Sideline Pass Cutie of the Week 12-20-09

Choose Your Cutie!
By Nkeshi Free

Dustin Keller

Dustin Keller

I admit, I have a thing for tight ends (who doesn’t), but ladies, I’m talking about the position (lol)! Dustin Keller of the New York Jets is a young tight end, with much potential. Only in his second season, Keller was selected out of Purdue 30th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. Keller finished his rookie season ranked second among other first year tight ends with 48 receptions for 535 yards and three touchdowns. This season he’s played in all 14 games, and has 41 receptions for 494 yards and two touchdowns and is on track to surpass if not equal his rookie season record. This NFL “tenderoni” has a bright future in the league and will have no problem joining fellow teammates, Mark Sanchez and Braylon Edwards, in capturing the hearts of female fans. Someone once said to me that I will run out of fine men to feature, but as long as cuties like Keller enter the league each year, it is my moral duty to females everywhere to research and help promote the fineness that could go under the radar.

Nnamdi Asomugha

Nnamdi Asomugha

I don’t know about you, but I will jump in the famed “Black Hole” for Nnamdi Asomugha!  There are no words to describe this fine man!!!  Yes, ladies, I have found another “Pretty Boy” member of Kappa Alpha Psi to add to the list.  I know that I’m supposed to talk about his stats and his football skills, but I can’t get past his physical contributions to the game.  I spent many happy hours trying to find the just right picture to help you appreciate this talented cornerback for the Oakland Raiders.  Drafted in 2003, from the University of California Berkeley, by the Oakland Raiders, Asomugha is a two time Pro Bowler and considered one of the best cornerbacks in the league.  In fact in 2008 the Raiders placed the “exclusive franchise tag” on Asomugha to keep him on the team and he was the Raiders’ 2008 Co-Most Valuable Player with teammate Justin Fargas.  While I’ve only scratched the surface of his on field statistics, I don’t have enough space or time to highlight his commitment to community service.  Asomugha serves as the chairman of the Orphans and Widows in Need (OWIN) Foundation which provides food, shelter, medicine, vocational training, and literacy efforts for displaced widows and orphans in Nigeria and he plans to build more shelters in other countries in Africa.  He gives back to his former high school distributing backpacks to the incoming freshman and shoes for the football and basketball teams, which was written into his Nike contract.  Since 2006 he has provided college tours to disadvantaged youth in Oakland, and all of the participants that graduated high school have gone on to attend college.  In early 2009 Former President Bill Clinton invited Asomugha to participate in the Clinton Global Initiative University to discuss the importance of global service and activism.  Beauty is truly skin deep and while he is FINE, Asomugha’s heart is what makes this “Pretty Boy” look so good!

Ronde Barber

Ronde Barber

Is it live or… well you know the rest and no ladies, you are not seeing double, but what a visual treat when it comes to the Bootie, I mean Barber brothers (lol).  Identical twins Jamael Oronde (Ronde) and Atiim Kiambu (Tiki) Barber have long been favorites on and off the field and they have proven that although they are identical, they have their own personality.  After the 1997 NFL draft the brothers were separated for the first time when Barber was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and brother Tiki was drafted by the New York Giants.  After a disappointing rookie season, Barber went on to excel as one of the league’s top cornerbacks under former head coach Tony Dungy and in 2001 he was selected to the first of five Pro Bowl appearances. In 2003, Barber distinguished himself from other defensive players when he sealed the Buccaneers’ win with a 92-yeard interception for touchdown return against the Philadelphia Eagles leading to the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl appearance and ultimate win.  In 2007, Barber captured a Buccaneers’ team record for the most interceptions when he recorded his 32nd interception and he is the longest-tenured member of the Buccaneers.   While Barber and his twin Tiki have much in common physically and stellar professional football careers,  there is one way to tell the brothers apart…..Ronde Barber has  a Super Bowl ring.