Rams Are Back In LA At LA Memorial Coliseum

The Rams are back in LA. Back from St. Louis. Last time they where in the area was 1994 out in Anaheim. First time playing in the Coliseum since the 1970's. Being in Los Angeles for the first time ever, I wanted to take in the historical perspective surrounding their return out west. The LA Memorial Coliseum home of the USC Trojans, 2 Summer Olympics, mutiple Super Bowls etc while in town I had to lay eyes on it. Adjacent to the stadium was the old LA Memorial Sports Arena that's being demolished to make room for a soccer stadium. The atmosphere was incredible between Seattle Seahawks fans and Rams fans obviously prior to the game. As an Eagles fan if the opportunity to play in Los Angeles maybe I'll have to part take and take in the Coliseum from an interior standpoint.

LA Live Staples Center

While staying at the Sheraton in downtown Los Angeles I had to research the proximity from the hotel to the Staples Center. Which is home of the LA Lakers, LA Kings and LA Sparks as well as boxing. Within Staples Center far as surrounding buildings is LA Live plenty of bars, restaurants and shopping. I'm a huge Kobe Bryant fan and I finally got to see his on court basketball home even after he retired and even though it was on the perimeter. Nonetheless it was an experience. From a driving standpoint and walking standpoint their were some obstacles due to set up and building for the Emmy awards. However I was able to get several photos with the likes of Oscar De La Hoya, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Wayne Gretzky and Chick Hearn who all have statues outside of the Staples Center. Maybe one day a chance to attend an actual Lakers game will present itself.

Angels In The Outfield

While in Southern California since the Los Angeles Dodgers were out of town at that particular time I considered taking in an Angels game. An original drive that was calculated to be about an hour more or less give or take took about 2.5 hours. So much traffic so many traffic accidents heading from Los Angeles County to Orange County. It was the 2nd game of a 4 game series as the Toronto Blue Jays were in town to take on the Angels. Toronto is currently battling for a postseason position whether that's a division title or wild card berth. Meanwhile the Los Angeles of Anaheim are way out of it from a standings standpoint in the AL West. As a Philadelphia native I got a chance to see south Jersey native Mike Trout of Anaheim. I left early however was able to get a Disney Mickey Mouse Angels giveaway. The stadium reminds me of the Vet in Philadelphia. The back in the day cookie cutter stadiums that were constructed for baseball and football. Nonetheless it was an excellent experience.

Historical Dodger Stadium

During a recent visit to Los Angeles I wanted an opportunity to take a look at Dodger Stadium.
Originally from Philadelphia and visiting California for the first time I wanted to see the historical stadium. In previous years I've even read up on the controversy that took place in the Chavez Ravine neighborhood as the Dodgers transitioned from Brooklyn to Los Angeles. Several Mexican Americans were displaced from their homes. They were also promised various things that they never received. When I pulled up to Vin Scully Way which is the Gate A entrance to Dodger Stadium I immediately thought of the history for the stadium, the organization and the legendary announcer who's retiring at seasons end. As a Philadelphia Phillies fan I immediately think of the 2008 NLCS an epic come from behind victory in Game 4 and NL pennant clinching Game 5 victory in this very stadium. Obviously there's much more Major League Baseball history as well at this venue. My visit was brief I didn't enter the stadium it was a non game day. Yet just being on the perimeter I was internally excited to take in the history. Maybe if the chance presents itself again to come to Southern California I'll have a chance to actually go to a Dodgers game.

NFC QB Shuffle

Let's see Week one of the 2016 NFL season isn't even officially here however there are some quarterback movement going on in the NFC. Teddy Bridgewater went down with a gruesome non contact injury during Vikings practice during the week. Less then a week later Sam Bradford has been traded from Philadelphia to Minnesota. The Eagles will start rookie quarterback Carson Wentz week one. The second overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft cost the Eagles a first round pick that was sent to Cleveland. Who's actually the Eagles opening opponent. Stay with me people ! The Eagles went from not having a 2017 1st round pick with the draft coming to Philadelphia to flipping Bradford for a 1st rounder, probably a 4th rounder and maybe a 2nd rounder from a conditional standpoint. Meanwhile Bradford goes to a team that won the NFC North and has solid pieces around him in Minneapolis. Down in Dallas Tony Romo will miss significant time again with another back injury. Mark Sanchez was traded from Philadelphia to Denver during the off season. Yet became expendable after the pre season after not being named the Broncos starting quarterback. Sanchez will come to Dallas to add depth at the position and back up the rookie Dak Prescott. As the world I mean as the quarterback turns !

Even When You Silent Protest Like Kap Still Doesn't Sit Well With The Masses

Athletes of today sometimes don't understand the platform that they have. Especially the minority athletes. Probably in that back of their collective and individual minds it's a fear of losing endorsements or eventually being black balled out of whatever league they may play in. Colin Kaepernick whether he's opting to sit or recently kneel and not completely stand during the national anthem would appear to be his right as an American. However the backlash especially the negative racist comments are part of the reason why he's part taking in the silent protest that he's doing. If you riot as a minority after injustice it's labeled wrong. If you silent protest like Kap by not standing and saluting flag pre game during the anthem then the label is your non American. Rhetorical question unless your completely compliant to what the powers to be want you to say or want you to act...will it ever be good enough ? No matter what form of enough is enough stance you take. Thankfully for Kap from a financial standpoint he has to guaranteed money coming his way. Sunday slate of Week 1 NFL games kickoff and it'll be on 9/11. So certainly all eyes will be on the San Francisco sideline pre game. In Rio Gabby Douglas stood yet no hand over her heart. She was subjected to non American talk. Yet Donald Trump has done the same. Yet haven't received identical feedback. What did Don King used to say "Only in America".

The Bolt Through History

We watched him as a 22 year old in Beijing 8 years ago. Where he first became an Olympic star.
We watched him as a 26 year old in London 4 years ago. Where he proved he could light the Olympics up once again.
We watched him in Rio in 2016 as a 30 year old. Where he cemented his legacy.
He made his country of Jamaica proud.
He made his lead endorser Puma proud.
He made fans of the Olympics proud.
He made fans of track and field proud.
Winning 3 straight golds in 3 straight events for 3 straight Olympics.
In the words of Jay Z "What more can I say" "What more can I do"
Usain Bolt literally bolted his way into the history books. Prior to the Olympics he was nursing a hamstring injury. Then with all the money on the table in 2 individual events and 1 team event the after burners came on. He's cocky, he's arrogant, yet ain't a damn thing anyone can do about it. He backs it up and then some. Tremendous showmen. He say's he's retiring. Their will be no Tokyo 2020. If so brilliant way to go out.

Despite Deficiencies USA Men Remain Golden

The last 3 Olympics have belonged to the USA Men's Basketball team. Since their shocking 3rd place finish in 2004 the Americans have won back to back to back gold medals. Argentina took the gold medal after beating the United States in the semifinals over in Athens 12 years ago. Since then the US has beaten Spain twice during the gold medal game. 2008 in Beijing and 2012 in London. Recently the US squad blew away Serbia in Rio during the gold medal game. However the United States may have caught a break playing Serbia opposed to Australia. In the preliminary rounds 3 countries gave the US all they could handle. France minus Tony Parker, young and upcoming Serbia, then Australia led by Patty Mills and Adrew Bogut. Yes red white and blue went 8-0 throughout the tournament, however deficiencies showed especially in those 3 contest that were decided by narrow scores. Led by Olympic veterans Carmelo Anthony (12 years ago he was in Athens playing for the bronze medal squad) and Kevin Durant the USA pulled those close contest out. No Kobe in Rio or Lebron or Curry. So many first timers on the team and it showed at times on offense and defense. Yet finally they put it all together in the gold medal game route of Serbia. Nevertheless the powers to be of USA Basketball will have to do somethings differently when they construct the 2020 team that will head to Tokyo.
A team that will communicate on defense and move the ball on offense.