Professional Sports Day

NFL Wildcard Playoff Betting Trends

admin — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 09:03:48 +0000

NFL Wildcard Playoff Betting Trends
NFL playoff Free Picks and handicapping trends for football bettors

PREVIEW-Golf-The beauty and beast of the Match Play Championship (Reuters)
As Tiger Woods knows only too well, the beauty and, for many, the brutality of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship lies in its uncertainty.

Say goodbye to Predrag Drobnjak and his Manjaks

admin — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 09:03:46 +0000

Say goodbye to Predrag Drobnjak and his Manjaks
NBA fans have seen many Europeans come to the league over the last decade without making a Nowitzkian or Gasolesque impact: Sarunas Jasikevicius
Sergei Monia
Jiri Welsch
Maciej Lampe
and Aleksandr Radojevic are just five of many. This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise — there are few true stars in the league
and foreign countries should be capable of producing uninspiring fringe prospects just like America can.Every so often
though
one of these players finds a way to distinguish himself in the league even as his career peters out. For Predrag Drobnjak
a native of Montenegro who spent four seasons as a big man with the Sonics
Clippers and Hawks from 2001 to 2005
that fame came in the form of what is undoubtedly the greatest individual player website of all time. It’s called Drobnjak’s Manjaks
and it features ramshackle Flash animation worthy of a Michel Gondry project. Drobnjak retired last week after 19 years in professional basketball. While he may not have lit the nba on fire
he had a great career
winning two gold medals at the World Championships with Yugoslavia. Despite those accomplishments
Drobnjak will be best remembered for his website
not his play.That’s perfectly fine. Because when you venture over to Drobnjak’s Manjaks
it’s impossible not to smile. You can listen to Peja’s Robert De Niro impression
or his advice to kids (“Stay in school … it’s free!”). There are also regular appearances by his cat Jinkies. It’s hard to explain any single part of Drobnjak’s Manjaks
but it all comes together to show that Predrag was one of the more lovable athletes in the league during his time with Seattle.There are few better ways to honor a retired player than by saying he brought every fan joy. With this website
Predrag Drobnjak did exactly that. May he spend the rest of his life on his couch with Jinkies and a pile of Robert De Niro DVDs.(Website link via @kpelton and @mhaubs)
Saints release TE Shockey (AP)
For flamboyant tight end Jeremy Shockey
the party is over — at least in New Orleans. Shockey was released Tuesday by the Saints
who appear ready to move on with promising second-year pro and 2010 third-round draft choice Jimmy Graham. Shockey was no stranger to the Big Easy social scene and also helped give the city a reason to celebrate like never before.

AP Source: Irving to be named NBA’s top rookie (Yahoo! Sports)

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 10:19:15 +0000

AP Source: Irving to be named NBA’s top rookie (Yahoo! Sports)
CLEVELAND (AP) Kyrie Irving began his first pro season as the top pick and ended it as the top rookie. Cleveland’s smooth, playmaking point guard has been chosen as the NBA”s Rookie of the Year, a person familiar with the voting told the Associated Press on Sunday. Irving’s selection is hardly a surprise since the 20-year-old led all first-year players in scoring – 18.5 points per game – and renewed hope for Cleveland’s franchise. He’ll receive the award on Tuesday, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the league has not yet announced the winner. ESPN.com and The Cleveland Plain Dealer first reported Irving’s win. Results of the voting won’t be available until Tuesday, but it’s safe to assume Irving’s victory will be lopsided. After Minnesota guard Ricky Rubio suffered a season-ending knee injury, Irving was far and away the best all-around player in the rookie class. The Cavs used the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft to select Irving, who played in just 11 games as a freshman at Duke because of a toe injury. However, it didn’t take long for the 6-foot-3 Irving to establish himself as one of the game’s rising stars. With a fearlessness on the floor, Irving made clutch shots, orchestrated fourth-quarter comebacks and managed to keep the Cavs competitive and in the playoff picture for several months before they traded guard Ramon Sessions in March and injuries took their toll. Irving is the second Cavaliers player to win the award, joining LeBron James in 2004. Irving’s is the final postseason award to be announced by the league. On Saturday, James, who spent seven seasons in Cleveland before signing with Miami, won his third MVP award in four seasons. Irving recently treated himself to a postseason vacation in the Bahamas. In June, he’s expected to play on the Cavs summer league team in Las Vegas and will be part of a U.S. Select Team which will train against the American Olympic team going to the London Games.

Beltran powers Cardinals to 12-3 rout of Pirates (Yahoo! Sports)

admin — Thu, 03 May 2012 08:18:04 +0000

Beltran powers Cardinals to 12-3 rout of Pirates (Yahoo! Sports)
ST. LOUIS (AP) Trying to explain his 3 for 32 slump earlier in the day, Carlos Beltran said he just hadn’t been seeing the ball very well lately. But the St. Louis Cardinals cleanup hitter added several times, it was nothing to worry about. Beltran said bye-bye to the bad times in a big way, driving in a career-best seven runs with a pair of three-run home runs and RBI single in the first three innings, leading the way as the Cardinals punished A.J. Burnett and the Pittsburgh Pirates 12-3 on Tuesday night. ”Lately, God knows, I’ve been searching at the plate, trying to find my swing, trying to feel comfortable, trying to be able to go out there and have quality at-bats,” Beltran said. ”This game can be like this. It’s a funny game. You have to stay positive.” Manager Mike Matheny found it somewhat humorous after so much pre-game attention was devoted to discussing Beltran’s tailspin. ”I think the one person that wasn’t even beginning to panic was Carlos,” Matheny said. ”He just knows what he’s doing. It was nice to see him have a huge day like that.” Matheny had been set to give Beltran a day off on Thursday and wasn’t sure whether the big day changed anything. Rookie Lance Lynn (5-0) joined James Shields as the major leagues’ only five-game winners, allowing three hits and two runs in 6 2-3 innings with six strikeouts to beat the Pirates for the second time in three starts. Lynn has a 1.60 ERA as the replacement starter for Chris Carpenter, sidelined indefinitely with nerve issues in his right shoulder. ”It means we have five wins when I’m pitching, so that’s good,” Lynn said. ”That’s all I’m trying to do is help us win when I’m out there. I’m off to a good start and the team’s really been carrying me.” Burnett (1-2) entered with a 1.38 ERA, and worked seven scoreless innings against the Cardinals for his lone victory on April 21 at home, but trailed 4-0 after six pitches. The right-hander surrendered 12 runs on 12 hits in 2 2/3 innings, as the Pirates tried to save their bullpen. ”I stunk,” Burnett said. ”There is nothing more I can say. I was up all night, I couldn’t get anything down. It doesn’t matter who you pitch against, if you get your pitches up you’re going to get hammered.” The runs allowed topped Burnett’s previous worst of nine on four occasions, the last time Aug. 26, 2011 at Baltimore. He allowed 12 or more hits for the seventh time, exiting one shy of his career worst Aug. 3, 2011 at the Chicago White Sox. Pirates catcher Rod Barajas was ejected for complaining about home plate umpire Angel Campos’ calls in the second inning, tossing his mask in disgust after a pitch called a ball for a 1-2 count against Beltran. Manager Clint Hurdle was subsequently tossed for defending his player, his first of the season and sixth in his second season with Pittsburgh. ”Things just kind of got a little heated,” Barajas said. ”I felt one way, he felt the other way. You get a little frustrated when things don’t go the way you think they should.” Hurdle said he was frustrated because ”We’ve had some disagreements for two days out there. Rod was out there trying to protect his pitcher, making sure we got a fair shake.” Beltran had one double among his three hits and three RBIs the last nine games, a slump that started three games after he was moved to cleanup. He said after batting practice that he hadn’t been seeing the ball well but several times expressed confidence it would be over soon, then turned it around with his first swing, a three-run shot to right that made it 4-0. ”When I hit the first one out, it was a changeup, I was able to stay on that pitch and drive it out of the ballpark,” Beltran said. ”It’s always a good feeling knowing that you’re staying back, you’re seeing the ball well. ”After that i was able to feed off that.” Beltran had an RBI single in the second before launching another three-run homer in the third that made it 12-1, a drive to left center for Beltran’s team-leading seventh homer after a replay overturned the initial umpire ruling and justified fireworks and a sign in the shape of a truck grill that blinked its headlights even though Beltran initially had to put the brakes on at second base. Beltran topped his previous RBI high of six and he added a broken-bat single in the fifth to match a career best with his 21st four-hit game. The top four in the lineup – Rafael Furcal, Jon Jay, Matt Holliday and Beltran – were a combined 9 for 9 with two homers, 10 RBIs and seven runs the first three innings. Jay had three hits and was hit by a pitch his first four trips and is batting .429 with an 11-game hitting streak. Furcal singled twice with a steal and sacrifice fly, Holliday had two hits, a walk and an RBI and the Cardinals got triples from Daniel Descalso and Matt Carpenter, who had three hits. The Cardinals have outscored the Pirates 22-10 the first two games. It was the most lopsided loss for Pittsburgh since a 15-1 whipping at Los Angeles Sept. 18. The NL Central leaders have won five of six and will go for a three-game sweep Thursday with Jake Westbrook (3-1) opposing Erik Bedard (1-4). The Cardinals have outscored their opponents by 65 runs, best in the majors, after 24 games. NOTES: Umpire C.B. Buckner, who left Tuesday’s game in the seventh inning due to illness, was replaced by D.J. Reyburn manning 3B. … Pirates OF Andrew McCutchen got his first day off. … Cardinals C Yadier Molina stole two bases in a game for the second time in his career on Tuesday, and despite a distinct lack of speed he’s 4 for 4 on the year. … The Pirates have been outscored 22-7 in the first innings. … Jay is 21 for 43 (.488) during his hitting streak. … Josh Harrison had a pair of RBI singles for Pittsburgh, the first as a pinch hitter in the seventh. … Lynn has six career victories, all against NL Central opponents.

Gasquet, Wawrinka move into Estoril quarterfinals (Yahoo! Sports)

admin — Thu, 03 May 2012 03:54:18 +0000

Gasquet, Wawrinka move into Estoril quarterfinals (Yahoo! Sports)
OEIRAS, Portugal (AP) Richard Gasquet powered past Paolo Lorenzi of Italy 6-1, 6-1 at the Estoril Open on Wednesday to reach his fifth quarterfinal of the season. The second-seeded Frenchman broke twice in the opening set and three times in the second to close out a commanding performance on clay in 66 minutes. Gasquet, who lost to Novak Djokovic in the 2007 Estoril final, hit 24 winners. Third-seeded Stanislas Wawrinka recovered from a shaky start to beat Spanish qualifier Ivan Navarro 7-6 (5), 6-1. The big-serving Swiss saved break points in his first two service games before being broken in the sixth game on a double-fault. He broke back immediately and had five set points at one stage in the tiebreaker. Wawrinka overpowered his opponent in the 20-minute second set, serving out the match in damp and windy conditions at the rain-disrupted event. Sixth-seeded Robin Haase topped Inigo Cervantes 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, and Daniel Munoz de la Nava knocked out eighth-seeded Flavio Cipolla 6-4, 6-4. In the women’s event, top-seeded Roberta Vinci advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Maria Joao Koheler. Karin Knapp rallied to defeat second-seeded Maria Kirilenko 1-6, 6-1, 7-5, and Silvia Soler-Espinosa beat third-seeded Anabel Medina Garrigues 3-6, 6-3, 7-5. Fourth-seeded Petra Cetkovcka downed Heather Watson 6-3, 6-1, and sixth-seeded Kaia Kanepi ousted Vania King of the United States 6-4, 6-4. Galina Voskoboeva knocked out 2006 champion Zheng Jie 6-4, 6-1.

Petkovic of Germany out 3 months with ankle injury (Yahoo! Sports)

admin — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 07:00:05 +0000

Petkovic of Germany out 3 months with ankle injury (Yahoo! Sports)
STUTTGART, Germany (AP) Andrea Petkovic of Germany will miss the next three months after tearing ligaments in her right ankle at the Porsche Grand Prix. Petkovic says a scan confirmed the injury on Friday. She twisted her ankle in Thursday’s match against top-ranked Victoria Azarenka in the second round. Petkovic entered her first tournament since January ranked No. 12. She had been sidelined with a lower back injury. She also has been nursing a right knee injury.

Ogwumike taken No. 1 by Sparks in WNBA draft (The Associated Press)

admin — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:18:20 +0000

Ogwumike taken No. 1 by Sparks in WNBA draft (The Associated Press)
BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) Nnemkadi Ogwumike is excited to be staying in California. The Stanford senior was picked No. 1 in the WNBA draft by the Los Angeles Sparks on Monday. ”I’m grateful for the L.A. Sparks for picking me,” Ogwumike said. ”It means a lot and it’s one of the highest accolades I’ve ever received. I’m looking forward to going back to Cali.” Ogwumike helped guide the Cardinal to the Final Four during all four of her seasons at the school, including this year’s loss to eventual champion Baylor. The 6-foot-2 forward, who averaged 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds this past season, is the first Stanford player to be taken with the No. 1 pick. Previously three Cardinal players have been drafted third overall. ”I think looking back, a lot of the players could have gone No. 1,” Ogwumike said. ”Things go different ways. I’m really proud to be part of this legacy.” Despite finishing with the fourth-worst record in the league at 15-19, the Sparks won the draft lottery in November. They had the smallest chance of the four teams with a shot at winning with only a 10 percent chance. They are the second team in the 11-year history of the lottery to win with the fewest number of chances. Phoenix did it ahead of the 2007 draft. Los Angeles also had the top pick in 2008 and selected Tennessee star Candace Parker, who went on to win Rookie of the Year and MVP honors in her first professional season. While Ogwumike’s selection was almost a certainty with the top pick, the rest of the draft was a bit more of a mystery with no clear-cut choices going in. Tennessee guard Shekinna Stricklen went second to the Seattle Storm, who will be without star Lauren Jackson for the first part of the season since she will stay in Australia to train for the London Olympics this summer. ”I was a little surprised,” Stricklen said. ”It helped when I did a workout with coach Brian (Agler), I had a feeling but wasn’t sure.” Notre Dame post Devereaux Peters went third to the defending champion Minnesota Lynx, who had five of the first 20 picks in the draft. She was surprised she was picked so high, having recovered from two ACL surgeries on her left knee since entering Notre Dame. ”I never thought I’d be (drafted) at that point,” Peters said. ”When they interviewed me they talked about my knee. To come this far and have 2 1/2 years where I got to play free from injury is great. It’s great to see all my dreams come to fruition here.” The Lynx also picked Damiris Dantas of Brazil with the final choice of the first round. Minnesota drafted mid-major stars Julie Wojta of Wisconsin-Green Bay and Kayla Standish of Gonzaga in the second round. The Lynx rounded out their five picks with Russian guard Nika Baric. Tulsa, which had the worst record in the league last season with just three victories, took Glory Johnson fourth. The Tennessee forward has a good chance to make an immediate impact with the Shock. The team also picked Miami guard Riquna Williams in the second round. She missed the Hurricanes two NCAA tournament games after being suspended for conduct detrimental to the team by coach Katie Meier. Williams wasn’t surprised she slid down the draft. ”I mean after what happened at the end of the season, I wasn’t expecting to go in the first round. It was a mistake I made and something I had to deal with the outcome,” she said. ”I’m not this horrible person that the media portrayed me to be after one mistake. I think with Tulsa picking me, it’s a great honor for them to believe in me and to know one situation doesn’t determine who I am.” Williams’ teammate at Miami Shenise Johnson went fifth to San Antonio. Phoenix took Ohio State point guard Samantha Prahalis sixth. ”It’s the perfect fit,” Prahalis said. ”They love playing up-tempo and so do I, I’m really looking forward to playing with Diana Taurasi.” The New York Liberty drafted Kelly Cain seventh. Natalie Novosel went eighth to Washington. The Mystics also took LSU’s LaSondra Barrett with the 10th pick. Connecticut chose 6-foot-8 Astan Dabo from Mali with the ninth pick. Georgia Tech’s Sasha Goodlett went 11th to Indiana. The Atlanta Dream didn’t have a first round pick, but they selected Connecticut’s Tiffany Hayes with the second pick in the second round. Atlanta then picked Isabelle Yacoubou of France in the third round, but she turned out to be ineligible to be drafted because she’s too old. League rules stipulate that international players can only be drafted in the year in which they turn 20. The 6-4 Yacoubou turns 26 on Saturday. Atlanta could try to sign her as a free agent. The WNBA season will begin on May 18 with training camps opening on April 29.

Dodgers turn triple play, beat Padres 5-4 (Yahoo! Sports)

admin — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 07:18:07 +0000

Dodgers turn triple play, beat Padres 5-4 (Yahoo! Sports)
LOS ANGELES (AP) The Los Angeles Dodgers turned a bizarre triple play in the top of the ninth inning, then Dee Gordon singled home the winning run in the bottom half for a 5-4 win over the San Diego Padres on Sunday and a three-game sweep. The Dodgers improved to 9-1, the best mark in the major leagues and equaling their best start ever in Los Angeles. Matt Kemp hit his fourth homer in three games as the Dodgers sent San Diego to its fourth loss in a row. It was 4-all when the Dodgers turned their first triple play since June 13, 1998, against Colorado. Chris Denorfia led off with a single against Javy Guerra (1-0) and Chase Headley walked. Jesus Guzman squared to bunt, but the pitch came high and tight and hit his bat as he backed away. The ball landed in front of the plate and catcher A.J. Ellis alertly picked it up and threw to third. Guzman, startled by what happened, didn’t run to first base, which made it easy for third baseman Juan Uribe to relay to shortstop Gordon at second base. In turn, he threw to James Loney to complete the triple play. Padres manager Bud Black came out to argue with plate umpire and crew chief Dale Scott, who ejected him. The Dodgers had the same situation in the bottom of the ninth with runners on first and second and nobody out, with Juan Uribe in a sacrifice situation against Brad Brach (0-1). Uribe successfully got the bunt down and Ellis was intentionally walked to load the bases. Pinch-hitter Jerry Hairston Jr. fouled out before Gordon slapped an 0-2 pitch to left field, setting off a celebration between first and second base. Gordon had struck out with the bases loaded to end the seventh. The Dodgers gave Clayton Kershaw to a 4-1 lead. But Josh Lindblom gave up a tying two-run single to pinch-hitter Jeremy Hermida in the sixth, leaving last year’s NL Cy Young winner with his third no-decision in as many starts. The Dodgers improved to 6-0 at home with their ninth straight win against San Diego at Dodger Stadium. San Diego tied it at 4 with three runs in the sixth. Orlando Hudson had a bases-loaded RBI single through the hole past Gordon to finish Kershaw, and Hermida hit a bases-loaded single. Kershaw allowed four runs and eight hits in 5 1-3 innings, struck out three and walked three. The left-hander had allowed just one run in 10 innings of his first two starts. Padres starter Edinson Volquez gave up four runs and six hits in five innings. He struck out two and walked five. NOTES: Padres C Nick Hundley snapped an 0-for-21 skid with a single in the third. His drought was the longest to start a season by a Padres non-pitcher since Ozzie Smith’s club record 0-for-32 stretch in 1979. … Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully returned to the booth after missing five days with a bad cold. ”I’m just going to give thanks that I’m here,” the 84-year-old said. … Los Angeles Clippers star Chris Paul took his 2-year-old son to the youngster’s first major league game.

Kinsler says he’s agreed with Rangers on new deal (Yahoo! Sports)

admin — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:54:06 +0000

Kinsler says he’s agreed with Rangers on new deal (Yahoo! Sports)
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Ian Kinsler has agreed on a new $75 million, five-year contract with the Texas Rangers. The two-time All-Star second baseman said he had the new deal after he hit a three-run homer in the Rangers’ 11-5 victory Monday night over Seattle. Kinsler’s new deal, which is pending a physical that could happen Tuesday, would start next season and replace a $10 million option the team had for 2013. The new deal would go through 2017, and includes an option after that. The Rangers and Kinsler had talked several weeks about a new deal this spring, but Kinsler had insisted on a self-imposed deadline of opening day to negotiate. Before Friday’s season opener, Kinsler indicated the two sides were close enough to be disappointed about a deal not being completed. He said he was focused on playing, but left open the possibility of his agent and the Rangers talking more. General manager Jon Daniels didn’t return a text message late Monday night after Yu Darvish’s much-anticipated major league debut for the two-time defending American League champions. The 29-year-old Kinsler is scheduled to make $7 million this season. He has two homers in the first four games. In his first six major league seasons, Kinsler hit .275 and twice had 30 homers and 30 stolen bases in the same season. Even though he hit only .255 last season, Kinsler had a career-high 32 homers with 77 RBIs, scored 121 runs and had a .355 on-base percentage. He was 30 of 34 on stolen bases.

Tebow draws big crowd to Texas Easter service (Yahoo! Sports)

admin — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 23:00:08 +0000

Tebow draws big crowd to Texas Easter service (Yahoo! Sports)
GEORGETOWN, Texas (AP) Tim Tebow drew a crowd of about 15,000 to an outdoor Easter church service Sunday, telling the gathering it’s important to be outspoken about faith while admonishing athletes about not being better role models. ”In Christianity, it’s the Pope and Tebow right now,” Celebration Church pastor Joe Champion he said. ”We didn’t have enough room to handle the Pope.” Tebow – devout Christian, backup NFL quarterback and cultural phenomenon – has a flock of admirers drawn as much to his religious leanings as his Heisman Trophy skills. Tebow told them he welcomed the attention on his convictions as well as the ”Tebowing” prayer pose he often strikes on the field because it puts his faith and prayer in the public conversation. ”It’s being talked about,” he said. ”That’s exciting.” Some at the ”Easter on the Hill” morning service under sunny skies about 20 miles north of Austin drove more 100 miles to hear Tebow speak. The service took on the feel of a rock concert with more than a 100 school buses shuttling people to the sprawling mega-church campus from local shopping centers and the nearby college. The service was peppered with lively Christian rock songs and Tebow took the large stage to cheers from those who could see him while others toward the back watched on massive video screens. He sat for a 20-minute interview with Champion to talk about his faith and its role in his public life. ”It’s OK to be outspoken about your faith,” Tebow said. He also took a shot at professional athletes who insist they are not role models. ”Yes you are. You’re just not a good one,” Tebow said. Champion asked Tebow what he thought needed to change culturally in America. ”First and foremost is what this country was based on: one nation under God. The more that we can get back to that,” Tebow said to applause. Although church officials had said they typically get their biggest crowds on Easter, Tebow was clearly the big draw Sunday. Several hundred started heading toward the exits after Tebow spoke, not waiting for Champion’s main Sunday sermon so they could avoid the 80-degree heat and beat the traffic. Some couldn’t wait for the official 8 a.m. opening to the church grounds and showed up hours early. Debbie Sandoval and her husband and two sons arrived before sunrise. They wore Tebow’s Jets jerseys and set up camp close the large soundstage with a row of chairs. ”I love that boy. … He’s like my third son,” said Sandoval, who is not a regular member of the church but wasn’t going to miss a chance to hear Tebow speak. A self-described ”lifelong Broncos fan,” Sandoval said she became a Jets fan because of Tebow. The quarterback led the Broncos to the playoffs last season and was acquired by the Jets in a trade March 21. ”Everything about this young man’s extraordinary life is special,” Sandoval said. Amanda O’Hara drove about 100 miles from San Antonio on Saturday and got to the church about 4:30 a.m. ”to be one of the first ones here.” ”I only got about four hours sleep, I was so excited,” O’Hara said. ”He doesn’t hide who he is. Parents should see him as a role model.” The crow included people dressed in Easter bunny costumes and one person dressed as the Sesame Street character Elmo. About an hour before the service, Elmo dropped to a knee with a toddler boy to mimic Tebow’s prayer pose. Media access to the event was tightly controlled inside the roped off field. Reporters and photographers were required to have an escort when walking through the crowd before the service. Television cameras were allowed to record only a portion of Tebow’s speech and no live video streaming of the service was permitted. Church officials initially expected up to 20,000 and said Tebow’s appearance on Easter Sunday was coincidental. Church spokeswoman Tara Wall said it was Tebow who reached out to Champion with a request to appear and Sunday was the best date available. Mike Benaglio and his wife, Debbie, sat on a blanket. ”I’m a fan of any pro athlete who stands up for his faith,” he said. ”We’re thrilled to be part of this. It’s not about football. Whatever gets more people over to the cross, I’m in favor of.”