Livin' Legend

Most athletes become legendary after they retire...or die. It's a rarity for any person to become a legend while still at work on their craft. Brett Favre is one of those rare Living Legends. The old man with salt & pepper hair, a perpetual 5 o'clock shadow, and gruff Mississippi accent has been playing in the NFL almost as long as I've been alive. I'm 25 years old.

Favre is one of, if not arguably the greatest NFL quarterback of all time. He's accomplished everything you can possibly think of in the league, yet he's still here 20 seasons later, yearning for more NFL greatness. The man has been to the Pro Bowl 11 times, 3 time First Team All Pro, 3 time NFL MVP, and the proud owner of a Superbowl ring. What is left for Favre to prove? Nothing, and that's why he's still dragging his 41 year old body out onto the gridiron week after week. Favre has nothing to prove to anyone. He simply continues to play because he loves the game and for the everlasting thrill of victory.

Yes, for the past three seasons America has had to endure Favre-gate in every offseason headlined by the constant question: "Will he or won't he reitre?" Although the media following his every move each year trying to predict whether Favre will or won't be back for another NFL season, people still cling to him and the invisible halo that practically glows around the top of his head. You see, Brett Favre is a guy's guy. An All-American cowboy type who loves football. He even slightly resembles Clint Eastwood with his reluctant smile and stoic exterior. Rough and rugged and stylin on 'em in his Wranglers, Favre is a relatable Everyman.

There is a mystique that surrounds Brett Favre just being out on the field. Having him suit up as your team's quarterback is motivation enough. Favre is the quintessential NFL Iron Man, having never missed a start since he came into the league with the Atlanta Falcons in 1992. An illness or injury has never held him down or out. In week 7, Favre suffered a fractured ankle against his old team, the Green Bay Packers, yet he is still looking towards starting against the New England Patriots this Sunday. Starting in his 20th NFL season at the age of 41 with a fractured ankle...and a granddaughter. Yes, Favre is the only true "Grandpa" in the NFL.

Even admist allegations of sending unsolicited pictures of his nether regions to former New York Jets employee, Jenn Sterger, America seems to have looked the other way because it's Brett Favre, and he's football's good guy. After all, everyone makes mistakes, right? He's a motivator on the field and a classic guy next door off of it. Whether you love Favre because he has endured 20 seasons without missing a beat or despise him because he has put your favorite team to shame year after year, you have to respect the man as the living legend that he is.

Copyright Marisa A. Ross

@ 'Em or Dap 'Em

Social networking sites have made it easier for us to communicate with friends and even meet new ones. We share jokes, news, and debate on sites like Facebook and Twitter. MySpace doesn't count anymore, sorry Tom.

Unfortunately, the myriad of social networking sites also gives us something that we may not otherwise have: passive aggressive behavior. When behind a computer screen, people tend to take on a slightly different persona. A tougher version of themselves. Since no one is in their face to confront them, people tend to talk more recklessly, often times about another person. Do they ever include this person's name in the subliminal internet shots though? Hardly.

Welcome to the wonderful world of subliminals. Twitter and Facebook statuses are notorious for these catty, shot taking messages that don't actually take direct shots at anyone. "I wish some people would STFU. You're frontin' for Twitter." Do you see a name in there? Nope. I'm sure the person who it's about knows it's referring to them, though. But when confronting the spineless subtweeter, all they can do is smirk and say "Nah, that wasn't about you, I swear."

What is the point of all this? Insulting someone without actually insulting them. The target KNOWS it's about them, but can provide no real proof. It all comes with the fact that there are no consequences for spitting a subliminal off at the mouth, or in this case, at the tips of your fingers. People can passively smack talk with no repurcussions or risk of someone giving them a right hook to the jaw.

Gone are the days when people handled their issues like men and women. Present are the days when no one wants to take  responsibility for their actions and words. We would rather hide behind a computer screen and get tough than face our problems head on.

Is this blog post referring to you? *smirks* Nah, it's not about you, I swear.

Copyright Marisa A. Ross

Long Live the Panic Bowl

Greetings sports fans. Before I get into my blog I want to sincerely apologize for being MIA the last two weeks. I've had some major life shifts going on and my blogging has suffered because of it. I'm back though and will be blogging regularly again. Let's go!

Entering week 6 of the NFL season who would have thought the Vikings and Cowboys would both be struggling for a win. I presume they're not as bad as the destitute 49ers, who despite having only one win on the year, one NFL analyst who shall remain nameless picked them to reach the Superbowl. However, both the Vikings and Cowboys entered the 2010 season highly touted for a stellar year.

The Vikings had QB Brett Favre back again after yet another tumoltuous offseason filled with the constant "will he or won't he retire" splendor. Once defensive sack master Jared Allen, among other fellow Vikings, flew down to Hattiesburg to physically retrieve Favre and bring him back to Minnesota, the team now was looking toward another run at a Superbowl.

Further south, the Cowboys and flamboyant owner Jerry Jones had their sights set on making it to their first Superbowl of the new millenium. Sudden star Miles Austin, rookie sensation Dez Bryant, and a finally healthy Felix Jones were expected to lead the 'Boys into the Big Show after years of postseason blunder.

Nothing has worked out that way for either team though. Star Vikings WR Sidney Rice had hip surgery before the season and will miss at least eight games. Grasping at straws in their receiving corps, the Vikings traded for disgruntled Patriots Pro Bowler Randy Moss hoping to provide a boost on offense. The Cowboys haven't struggled too much with injuries, but rather with mental mistakes. Too many flags have been thrown their way and on stupid things like excessive endzone celebration. Come on son.

When the week 6 match up between the Vikings and Cowboys came up, it was fittingly dubbed the Panic Bowl. Two teams who no one thought would be in this position were panicking already in week 6. The Vikings remained calm, however, and topped the Cowboys 24-21. Miles Austin gave the 'Boys yet another yellow flag after leap frogging Roy Williams in the Vikings endzone after a superior TD. What was he thinking? It seems Mr. Austin's inflated bank account isn't the only thing that's blown up lately. His head seems to have gotten pretty bloated as well. Now the question is when and if the Cowboys can get it together this season. Their offense appears solid and their defense excellent. So what exactly is their problem? Why can't they win?

Seems like the Cowboys' main issue doesn't lie on the field, but instead in the cushy comfort of a luxury suite high above the 50 yard line.

Copyright Marisa A. Ross

"Special" Doesn't Mean Short Bus

Defense wins championships. Offense wins games. Superior special teams play wins both.

Special teams is the forgotten part of football. Kickoff, punt return, and the kicking corps are often looked at as the dregs of a football team. Special teams is usually made up of the guys who barely made the 53 man roster and the only way to do so was to shine in an area no one particularly cares about. How humbling an experience that must be.

The only time special teams gets a rousing ovation from the crowd is when a kickoff is returned 50+ yards for a touchdown or a kicker wins the game by sending the ball through the goal posts off the end of his toe. Other than that, special teams is about as special as riding the short bus to school.

During Monday Night Football, however, the New England Patriots showed America just how clutch a special teams unit can be. The Patriots not only defeated the Dolphins in their house, they down right embarassed them. Much of the win can be attributed to their stunning special teams play.

The Patriots special teams played with an animalistic ferver, making hard hits left and right. Second year safety Patrick Chung out of Oregon proved himself to be a man beast on special teams by blocking not one, but two kicks. Chung again starred on defense as he took a pick to the house. In one of those blocked punts, the Patriots returned the ball for a TD. Special teams for the Patriots took away several points from the Dolphins and took the wind out of their sails as they were at it.

Special teams can be difference makers, whether we recognize it or not. A blocked punt here, a returned kick for a touchdown there can make or break a game. Even a solid kick return can set up a team in great field position for their next drive. If their kick returner only got 10 yards, they might not be able to get in the position they need to score off that drive. More and more coaches are starting to put pressure and more energy into developing their special teams for these specific reasons.

The Dolphins responded by firing their own special teams coach the morning after the Patriots loss. Now, isn't that special?

Copyright Marisa A. Ross
@TheDivineMsRoss