NFL
I have always said, officials don't determine the outcome of a game, but don't even think of saying that to Sean Payton, head coach of the New Orleans Saints, after his team was absolutely, without question, robbed of their chance to go to Super Bowl LIII. At the five-yard line with less than two minutes to go in the fourth quarter, in what will surely go down as one of the worst "non-calls" in NFL history, a clear cut, no brainer case of pass interference, plus helmet to helmet contact, occurred against a Saints' receiver.
Not one or two, but three officials (one only five yards away) somehow decided that there was no infraction on the play. Totally unexplainable and inexcusable, it cost the Baton Rouge boys a dream come true chance at eternal glory and stardom.
The officials and league should be, and admittedly are, embarrassed about the whole incident and stated such publicly the very next day, that the officiating crew screwed up big time. I'm sure that makes all the Saints' players, coaches and fans feel a lot better and will now join league officials in a rendition of “Kumbaya".
Both conference games were very entertaining with both going to overtime to decide a winner, the first time that has ever happened in NFL history. While the Saints were being hosed by the Rams and the refs, the Patriots/Chiefs' game saw an extremely exciting fourth quarter that resembled a ping pong match with both teams scoring at will. Once again Brady and Belichuk's planning, skill and yes, luck, prevail.
They may be the most hated team in the league but you still have to give New England tons of credit as this is their third Super Bowl appearance in a row and their fourth in five years, no other team can say that. It's their ninth time to the dance in 18 years and they're looking for their sixth Vince Lombardi trophy, truly amazing.
Trivia time, #1) Who did the Patriots play in their first Super Bowl win in 2002? #2) What team has won the most Super Bowls?
CFL
One has to feel for the Saskatchewan Roughriders when their "Saviour", VP, GM and head coach Chris Jones decided, a week after signing a new lucrative contract, to dash off to the NFL. The football guru apparently knows the new bench boss of the Cleveland Browns from years gone by and when he “came a calling", looking for a defensive assistant, he wasted no time in accepting the "once in a lifetime" offer.
Meanwhile the Green Machine isn't having any luck finding his on-field replacement, striking out in their most recent fishing expeditions, first trying to lure a Redblack (Elizondo) from the Ottawa River and then failing to land a Blue Bomber (LaPolice) from Lake Winnipeg. Knowing the knowledge and intensity of stubble jumpers, they'll find a competent replacement soon enough, probably within house.
MLB
The 427 members of BBWAA (Baseball Writers Association of America) have made their decision as to who will pass through the doors in Cooperstown into baseball's HOF (Hall of Fame). Heading this year’s class are 1) Blue Jays' Roy "Doc" Halliday, with his two Cy Young awards, a perfect game and 203 wins, 2) super reliever Mariano Rivera, a unanimous selection (first one ever), who holds MLB's record for saves with 652, 3) super DH Edgar Martinez, who was in his last year of eligibility and 4) Mike Massina, with his 270 wins.
As has been the case for the last six years, "steroid cheaters" like Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and foul-mouthed Curt Shilling failed to be named on 75 per cent of the ballots, thereby denying them entrance, as it should be. (smile).
Has anyone noticed how my Islanders are now in first place in their conference? Just thought I'd mention it.
Trivia answer, #1) the Rams, but remember they were in St. Louis back then, and #2) the Steel Curtain from Pittsburgh with six. Until next time....
