DIANA NYAD SPARKS A FITNESS REVOLUTION

Almost as soon as Diana Nyad completed her historic swim from Cuba to Florida and
emphatically stated, "You're never too old to chase your dreams," a fitness revolution was
born. People from 60 to 80-years old, inspired by their new hero, headed for swimming
pools across the globe.

"I've never seen anything like it," said Fennis Dembo, general manager of LA Fitness in
New York City. "It was like they said, 'To hell with the family picnics and barbeques. By
4 p.m., this pool was packed with older people."

Charles Wentworth, 71, and a former squash champion at Princeton, felt rejuvenated by
just watching Nyad finish off her 110-mile swim through shark infested waters.

"Open water swimming is where it's at," said Wentworth, a retired hedge fund manager
who spent five years in prison for insider trader. "I'm bored with P90x and CrossFit. I needed
a new challenge. I'll start with something easy, like swimming the English Channel, and then
move on to bigger things such as crossing the Pacific."

Rosemary Davis, Betty Williams, and Pookie Rothstein, all 73, said they haven't excercised
in more than five years, but after seeing the 64-year old Nyad swim 53 hours, they got pumped
as they once did for Olivia Newton-John's music video, "Let's Get Physical."

"Today was the first time I had been in the pool in a long time," sad Davis. "But after swimming
just one lap, I was 'off the chain'. Is that how they say it? I'm not ready for shuffleboard and
early bird specials just yet. I think I'm going to try to swim across the Hudson River next spring.

Swimming merchandise was flying off the shelves at "The Sports Authority" in Shreveport,
LA. 

"At this time of year, we usually see a spike in gun and ammunition sales," said Billy Joe
Robideaux, sales manager. "But after Ms. Nyad completed that friggin' swim, people came
in for goggles, jelly-fish repellent and Speedos. I tried to steer them older folks from those
tiny swim suit and get into something a little more comfortable for their liking. But they
wanted the thing that offered the least resistance, so I gave them the smallest speedos I
could find. LMAO. Good luck with that."

Billy North, coach of the Masters swim program in Tupolo, Mississippi, was inundated with
thousands of phone calls shortly after Nyad removed the mask that protected her from jelly-fish
stings when she was done.

"Brother, I have not had this much attention in my program for years," said North. "These
people were demanding. They wanted to know when the first practice was in the morning
and how many they could do in a week. They didn't care nothing about the cost. I said, 'Well,
it might be a little early for you because it's at 5:30 a.m" he added. "Them people are camping
outside the door and sleeping there overnight. Un-Bee-Lee-va-bull!"

Diana Nyad sets a record and starts a whole new (and old) fitness revolution.

DIANA NYAD TEACHES US ALL A LESSON

"It's never too late to be what you might have been"

                                    -George Eliot-

I thought about this quote when I heard that Diana Nyad was attempting to swim from
Cuba to Florida again. Nyad had already failed four times before stepping into the ocean on
Saturday, having been beaten down in the past by paralyzing jelly-fish stings, hypothermia,
and a tongue so swollen, she could hardly breathe. But the 64-year old endurance athlete
refused to give up on her dream of becoming the first person to complete the treacherous

swim without a shark cage.

There were a lot of people who questioned why Nyad would even bother to try it again, after
all, she nearly died during the swim last September. Some felt she was just doing it for attention
and that she needed to "just give it up." I'm sure there are much easier ways to get some
publicity than swimming over 100-miles in shark infested waters and incurring stings that swell
your face to the size of a large pumpkin. Heck, Nyad could've just gone on the set of "Ray
Donavan" and twerked Jon Voight. That would've been a much more comfortable way of
blowing up Twitter and capturing some headlines.

Nyad heard the critics and the whispers that turned into loud roars. She knew everybody in
the world doubted and even laughed at her. She was 64-years old, for crying out loud. That's
an age when most people are thinking about walks on the beach, sunsets, and relaxing on
Golden Pond. Who in their right mind would even consider swimming all that way and for
what?

Nyad thought about and conquered it. There was no medal waiting for her when she swam
ashore in Miami. I'm not sure there's going to be a seven-figure endorsement deal, either.
She did it because she believed in herself. She believed that she wasn't too old, too slow, or
even too soft to be defeated. She didn't care that people doubted and laughed at her. She
didn't listen to those who said it couldn't be done, especially at her age.

It's almost fitting that on Labor Day, while most Americans were enjoying the day off,
Nyad was working relentlessly to fulfill her dream. She achieved that dream and taught every
one of us a lesson.

Too many times we impose limitations on ourselves. Too many times we let others try to
squash our dreams. Too many times we listen to the critics who say it can't be done.
Nyad proved that failure is not final and that people should never give up on accomplishing
their dreams just because it didn't work out once, twice, three, or even four times.

Nyad at 64-freaking-years old swam 103-miles in 53 hours in shark infested waters on
September 2, 2013. That is unreal. That is amazing. That is a great lesson for those who
often say, "I can't", when they really can, but just don't know it.


JOHNNY MANZIEL WON'T CHANGE SO DEAL WITH IT

 

Sports fans and the media are a strange bunch, that's for sure.

We want our heroes to be squeaky-clean like Tim Tebow, but when they are, they get
labeled as too boring, too contrived, and too phony.

We want players to act with class and dignity when they get taunted, but when they do,
they aren't tough enough and get criticized for letting others walk all over them.

Johnny Manziel will never be Tim Tebow and is never going to be one who turns the other
cheek. Now, deal with it.

On Saturday, Manziel sat out the first half against Rice because of his suspension by the
NCAA and Texas A & M. When he took the field, it was Johnny Football being Johnny
Football. He beat Rice with his arm and Fred Astaire-like feet. But he was also penalized
for unsportsmanlike conduct for responding to taunts from the opposing team. He made
like he was signing  autographs and rubbed his fingers together, which is the universal
sign for money.

And, of course, the United States roster of Johnny Manziel haters came out in full force.
From those getting paid to analyze football to those who don't, Manziel had no class, has to
grow up, and be a leader.

One thing is certain, Manziel is the biggest lightning rod in the history of college football
and there has never been anyone like him. Ever.

After just one year of being a true Aggie, Manziel is the most influential player in the history
of the program. He has made Texas A & M relevant and no longer the red-headed step
child to the Longhorns in the football-crazed state. He's bigger than Tony Romo and has
made his school millions upon millions of dollars. Without Johnny  Football, Texas A & M
goes back to being just Texas A & M.

Please save the self-righteous and holier-than-thou rhetoric. Big-time college football is all
about two things and two things only: winning and money. Because of Johnny Manziel, Texas
A & M has won a lot of games and made a ton of money. Kevin Sumlin can pull Manziel
out of a game that's long been decided, but he won't do that against Alabama or Texas, that's
for sure. He knows that Manziel is not only his best player, but his ticket to a mega-million
dollar contract extension or a job in the NFL. Plus, he wouldn't be dumb enough to cost his
employer a shot at making the tens of millions of dollars that go with earning a birth in a
BCS game.

Manziel is a true original and a rock star who walks to the beat of his own drummer.

And I love it.

Manziel is who he is. Is that really such a bad thing? He's a 20-year old kid with a Heisman
Trophy who has made some mistakes. How perfect were you at that age? How perfect are
you now? Were you a finished product as a sophomore in college? Are you a finished product
now?

Manziel is living his life the way he wants to live it. Isn't that how you want to live it, the way
you want to and not by somebody else's design or plan? Do people resent the fact that Manziel
is too carefree, too self-absorbed, and having too much fun? Do they want to see him live with
regret, obsess over his missteps, or pay a steeper price for his mistakes than he really should
have to? Seriously? Worry about the person looking back at you in the mirror instead of
worrying about somebody you don't even know.

All these college sports analysts are getting up on their pedestal and saying, "Johnny Football
has to change." No he doesn't. He is GREAT for college football. Executives at ESPN, Fox,
and CBS love Manziel because he is a ratings magnet. They certainly don't want him to
change because Manziel on their networks means more money in their pockets. Love him
or hate him, he's the biggest thing in college football right now.

And Johnny Manziel is his own man. There is nothing wrong with that. Deal with it.

TIM TEBOW HATERS REJOICE--AND THAT'S SAD.

Tim Tebow has been cut by the New England Patriots so now the United States roster of
haters can rejoice. They said he couldn't throw, run a pro-style offense, and doesn't belong
in the NFL. Yep, they told us so. And all those haters may be right that Tebow will never
play again, because after all, they say he's, in the words of Charles Barkley: tuuuuuuur-a-ble.

I'm just amazed at all the venom spewed about Tebow. Judging by all the comments on the
Internet and sports talk radio, there are millions of people who just can't stand the guy. They
seemed obsessed with proving how much he sucks and can't play. They seem to revel in his
failure, which in this world isn't all that surprising considering the majority of it seems to
gloat in the failure of others. I've been a part of some companies where some people get all
giddy when a co-worker gets fired. It's sad, really.

And it's kind of sad how much people hate a guy like Tim Tebow. Is it because he wears his
religion on his sleeve? There have been plenty of people before Tebow who've pointed to the
sky to praise God or gotten a knee to give thanks and nobody says a word. But when Tebow
does it, haters everywhere roll their eyes and say, "Lord help us." People mocked the former
Florida Gator with "Tebowing", which became a hit on the Internet, gaining laughs at the
expense of Tebow.

Since he was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the first round a few years back, it's been
open season on the left-handed, bible-thumping quarterback. ESPN analyst Merril Hoge
called Tebow "as phony as  three-dollar bill." Teammates in New York hid behind the old "anonymous sources" thing and said he was "terrible." Did Tebow get upset? Nope, he just
turned the other cheek and tried to get better as a quarterback.

Did the Broncos make a mistake drafting Tebow in the first round? Absolutely. But the line
of teams picking players in the first round who've turned out to be total busts is 10-miles
long. Jamarcus Russell, anyone? Ryan Leaf? Tim Couch? Akili Smith, hello? Mark Sanchez,
how uuuuuuuuu doing? Yes, it happens.

Tebow may never make it in the NFL and the haters will tell us they told us so and feel good
about themselves. They hate from their couches, sitting in front of their big screen TV's with
a beer and a bucket of popcorn in their lap. And, by golly, they can play quarterback better
than Tebow because they sacrificed so much and handled all the critics with class and dignity.

Do you know what Tebow was? A Heisman Trophy-winner, 2-time national champion,
All-American, first-round NFL draft pick, and playoff-winning quarterback.

Do you know what Tebow is?  A person of great character, who doesn't swear, smoke, or
have sex. He has never wavered in his faith, nor blinked in the face of criticism from the
media or his teammates. He's never talked bad about anybody, thrown anyone under the bus,
or been arrested. He has taken the time to work, give, and raise money for the less fortunate
Is that so bad? We've had to deal with the likes of Michael Vick, Lance Armstrong,
Ryan Braun, Tiger Woods, and a host of other athletes whose contents of character are made
up of less than savory ingredients and people want to trash Tebow? Please.

Do you know what Tebow will be? Probably anything he wants besides and NFL quarterback
and that might not be so bad. Prior to training camp, Forbes magazine named Tebow the most
influential athlete in sports. That's right, ahead of Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Derek Jeter,
and Tiger Woods. Why do you think that is? Because Tebow has "it". He can lead and influence
the masses with a speech or just by his work in the community. If he wants to go on the
speaking circuit, Tebow can be a millionaire ten times over.

People will say that Tebow failed as an NFL quarterback, and so what? He was the one who
got in the arena and tried to succeed. He's the one who got the snot beat out of him by 320-lb
lineman and 250-lb heat-seeking linebackers. Tebow tried and got cut. He didn't succeed, but
he has already accomplished more in 26-years that most people will do in their entire lives.

Don't be a Tebow hater. Respect what he has done and the person he is. So what if he couldn't
be an NFL quarterback? I have a feeling when it's all said and done, Tim Tebow is going to
much, much more than just a guy who can read a defense and sling a football.

BRIAN WILSON AND A HAIRY DILEMMA

Brian Wilson of the Los Angeles has arguably the greatest beard in the history of professional

sports. It's often imitated, but never duplicated. It is long, full, and thanks to a squirt of "Just
for Men", it is really, really dark. Lord  knows what the heck has been buried in that beard for
the last five years. Chicken wings, sandpaper, a small child, A-Rod's PED's, and Lindsay
Lohan's phone number are some of the things that could be uncovered.

If 800Razors.com gets their way and comes up with enough cash for Wilson, we soon might
find out exactly what hidden treasures are in the beard. The razor company has reportedly
offered Wilson $1 million to shave his beard. A great stunt for sure, and one that could get

them a heckuva lot of free publicity by Friday morning, thanks to Twitter, Facebook, sports
radio, and television. Brilliant idea. Not sure $1 million is going to make Wilson change his
entire identity. We'll see. Here's a few other athletes, current and former, who razor, clipper,
and scissor companies would like to get a hold of.

THE CHIA PET OF TROY
I love this guy. Troy Polamalu is one of the best safeties in NFL history who is a heat-seeking
missile. The Steelers All-Pro never has to worry about concussions because he's got the most
well-protected head in the league. Just add water and it grows and grows and grows. Great cushioning prevents really hard hits to the dome.

THE HAIR OF DENNIS ECKERSLEY
It's 2013, but the Hall of Fame pitcher and NESN analyst has a head of hair that stuck in the
80's. He refuses to call it a mullet and won't let anyone else call it one, either. The "Eck",
who is one of the best analysts in the game and an even better guy, has tried to trim it up
from time to time, but he's just not feeling it. The long locks are just part of his identity. He
is one really cool dude. You could offer him $5 million and I don't think he'd shave it off.

THE BEARD OF JAMES HARDEN
The all-star from the Houston Rockets has a beard that has a lot of Brian Wilson in it. He
can't match the uniqueness Wilson's bush, but he undoubtedly has the best beard in the history
of the NBA. He definitely has to keep it away from Christmas candles and the gas grill.

THE DREADLOCKS OF STEPHEN JACKSON
I'm afraid if somebody cut of the famous dreads of Jackson, the Atlanta Falcons running
back would lose all his strength and speed. Check that, if he shaved off that mop, he'd knock
two-tenths of a second off his time in the 40-yard dash.

 

 

THE MOHAWK OF CHRIS "BIRDMAN" ANDERSON

I would love to shave the "Birdman's" hair off and then watch him cry. The super freak

of the Miami Heat has some serious ink and a hair doooooooo that makes him a player

that you just can't take your eyes off of. I think he'd take the million to shave his hair, though.

 

 

BRYCE HARPER'S "ROCKABILLY".

The kid isn't afraid to make a statement, but I don't know what kind of statement he's

trying to make with the "rockabilly" style. It makes him look like one of those possessed

dudes in the "Hills Have Eyes" scary movie.

 

 

THE HANDLE BARS

Harper's older brother, Bryan, has some style as well. The minor-league in the Washington

Nationals minor-league system is the modern day Rollie Fingers what this handle

bars mustache. It's kind of weird seeing a kid that young sporting that type of mustache.

Maybe 800razor.com could do a package deal with the Harper's and Fingers.

 

 



COCO'S CRISPY AFRO
I realize somebody may have already taken a weed whacker to the head of Coco Crisp,
but if the veteran outfielder decides to grow his fro' out again, I'd pay to see somebody
shear it off.