Muhammad Ali Turned 70 This Week While Joe Paterno Passed Away At Age 85

Muhammad Ali turned 70 this past week. Ali is still fighting the good fight against his health ailments. While Penn State legend Joe Paterno succumb to lung cancer in State College, PA at the age of 85. Both men have been the subject of greatness and controversy. Most recently Paterno was fired after nearly 50 years of being a Penn State football assistant then head coach. He was let go after his former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky sex scandal, child molestation charges. Patero's health became worse around January 13th according to reports. Ali continues to battle Parkinson disease. Many recall Ali saying no to being drafted during the Vietnam War and having his boxing license revoked. Nevertheless both men are still remembered for all the great and good things they did in their respective sports and more importantly the kind deeds they did for others. May Ali continue to be the greatest and live the duration of his time on earth in peace. May Joe Paterno rest in peace.

Boston Super Sunday Patriots Advance To Superbowl Celtics & Bruins Also Won

Patriots thanks to a missed game tying field goal and dropped touchdown reception all within the final seconds of the AFC Championship Game, advance to Indianapolis for Superbowl XLVI. Ravens wide receiver Lee Evans dropped a potential game winning touchdown pass from Joe Flacco, he looked as if he had to catch until it was jarred loose at the last second. Kicker Billy Cundiff went wide right on his field goal that could have sent the game into overtime at Gillette Stadium. Patriots 23 Ravens 20, New England will advance to their 7th Superbowl in franchise history and 5th since 2001 under Tom Brady. Meanwhile the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins won an overtime shootout with rival Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center earning two points against the team they swept last spring in route to a championship. Paul Pierce nearly had a triple double in Washington, the Celtics lost Ray Allen to an ankle injury early in the game at Verizon Center. However the Wizards could not capitalize and loss another game. Life is good in the Hub with regular and postseason wins over the past several years including championships for each of the four major sports franchises.

Scottie Pippen Air Jordan X Asking MJ To Come Back

The year was 1995 and Michael Jordan initially was not playing for the Chicago Bulls. Jordan was playing minor league baseball in Birmingham. This is when Michael Jordan was retired from the NBA following his father death. He relived his childhood dream of playing baseball. While All Star forward Scottie Pippen led the Bulls in every major statical category across the board. Scottie Pippen at a certain point during the season rocked the Air Jordan X 'Chicago'. He even used the shoe to ask MJ to return and in March 1995 Michael Jordan did just that. Two words...I'm Back and Michael was back on the Chicago Bulls and the NBA was it's normal self again. Players such as Mitch Richmond and Harold Miner, among others rocked the Air Jordan X during the 1994-95 season.

A Different World Classic Kicks

A Different World was a Cosby Show spin off series. It was about college life in the state of Virginia at the fictional institution of Hillman. Dwayne Wayne and Ron Johnson were best friends and roommates played by Kadeem Hardison and Darryl M. Bell. Many sneaker heads noticed Dwayne and Ron had a plethora of late 1980 and early 1990 kicks. Kicks such as Air Jordans and Nike Basketball and Nike Training sneakers. The duo would also rock great NBA and NFL jerseys. #23 Chicago Bulls uniform and #56 New York Giants uniform worn by Michael Jordan and Lawrence Taylor respectively. The series ran on NBC from 1987-1993, the footwear was just as good as the actual show.

Baltimore Ravens Defense KO'S Houston Texans

Houston rookie quarterback T.J Yates threw 3 interceptions, he certainly is not Tom Brady, but hey who is. With that said, the Baltimore defense and special teams forced turnovers which resulted in a 20-13 win over Houston. Running back Arian Foster of Houston had a tremendous game running and catching the football however his team were hurt by the turnovers. Baltimore most get better play out of Joe Flacco next week as they head to New England for the AFC Championship Game. The Baltimore defense bailed Flacco out, who looked average at best vs. Houston solid defense. Flacco on 3rd down vs. New England will need to be much better than he was in the Divisional Playoffs. Flacco in 2009 did defeat New England in the Wildcard round thanks to Ray Rice and Baltimore running for nearly 300 yards. The Patriots will key in on Rice, so at some Flacco and his receivers will need to make plays in the passing game. Veterans Terrell Suggs and Edward Reed look to win 1st Superbowl ring, while Ray Lewis eyes his 2nd Lombardi Trophy.

Lambeau Field Nope It's Manning Field Giants Heading To NFC Championship Game

Eli Manning, was asked during the off season was he an elite quarterback his answer was yes, if there was any doubt Manning is proving he was correct. During the Wild Card round vs. Atlanta Eli picked up his first career playoff home win. Keep in mind he already has a Superbowl and Superbowl MVP under his belt from 2007, the same year New York defeated Brett Favre in Lambeau Field. That was in the NFC Championship Game, this year the teams squared of in the NFC Divisonal Playoffs. The Packers came in 15-1 during the regular season and defending Superbowl champions, they narrowly defeated the Giants in December while in New York 38-35. The Giants never trialed in this game, took a 3-0 lead on their opening drive, forced several Green Bay turnovers throughout the day, had some bad officiating go against them, but kept coming. Hakeem Nicks caught 2 touchdowns including a first half Hail Mary giving the GMen a 20-10 halftime lead. The pass rush was relentless allowing the back seven to cover Green Bay receivers. Eli converted critical 3rd downs one after another and outplayed Aaron Rodgers. Now the Giants will head to San Francisco for the NFC Championship Game.

Brady Puts An End To Tebow Time

Tim Tebow, not Tom Brady was the talk all week leading up to the AFC Divisional Playoff game in Foxborough between Denver and New England. Tebow and the Broncos were coming off a thrilling overtime Wild Card victory over Pittsburgh, while Brady had not won a playoff game in four years and loss his last two playoff home games vs. New York & Baltimore. Patriots 45 Broncos 10 and the score could have been worse. Brady tied a playoff postseason record with 6 touchdown passes in a game, while record setting tight end Rob Gronkowski was in beast most again with 3 touchdown receptions. Not to mention tight end Aaron Hernandez, Tebow teammate at Florida, led the Patriots in rushing. Are you serious ! A tight end leading the team in rushing only in New England. Tebow threw for less then 130 yards and turn the football over several times, which destroyed any chance of Denver winning. Obviously this playoff run will be a learning experience for Tim Tebow going forward. While New England prepares to host the AFC Championship Game.

Alex Smith & Vernon Davis Add To Candlestick Park Playoff Magic 49ers Defeat Saints An Instant Classic

49ers 36 Saints 32, however it was a back and fourth, final quarter for the ages. Thanks to several 1st half turnovers by New Orleans, San Francisco had a 17-3 lead during the NFC Divisional Playoffs. However Drew Brees and the Saints offense got things together in the 2ND half to eventually get back into the game. Then thanks to tight end Jimmy Graham second touchdown of the game, along with running back Deron Sproles catch & run touchdown, New Orleans took the lead twice in the 4Th quarter.
The 49ers would get back into the game with an Alex Smith bootleg scramble down the left sideline for a 30 yard touchdown run on 3rd down. Finally trailing New Orleans 32-29 after a successful Saints 2 point conversation, Smith would have a little over a minute remaining and 1 timeout. Smith connected with Vernon Davis for a deep pass to get San Francisco in field goal range, with less then 10 seconds remaining he would find Davis again for the game winning touchdown, to send the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1997. An emotional Davis ran over to the sideline to hug head coach Jim Harbaugh with tears in his eyes. Candlestick Park has played host to 49er playoff magic : the catch in 1981, TO game winning touchdown from Steve Young vs. Green Bay in 1998, 49ers comeback win vs. New York after the Giants fumbled around potential game winning field goal attempt, now Vernon Davis and Alex Smith in 2010.

Kobe Bryant Continues To Pile Up 40 Point Games

Let's see, Kobe Bryant deals with knee and ankle injuries on a daily basis. He also deals with a banged up wrist he suffered during the abbreviated pre season. However he has led the Lakers to a 9-5 record to start the 2011-12 NBA season. Originally his Laker front office landed Chris Paul from the Hornets, the NBA vetoed the trade, now Paul is in Los Angeles, however it's for the Clippers. Lamar Odom who was apart of the Paul trade, was then traded to Dallas. Kobe simply has put this Laker team on his back 4 straight 40 + point games and counting. He also had to deal with a divorce in the process, however his play hasn't missed a beat. Keep in mind Kobe Bean Bryant is 33 years old and has played 16 years in the NBA since coming to the league from high school at age 17. No need to speak of his resume it speaks for itself. Let's discuss his current play in his 16th campaign, he just keeps on getting better with age like fine wine.

76er Fans Andre Iguodala $80 Million Contract Doesn't Equate To 30PPG

Andre Iguodala career averages of 15.6 ppg - 5.8 rpg - 4.8 apg & 1.8 spg aren't good enough for most Philadelphia 76er fans. They are upset Andre isn't a 'closer' at the end of basketball games or prolific scorer. He's an excellent all around small forward, the engine that makes a young athletic 76ers ball club go. Each and every night Iguodala defensive assignment is to guard the opponents best point guard, shooting guard or small forward. He is a finalist to possibly make next summer Men's USA Basketball team in London, England. He helped USA Basketball capture gold at the 2010 World Championships of Basketball. Obviously if Philadelphia doesn't appreciate his talent, GM's and other NBA front office executives do. Andre Iguodala over the past few years has been the talk of trade rumors, however he remains in Philadelphia. Now Philadelphia has started the 2011-12 66 game NBA season 9-3 and first place in the Atlantic Division. Philadelphia is off to their best start to an NBA season in over a decade. Also give credit to his 76er teammates and head coach Doug Collins. Fans in the city of brotherly love, think his $80 million contract means he needs to score more, Philadelphia has several guys who score in double figures and may have the best bench in the NBA.