Back Porch FanHouse

Vince Lombardi Headed to Broadway

Tom Ziller — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:52:00 EST

by Tom Ziller

Filed under: NFL

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times reports that on Monday producers will announce plans to take a play based on the life of Vince Lombardi to Broadway. The play, adapted by a Packers fan, will be based on David Maraniss's respected Lombardi bio When Pride Still Mattered, a tome considered more nuanced than you'd expect given the mythical aura surrounding the legendary coach.

Sadly, Lombardi will not be a musical, leaving open the gaping void of football-based showtunes in our cruel world. No beads on who will play the icon, and I'm afraid we won't be able to convince David Cross to put on 75 pounds to take the role. Sandomir reports the play could hit Broadway in late 2010. Time to open up a Wisconsin-to-NYC tour bus service, entrepreneurs.

Vince Lombardi Headed to Broadway originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:52:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

High School Football Team Near Fort Hood Copes With Tragedy

Terrance Harris — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:45:00 EST

by Terrance Harris

Filed under: High School, Youth Sports

KILLEEN, Tex. -- The scene here at Leo Buckley Stadium late Friday night was reminiscent of most high school football venues across the country, as the Shoemaker Grey Wolves dealt with the reality their season was over.

Tears were shed, hugs were exchanged between players, coaches and players, coaches and coaches. Then the coaches thanked the seniors for great effort.

But this was no ordinary season-finale ritual for the Grey Wolves. Just over 24 hours earlier, many of them weren't sure if their parents or loved ones were injured -- or worse, killed -- in the deadly shooting rampage at Fort Hood, the nation's largest military base.

High School Football Team Near Fort Hood Copes With Tragedy originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

7-Foot-4 Brenden Adams Joins Middle School Football Team

Chris Sesno — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:07:00 EST

by Chris Sesno Pardon the pun, but the Morgan Middle School football team just gained a huge advantage over future opponents when 7-foot-4 Brendan Adams joined their team.

At just 14-years-old, Brendan is listed by the Guinness Book of World Records as the tallest teenage boy in the world. Brendan told Melissa Luck, an executive producer for KXLY4 in Spokane, Wash., "It was my 12th chromosome that broke in half and flipped over and reattached," although doctors have not yet diagnosed what exactly caused his rapid growth after birth.

While Luck's story does go into the medical details of Brendan's condition, he also told her that football is his favorite sport despite his mother previously prohibiting him from playing the game.

7-Foot-4 Brenden Adams Joins Middle School Football Team originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:07:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Lakers' Sasha Vujacic and Maria Sharapova Might Be Dating

Matt Watson — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST

by Matt Watson

Filed under: NBA

It certainly doesn't suck to be Sasha Vujacic. After hitching his star to Kobe Bryant, he and the rest of his teammates became the envy of the NBA, helping the Lakers win their 15th championship in franchise history. And now? After reportedly hooking up with Maria Sharapova, he's become the envy of men, period.

Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, I should note that Sharapova has yet to be seen at a Staples Center courtside seat wearing a Vujacic jersey (they sell those, right?), but the two were seen "cuddling up" in public at a recent U2 concert, as reported by CNBC's Darren Rovell. Clearly, that's enough to go on, right? OK, maybe not, but whatever is going on, Vujacic is in no hurry to set the record straight.

Lakers' Sasha Vujacic and Maria Sharapova Might Be Dating originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

New Mexico Women's Soccer Suspends Elizabeth Lambert

Michael David Smith — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Women's Sports

Elizabeth Lambert has been suspended from the New Mexico women's soccer program after a stunning series of cheap shots in a game against BYU that included hitting, kicking, shoving and pulling the hair of opposing players.

New Mexico Women's Soccer Suspends Elizabeth Lambert originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Elizabeth Lambert, New Mexico Women's Soccer Player, Plays Dirty vs. BYU

Michael David Smith — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Women's Sports

Elizabeth Lambert is a New Mexico women's soccer player who turned the BYU vs. New Mexico game in the Mountain West Conference Tournament this week into a brawl.

Lambert was seen elbowing, pushing, pulling hair and kicking BYU players in one of the most shocking displays of dirty play you'll ever see. BYU won the game 1-0, and BYU freshman forward Carlee Payne, who scored the only goal, said afterward that it was a rough game:

Elizabeth Lambert, New Mexico Women's Soccer Player, Plays Dirty vs. BYU originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

15 Years Later, 'Hoop Dreams' Is 'The Great American Documentary'

Michael David Smith — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: TV and Movies

Hoop Dreams was a simple, low-budget documentary about two high school basketball players in Chicago. But on the 15th anniversary of the film's release, Roger Ebert is hailing it as the great American documentary.

15 Years Later, 'Hoop Dreams' Is 'The Great American Documentary' originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Radiohead to Run Breeder's Cup

Will Brinson — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Horse Racing

No, don't freak out -- Thom Yorke won't be doing any left-turned sprints around a dirt track as a jockey whips his hide this weekend (at least not that I can confirm and/or report anyway), and his band doesn't actually doesn't even horse in the race either, as it might seem easy to insinuate.

Instead, it's just a horse named Radiohead, which is still pretty awesome from a pop culture perspective (and certainly better than being stuck in the desert on a horse with no name anyway).

Radiohead to Run Breeder's Cup originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Place Your Bets for Next Redskins Coach

Matt Snyder — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:40:00 EST

by Matt Snyder

Filed under: NFL

I guess it was only a matter of time. You can now place wagers on who the next Redskins' head coach will be. Though there is nothing official from the Redskins that they'll definitely terminate Jim Zorn at or before the conclusion of the season, online betting place Play Blackjack Online has compiled a list with odds of possible coaching candidates.

Place Your Bets for Next Redskins Coach originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Onion and Comedy Central Join Forces for a Satirical Sports Show

Will Brinson — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:20:00 EST

Filed under: Blogs, TV and Movies, Sports Media

Comedy Central and The Onion have long dominated their respective venues in terms of satirizing the tar out of the general news. There has been, however, a distinctively awkward void in the world of sports -- Versus attempted to fill this with their production of "Sports Soup" but when the best moment of that show includes Brandon Marshall hosting, well, it's pretty much doomed.

But it seems as if the humorous basic cable take on sports that we have all pined longingly for is about to emerge: CC and The Onion are joining forces to create a show. And, yeah, if you didn't just scream, "HOLY YES!" then you're a total, well, um, something.

The Onion and Comedy Central Join Forces for a Satirical Sports Show originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Porn Star Mary Carey Claims Dwight Howard Whipped It Out

Will Brinson — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: NBA

Sometimes, you hear rumors about NBA players doing crazy things with women. That's just part of the game, though. Do you know what I am saying? But still, when I heard that Dwight Howard allegedly (bold = important, obvs) whipped out his, ahem, member at porn star Mary Carey while in the bathroom of N'Sync member Chris Kirkpatrick's house, well, let's just say I was shocked.

But that's the story she was preaching on the radio earlier this week.

Porn Star Mary Carey Claims Dwight Howard Whipped It Out originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Texans' David Anderson Does a Pretty Decent Ron Jaworski Impersonation

Will Brinson — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:45:00 EST

Filed under: NFL

Okay, I'm just gonna throw this out there: David Anderson is the most underrated guy in the NFL. And no, not from a "talent" or "football" perspective -- I'm talking about humor. You hear all the time about big-name athletes and how funny they are, but guys like Anderson just somehow slip under the radar.

Yet, look at his short but amazing resume thus far: a Conan O'Brien touchdown celebration dance, showing up to training camp with the same "haircut" as Matt Schaub, then producing an instructional video on how to do said Conan dance and finally running for President of the Texans (WTF). Turns out, he does a pretty good Ron Jaworski impression, as he sits down (or stands up if you prefer) with my peeps from JockLife.com (via Hot Clicks) to flash his three sentence analyzing ability.

Texans' David Anderson Does a Pretty Decent Ron Jaworski Impersonation originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Ma Long Wins English Open, Competitive Table Tennis Is Intense

Michael David Smith — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Table Tennis

If you're like most Americans, you think of ping pong as a leisurely game played in people's basements. But in much of the rest of the world, table tennis is viewed as a highly competitive sport. And as you'll see if you watch some of the highlights from last weekend's English Open -- described as "the Wimbledon of table tennis" -- the sport can be incredibly intense.

Ma Long Wins English Open, Competitive Table Tennis Is Intense originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Colbert Nation Raises $40,000 Overnight As New US Speedskating Sponsor

Will Brinson — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: International Olympics, TV and Movies, Winter Sports, Sports Media, Figure Skating

Stephen Colbert announced -- in case you missed it or thought it was fake like his Republican-y shtick-- on Monday night that Colbert Nation would become the new primary sponsor of the US speedskating team for the Winter Olympics.

Colbert jumped in because, as is happening all over the country, the former main sponsor for the speedskating team, DSB Bank NV, a bank of sorts, had to back out of their sponsorship. (Oddly, banks aren't doing well right now in this fantastic financial time.)

But you know who apparently is doing well? Colbert Nation -- Stephen announced on Tuesday night's show that, despite Canadian hackers allegedly going after the donation link, on the first evening of sponsorship, his viewers had raised over $40,000 (!!) to back up the speedskating team. Moving picture happy funtime after the jump.

Colbert Nation Raises $40,000 Overnight As New US Speedskating Sponsor originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Tim Floyd Plays Peacemaker in Catfight

Chas Rich — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:20:00 EST

by Chas RichWell, at least Tim Floyd is not simply spending his free time down in Mississippi waiting to find out what the NCAA investigations will eventually/someday/maybe rule regarding O.J. Mayo and what kind of asylum he was running at USC.

No, Floyd has found time to go to the Morongo Resort and Casino in beautiful Cabazon, Calif. Apparently a place where things can get a little wild. Floyd waded hip deep into trying to break up a cat fight. Blogger Spencer Hall sees this as proof of a future as a bouncer at the casino. Judging by the women in the fight, and willingness to pick up a chair to attempt to go upside Floyd's head, I'd say he should be aiming to be security on the Maury Povich Show. Video after the jump.

Tim Floyd Plays Peacemaker in Catfight originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Brian Tribble, Friend of Len Bias, Works to Rehabilitate His Image

Michael David Smith — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:45:00 EST

Filed under: ESPN, TV and Movies

One of the fascinating things about Without Bias, the ESPN documentary about Len Bias that debuts Tuesday night (review here), is the frank, matter-of-fact way that Bias's friend Brian Tribble talks about the night that Bias died. Some people said Tribble killed Bias by providing him with the cocaine that he overdosed on, but Tribble was acquitted when he went on trial for charges relating to Bias's death. Now, nearly a quarter of a century later, later, Tribble talks openly about that night.

Brian Tribble, Friend of Len Bias, Works to Rehabilitate His Image originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Daily Show Debates Whether Philly or NY Fans Are 'Bigger Douches'

Will Brinson — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: TV and Movies, Current Events, NFL, MLB

Neither the Daily Show nor the Colbert Report delve into the sports realm all that often. However, the current Philadelphia-New York rivalry has apparently stoked enough passion in Jersey-born Jon Stewart (he's right in the middle, yo!) for him to send correspondents Jason Jones and John Oliver out on the street to measure the rivalry.

But, per usual, they're not just looking at the fans -- they're deciding which fans are more awful (or "bigger douches" as the clip actually says like 150 times; should you be afraid that such a phrase will not be popular on your office speakers, consider yourself forewarned). And they have real, live clips, which are hysterical, of course. "Clash of the Cretins" video, courtesy of the CC Insider, after the jump.

Daily Show Debates Whether Philly or NY Fans Are 'Bigger Douches' originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Jim Nantz Must Pay $1 Million a Year in Alimony, Child Support

Michael David Smith — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:45:00 EST

Filed under: Sports Media

CBS sportscaster Jim Nantz has been ordered to pay alimony and child support totaling nearly $1 million a year in a divorce case that the judge ruled was the fault of neither Nantz nor his wife of 26 years, Lorrie.

Jim Nantz Must Pay $1 Million a Year in Alimony, Child Support originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Usain Bolt Adopts a Cheetah

Will Brinson — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Random Acts of Sport, Track and Field

Usain Bolt is, without question, the fastest man in the world. He owns the record for the 150-meter dash, the 100-meter (where his record is a ridiculous sub-10 seconds), the 200-meter, and, as MDS mentioned, he may as well go ahead and try to add the 400-meters and the long jump trophies to a case that includes 2008 Athlete of the Year.

In the meantime though, he's busy with a new, ahem, pet project: he just adopted a cheetah, which, as you may know, is the world's fastest animal. Seriously.

Usain Bolt Adopts a Cheetah originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.