Back Porch FanHouse

Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest 2009: Joey Chestnut Beats Kobayashi

Michael David Smith — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Random Acts of Sport

Wolfing down an incredible 68 hot dogs, Joey Chestnut defeated Japan's Takeru Kobayashi at the 2009 edition of the Fourth of July Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.

It was the third consecutive victory for Chestnut, and Kobayashi, the six-time champion, once again finished in second place. Last year, Chestnut and Kobayashi tied at 59 dogs in the 10-minute regulation time, and then Chestnut won in overtime. This year Kobayashi improved, eating 64 dogs, but he didn't improve as much as Chestnut did.

Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest 2009: Joey Chestnut Beats Kobayashi originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Please, No More National Anthem

Terence Moore — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST

by Terence MooreWe're in the Jeffersonian spirit of July, fireworks and the founding of our country, but something needs to be said: The playing of our National Anthem before every sporting event has gotten out of control.

If nothing else, the practice has gotten old. And get this: There isn't anything in the United States Constitution declaring that we must do such a thing. Neither is it ordered by a higher power than even Roger Goodell, Bud Selig, David Stern and Gary Bettman. Nor is it mandated in the bylaws of any pro sports league.

The Star Spangled Banner is sung prior to games out of tradition, with no regard as to whether it makes sense or not.

It doesn't.

So here's an idea: Let's stop doing it.

Please, No More National Anthem originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Sat, 04 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Boston Cops Busted for Steroids

Michael David Smith — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 07:39:00 EST

Filed under: PEDs

The Boston Police Department has disciplined 11 officers as a result of a federal investigation that uncovered steroid use in the department's ranks.

"There is an emerging trend of steroid use in law enforcement that we're monitoring very closely," Boston Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis said. "Unfortunately, we were on the leading edge of this being disclosed."

Boston Cops Busted for Steroids originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Sat, 04 Jul 2009 07:39:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Caleb Campbell: Army Soldier, NFL Draftee ... Olympic Bobsledder?

Clay Travis — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:30:00 EST

by Clay Travis

Filed under: International Olympics

Caleb Campbell, the 6-foot-1, 230-pound Army safety who the Detroit Lions selected in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft, is currently training with the U.S. bobsled team in an effort to make the 2010 Winter Olympics team. It's quite the change of careers for Campbell, who had his NFL dream yanked out from under him at the last possible moment in July of 2008.

The Army's decision to reverse course and require Campbell to report for service, despite having implemented a 2005 exemption penalty, ignited a firestorm of debate. Now Campbell is training in Lake Placid, N.Y., while stationed at West Point. He has a new dream -- making the Olympic team.

While the military won't allow Campbell to pursue a career in the NFL until late 2010, they do have a policy in place that allows would-be Olympians to pursue their training as part of their military commitment. After being contacted by a member of the U.S. bobsledding team in July of 2008, Campbell has thrown himself into the training and pronounces himself in the best shape of his life. "Some days, it hurts to get out of bed," he says.

Caleb Campbell: Army Soldier, NFL Draftee ... Olympic Bobsledder? originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Unfortunate Bathing Suit Mishap Puts Swimmer in Tears

Tom Mantzouranis — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:07:00 EST

by Tom Mantzouranis

Filed under: International Olympics, Swimming

The Jaked J01 swimsuit was temporarily banned by FINA (the International Swimming Federation) earlier this year because it supposedly gave swimmers an unfair competitive advantage. Recently, it's been the subject of talk of an entirely different sort, as an ill-located tear in the suit forced Italian Olympic swimmer Flavia Zoccari to sit out of a championship race.

At the Mediterranean Games on Wednesday, Zoccari (right) was forced to stand down from competition after the back hinge of the bathing suit tore, leaving a large portion of Zoccari's backside exposed.

Jaked, the manufacturers of the suit, boast that the J01 is "more than skin," but in Zoccari's case all it did was show more skin.

Zoccari, who was flooded with tears of embarrassment after the mishap, later apologized for the incident.

Unfortunate Bathing Suit Mishap Puts Swimmer in Tears originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:07:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

International Rugby Board Vows to Eradicate Eye Gouging

Michael David Smith — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:32:00 EST

Filed under: Rugby

A South African rugby player gouged the eyes of an opponent during a game on Saturday, setting off a raging controversy in the rugby world.

International Rugby Board Vows to Eradicate Eye Gouging originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:32:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

A Community's Pride, Michael Even Bigger Than Rockne

Terence Moore — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:37:00 EST

by Terence Moore

Filed under: Current Events

No offense to those who have turned Never Can Say Goodbye into their Amazing Grace these days. It's just that, even though Michael Jackson is everybody's favorite icon, he mostly belongs to us. I'm referring to those of us from northern Indiana. He couldn't become the biggest celebrity of all time until he discovered ways to surpass the elite of the elite within his own state.

Actually, I should say within his own region.

This was tougher than you think.

A Community's Pride, Michael Even Bigger Than Rockne originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:37:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Joey Chestnut a Slight Favorite Over Kobayashi in July 4 Hot Dog Showdown

Michael David Smith — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:40:00 EST

Filed under: Random Acts of Sport

One of the great rivalries in the history of sport will resume on Saturday, as Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi square off in the annual Fourth of July Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. And the early betting odds list Chestnut, the two-time defending champion, as a slight favorite to repeat over Kobayashi, who won every year from 2001 to 2006.

Joey Chestnut a Slight Favorite Over Kobayashi in July 4 Hot Dog Showdown originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Lou Ferrigno: Michael Jackson Was Energetic and Happy in Training

Michael David Smith — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:27:00 EST

Filed under: Random Acts of Sport

Lou Ferrigno was the second-best bodybuilder of the 1970s, a defensive lineman for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, a World's Strongest Man competitor and, of course, the guy who played The Hulk on The Incredible Hulk. But now Ferrigno is getting attention for something else: He was Michael Jackson's personal trainer.

Lou Ferrigno: Michael Jackson Was Energetic and Happy in Training originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:27:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Softball Game Breaks Out at Girl Fight

Ryan Wilson — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:55:00 EST

Filed under: Action Sports, Women's Sports, Youth Sports

Here's something you don't see everyday. Or at least I don't (primarily because, other than the occasions when it's on my television, I've lost the remote, and I'm too lazy to change the channel, I happily admit to not following softball.): a fight breaking out during a game after a player was hit by a pitch.

But that's what happened yesterday at a girls high school game in Colorado Springs.

Softball Game Breaks Out at Girl Fight originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

William and Mary Looking for New Mascot

Ryan Wilson — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: College Sports

As a graduate of the second-oldest college in this country, I feel especially qualified to comment on the College of William and Mary's mascot search. Actually, I don't have a particularly nuanced view, even though I spent four(-plus!) years in Williamsburg, VA. Primarily because W & M wasn't exactly a hotbed of big-time college athletics. Mascots seem more important at places where football and basketball matter more than graduation rates and U.S. News and World Report rankings.

William and Mary Looking for New Mascot originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

FIU Cheerleaders Use Bikini Car Wash to Save Squad's Future

Will Brinson — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:30:00 EST

by Will BrinsonThe Florida International University cheerleading squad needs your help! (No, this is not Isiah Thomas-related, thank you for asking.) See, the school has cut the team's funding during a round of budget cuts. The only answer? Duh: bikini car wash! Which is why these scholarly, aspiring athletes have donned skimpy swimwear and need to you to join them on the streets with your dirty cars. Come on, people -- it's just five bucks!

View more news videos at: http://www.nbcmiami.com/video.

FIU Cheerleaders Use Bikini Car Wash to Save Squad's Future originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

USA Football Junior National Team Ekes By France, 78-0

Ryan Wilson — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:10:00 EST

Filed under: Action Sports, College Sports, High School, Outdoor Sports, Youth Sports

Poor France. It's bad enough that they're still living down the 1940 German takeover, which turned out to be more of an understanding than an invasion. Now they have again suffered an international embarrassment, although that may be overselling it a tad.

Whatever, the French fell to the Americans in the inaugural Football Junior World Championship yesterday in Canton, Ohio. The final, 78-0, was slightly less surprising than getting run out of their own country by the Germans during World War II. Primarily because unlike the French army, considered the most powerful in Europe at the time, there wasn't much in the way of expectations for the French Junior National Team.

USA Football Junior National Team Ekes By France, 78-0 originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Cheerleading Is Extremely Dangerous

Ryan Wilson — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:55:00 EST

Filed under: College Sports, High School, Women's Sports, Gymnastics

There's a small but determined faction of fans who refuse to concede that certain "activities" are sports. Golf is a favorite, presumably because it doesn't involve much in the way of physical activity, and a typical round can involve a pony keg and a pack of Reds.

Cheerleading is another example. Perhaps the zealots have an argument here since there aren't typically winners and losers, just a group of people in fancy polyester get-ups who clap, dance and chant for another group of people who are actually competing.

Whatever, I am much more liberal in my "what's a sport and what isn't" views, and I'll happily include just about anything: golf, cheerleading, poker, horseshoes ... you get the point. But no matter what you call it -- a sport, a hobby, something the guys who couldn't make the JV basketball team do -- cheerleading is extremely dangerous.

Cheerleading Is Extremely Dangerous originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

12-Year-Old Bull Rider Dies After Being Thrown, Trampled

Michael David Smith — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:11:00 EST

Filed under: Youth Sports

A 12-year-old Colorado boy died Sunday after he was thrown off the bull and trampled in a bull-riding competition hosted by the Little Britches Rodeo at the Boulder County Fairground.

12-Year-Old Bull Rider Dies After Being Thrown, Trampled originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:11:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Iranian Soccer Players May Have Been Banned for Supporting Mousavi

Ryan Wilson — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:55:00 EST

Filed under: Action Sports, Outdoor Sports

I think some members of the Iranian Men's National Team might agree with Lord Acton, who said, "The one pervading evil of democracy is the tyranny of the party that succeeds, by force or fraud, in carrying elections."

Two weeks ago, Iran held its presidential election. The incumbent, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was announced the winner, and protesters, questioning the veracity of the results, promptly mobilized. Seventeen people have since died although the demonstrations continue.

The protesters included several members of Iran's soccer team, who showed their solidarity with opposition leader Mir Hossain Mousavi by wearing green armbands during the June 17 World Cup qualifying match against South Korea.

Iranian Soccer Players May Have Been Banned for Supporting Mousavi originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Rugby Coach Fines Himself $10,000 for Drunken Night Out

Ryan Wilson — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 07:50:00 EST

Filed under: Rugby, Action Sports, Outdoor Sports

Here's what I know about rugby: it involves tight-fitting clothing, and a lot of guy-on-guy action. So, right, I'm no expert. But you really don't have to know the rules to appreciate this story.

According to the Herald Sun, Sydney Roosters coach Brad Fittler fined himself $10,000 and issued a public apology after the pressures of the job caused him to temporarily lose his mind.

Rugby Coach Fines Himself $10,000 for Drunken Night Out originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 07:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Day Michael Jackson Died: Athletes Mourn Loss of Music Legend

Tom Herrera — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:10:00 EST

by Tom Herrera

Filed under: Current Events

I heard Michael Jackson died at approximately 5:30 PM ET. Hours later, I still don't think it's fully hit me. This was the man I idolized growing up as a kid ... I watched Moonwalker about 80 times on VHS (Joe Pesci was the villain). I once furiously outbid someone $159 for a replica Beat It jacket with 13 zippers. I actually have an 8x10 glossy of Billie Jean Michael taped next to my bedroom door.

Everyone -- from celebrities to sports stars to ordinary people -- had their way of trying to feel connected to the King of Pop. In his mere presence, fans have fainted and needed medical attention. So when news broke that Jackson had passed away, the reverberations on social media sites like Twitter were immense. Outspoken wide receiver Chad Ochocinco even went on to tweet "this is just as sad as 9/11" and then tried to play damage control after his offensive comment.

After the jump, read the emotional reactions from current and former athletes.

Watch: Jackson's Super Bowl Halftime Show

The Day Michael Jackson Died: Athletes Mourn Loss of Music Legend originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Christian Bázan of Spain Sets New World Record for 90-Degree Pushups

Michael David Smith — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:49:00 EST

Filed under: Sports of an Extreme Nature

Christian Bázan of Spain has set a new world in 90-degree pushups, with 12. When I first heard that I wasn't too interested because I didn't know what 90-degree pushups were. But after watching the video, I have to admit I'm impressed.

Christian Bázan of Spain Sets New World Record for 90-Degree Pushups originally appeared on Back Porch FanHouse on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:49:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.