongo knows them better than anyone in the world, because to him, it is GM Place, his home arena, year round.
And, wouldn’t it be amazing to hear the Arena masses chanting “LOU” every time he makes a save? Coach Babcock, in the words of Russel Peters: "Be a man, do the right thing."
If you have an opinion on who should start for Canada, let it be heard by voting in the poll question on the right!
Following Sunday’s 1-0 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, here is the Canucks’ hot/not list:
HOT:
Mason Raymond:
With 14 points so far, Raymond is finally having his breakout season with the Canucks. Playing with a lot more grit and determination, lately he has looked like a slicker version of Ryan Kesler.
Christian Ehrhoff:
Following a 2 goal, 1 assist performance against the Avalanche, Ehrhoff sits 4th on the Canucks scoring list. An outburst like that can only encourage him to trust his offensive skills and put up more points as the season goes on.
Jannik Hansen:
This is more about what he represents for the team than his personal play: the return of Hansen from his hand injury brings a whole new dimension to the Canucks – a third line that can score.
NOT:
Kyle Wellwood:
Wellwood has 2 points in 19 games, and he is an offensively gifted player! In fairness, he’s been stuck with Tanner Glass and Steve Bernier for most of the season - not much to work with. But what’s really lacking in his game right now? One word: confidence. Hansen might be the serum he needs.
Sami Salo:
With Ehrhoff picking up the slack for the defensemen, one player who has fallen under the radar is Salo. Tied with Kyle Wellwood with just 2 points on the season, Salo is not using this blistering shot to strike fear into opposing goalies and penalty killers. Shoot the puck, Sami!
Alex Burrows:
Burrows hasn’t been the Canucks’ sparkplug like he was last year with only 4 goals in 23 games. Being reunited with the Sedin brothers will change this, and Burrows won’t be on the cold list for long.
Kevin Weekes, retired NHL goaltender, has been working as a colour commentator for the CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada since the beginning of the 2009 season, and his performance really raises questions about the network’s screening process. Is the lone prerequisite simply having been an ex-NHL goalie or coach?
Kevin here is some feedback on some of the comments you made during your most recent performance, November 14 – Vancouver vs. Colorado.
“And folks, sometimes no matter how prepared and how focused you are, you just make mistakes. I mean in the National Hockey League, just like any other level of hockey, guys actually make mistakes.”
Seriously, how dumb is that comment? We’re hockey fans and we’re sports fans. We KNOW that professional athletes make mistakes! We’ve seen Roberto Luongo give up bad goals, we’ve watched Gretzky miss huge shots. This is not insightful!
“Brent Clark has to call Roberto Luongo mister, with a glove save like this. He said Grant Fuhr was his favourite goalie growing up, and it shows here, Mark.”
Uh no… it doesn’t show here, Mark. If you want to show us that you did your homework and talked to Luongo about his childhood, just say it, you don’t need to force the tie-in. And really, mister?
“All glove for Roberto Luongo. He’s got one of the best glove hands in the game, and when he’s able to come out, take a look at him here folks, when he’s able to get out here on top of that crease, he’ll make that save almost every time. Nice glove save by Roberto Luongo.”
First, stop calling us folks. You don’t have to do that in every other comment you make. We know you’re addressing us, and we know we’re folks. Second, are you getting paid by the word? It sure seems like it.
And here is a typical example of your inability to stay on topic and complete a thought:
“Well Darcy Tucker is a leader, and he played for the Kamloops Blazers, he won the Memorial Cup and look at these guys, Cody McLeod and Sami Salo jousting right off the face-off, but, and they get a great opportunity with Darcy Tucker going to the net, nice save by Roberto Luongo to keep a clean sheet for the Canucks.”
By the way, we call it a “shut-out”.
Peter Forsberg will not be coming back to the NHL this year, TSN reported on Monday, but he may yet attempt to make a comeback for the 2010-11 season. If he manages to make it happen, it will be Forsberg’s third time returning from retirement.
We intercepted this email written from the NFL’s Brett Favre to Forsberg yesterday morning:
From: Brett Favre <agelesswonder@hotmail.com>
To: Peter Forsberg <foppa@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 11:03:56 AM
Subject: comeback…
Pete,
I heard that you’re trying to complete the comeback hat-trick like me! Well here’s some advice: pick a goddam good team - one that’s got great young talent. Just look how great Adrian Peterson is making me look here in Minnesota. The guy is unstoppable, and I’m getting all the credit in the world!
I hear that Ovechkin kid’s pretty good, why don’t you try to be on his team? Or Crosby? Just do what I do – hand it off and let em run! I tell you, these kids are scared of old guys like us, so just yell at em to giver!
Hey, is there anything better than a retirement press conference? And the highlight pack of your career that ESPN puts together? I can’t wait for that again this year. Makes me teary eyed just thinkin about it.
Good luck pal,
Brett
