Back Porch Nfl

Under the guise of the United We Serve initiative, President Barack Obama teamed up with Drew Brees, Troy Polamalu and DeMarcus Ware to school a bunch of kids in tag football on the White House's South Lawn. All in the name of stressing the importance of fitness for America's youth.

Via the press release: "In support of NFL PLAY 60, all Thanksgiving weekend games will raise awareness of the childhood obesity epidemic and showcase the NFL and its clubs' commitment to help reverse this trend."

Hey, sometimes sedentary, preteen gamers need a little tough love when it comes to actually getting outside long enough to break a sweat. Or maybe I'm overselling it a bit. Slow-motion, NFL Films-inspired video of the 90-second public service announcement after the jump:

The Jaguars have always had trouble convincing people to attend games in person. Blackouts are a Sunday staple in Jacksonville, and owner Wayne Weaver has taken to throwing tarps over sections of the upper deck, MLS style, to make the stadium look less empty.

A group of local business folks calling themselves Touchdown Jacksonville are working to reinvigorate an apathetic fan base. The short-term plan is to pack the house for the Dec. 17 game against the Colts (they're calling it ... "Ultimate TEALgate"!), and running back Maurice Jones-Drew is helping with the recruitment effort. "As a team, we're enjoying the moment, and we want the city to enjoy it with us," Jones-Drew said. "If you guys are having a great time, I promise I'll have a great time. I'm going to dance and sing."

The FanHouse Podcast: Because bloggers are much sexier on the phone.

Jerry Rice needs no introduction, but I'll give him one anyway: the guy was a decent NFL wide receiver over his 21-year career, winning multiple Super Bowls and setting a few records en route to becoming the G.O.A.T.

So, when the kind folks at Gillette offered FanHouse the chance to speak with Rice, we jumped at the opportunity. We got his thoughts on the state of the 49ers and Raiders, and specifically their new rookie wideouts, Michael Crabtree and Darius Heyward-Bey.

Talking after the jump.

More proof that Brett Favre is everywhere: detainees at a Wisconsin National Guard camp in Iraq are invoking his name solely to get a rise out of the Green Bay Packers-supporting soldiers.

Even in war, Favre is a nuisance. WTMJ reports:

Not sure Jeremy Shockey should be the final arbiter of who's fit to play in the NFL and who isn't, but he took to Twitter to explain to all the football simpletons that LeBron James couldn't cut it. Just in case that wasn't obvious from the outset.


The thing is, after James made the comments, and Browns head coach Eric Mangini offered a "come on down," some people figured all that was left to do was sign the contract and get him fitted for a a uniform. Not sure how it got to that point, but thankfully, Shockey, who came out of retirement this season to resume his career (Wait, he was in the league last year? Really?), has set us straight.

I think I'd be less appalled if Joe Flacco and Ray Lewis actually got married. Instead, we're treated to some hardcore Ravens fans celebrating their nuptials by donning the jerseys of their favorite players and forcing the wedding party to do the same.

And no homage to the unexceptional would be complete without the groom busting out the Ray-Ray Dance. (He forgot to rub grass all over himself! Bogus!)

Video madness after the jump.

The National Football League has a twisted relationship with beer. Some of its biggest advertisers are beer companies, and teams make big money from selling beer in stadiums. But, as Michael McCarthy details in USA Today, the league also tries hard to avoid embarrassing scenes of drunken fans getting unruly and violent in the stands.

Rex Ryan is known for a bunch of things -- being the Son of Buddy, his aggressiveness as a defensive coordinator, a predilection for flapping his gums, and now, his willingness to cry in front of his team.

After the Jets lost to the Jags Sunday, the first-year head coach held a post-game blubberfest. It's one thing for, say, Dick Vermeil to get emotional. (By the end of his career you got the sense that Vermeil got misty-eyed during Hallmark commercials.) It's something else entirely when a 340-pound hard ass does it.

Jets wideout Jerricho Cotchery was unfazed by the tears, saying "These are the guys you love playing for ... It makes you want it that much more, because he's standing on the line for us."

But Jets fans were less impressed.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell isn't known for his sense of humor. Or his ability to smile. Or for doing much else outside of handing down fines to stifle would-be celebrators, both players and owners.

But Brad Blanks caught up with Goodell at the Blind Side premiere, and the commish appeared to be in good spirits.

Video proof after the jump.