Super Bowl XLIV surpasses M*A*S*H for largest TV audience ever
by ZombieMonta on Feb 8, 2010 10:29 PM EST
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(the final shot of the series finale of M*A*S*H)
Wanna talk about coincidences? What are the odds that the all-time box office gross record and the record for the most-watched TV program ever would both fall in the span of five days? Slim, yet that's exactly what happened. On February 3, James Cameron's Avatar surpassed Titanic -- Cameron's previous film -- as the highest-grossing movie in cinematic history. And yesterday, Super Bowl XLIV between the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts drew 106.5 million viewers, breaking a 27 year-old record previously held by the series finale of M*A*S*H.
Keep in mind that the No. 2 and No. 3 most-viewed Super Bowls were the previous two games between the Steelers and Cardinals and the Patriots and Giants. So don't get attached to the Saints-Colts record; there's a REAL good chance it'll fall next year.
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Today in Sports History: February 8th
by ZombieMonta on Feb 8, 2010 1:52 PM EST
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(Webb going up for a dunk. Photo by Stephen Dunn, Getty Images)
2/08/1986 - Webb wins slam dunk contest
There were many great moments in the NBA's Slam Dunk Contest in the 1980's. There was Michael Jordan's free-throw takeoff, his sideline one-hander, Dominique Wilkins' double-pump jam, and Terence Stansbury's Statue of Liberty. But only one man made a career out of his slam dunk performance, and that man was Spud Webb.
At the 1986 dunk contest, Spudd went up against Atlanta teammate Domique Wilkins, who was the defending-champion. At 5-foot-7, Webb was not only the smallest player in NBA history, he was a foot smaller than both Michael Jordan (who was not competing) and Wilkins. But Spud had the crowd and a 42-inch vertical leap on his side, and he demonstrated both with flawless precision. At one point he even pulled off a 360-degree spin, impressive considering he couldn't palm the basketball. When it was all said and done, Webb had stunned everyone and was declared the winner of the event.
"I'm proud to be his teammate," said Wilkins. "He's the best little guy I ever saw. ... I scored over 45 on all my dunks but he got 50's so what are you going to do? Everybody likes to see a little guy do well. And he did a lot of dunks guys 6-7 and 6-8 can't do."
Asked how he was able to dunk so high, Webb said, "I haven't the slightest idea. When I find out I'm going to write a book about it. I guess it's just God-given talent."
It was the defining moment for Webb, who spent the majority of his 13-year career coming off the bench for the Atlanta Hawks. He later spent time with Sacramento, Minnesota and Orlando. A year after his dunk, Webb's distinction as the smallest player in history was lost to Muggsy Bogues, a 5-foot-3 point guard who was drafted by the Washington Bullets.
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Records set in Super Bowl XLIV
by ZombieMonta on Feb 8, 2010 10:34 AM EST
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The New Orleans Saints, one of the most beleaguered franchises in all of sports, are now the champions of the National Football League. Prior to their 31-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, the Saints had done virtually nothing since their inaugural season in 1967. It took them a whopping 21 years to experience both a winning season and a playoff season, and it wasn't until 2000 -- with a 31-28 triumph over the Rams -- that they actually won a postseason game. Like the Arizona Cardinals, who pushed the Steelers to the limit in last year's Super Bowl, the Saints were playing in a game unprecedented in their franchise's history, but unlike the Cardinals, who lost in the final minute, the Saints closed strong and ended the contest with an interception of Peyton Manning and a game-clinching stop on fourth-and-goal.
Some other records and historical tidbits of Super Bowl XLIV:
- Sean Payton's onside kick was not only the first recovered onside kick outside of the fourth quarter, it was the first onside kick ever even attempted outside of the fourth quarter in Super Bowl history.
- By coming back from a 10-0 first quarter deficit, the Saints tied the 1987 Washington Redskins for the largest comeback in Super Bowl history.
- The NFC team has won the coin flip to begin the game a miraculous 13 times in a row. Interestingly enough, prior to the Saints, the team that had won the opening coin flip had lost 10 of the last 13 Super Bowls.
- Peyton Manning threw for 333 yards, an INT and a TD while completing 31 of 45 passes. While his an enormous fourth quarter interception may have cost his team a chance at victory, Manning did become the fourth quarterback to amount 5,000 career postseason passing yards, joining John Elway, Joe Montana and Brett Favre. Manning is now 9-9 in playoff games.
- Drew Brees had one of the greatest Super Bowl performances ever. By completing 32 of 39 passes while collecting two touchdowns and 288 yards, Brees tied a Super Bowl record for most completions in the big game. He tied Tom Brady, who threw for 32 catches in Super Bowl XXXVIII.
(more after the jump...)
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AP reveals Daly death threats from "Bad Boy" era
by ZombieMonta on Feb 7, 2010 1:21 PM EST
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The Associated Press reported on Sunday that during the height of the "Bay Boys" Detroit Pistons teams of the 1980's, coach Chuck Daly received numerous death threats and that the FBI had undergone an investigation to determine who sent them.
From the Washington Post:
One letter, mailed from Cleveland and postmarked April 24, 1989, arrived about two months after Cavaliers guard Mark Price suffered a concussion following a Rick Mahorn elbow and three months after Cleveland's Brad Daugherty and Detroit's Bill Laimbeer had an on-court fistfight.
"God made me realize that YOU, not Laimbeer, Mahorn or any of the others are the one possessed by (Satan)," the author wrote in the one-page handwritten letter addressed to "Mr. Chuck Daly."
While the FBI determined that none of the threats were serious, hence why Daly was never attacked, it is interesting that the Bad Boys' style of play wound up biting the team a little bit, or at least Daly. For all the emphasis we put into athletes' and coaches' bad behavior, we seldom consider what they may have to go through because of it. And really, playing a rough style of basketball isn't even that much of an offense. Who knows what sort of mail other athletes have received for more serious offenses?
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Today in Sports History: February 7th
by ZombieMonta on Feb 7, 2010 10:26 AM EST
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(Jordan in a Sox uni. Photo by Eugene Garcia, Getty Images)
2/07/1990 - Leslie gets 101 in half
Well before she joined the WNBA and became the most recognizable female basketball player in America, Lisa Leslie made headlines for one of the most famous, or infamous, performances in high school basketball. Playing for Morningside High School, Leslie's coach, Frank Scott, gave the 6'5'' center the go-ahead to try to break Cheryl Miller's high school record of 105 points.
Leslie attempted to do just that against less-than-phenomenal South Torrance High School. After one half, Morningside led 102-24, with Leslie having scored 101 points. Many of her buckets were pure cherry-picking, as she waited in the backcourt to score without running back to play defense. Two of South Torrance's players had already fouled out, and with the team down to only four active players, the team forfeited after one half -- depriving Leslie the chance to obliterate Miller's record.
The reaction to Leslie's 101-point half was decidedly negative. Many columnists were appalled at the scoring spectacle, particularly with the lack of respect Leslie and Morningside had given their hampered opponents. When she heard that South Torrance was forfeiting, Leslie had gone up to the opposing coach and asked if they would stay in the game long enough for her to break the record. The coach responded, "Our girls have feelings too."
"It wasn't personal," said Lisa, who later became the first WNBA player to dunk in a game. "They knew I was going for the record. I thought knowing that would take some of the hurt away."
At the time, Scott defended his coaching decision. "In our league, we've held back as much as we can, and it's tough to keep holding them back," he said. "We decided to let the girls go one game a year." But he changed his tune after receiving repeated criticisms, saying, "After this year, we probably won't go for any more records. I don't feel that it's worth it. It creates too many bad feelings between the schools."
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The Members of the 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame
by WVPiratesfan on Feb 6, 2010 6:51 PM EST
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Today the newest member's of the Pro Football Hall of Fame were announced, the inductees this year are. Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, Dick LeBeau, Flyod Little, Ricky Jackson, Russ Grimm and John Randle.
Now a quick overview of the reason why these men were elected to the Hall of Fame.
Jerry Rice-San Fransisco 49ers 1985-2000, Oakland Riders 2001-2004, Seattle Seahawks 2004 and Denver Broncos 2005(retired during training camp). Three super bowl wins(XXIII, XXIV, XXIX), 13 time pro-bowler, 11 time first team All-Pro, 1980s all-decade team, 1990s all-decade team, 1985 rookie of the year, Super Bowl XXIII MVP, 1,549 Receptions, 22,895 receiving yards and 208 Touchdowns
Emmitt Smith-Dallas Cowboys 1990-2002, Arizona Cardinals 2003-2004. Three Super Bowl Wins(XXVII, XXVIII, XXX) eight time Pro Bowler, four time All-Pro selection, 1993 NFL MVP, 1990s All-Decade Team, 1993 Bert Bell award, 18,355 rushing yards, 164 rushing Touchdowns and 78 100 yards rushing games, member of the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor.
John Randle-Minnesota Vikings 1990-2000, Seattle Seahawks 2001-2003. Seven Time Pro Bowler, six time All-Pro, 1990s all-decade team, 556 tackles, 137.5 sacks and One Interception
Rickey Jackson-New Orleans Saints 1981-1993 San Fransisco 49ers 1994-1995. One Super Bowl win(XXIX), Six time Pro Bowler, Three time All-Pro, and his #57 has been retired by the Saints
Dick LeBeau - Detroit Lions 1959-1972, As a player 72 interceptions(seventh all-time), 171 consecutive games played(record for conerback), 3 time Second Team All NFL., and three time Pro Bowler. As a Coach Five Time AFC Champion, two Super Bowl wins (XL, XLIII, both with the Steelers), Inventor of the 3-4 Zone Blitz
Russ Grimm - Washington Redskins 1981-1991, four time Pro Bowler, three time All-Pro, Three Super Bowl wins(XVII, XXII, XXVI) 1980s All-Decade team, and one of the 70 greatest Redskins.
Flyod Little - Denver Broncos 1967-1975. Two Time AFL All-Star, Three Time Pro-Bowler, member of Broncos Ring of Fame and #44 Retired by the Broncos, 6,323 Rushing Yards and 43 Touchdowns
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Today in Sports History: February 6th
by ZombieMonta on Feb 6, 2010 1:33 PM EST
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(Steve Kerr, Shaq, and Mike D'Antoni. Photo by Ross D. Franklin, AP Photos)
2/06/1995 - Maxwell gets mad with a fan
In a 120-82 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets guard Vernon Maxwell is ejected for running 12 rows into the stands and punching a fan. Maxwell, or "Mad Max" as people called him, claimed that the fan in question -- Steve George -- had taunted him with racial insults and jokes about his stillborn child. "When he began involving my daughter Amber in his obscene, abusive and racial remarks I decided I'd had enough and I rushed into the stands," Maxwell said in a statement.
It was the first major incident involving an NBA player and a fan. Maxwell received a 10-game suspension and a $20,000 fine. George denied making any such statements and filed a suit against Maxwell and the Rockets. "I would like to have an apology from Vernon Maxwell," George said. "I think it's wrong for him to turn this around to where I am no longer the victim and he's making himself out to be the victim. He chose to come up and do what he did and he's chosen to say to the press things that are totally untrue."
A year later, the fan reached a five-figure out-of-court settlement with Maxwell. 1995 was not a good year for Vernon, who was later given a permanent leave of absence by the Houston Rockets. Maxwell had voiced displeasure since he lost his starting job to Clyde Drexler, who the Rockets had recently acquired from Portland. Max was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers that September.
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