Many times has a kickers position been questioned when it comes to importance on a football team. They do not make the same money the likes of Tom Brady or Peyton Manning does but they can be very important to a team winning the Super bowl. When talking about pressure moments it is these men who are called upon to become heroes.
Watching the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots vie for a spot in the Super bowl and Billy Cundiff missing the kick that would have sent the game into overtime, all I could think about is Ray Finkle. Finkle is a made up character from the movie Ace Ventura Pet Detective. After missing the game winning kick that would have won it all for the Dolphins, he lost his mind. No one said the job of a kicker was easy; it is just something that someone has to do. It can result in being a hero, or a goat for the rest of the world to laugh it. Billy Cundiff is one of those goats, but he is not alone. Along with Cundiff and Finkle there are many kickers who missed timely field goals that could have changed history. One could surely remember Canadian Mike Vanderjagt who was a lifetime eighty-eight percent kicker during the season, but with everything on the line a routine kick became insurmountable. In the 2005 playoffs, Vandergajt a member of the Indianapolis Colts missed a 46yd FG that resulted in Pittsburgh winning 21-18. However, the most notorious kicking blunder was none other then Buffalo Bills kicker Scott Norwood. (see attached video on the bottom) Norwood’s 47yd miss in Super Bowl XXV has given us the infamous call “Wide Right” and the New York Giants a Super bowl ring.
There are many people who believe that because their professionals they can kick from all different yardages but it is in fact one of the toughest things to do in all of sports. Did I forget to mention the entire world is watching? It’s easy to point the blame finger at one player but football is a team sport. A play here, a play there all could have been a difference maker in possibly preventing the kick from ever happening. If Lee Evans had not dropped the game-winning touchdown then Cundiff’s kick would never have mattered and the Ravens would be in the Super bowl.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8_KDERNb5g&feature=related
Monday, January 30, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
Its Just Not Right!
It is a Federal Crime to see a crime happen and not report it. For Joe Paterno and Penn State they are criminals for not disclaiming news on an issue that goes far beyond Football. Penn State is one of the most historic American universities with a rich history that starts from the 1850’s. State has always been known for its Football and along with that comes the winningest coach in College Football Joe Paterno, or as the Penn State students called him “Joe Pa.”
Paterno was made aware of an alarming issue; one so terrifying that this writer believes is worthy of Death Row. Jerry Sandusky, a Defensive Co-Ordinater at State was in fact an alumnus from the same university between the years 1963 through 1965. He returned in 1969 to coach at State and remained with the team as their Defensive Co-Ordinater until a few years ago. Football is very important to the students and people at State, to it’s alumni and boosters, to the locals who are season ticket holders and long time fans, but what happened with Jerry Sandusky, his charity The Second Mile and the poor innocent kids who were violated by Sandusky can never be forgiven. There are certain things that are just not tolerated in this world and sexually abusing little kids is at the top of that list. Think for a moment what if Paterno upon hearing about Sandusky reported him to the cops. Not only could he retire peacefully and as arguably the best coach in college Football history but he would also be somewhat of a hero by exploiting the monster that Sandusky is. Paterno for some reason chose to keep the knowledge he obtained about Sandusky to himself and not report it. Whether it was his old age not understanding that we live in the twenty-first century where you can basically find anything if you dig a little, or that his friendship with Sandusky was strong and that he would not get caught, Paterno is wrong. Rightfully so, the truth came out but the level of morality that Paterno showed is somewhat of a bigger issue. Babies and children are not only loved for their adorable cheeks but also because of their innocence. For these victims there lives will never be the same, there innocence was snatched right from under them and with reports indicating a high level of suicide for sexually abused children, some won’t even last long enough to see there twentieth birthday. Put Football in your side pocket for a second. Jerry Sandusky used a charity organization (he founded) called The Second Mile to lure the kids in. A charity that was supposed to help children who don’t have structure in their homes, not having the slightest clue on how to interact with other people, and are mentally unstable. A man like this is a true monster, not the make-believed ones in fairy tales, but a real live in the flesh monster. After all that transpired at Penn State Sandusky whether under the influence of his attorney or on his own mandate chose to talk to NBC’S Bob Costas and told him it was okay in his mind to shower with kids, and sleep in the same bed. Understand something, we live in a cruel world that is clear upon hearing about this but where does it stop. If there are people out there (which there are) abusing and molesting kids and then on top of which there are people who hear about it and do nothing, we as a society have failed.
Football is a great sport, where the competition level is at the highest, but it also displays a strong family environment. Banding together with your teammates, inch by inch play by play, teammates and coaches learn to become as one. Paterno was a great coach but when it comes to a matter like this sports becomes irrelevant, life and morality take over and Paterno had the power to do something.
One of the greatest quotes of all time came from Uncle Ben from Spiderman “With great power comes great responsibility.” Paterno had it all, the fans, love, football, and accomplishments but when he had the power and to do something, he did not and now his legacy will forever be tarnished.
Paterno was made aware of an alarming issue; one so terrifying that this writer believes is worthy of Death Row. Jerry Sandusky, a Defensive Co-Ordinater at State was in fact an alumnus from the same university between the years 1963 through 1965. He returned in 1969 to coach at State and remained with the team as their Defensive Co-Ordinater until a few years ago. Football is very important to the students and people at State, to it’s alumni and boosters, to the locals who are season ticket holders and long time fans, but what happened with Jerry Sandusky, his charity The Second Mile and the poor innocent kids who were violated by Sandusky can never be forgiven. There are certain things that are just not tolerated in this world and sexually abusing little kids is at the top of that list. Think for a moment what if Paterno upon hearing about Sandusky reported him to the cops. Not only could he retire peacefully and as arguably the best coach in college Football history but he would also be somewhat of a hero by exploiting the monster that Sandusky is. Paterno for some reason chose to keep the knowledge he obtained about Sandusky to himself and not report it. Whether it was his old age not understanding that we live in the twenty-first century where you can basically find anything if you dig a little, or that his friendship with Sandusky was strong and that he would not get caught, Paterno is wrong. Rightfully so, the truth came out but the level of morality that Paterno showed is somewhat of a bigger issue. Babies and children are not only loved for their adorable cheeks but also because of their innocence. For these victims there lives will never be the same, there innocence was snatched right from under them and with reports indicating a high level of suicide for sexually abused children, some won’t even last long enough to see there twentieth birthday. Put Football in your side pocket for a second. Jerry Sandusky used a charity organization (he founded) called The Second Mile to lure the kids in. A charity that was supposed to help children who don’t have structure in their homes, not having the slightest clue on how to interact with other people, and are mentally unstable. A man like this is a true monster, not the make-believed ones in fairy tales, but a real live in the flesh monster. After all that transpired at Penn State Sandusky whether under the influence of his attorney or on his own mandate chose to talk to NBC’S Bob Costas and told him it was okay in his mind to shower with kids, and sleep in the same bed. Understand something, we live in a cruel world that is clear upon hearing about this but where does it stop. If there are people out there (which there are) abusing and molesting kids and then on top of which there are people who hear about it and do nothing, we as a society have failed.
Football is a great sport, where the competition level is at the highest, but it also displays a strong family environment. Banding together with your teammates, inch by inch play by play, teammates and coaches learn to become as one. Paterno was a great coach but when it comes to a matter like this sports becomes irrelevant, life and morality take over and Paterno had the power to do something.
One of the greatest quotes of all time came from Uncle Ben from Spiderman “With great power comes great responsibility.” Paterno had it all, the fans, love, football, and accomplishments but when he had the power and to do something, he did not and now his legacy will forever be tarnished.
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