Tebow the Great

It was man-love at first sight. Tebow was a senior in Highschool. On ESPNU they were showing a highschool football game featuring Nease Highschool. Tebow was the starting QB and the highly touted blue-chip recruit. I had heard his name thrown around. I knew he was heading to Florida, which was already one of my favorite college football teams. That Saturday morning I found myself watching the every single snap of poorly filmed (not even in HD) highschool game. Tebow caught my eye. He automatically became my favorite college football player, without even setting foot on the Florida campus.

His freshman year was quite interesting. He was a true freshman. The QB ahead of him on the depth was Chris Leak. A talented Senior that had more success then any other Florida QB since Danny Wuerrfel. Yet each game played in the swamp, boos and jeers echoed those orange walls. The Gator Faithful wanted to see Tebow and the experienced Leak play. Tebow had the love of his fans without having done anything, but those fans knew, like I knew that we weren't witnessing just another QB.

That Freshman Year, Tebow threw for 5 tds, and rushed for another 8.

His college career was nothing short of incredible. A heisman trophy as a sophomore. Two national titles. During the process he became public enemy number one in Baton Rouge, Athens, and every other SEC city.

It is my opinion that he is the greatest college football player of all time. His stat sheets don't show that, but we will be telling our kids the folk tales of Tim Tebow.

-His speech after losing to Mississippi.

-Taunting thousands of fans in Baton Rouge

-The Jump Passes

-Bloody Tebow

ok, so maybe it isn't blood, but you he would have played even if it was blood.

Basically, I think Tim Tebow is the type of player we will tell our kids and grandkids about. Even if he doesn't have success in the NFL. Honestly, think about it. Do you think we will ever see a college football player with as big an impact/legacy then Tim Tebow? No.

However, none of this is the purpose to why I am writing this. The reason I am writing this is to maybe convince a Tebow hater that Tebow and Denver is a good match.

1). Ever since Elway retired, the poor Bronco fans had to deal with QB's they didn't like. Jake Plummer was booed, and he even flipped them the bird. Jay Cutler hated Denver. Kyle Orton is just there, kind of like he was just there in Chicago. Tim Tebow is loveable, and he loves his fans back.

2). Josh Mcdaniels got his career in the NFL by being a QB coach with the New England Patriots. There he has helped QB Tom Brady progress into a future hall of famer. If anyone coach would be able to help Tebow become a more prototypical QB (which if you ask me, he doesn't have to.)

3). I expect Rookie Tebow to be alot like Freshman Tebow. Orton starting, and the fans booing him and chanting "Tebow" until he gets on the field. He might take a few snaps every game, but won't be the premiere QB for the Broncos. I don't think anyone expects that out of him anyways.

4).Did anybody see the interview he had after getting picked? The kid is everything you want and more if you are a coach. His willingness to learn, diligence, and love for the game make for a 1-2-3 combo. He kept saying, "I'll do whatever they ask me to do!" His excitement was almost childlike and refreshing. If I were a Coach. Tebow has the right mentality to be my QB.

5). Versatility. Wildcat Offense. H-Back. Goaline QB. Nuff Said.

6). He is a winner. He leaves it all on the field. He works hard. (see speech video after loss)

7). Locker room guy. He is a leader. He will motivate his fellow teammates. I think that if there were anyone that could have helped Brandon Marshall, it would have been Tebow.

I don't think Tebow will ever be the best QB in the NFL. Maybe he'll make a probowl once or twice. I can see him making whatever team he plays for better. Will he win a superbowl? (Answer: see reason #6 to why he will be a good fit with Denver)

You don't have to agree with his religiousness or his political views. Just look at Tebow on the field and you know that he loves being out there. We will see this same enthusiasm in Denver. We saw it all with Florida. And on that saturday morning, I saw it with Nease Highschool. Enthusiasm is contagious.

Why I love March Madness

I have this theory. It is a long theory that I could probably punch out 6000 words about, but I’ll quickly summarize my theory. Men are stuck in a nasty vice grip. We aren’t allowed to be emotional. We are limited to the things we can get excited about. When it comes to things we can cry about. There is just one thing that we can cry about without being mocked and teased by other men. That one little outlet we have to vent out all of our feelings is encumbassed in the manliest of all things. Sports. Think about it. Our estrogenized counter-parts can jump up and down, and hug one another for any reason, and just about anything can bring them to tears without the heckling. However, the only time men can do this is in sports, and only when the moment calls. Luckily, we get three weeks worth of bromance and man-love each March. All enveloped around March Madness. March Madness is the best sporting event because its emotional, its raw, its upsetting, its surprising, and its sports in it’s purest, more beautiful form.

Sixty-five teams. Twenty venues. One champion. With a handful of buzzer beaters, upsets, and cinderellas in between. In 2006, I was a witness. Adam Morrison had led the nation in scoring for the entire year. He was NBA bound. He was a star. He had a redunkulous cheesy moustache. He was very manly. But after his team let a 17 lead dwindle away, and let the UCLA score the last 11 points of the game, this man. Sat down on the court and tears crashed like free-falling airplanes. He yanked his jersey up over his eyes to hide his tears. He rolled on his side. He broke and no one teased him, and some men even cried with him, because for some reason can all relate. March Madness brings out all this emotion because its honest and real. These men put so much into their basketball game and for most of them, the only thing they can get in return is championship. Something that all 65 teams go after and only 1 will get. What’s more emotion then that?

Another reason you have to love the NCAA Basketball tournament is how raw it is. By raw, I mean personal and authentic. Throughout this entire year I had a friend who played on BYU’s basketball team. He has always been a bench guy, but occasionally he would come in. Well, this same BYU team went into the first round of the NCAA tournament and found themselves in trouble. My friend Michael Lloyd came off the bench and dominated the floor and was easily the most athletic guy in the building. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. This same guy I saw play in highschool. This same guy who was in my group for prom. I beat this guy in tennis once, and got dunked on by him when we were in just 7th grade. Then here he is, doing it in the spot-light. That is just part of the intimacy felt in March Madness. The other part of it is that the guy who was named first team all-south region is in my sociology class. How many sporting events can you say, “hey, that guy is a whiz in socioeconomics. Trust me, I know.” And its personal when you lose. Even more personal.

Some of the greatest upsets of all time, David v. Goliath (600 BC), USA vs USSR (1980) throw in a couple of college football games, and the rest are all college basketball games. I could make a list longer then your 400 pound neighbor’s shopping list at Costco, but I’ll just list off the top-5 upsets from this years NCAA tournament:

-Northern Iowa (9) over Kansas (1): We’ll see the highlight of Ali Farokhamanesh draining that three pointer for years to come. It was something amazing to see. He catches the ball right at the 3-pt line and an entire epi-drama unfolds in front of our very eyes. He stands at the line and looks at the basket. His team was already in the lead and all that was expected of him was to let the clock tick away. When he looks at the basket, all the KU players on defense stopped. Farokhamanesh makes eye-contact and the showdown begins. The KU player says with his eyes, “I dare you to take that shot.” Farokhamanesh looks back at the basket and lets it fly. Everyone in the basketball loving world held their breath. “Did that just happen? Did we just see an Iraqi kid in a purple jersey put a nail in the coffin?”

-Butler (5) over everyone they played: I admit it ok. I thought this team was overrated all year. I picked them to even lose first round. Their most noteworthy upset was probably against Syracuse. Butler is a school that only has 3000 students. They beat schools like Syracuse, Kansas St, and Michigan state which have about 3000 kids in their graduating class. Their journey of pissing big schools and myself off ended in the National Title game where they came a quarter-inch away from making the basketball world explode.

-Ohio (14) over Georgetown (3): Georgetown was in the Big East final the week before. They have a legendary coach, an all-american center. They have the name! Georgetown is a legendary school. Most people couldn’t name a single player from Ohio’s roster, and they weren’t even the 2nd best team in Ohio.

-St. Mary’s (10) over Villanova (2): St Mary’s was just a goofy team. Half of their team was from Australia. They wouldn’t have even made the tournament except they won their conference tourney. Now I will be the first to admit that Nova was overrated, but they were the type of team you’d expect to do well in the tournament. A good coach, a backcourt led by All American Senior Scottie Reynolds. Not expected, and several brackets busted.

-Cornell (12) over Wisconsin (5): Ok, so Wisconsin might have some brains, and they definately have alot intelligent people on the team, but this is Cornell we are talking about. An Ivy League school. These are guys who picked brains or brawn. On their roster is a guy who knows 6 languages, and I bet all of them can solve a rubic’s cube in less then 3 minutes. What can be much cooler then that? Its like playing the chess club at your high-school, except this chess club has a seven footer.

In some of these upsets, we got it on that surprising shot or play. I already mentioned what happened in the Kansas and Northern Iowa game. I have said it before and I will say it again. THERE IS NO BIGGER OR EXCITING PLAY THEN A BUZZER BEATER. For the winning team it was flawless. Its like making out with Carrie Underwood. For the losing it team, its like watching your heart get ripped out in slow motion by the crazy witch-doctor in Indiana Jones. My team lost on a buzzer beater this year, but in most games, it doesn’t matter who you like. A buzzer beater is that epic. I have been trying to figure out the closest thing that compares to a buzzer beater during March Madness to real life and this is what I’ve got:

-Stealing an enemy’s girlfriend and then getting her to talk trash about him. (Win for you, loss for him)

-The only seat left in the airplane is next to Cameron Diaz. (Win)

-The only seat left in the airplane is next to Michael Moore. (Loss)

Those were the only things I could come up with, and those actually don’t compare at all to the bitter-sweetness of a buzzer beater. Point is this: Buzzer beaters are greatest things to see in sports.

I think that is what you would almost expect though out of sports in its purest sense. Now you may be asking yourself what I mean by purity. What I mean by this is that these kids play simply for the love of the game. No paychecks, no contracts, no endorsements. NBA Basketball is boring to watch until you get to April when they finally start playing and not mailing it in each night. Even people that don’t like sports will know what I mean when I say that college basketball players play for the love of the game. I think thats the biggest reason that we get all the emotion that I’ve already mentioned. A pro player loses, and he goes home, counts his money and calls a stripper. A college player loses, he goes home, has to study for his exams, and figure out what he is going to do with his life. College players don’t boast the same talent as NBA players, and I bet alot of them can’t even dunk. However, I’d much rather see guys I can relate to out there busting their butt up and down the court just cause they like it. Sports is about pride. I can’t think of any other reason why you would play it. March Madness is that vessel though. I’m going to miss March Madness but I know it’ll be back, for us to cry, be emotional, and jump up and down like little girls. But because its sports, no one can make fun of us.

USA vs Canada

(originally posted February 21, 2010)

We are in the beginning of the second period.

I'm sitting here. Angered, yet happy. Happy that we are winning, and sad that I wasn't alive in 1980.

My parents were my age that year. The year the United States upset their cold war enemy of Soviet Union.

The game I'm watching is really just a border rival. A good one at that, but nothing compared to an enemy is war that scared some people underground.

Let's be real. United States dominates so much in basketball, that its not easy to get swept away by them. We aren't good enough to win the world cup yet. The United States olympic status is defined by the individual athlete. Shaun White, Apolo Ohno, Lindsey Vonn, Bode Miller, Shani Davis.

The US hockey teams are no namers to me. Partly my own fault for drifting away from hockey over the years. I can only name Jack Johnson as one of our players, and thats because I love his music (thats a joke, that another Jack Johnson).

I am rivoted. I mean, we are tied up against a team that features more NHL All Stars then any other country.

Its not very often that we as a country, can get together and root for our team as an underdog. Not enough people I know care about the world cup to do that for soccer. But most people I know care about the Olympics!

I am sitting here. I want to call everyone I know that old enough to remember the 1980 miracle game. Where were they? Was everyone watching? Did they cry? Did the Soviets cry? Did people show up at work the next day in American Flags?

I am here. I just got another reminder of what it means to be an American. The sports reason. Which to me.... is almost the biggest.

GO Team USA!

MWC Power Rankings January 28

(originally published January 28, 2010)

Mountain West Conference Power Ranking

1. BYU- Even though they lost to New Mexico last night, they still have the top record, and they still haven't lost at home. If I'm not mistaken, they are the only team in the conference that can say that. Jimmer Fredette still is one of the elite picks for POY in the conference, also receiving lots of national attention.

2. New Mexico- If they lost last night, they wouldn't be in second place. But beating BYU gives UNM the edge over UNLV. I was really impressed by the athleticism and toughness of New Mexico. They had so many offensive boards last night. Gary showed clutch in closing minutes hitting free throws and taking care of the ball.

3. UNLV- That Utah loss a few weeks back is the only reason they arent number 2 on the list right now. The only problem with this team is they have a hard time deciding who they want to be. They play down to their opponents. They somehow squeak out a win against the lowly Air Force. They haven't blown anyone out in conference play, which is something they need to do.

4. SDSU- There isn't a team with as much potential as this team. Their athleticism is off the charts. Any underachieving this year, like every year, has to be pointed at Steve Fisher. This group of athletes can run against anyone, but it doesnt look like Steve Fisher prepares them like he should, and if he does, they don't respond to him. If they get two wins against any of top 3 teams, and then a few wins in the conference tourney, they could be NCAA bound.

5. Utah- You never know what you are going to get out of Jim Boylen and his squad. Beating UNLV in the T&M, and following that up with a loss at home against San Diego. They have alot of youth on that team. Marshall Henderson is a star in the making, and if Foster can develop like everyone hopes. Utah will be knocking at the door of these top teams.

6. Colorado St- Coach Miles is a interesting coach. I think he gets the best out of his guys. I pull for this team. I want to see these teams perform well in conference play. If Colorado St can finish the year .500 they can call this year a success.

7. Wyoming- I love watching this team play. They are athletic and play good defense, but then the worst possible thing happens. Afam Muojeke goes down and out for the year. We wish the best for him and his recovery. We know that Wyoming will need it next year, and they might turn some heads.

8. TCU- This is the only team I have still yet see play. So the reason I have them lower then Wyoming is simply ignorance, but this team doesnt impress. They blend right in. They dont get blown out, but they don't keep it close. Zonko Buljan interests me. He seems to be their game breaker.

9. Air Force- Now what can we say about Air Force. I dont know what happened. I remember when this team was the team to beat in the MWC, but just 4 short years later they have fallen to the bottom of the bunch. I know it has alot to do with the recruiting. But I dont really need to say anything besides this. 22 straight conference losses..... ouch

Same problem, different sport

(originally published January 13, 2010)

We all know that USC, Notre Dame, Florida, Florida St, Ohio St and all those teams in college football can somehow stay inside the top 25 despite dropping 3,4 and sometimes 5 games in regular season.

You know, I can live with that. It usually almost takes these teams out of the BCS Bowl game talks, so it has little effect on what really happens.

However, their college cousin, basketball, has the same problem but this has a much bigger role on the ending results.

I shall do a simple chart.

(note:records are all regular season record)

Team A 25-3 .893 17-1 Conference .944

Team B 18-11 .621 8-8 Conference .500

Team C 28-9 .757 9-7 Conference .563

Team D 18-10 .642 8-8 Conference .500

Which team would you pick?? Do you even hesitate?? Not at all. All of you would pick team A in a second.

Wouldn't you like to know who each team is???

Team D--- North Carolina (lost in 2nd round of the NCAA)

Team C--- Georgia Tech (lost in the finals of the NCAA)

Team B--- Michigan St (lost in 1st round of the NCAA)

Team A--- Utah St (didnt recieve invitation to NCAA tournament)

You may recall a couple years back. A talented Utah St team had lost only two games the entire regular season. The best record in the country. They were rudely ranked only 23rd in the nation heading into the conference tourney. I dont care who you play, but if you lose just two games, that should be an auto bid. But Utah St, came out flat and lost in the first round of their conference tourney.

The unthinkable happens.

A team that went 25-3 was given an invitation to the NIT, aka the losers bracket.

How can this happen.

North Carolina is another one of those teams like Duke that gets bids for what shirt they wear and not for what they display on the court. How can this happen!?!

Look, I know its a biased opinion I have. But right now for instance. In the top 25. Michigan St is 8th in the country with three losses. North Carolina is 13th with four losses.

Is this ok??

Northern Iowa is 16-1

Coastal Carolina is 16-2

UAB 16-2

Louisiana Tech 16-2

None of these teams have sniffed the top 25 except UAB for a week this year.

Whats the deal??

Its no the BCS, but its still bogus.

By the way.... I do love looking up this stuff, even though no one reads this!

2 years without sports can be made up for

(originally published December 20, 2009)

2 years without sports can be tough. Trust me I know. But I am suprised about how fast I can jump back into the swing of things. But I havent done it all by myself. My family has helped, but nothing has helped me get back into sports better then sports itself.....

Let me explain....

First night that I am home, I go to the UNLV-Weber St game. I was stoked. Being able to sit courtside at UNLV is always good, and its even better when they win and play good.

Then Saturday made up for the two years of deprivation. I was downstairs watching the first bowl game (this really is the best time of the year.). Wyoming was playing against Fresno St. Both teams unranked, and really off the radar, but its a bowl game, it has to be good. Well it was. A great goal line stand by MWC Wyoming.

Then another courtside Rebel game. Really, what could be better. Where the Rebs played almost flawless.

I was ansy on Sunday. The eagles were playing. I was finally going to see the Eagles play. Well I did, and they looked great. I saw the all the talk from Dad and Alec wasnt just hype. Guy can play!

After the Eagles picked up the W. It went straight to the Steelers-Green Bay finish. With two minutes left, and thanks to a couple pass interference calls. The Steelers get within the 20. Roethlisberger hooked up with a wideout. Perfect pass, and hightlight reel catch. Both toes inbounds, diving grab. Honestly, Its the kind of finish where you feel bad for the opposing team. The poor corner for Green Bay couldnt have defended the pass any better.

What I am really trying to say, sports is showing me how much it missed me by showing a handful of great games, all my teams won, and some great finishes. I forgot to mention the college basketball games.... Butler vs Xavier, Umass vs Memphis. Good games.

I love sports, and by the way things are going for now.... Sports loves me too!

They have to have sports in heaven.

I'm home

(Originally posted December 14, 2009)

I’m home! I decided not to waste anytime and to take a step into the digital world. Honestly, I dont think many people will actually read this. Just writing so I dont forget how cool it was today.

It wasnt the waking up early, and saying goodbye to my companion. It wasnt the bus ride from Machala to Guayaquil. It wasnt my interview or the lunch I had with President Johns. It was seeing my family for the first time in two years.

There isnt many ways to describe the way a missionary feels after two years away from his family. His family becomes a figment to his imagination, and there not sure if the people that write him every P-day really exist or if they are just a made up thing to keep us from going insane. I finally figured out the answer to that at 2:23.

Going up the stairs, I thought I was going to faint. My heart was pounding. One of the other missionaries took my camara to film the whole moment.

I get to the door.....

I ring the buzzer.....

The door opens, and I see my dad’s face. I take one step in, let out a girly little scream, see everyone else in my family. I hugged my dad first. Not picking favorites, he was just the closest. After a long hug from him, I think my mom yanked from him and started hugging me.

I can think of only about 3 times that I have cried tears of joys in my life. The 3rd was today. My mom hugged, and hugged me hard. They werent big crocodile tears. They were tears that come out of the sides of your eyes because your squinting so hard because your smile is so big! I hugged my bro and my sis and then just let my family pass me around the room!

After eating up a few minutes in the office and making all the poor missionaries in the office trunky outside of their mind, we took off to drop off the stuff in the hotel. We just sat in our over the top nice rich 5 star hotel until we decided to go the Iguana park.

We made our way to one of my old sectors and then back to the hotel.

It felt like time hasnt gone by. We were just kicking it in the hotel, watching the football games, home videos, and eveyone checking their phones, laptops, kindles, etc! It was good!

I dont think there could have been a better day, and i dont think i could be much happier then i am now. I dont expect you guys to know how it feels. Heck, i dont even think anyone is reading this, but i wrote it for me! Not for you!

Its 2:00 in the morning and I am still awake writing this. Why am I not asleep in bed???

Answer: I am scared to wakeup, and it not to have happened!

BUT IT DID HAPPEN!!