![](\"http:\/\/www.prepspotlight.com\/uploads\/Ta\/0c\/Ta0cpQ3o0Azq55Q4E1LYaQ\/thumb-OJ-Mayo-Two-Hand-jam.jpg\")
down on USC freshman standout O.J. Mayo because he accepted complimentary tickets<\/a> to the Lakers-Nuggets game last week.\u00a0 Granted there has been no official comment by the NCAA, but it is clear that Mayo violated the “letter of the rule” that states that no athlete can receive gifts because of their status when he accepted the tickets from Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony.\u00a0 It is certainly NOT against the “spirit of the rule” to punish Mayo for accepting tickets from someone he has known since 7th grade.<\/li>\n![](\"http:\/\/www.ncaa.org\/ithelp\/ncaaLogo90b.jpg\")
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (again).<\/strong>\u00a0 <\/em>The story about which I posted yesterday<\/a>\u00a0may not have as happy of an ending\u00a0as everyone may hope if the NCAA, again, sticks by the “letter of the law.”\u00a0\u00a0Ron Hunter coached his IUPUI Jaguars\u00a0yesterday in bare feet to raise awareness to the lack of\u00a0affordable shoes in Africa.\u00a0 He plans to deliver\u00a0some of the shoes he raised\u00a0personally to Nigeria in July.\u00a0\u00a0There is talk that, though his team would all like to join him, the NCAA will not allow the school or anyone else to pay for that trip.\u00a0 Again, this is a letter vs. spirit\u00a0of the rule debate.\u00a0\u00a0The NCAA is supposed to uphold the mission of its universities–education–and I cannot think of a better educational experience than a humanitarian trip to Nigeria.<\/li>\n![](\"http:\/\/www.nationwidespeakers.com\/images\/biopics\/Rick_Majerus.jpg\")
First of all (not that I think it matters), Majerus was there as a private citizen.\u00a0\u00a0He was not there as a representative of the school in any way.\u00a0\u00a0Second of all, he is\u00a0not the president or provost or even a dean of the school.\u00a0 He is the basketball coach.\u00a0 Third\u00a0of all, there is absolutely no reason that employment at a\u00a0Catholic university requires 100% agreement with every doctrine of the\u00a0Catholic church.\u00a0 Majerus, a Catholic himself, and every other employee of Catholic schools (or any school, for that matter) around the country, should be able to\u00a0believe anything they wish.\u00a0 Accepting employment\u00a0at a specific\u00a0institution is not a concession of one’s Freedom of Speech.<\/li>\n![](\"http:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/gfx\/topstory\/sports\/sharapova_maria040805.jpg\")
of the media calling for<\/a> “punishment” for Maria Sharapova because of her dad’s “throat-slitting gesture” after defeating the world’s #1, Justine Henin this week.\u00a0 The WTA–correctly, in my estimation–dismissed the act as a “joke.”\u00a0 First of all, what should they do as “punishment?”\u00a0 Second of all, why is Sharapova even accountable for her father’s actions?\u00a0 And, finally, how is his “throat-slitting motion” so offensive.\u00a0 He is not telling her to kill someone.\u00a0 He was not even referring to her opponent.\u00a0 This whole this is ridiculous.<\/li>\n![](\"http:\/\/www.findsoftonline.com\/thumbnails\/tom-brady-screensaver-thumb-28038.jpg\")
feeding frenzy for the national media leading up to the Super Bowl, so this one does not surprise me, but it still needs to stop.\u00a0 Why is everyone so concerned about (a) Tom Brady’s boot, and (b) Tom Brady’s flower delivery methods?\u00a0 I understand that he is the most important player in the most important sporting event of the year, but does anyone think he may not play?\u00a0 And, does anyone think that he will really be affected?\u00a0 I still kind of understand it, but why is everyone so hung up on the flowers?\u00a0 Who cares?\u00a0 No, really, who cares?<\/li>\n![](\"http:\/\/jessicasimpson.celebden.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/12\/tony-jessica-simpson.jpg\")
The NFL Gossip.<\/strong>\u00a0 <\/em>What I understand even less is this whole gossip meets football obsession with Tony Romo, Jessica Simpson and their relationship<\/a>.\u00a0 Now, maybe I am just not used to being thrust into the world of entertainment gossip, but is this really news?\u00a0 And, why do we care?\u00a0 Again, maybe I am not the audience for which these stories are intended, but…WHY ARE THEY ON ESPN?<\/li>\n![](\"http:\/\/www.adventure-sport.net\/images\/stories\/male\/_snowboarding_Winter_x_games_002.jpg\")
and have any of you ever <\/em>watched the X-Games?\u00a0 In fact, do any of you even know someone that has ever watched the X-Games?\u00a0 Why does it take up valuable ESPN airtime.\u00a0 This has bothered me for, well, about 13 years now (after the novelty wore off).\u00a0 We successfully eradicated hockey from the ESPN airwaves, why have we not done the same to the X-Games?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"There are many things going on the\u00a0world of sports that I find utterly ridiculous.\u00a0 Here is a brief list of sporting institutions that I think need to calm down and shut up: The National Collegiate Athletic Association.\u00a0 There is talk … Continue reading