Month: February 2009 (Page 28 of 57)

      Swedish wrestler loses bid to have medal reinstated

      February 16, 2009 /

      Remember the Swedish wrestler who protested his bronze medal by leaving it at the podium in the Beijing Olympics? Well apparently he wants the medal reinstated, but an Olympic court told him to shove off.

      Ara AbrahamianThe sporting world’s highest court on Monday rejected an appeal by Swedens’ Ara Abrahamian to have his Olympic bronze medal for wrestling reinstated.

      The Court of Arbitration for Sport said that Abrahamian’s behaviour was “in breach of the Olympic Charter and of the IOC Protocol Guide” when the wrestler discarded his medal in protest during the Beijing Olympics.

      Abrahamian was subsequently stripped of his medal.

      “Such behaviour was not justified, even though the athlete had the personal conviction that several sporting decisions related to his semi-final at the Olympic Games were not correct,” said the CAS.

      Abrahamian dumped his bronze medal on the floor in protest at the judging in the Greco-Roman wrestling event and was subsequently disqualified from the Beijing Olympics last year.

      Abrahamian thought he had beaten Andrea Minguzzi, the eventual gold medalist, in the semi-finals, but the match was awarded to the Italian.

      The Swede grudgingly climbed the podium after finishing third in the 84kg class but he left the medal at the centre of the competition mat before stalking off with his fist raised.

      Nice stand, guy. You throw a tantrum, protest your medal by leaving it behind and then months later you ask for it back? Come on, bro. If you want to make a stand, then make a stand. Don’t backpedal after you realized you overreacted.

      The Olympics

      Vick to be suspended?

      February 16, 2009 /

      Peter King of SI.com fully expects NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to suspend Michael Vick for at least a year after he’s released from prison.

      Michael Vick6. I think I wouldn’t touch Pacman Jones. But I might be interested in Michael Vick. Keep this in mind: Even if Vick’s free in mid-July, as he might be, I fully expect Vick to be hit with a suspension from the league of as long as a year. I don’t believe he’d be available to play until at least opening day 2010. At that time, it will have been 44 months since he played a football game. Vick will be 30. If I had a moderate need at quarterback, and I knew Vick would be amenable to play different positions, and I knew Vick was in pretty good condition, I’d make a conditional-pick deal for him — say, a fifth-round pick that could rise to a second- with the right incentives. Vick certainly had a dark side, and he was a liar. But I’m not sure he’s a lost cause. He’s been humbled, been stripped to the core, and he might be ready for a last chance at redemption. If not, a fifth-round pick was worth the risk. We’re a country of second chances.

      The only problem with giving up even a fifth round pick for Vick is that that team would then take on the rest of his salary, which is an insurmountable amount of money for a player fresh out of prison. Obviously a team can work with Vick’s agent to restructure his contract (and they’d have to), but that seems like more of hassle then it’s worth. Why not just wait for the Falcons to release him?

      NFL

      Bills’ Marshawn Lynch arrested on gun charge

      February 16, 2009 /

      According to News 4 Buffalo, Bills’ running back Marshawn Lynch was arrested in California last week on felony charges of possession of a concealed firearm.

      Marshawn LynchLynch was released on a $35,000 bond. The case now moves to the District Attorney.

      This afternoon, the Buffalo Bills issued the following statement through VP of Communications Scott Berchtold:

      “We can confirm that Marshawn was arrested in California and has retained an attorney. We are in the process of trying to gather the facts and will not offer a comment while that process is ongoing.”
      It is the second brush with the law for Lynch in the last year. He was involved in a hit and run incident in downtown Buffalo in May 2008. He pled guilty to failing to use sufficient care to avoid hitting a pedestrian and was fined $100 dollars.

      Lynch was not suspended by the NFL for that incident, but could face suspension this time for both the charge and repeat offender status.

      There are two main problems here. One, this is Lynch’s second major off field incident in his career, the first being when he struck a woman with his SUV and then left her there to fend for herself. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will surely hand down a fine and suspension and the Bills could be without their starting running back for part of the season next year.

      The second issue is what would have come from this situation had the police not stopped and arrested Lynch. What was the next move with the gun? Was he just carrying it for protection? Probably, but what if Lynch planned to use it? I can’t believe after all Plaxico Burress has gone through with his gun charge, that Lynch would be so stupid.

      NFL

      Jeff Reed goes one on one with towel dispenser…and loses.

      February 15, 2009 /

      The Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers have a real winner on their hands in kicker Jeff Reed.

      Reed, 29, one of the most effective field goal kickers in the NFL, was charged with disorderly conduct and criminal mischief shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday.

      According to a state police press release, Reed damaged a towel dispenser inside the men’s room at a Sheetz gas station on Route 22 in New Alexandria after he became infuriated that it did not contain towels.

      Store employees told state police that they heard Reed “banging on something and that it was really loud.” The employees said Reed then left the bathroom “using profane language in a loud manner” and stating that there were no towels in the restroom.

      State police cited Reed with disorderly conduct and criminal mischief, which carry a maximum fine of $300 and 90 days in jail each. Next, the case goes before a magistrate.

      You know, if Reed would have just remembered what Towelie from South Park always says, he wouldn’t have been in that predicament.

      NFL

      Bucs, Lions, Jets not interested in Vick

      February 15, 2009 /

      Michael VickThree teams – the Buccaneers, Lions and Jets – have all stated publicly that they’re not interested in acquiring Michael Vick when the Falcons make him available via a trade this offseason.

      Atlanta GM Thomas Dimitroff recently said that the Falcons will be actively shopping Vick’s rights this offseason, but as I wrote on Saturday, he’s going to have one hell of a time finding a suitor.

      Vick is due $9 million in 2009, $10.5 million in 2010, $12 million in 2011, $12.5 million in 2012 and $13.5 million in 2013. He’s also owed $6.43 million in roster bonuses this season. Why would any team take on that kind of salary obligation, plus the media frenzy, plus give up a draft pick to acquire Vick? It’s ludicrous.

      The Falcons will wind up cutting Vick and eating a portion of his salary, which is ridiculous considering how much hell he put them through in 2007. He almost single handily killed their ’07 season and now they have to pay the a-hole after they cut him? Doesn’t seem fair, but I guess so was signing him to a 10-year, $130 million contract in 2004, too.

      Make no mistake – there will be suitors for Vick after Atlanta cuts him. But teams won’t dare say they want him now, especially not at the asking price.

      NFL

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