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News and Events

Al vs. Jerry: The Preseason Power Bowl

August 12th, 2010

Al Davis

Tonight, at 9:00 p.m. ET, the Oakland Raiders will roll with the Silver and Black into the home of America’s team, the Dallas Cowboys. This is the Power Bowl. Outside of Jerry and Al, only the Cincinnati Bengals’ owner Mike Brown wears the title General Manager of his own team.

Yes, it’s just the preseason, but there’s something about Al and Jerry that just make us all want to watch. Can’t you just see it already? Jerry pacing the sidelines late in the third quarter. Al sitting up high in a box somewhere behind the huge scoreboard. In typical Al hyperbole, he compared Jason Campbell to Jim Plunkett yesterday. I’m a Campbell fan, but I have to see a bit more before I would make such a claim. But this IS AL! It’s all the best, the most, the greatest – that’s what keeps him going.

Both figures have become almost larger than life in popular culture. Come on, who else but Al could still wear Members Only and feel it’s a good look? Who else could build a stadium the size of three surrounding cities than Jerry? While they may be the butt of jokes and roasts throughout the world, not a single fan can deny their impact on the game of football. It wouldn’t be the same game without them. Al has been General Manager of the Oakland Raiders since 1966 – that’s longer than Generation X and Y have been alive. According to him, he’ll hang around for a long time; Al said that he would not retire until he wins two more Super Bowls or dies.

Jerry Jones

Jerry’s been around a much shorter time, but he’s been no less an imposing figure in the sport. After making a whole lotta money in oil, Jones decided to buy himself a team. Like Al, he came in guns blazing and firing folks. In 1989, he came in and fired Tom Landry, the only man to coach the Cowboys to that point. He then fired the general manager and assumed complete control. Even if you’re not a football fan, you’ve seen Jerry and his stadium in commercials and on TV shows like Entourage.

Watching the media hype about both owners is like putting extra icing on a layer cake when you know you shouldn’t. It’s not the best thing for you, but dang it tastes good!

LINKS:

Silver and Black Report, Al Davis Interview, 8/11/10: Al Interview

History of the Raiders: Oakland Timeline

History of the Cowboys: Dallas Timeline

Party With a Purpose With Jewell Green

April 21st, 2010

Spend your Saturday in a fun, giving way: Party with a Purpose with Jewell Green, wife of Pro-Football Hall of Famer Darrell Green

Read the rest of this entry »

Nnamdi Asomugha Wins JB Award

April 15th, 2010

NFL Players Past and Present Recognized or Giving!

The NFL Players Gala featuring the JB Awards bring out the best. On Wednesday evening, the honorees stood before a packed house at the Mandarin Oriental in Washington, DC while the highlights of their altruism were shared with the audience. These men have given tremendously, as do other players. But why were these particular players selected? According to JB, “These athletes contribute to the success of every life they touch with countless acts of encouragement and leadership.”

The winner of the Byron “Whizzer” White Award was none other than a Sideline Pass fan favorite – Nnamdi Asomugha. Last year, we followed him on the field and he was also selected by fans as the AFC Cutie of the Year! But little did we know this Oakland Raider Cornerback was the ultimate humanitarian.

“I learned to give by watching my father,” said the Pro Bowl player. Surprised and humbled by his selection, he spoke from the heart, sharing tales of watching his father give to children in his neighborhood. According to Nnamdi, giving is just what one does – not an option. He was in great company with the other nominees:
• Matt Birk (Baltimore Ravens)
• John Carlson (Seattle Seahawks),
• Danny Clark (New York Giants),
• Mike Furrey (Cleveland Browns),
• Marlin Jackson (Philadelphia Eagles),
• Bradie James (Dallas Cowboys) and
• Madieu Williams (Minnesota Vikings)
These men had the honor of being selected by fellow NFL’ers who witnessed their dedication through the year and throughout the country – not just on the field. Benefiting Special Olympics, the Silent Auction and donations were a wonderful way for fans and community to lend support as well.

Last year’s winner, Brian Dawkins, was on hand to salute Nnamdi and share his support. Also attending were other players receiving awards for their giving spirits:
• Percy Harvin, JB “Emerging Leader” Award
• Maurice Jones-Drew, JB “Empowering Youth” Award
• London Fletcher, Special Olympics “Athletes’ Choice” Award
• Ray Rice, Special Olympics “Athletes’ Choice” Award
• Pierre Garçon, Kenny Washington Award
• …and more!

It was a great night!

Big Ben’s FREE to go and will get help – but what about her?

April 12th, 2010

by Mia Jackson

Long weeks have rolled by since we first heard the story: college student accuses Pittsburgh Steeler QB Ben Roethlisberger of “rape.” It’s such an angering, painful word but if it happened, that’s the exact feeling we should have about it. Georgia’s Ocmulgee County DA Fred Bright sounded like he was hoping he’d find a tad bit more evidence. Clearly, as he said, he didn’t have enough evidence to prove to a 12-person jury beyond a reasonable doubt that Ben committed the crime. “I know when I have a case,” Bright said while standing behind the podium to media the likes he’s probably rarely seen, if ever.

As we all know, there are three sides to every story, and we’ll never know the third story, or rather the honest truth. Both parties are likely to have their own truths about the evening that may or may not omit key points. What everyone knows for sure: she was drunk, he was drunk and there was some sort of sexual activity. According to ESPN’s interview with Roger Cossack, the young woman wrote a letter on March 17th saying that she no longer wanted to pursue this. “There’s all kind of reasons why a young woman may not want to go through this, said Cossack. He goes on to say, “they’re embarrassing, they’re humiliating, it’s pretty clear that she’d been doing a substantial amount of drinking,” as he shows how the DA would make this determination. At the bare minimum, it was a case of poor judgment. If she was forced against her will while under the influence of alcohol, all of a sudden it’s a completely different case. We don’t want it to be so. In our civilized country, we’d like to believe that it doesn’t matter if the woman was drinking or not. But it does – or else they wouldn’t bring it up every single time the subject is discussed.

“But something in the wash ain’t clean!”

This is certainly not to say that I know what happened or will even venture to guess. But I will say, as the old folks that I grew up around would always proclaim in a situation like this: “somethin’ in the wash ain’t clean.” Fans of the city and the much-loved team don’t want to believe that this could be so. Neither do I. But I also don’t want to believe that a heinous crime could be committed against a young girl and the perpetrator’s fame would prohibit her from seeking justice. Whatever the case may be, it just stinks to high heaven – every last bit of it.

Perhaps it’s impossible for me to see this from a neutral perspective. As the mother of a 20 year-old female college student, I couldn’t help but watch this story from that particular frame of reference. As such, I would also believe my child – I wouldn’t need airtight evidence. I hope that her family can get the young lady the support she needs as she tries to sort all of this out. We know that Big Ben will get his support. A full league of professionals including Commissioner Roger Goodell, Coach Mike Tomlin and The Rooneys will see to that; there’s too much money riding on his stability. With no Super Bowls riding on her sanity, I don’t know how it will turn out for her. But I’ll say a prayer.

“Estrogen is pretty strong, too.” A New Day in Coaching

March 17th, 2010

Natalie Randolph, Coach of the Calvin Coolidge High School Colts

Coach Natalie Randolph

Natalie Randolph takes over as high school coach at Calvin Coolidge High School in Washington, DC. She has answered question after question about whether her gender would limit her ability to teach young men on the field. (What if they drilled every teacher like this? But I digress.) I was determined to listen to all sides before I rendered any opinion. Then, in the interview where they were asking about all the testosterone, she confidently chimed in, “estrogen is pretty strong.” It’s that simple! She IS strong – and caring, and smart, and a woman.

We’re not kidding ourselves here. Football is tough. It’s gritty, dirty and quite frankly I would not want to be the coach – even if had the Y-chromosome. It’s just not my cup of coffee. I love it from the sidelines. But for those who opt to pore over playbooks and get their shoes muddy, I say more power to you my sisters.

Growing up as a girl in the U.S., we are told in every preschool class through college curriculum: women can have it all! Now we’re told, “Sure – women can rule the world. They just can’t rule the football field.” DC sports talk has run rampant with hyper-discussion about what this move means for the team. Now the conversation is spreading throughout the nation. Listening to the young men, it’s no problem. They already know and trust her. And remember, they grew up in a world with women doctors, lawyers and heads of household. Some of this may seem far less unfamiliar to them than to those in my generation and above.

I had to think carefully about this topic as I tend to lean toward the old-fashioned conservative side – if you know me, you know that. And frankly, I put myself in the position of the moms on the sidelines and wondered if I’d want my son under such scrutiny. My question was never whether or not Ms. Randolph “could” lead the team or understand complicated schemes. Yes, she can have the opportunity to prove her ability like any other football loving-willing to forego any semblance of a social life-coach out there. But I thought about the constant cameras. Then I thought about recruiting time and college choices- it just kept going. That’s what we moms do often – we worry forward. Then I listened to Coach Randolph and she reminded me just how strong we are. And with that, I made up my mind.

If you understand the game, know the game, love the game, AND you are going to treat my child like he’s your own? Girl, take the clipboard! Sideline Pass will follow the Colts this year and report back. COACH Randolph, you’ve got a lot of football loving ladies here to support you.

Interview Links:

Natalie Randolph on CNN

Natalie Randolph on CBS

Top Ten Reasons LT’s a Jet

March 17th, 2010

LT Loves New York!

I will miss watching LaDainian take the field in the powder blue throwback next season, but I am excited by the thought of seeing his fire again. For half of last season it was as if he were on the edge, on the cusp, waiting for “something”, but it all didn’t come together. Some of the media tried to make his decision part of the Favre After-Season Special, but it isn’t. There were plenty of reasons he chose the NY Jets. Here’s what we think.

He’ll Play Ball. Backing up Adrian Peterson was not the most promising move if you’re still determined to prove your ability. Even with AP’s guaranteed fumble follies, he’s the first choice. Period. With Thomas Jones gone, he has much more a chance to be a significant part of a 1-2 Shonn Greene/LT running attack.
No New Playbook. “I’ll just say this: This is my type of football,” Tomlinson said. Had he chosen to go to Minnesota, he would have had to learn a brand new language. After all these years, he’s better served spending that time staying healthy.
Little Marty-Ball. Marty Schottenheimer’s son Brian serves as the Jets’ offensive coordinator. He was in San Diego with LT for five seasons so they have familiarity. They go way back.
Tony Richardson. Three-time Pro-Bowler Tony Richardson is one of the best fullbacks out there. He was a lead blocker for Priest Holmes, Larry Johnson, and for Adrian Peterson’s rookie season. He, too, is getting up there in years but no doubt he can read the field like nobody’s business. Guarantees a few more yards.
The Baby Clothes Shopping is Better! No doubt his wife LaTorsha would prefer the happenings and lifestyle in NYC. Who could forget the tears he cried when found out they were pregnant after such a heartbreaking miscarriage and many disappointments? Mrs. LT had a say for sure.
Sanchez is Cool! The lure of a young, confident but not arrogant QB Mark Sanchez is bringing back Namath memories even for those to young to really have them.
New Yorkers already like LTs. Remember that other LT? The Hall of Fame guy. Well he passed on his custom tailor – and it’ll be easy to get dinner and theater reservations.
Better Weather. Moving East is already a big deal. New clothes, driving in snow. Still a chore, but much easier in NY than MN.
It Fits Nice. They want him (today). They like him (today). This is NY. And they were the HOTTEST team besides the Saints at the end of last season.
Cool Background Music. Pick a music genre and you’ll find a great NY song! Theater? Jazz? Hip Hop? Ol’ School Rap? L.T. just couldn’t find a Jay-Z song about Minnesota for the iPod. (I personally think this was the biggest reason that LT is a Jet.) – Admit, you’re singing..”New York..concrete jungle where dreams are made of…”