((ht: vikings.com))
Former Minnesota Vikings player Orlando Thomas passed away from ALS Sunday night at the age of 42.
Thomas, who played with the Vikings for 7 years after attending the now Louisiana-Lafayette, started in the league in 1995, he led the NFL with 9 interceptions that season.
He retired from the team after the 2001 season ended
Thomas was diagnosed with ALS in 2007 and fought a long and valiant battle with the disease. His agent, Mark Bartelstein said Thomas was down to 70lbs when he passed away.
The Vikings released a statement on the team website:
“The Vikings are deeply saddened by the loss of Orlando Thomas. Orlando was an outstanding player for the Vikings for seven years, but more importantly, he represented the franchise and the state of Minnesota with the utmost dignity and class. While his outgoing personality made him a favorite among his teammates, Orlando’s involvement in the community made him a favorite outside of Winter Park.
“Since 2007, Orlando fought this disease with tenacity and optimism. Throughout his difficult battle, he refused to allow ALS to define him, instead putting others’ needs in front of his and focusing on making those around him smile.
“Orlando will always remain a member of the Minnesota Vikings family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Demetra and their family.”
The folks at ESPN discuss Thomas:
Showing posts with label ALS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ALS. Show all posts
Monday, November 10, 2014
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Mike Hollis Puts His Foot Into Ice Bucket Challenge
((HT: Mike Hollis' Instagram))
We posted the Biz Nasty #IceBucketChallenge because of its sheer brilliance...
The former Jags kicker Mike Hollis is right up there with the Bill Gates version for challenges that are more ground-based...
There's a little William Tell vibe to it, too...
See...??? Once accurate, always accurate...kick
We posted the Biz Nasty #IceBucketChallenge because of its sheer brilliance...
The former Jags kicker Mike Hollis is right up there with the Bill Gates version for challenges that are more ground-based...
There's a little William Tell vibe to it, too...
See...??? Once accurate, always accurate...kick
Sunday, August 17, 2014
And The First Commish To Complete The Ice Bucket Challenge Is...??? (Unless, Of Course, He Was Really Third)
((HT: NHL.com))
How many of you had Gary Bettman in your pool...???
Not Goodell, Silver, or Selig...
But the NHL Commish
For those of you who don't know, the Challenge started when Boston athletes wanted to raise awareness for Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) and support 29-year-old former Boston College baseball captain Pete Frates. Frates is unable to speak and is confined to a wheelchair because of the disease.
Full disclosure...
The HQ knows several folks who suffer from this awful disease and they are tremendous role models for all of us...
We will be making donations to ALS societies instead of catching pneumonia...
How many of you had Gary Bettman in your pool...???
Not Goodell, Silver, or Selig...
But the NHL Commish
For those of you who don't know, the Challenge started when Boston athletes wanted to raise awareness for Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) and support 29-year-old former Boston College baseball captain Pete Frates. Frates is unable to speak and is confined to a wheelchair because of the disease.
Full disclosure...
The HQ knows several folks who suffer from this awful disease and they are tremendous role models for all of us...
We will be making donations to ALS societies instead of catching pneumonia...
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Paul Bissonette With Best Ice Bucket Challenge To Date
((ht: cbssports.com))
Whoa! We aren't sure that anyone can top this...
In case you haven't heard, a viral challenge is winding it's way through the internet to raise awareness and money in the fight against ALS (Lou Gehrig Disease)....
YouTube videos from celebrities, athletes, coaches and just plain good hearted and good natured people have been popping up everywhere and the person participating, well, they issue the challenge to the next person.
Which is where former Phoenix Coyotes enforcer Paul Bissonette, well, he responded to a challenge by former teammate Keith Yandle in a truly epic way...
Bissonette, dressed in nothing but a Speedo, stood on top of a hill and waited patiently for a helicopter full of Glacier water to fall from the sky, thus completing the challenge.
We should add that @biznasty2point0 threw his challenge out there as well.
He challenged LeBron James, Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson to match him..
Should be interesting
Whoa! We aren't sure that anyone can top this...
In case you haven't heard, a viral challenge is winding it's way through the internet to raise awareness and money in the fight against ALS (Lou Gehrig Disease)....
YouTube videos from celebrities, athletes, coaches and just plain good hearted and good natured people have been popping up everywhere and the person participating, well, they issue the challenge to the next person.
Which is where former Phoenix Coyotes enforcer Paul Bissonette, well, he responded to a challenge by former teammate Keith Yandle in a truly epic way...
Bissonette, dressed in nothing but a Speedo, stood on top of a hill and waited patiently for a helicopter full of Glacier water to fall from the sky, thus completing the challenge.
We should add that @biznasty2point0 threw his challenge out there as well.
He challenged LeBron James, Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson to match him..
Should be interesting
Friday, July 4, 2014
#Gehrig75
((HT:MLB.com))
It is hard to believe that 75 years have passed since one of the most simple, emphatic, and heart felt speeches in the history of sports.
The speech itself took less than a minute, but it's words are still ringing true today.
Here is how Major League Baseball is remembering Lou Gehrig's salute to everyone and everything he loved.
Full disclosure...
The HQ has people very close to us who suffer from the disease and they are some of the best people and role models you can ever come across. We support their causes and others that are similar in the hope that, one day, it can be off the map.
It is hard to believe that 75 years have passed since one of the most simple, emphatic, and heart felt speeches in the history of sports.
The speech itself took less than a minute, but it's words are still ringing true today.
Here is how Major League Baseball is remembering Lou Gehrig's salute to everyone and everything he loved.
Full disclosure...
The HQ has people very close to us who suffer from the disease and they are some of the best people and role models you can ever come across. We support their causes and others that are similar in the hope that, one day, it can be off the map.
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Steve Gleason's #SB48 Ad...
((HT: Microsoft their own selves))
Full disclosure...
The HQ is a proud supporter of Team Gleason as we hope a cure for ALS can be found...
We're touched by the lives of Steve, Jeremy Williams, and Kevin Turner as they fight...
Sunday, Steve will have a Microsoft ad running...
And you may as well go ahead and get a tissue...
Or three...
Full disclosure...
The HQ is a proud supporter of Team Gleason as we hope a cure for ALS can be found...
We're touched by the lives of Steve, Jeremy Williams, and Kevin Turner as they fight...
Sunday, Steve will have a Microsoft ad running...
And you may as well go ahead and get a tissue...
Or three...
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
And The Public Damage Control Of Steak Shapiro Begins...
((HT: CNN))
Steak Shapiro spent some time with Brooke Baldwin to go through Stage One of the reinvention of his career after he, Nick Cellini, and Chris Dimino put gasoline on a dumpster fire...
Okay, dear viewer... what do you think...???
Is it a positive step forward or is it the first step of spin doctoring the remainder of a career...???
Steak Shapiro spent some time with Brooke Baldwin to go through Stage One of the reinvention of his career after he, Nick Cellini, and Chris Dimino put gasoline on a dumpster fire...
Okay, dear viewer... what do you think...???
Is it a positive step forward or is it the first step of spin doctoring the remainder of a career...???
Team Gleason Accepts Sports Talk Hosts Apologies (UPDATE: Cellini Pledges Paycheck to Team Gleason)
Proving yet again that he and his foundation are better men, Team Gleason released a statement this afternoon stating they've forgiven the DJ's from Atlanta radio station 790 The Zone who made some poor, poor jokes at his expense.Here's the statement from Steve Gleason himself:
Regarding the DJ skit in Atlanta yesterday. I would like to thank the public for their support. 'Defend Team Gleason' now has been officially redefined. Additionally, the DJ's have provided genuine apology. Received and accepted. We have all made mistakes in this life. How we learn from our mistakes is the measure of who we are.
I think everyone can learn from this event. It's clear to me that, on a national and global scale, ALS is not understood, which is part of why its under funded and largely ignored. In the past 36 hours lots of people have been talking. Lets talk about this....There are zero treatments for ALS. If you take any action as a result of this event, I prefer it to end ALS. See what we are doing to change that at TeamGleason.org.
For more on Team Gleason, the link to his website is RIGHT HERE
If you'd like to donate to Team Gleason, the link is RIGHT HERE
Thus far, Brother Jon has handled this story and we haven't chimed in. I'm chiming in. I know and have worked with 2 of the 3 "DJ's" or Sports Talk Hosts involved.
And to hear they tried to do something like this was NOT a surprise. But like Gleason, rather than dwell on my distaste for them, I'm looking at the positive that comes from this.
Steve Gleason is a BIG man to accept their apology and that he did, just makes my respect for him and his battle only grow.
The good thing about what happened to the 3 "Hosts" is this probably should have happened years ago (them getting themselves fired), so let's call it Karma.
Like Gleason, I think a lot of good comes from what happened. It moved ALS forward in the discussion. It needs to be discussed/addressed or what ever else you want to call it.
This is a golden opportunity for people in Atlanta, New Orleans and other places to discover more of what the disease is and can do. Other than the inspiring stories of those battling it, it's a horrible affliction that needs attention.
Let's hope everyone takes advantage of the learning experience despite where it originated from.
Two side notes: Cellini has deleted his Twitter account, and according to Katherine Terrell at nola.com:
Cellini, who told NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune that he had no illusions about securing future employment, made a pledge if that were to happen.
"When and if I do work in radio again, I'm going to donate my first month's salary to Team Gleason and the fight against ALS," he said in a phone call Tuesday morning. "I know that feelings are very raw, and I've very, very contrite.
"I realize what I did was a horrible, horrible thing."
Interesting to see if that happens...
Monday, June 17, 2013
The New Orleans Side of 790TheZone's Bad Bit... (UPDATE: Dimino Apologizes)
First, here's the Saints statement, through team spokesman Greg Bensel:
“The New Orleans Saints support Steve Gleason not only for what he means to our organization and our city but more importantly what he means in his tremendous fight to find a cure for ALS...we have not heard the radio report, but if what is reported is accurate, it is grossly offensive."
Fox 8's Chad Sabadie started their team coverage
((HT: Fox8Live))
FOX 8 WVUE New Orleans News, Weather, Sports
The HQ agrees with Scott Shanle...
And now has a bit of a question... if Team Gleason knew of the bit, but wouldn't comment to WWL-TV, what was the situation surrounding the apology that Cellini apparently gave to Michel Gleason...
We digress...
Here's the ABC26 version...
The HQ now lies in wait for the rant from hell that New Orleans talk host Bobby Hebert has to say about this- and his former station...
Actually, we have some links for that...
Bobby and Deke Bellavia did two interviews on their show. One with Jane Gilbert, CEO of the ALS Association, and another with D. Orlando Ledbetter of the AJC...
2300 UPDATE: Here is the full Chris Dimino apology on his Facebook page...
So where to begin. The obvious and rightful place is with an apology. And the reality of knowing that falls short...no matter what I say...is heartbreaking.
The sheer stupidity of trying to put this as a failed attempt at humor is not lost on me.
The words "Should have known better" mean nothing to me. And shouldn't to you right now
I would like to though offer my apology. Knowing that it is everyone's right not to accept it. Or even consider accepting it for now.
My apologies go out first to Steve Gleason and his family. The weight of what he and they are going through did not need to be made heavier or worse by the pure and straight insensitivity of my actions.
I also want to offer up my apologies to all who are not only dealing with ALS..but to those who are dealing with ANYTHING that has made themself or family and friends subject to the physical and emotional heartache of any debilitating disease or condition.
As a father of two girls, I put myself in a position that I have begged...pleaded..DEMANDED..they not put themselves in. That of the bully. The mean kid. The one who thinks what they say or do comes with no consequence. It does. It always does.
I have no illusion as to what 19 years on the radio...30 years of being a grown man..and most importantly almost 10 years of being a father..and what you build up in your name and reputation over those periods of time..should and does mean.
Now I know how quickly a stupid and worse than that non thinking moment can change all of it.
I hope I get a chance to prove this is not who I want to be. It was and is who "I am" today though. That much is not lost on me.
I have spent so long not trying to put other people in a bad place because of me. Today I failed miserably.
I'm very open to any and all dialogue as it pertains to the people I have hurt and disappointed. I've had that dialogue with myself..my wife and will with my kids.
Thanks for at least this much of your time
Chris Dimino
“The New Orleans Saints support Steve Gleason not only for what he means to our organization and our city but more importantly what he means in his tremendous fight to find a cure for ALS...we have not heard the radio report, but if what is reported is accurate, it is grossly offensive."
Fox 8's Chad Sabadie started their team coverage
((HT: Fox8Live))
FOX 8 WVUE New Orleans News, Weather, Sports
The HQ agrees with Scott Shanle...
And now has a bit of a question... if Team Gleason knew of the bit, but wouldn't comment to WWL-TV, what was the situation surrounding the apology that Cellini apparently gave to Michel Gleason...
We digress...
Here's the ABC26 version...
The HQ now lies in wait for the rant from hell that New Orleans talk host Bobby Hebert has to say about this- and his former station...
Actually, we have some links for that...
Bobby and Deke Bellavia did two interviews on their show. One with Jane Gilbert, CEO of the ALS Association, and another with D. Orlando Ledbetter of the AJC...
2300 UPDATE: Here is the full Chris Dimino apology on his Facebook page...
So where to begin. The obvious and rightful place is with an apology. And the reality of knowing that falls short...no matter what I say...is heartbreaking.
The sheer stupidity of trying to put this as a failed attempt at humor is not lost on me.
The words "Should have known better" mean nothing to me. And shouldn't to you right now
I would like to though offer my apology. Knowing that it is everyone's right not to accept it. Or even consider accepting it for now.
My apologies go out first to Steve Gleason and his family. The weight of what he and they are going through did not need to be made heavier or worse by the pure and straight insensitivity of my actions.
I also want to offer up my apologies to all who are not only dealing with ALS..but to those who are dealing with ANYTHING that has made themself or family and friends subject to the physical and emotional heartache of any debilitating disease or condition.
As a father of two girls, I put myself in a position that I have begged...pleaded..DEMANDED..they not put themselves in. That of the bully. The mean kid. The one who thinks what they say or do comes with no consequence. It does. It always does.
I have no illusion as to what 19 years on the radio...30 years of being a grown man..and most importantly almost 10 years of being a father..and what you build up in your name and reputation over those periods of time..should and does mean.
Now I know how quickly a stupid and worse than that non thinking moment can change all of it.
I hope I get a chance to prove this is not who I want to be. It was and is who "I am" today though. That much is not lost on me.
I have spent so long not trying to put other people in a bad place because of me. Today I failed miserably.
I'm very open to any and all dialogue as it pertains to the people I have hurt and disappointed. I've had that dialogue with myself..my wife and will with my kids.
Thanks for at least this much of your time
Chris Dimino
The Audio Of 790TheZone Making Fun Of Steve Gleason (UPDATE: They've Been Fired And They're Responding- As Are The Falcons)
((HT: 790TheZone/106.1 The Ticket-NewOrleans))
Update--6:45pm: Lincoln Financial, owner of the station released a statement that included the mention of the three people involved have been terminated. OSG Sports will continue updating this story as it develops.
Here's the statement:
"We deeply regret the offensive programming that aired this morning on “Mayhem In The AM” on 790 The Zone, related to former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason and his battle with ALS. We suspended the three individuals involved immediately following their comments and have since terminated their employment. 790 The Zone, our owners, sponsors and partners in no way endorse or support this kind of content. We sincerely apologize to Mr. Gleason, his family and all those touched by ALS."
— Rick Mack, 790 The Zone Sr. VP & General Manager
Here's the two minutes...thanks to chria225
And here's a little cleaner version...
Here's the recap from the front office on the suspensions...
"We deeply regret the comments made by Mayhem In The AM this morning on 790 The Zone regarding former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason. 790 The Zone, Lincoln Financial Media, our sponsors and partners in no way endorse or support the unfortunate and offensive commentary concerning Mr. Gleason this morning. The members of the show involved with this incident have been suspended indefinitely pending further management review of their actions."
Rick Mack 790 The Zone Sr. VP & General Manager
OSG sources are telling us that the Atlanta Falcons received a phone call from the NFL over the bit. The future relationship the Falcons have with 790 is in play. The current relationship was somewhat dicey and acrimonious to begin with and this may seal it. There, simply, has to be a clause in the contract having to be the equivalent of a "morals" or "breach" to end the airings.
Sources also say the team has been looking for an excuse to get out of the deal, and this will do it.
The media relations departments all know each other and could black ball their coverage across the board and render them useless as a media entity in town.
Currently, they are an ESPN Radio affiliate, but on-air talent in Bristol this afternoon has taken the station to task with one host saying: "Whoever greenlighted this is the biggest idiot ever born."
More when we know more...
1920 UPDATE: Rodney Ho from the AJC caught up with Cellini and Shapiro...
Shapiro admits that he, as someone who went to school in New Orleans, admitted the bit was "ill-advised."
Cellini, on the other hand, thinks he was let go unceremoniously. He told Ho that Lincoln Financial wasn't investing in the station, and that "he said he got a response from Gleason through a third party and heard that he was okay with the apology that he gave." Where that apology was given is unclear, but if it's the Twitter apology that might be a bit of a reach.
From the article:
The dismissal, despite the circumstances, came as "a relief, really," Cellini said. "That station is a sinking ship."
His contract, he said, was up in November and he figured even then, it wouldn't have been renewed.
Ultimately, this was an excuse, Cellini said, for the station to cut salary and insert a cheaper syndicated morning show, Cellini said. "Mike & Mike" will likely be on tomorrow morning.
From Cellini's Twitter as of 1830:
No one made me apologize earlier, no one made me reach out. I was ignorant and it was the right thing to do. Got what I deserved..
An update: we all got wacked. I apologized to Michel Gleason, she understands it was a stupid joke. I'll do my best to help Team Gleason
Ho is still waiting to hear from Dimino...
Steak Shapiro posted the following on his Twitter feed:
What is so ironic is that I went to Tulane, love New Orleans and love the @steve_gleason story, what a moronic 2 mins, I am truly sorry....
18 yrs ago @chrisdimino named the radio station, I helped start it, today it ends but so grateful, hate if I disappointed anyone....
I love the people and city of New Orleans, always have, always will, @team_gleason I will work tirelessly to make this up to you....
Actually, what happened today has nothing to do with irony...
It's poor judgment...
Very poor judgment...
And there are a certain amount of people that will think the only reason you're truly sorry is that you got caught...
Nationally...
2130 UPDATE: The Falcons came out with a statement of their own...
“The Falcons are disappointed in the comments made about former Saints player Steve Gleason on a local Atlanta radio station Monday morning. The content concerning Mr. Gleason was completely inappropriate and is not representative of the views of the Falcons organization, nor does it represent the way we conduct our business on and off the field. To single out Steve the way he was this morning is totally lacking in taste and discretion.”
2145 UPDATE: Dimino addressed the situation on his Twitter feed...
Don't reach out to all the people I need to. I am in that process as we speak. Friends and family and most importantly those I know I hurt
I have so.many people I have to apologize to. I know this is not who I am...but it is who I am today. An apology here means nothing if I...
Every reference to the three and the show including bios, excerpts, and promotion have been removed from the 790TheZone website...
Update--6:45pm: Lincoln Financial, owner of the station released a statement that included the mention of the three people involved have been terminated. OSG Sports will continue updating this story as it develops.
Here's the statement:
"We deeply regret the offensive programming that aired this morning on “Mayhem In The AM” on 790 The Zone, related to former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason and his battle with ALS. We suspended the three individuals involved immediately following their comments and have since terminated their employment. 790 The Zone, our owners, sponsors and partners in no way endorse or support this kind of content. We sincerely apologize to Mr. Gleason, his family and all those touched by ALS."
— Rick Mack, 790 The Zone Sr. VP & General Manager
Here's the two minutes...thanks to chria225
And here's a little cleaner version...
Here's the recap from the front office on the suspensions...
"We deeply regret the comments made by Mayhem In The AM this morning on 790 The Zone regarding former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason. 790 The Zone, Lincoln Financial Media, our sponsors and partners in no way endorse or support the unfortunate and offensive commentary concerning Mr. Gleason this morning. The members of the show involved with this incident have been suspended indefinitely pending further management review of their actions."
Rick Mack 790 The Zone Sr. VP & General Manager
OSG sources are telling us that the Atlanta Falcons received a phone call from the NFL over the bit. The future relationship the Falcons have with 790 is in play. The current relationship was somewhat dicey and acrimonious to begin with and this may seal it. There, simply, has to be a clause in the contract having to be the equivalent of a "morals" or "breach" to end the airings.
Sources also say the team has been looking for an excuse to get out of the deal, and this will do it.
The media relations departments all know each other and could black ball their coverage across the board and render them useless as a media entity in town.
Currently, they are an ESPN Radio affiliate, but on-air talent in Bristol this afternoon has taken the station to task with one host saying: "Whoever greenlighted this is the biggest idiot ever born."
More when we know more...
1920 UPDATE: Rodney Ho from the AJC caught up with Cellini and Shapiro...
Shapiro admits that he, as someone who went to school in New Orleans, admitted the bit was "ill-advised."
Cellini, on the other hand, thinks he was let go unceremoniously. He told Ho that Lincoln Financial wasn't investing in the station, and that "he said he got a response from Gleason through a third party and heard that he was okay with the apology that he gave." Where that apology was given is unclear, but if it's the Twitter apology that might be a bit of a reach.
From the article:
The dismissal, despite the circumstances, came as "a relief, really," Cellini said. "That station is a sinking ship."
His contract, he said, was up in November and he figured even then, it wouldn't have been renewed.
Ultimately, this was an excuse, Cellini said, for the station to cut salary and insert a cheaper syndicated morning show, Cellini said. "Mike & Mike" will likely be on tomorrow morning.
From Cellini's Twitter as of 1830:
No one made me apologize earlier, no one made me reach out. I was ignorant and it was the right thing to do. Got what I deserved..
An update: we all got wacked. I apologized to Michel Gleason, she understands it was a stupid joke. I'll do my best to help Team Gleason
Ho is still waiting to hear from Dimino...
Steak Shapiro posted the following on his Twitter feed:
What is so ironic is that I went to Tulane, love New Orleans and love the @steve_gleason story, what a moronic 2 mins, I am truly sorry....
18 yrs ago @chrisdimino named the radio station, I helped start it, today it ends but so grateful, hate if I disappointed anyone....
I love the people and city of New Orleans, always have, always will, @team_gleason I will work tirelessly to make this up to you....
Actually, what happened today has nothing to do with irony...
It's poor judgment...
Very poor judgment...
And there are a certain amount of people that will think the only reason you're truly sorry is that you got caught...
Nationally...
2130 UPDATE: The Falcons came out with a statement of their own...
“The Falcons are disappointed in the comments made about former Saints player Steve Gleason on a local Atlanta radio station Monday morning. The content concerning Mr. Gleason was completely inappropriate and is not representative of the views of the Falcons organization, nor does it represent the way we conduct our business on and off the field. To single out Steve the way he was this morning is totally lacking in taste and discretion.”
2145 UPDATE: Dimino addressed the situation on his Twitter feed...
Don't reach out to all the people I need to. I am in that process as we speak. Friends and family and most importantly those I know I hurt
I have so.many people I have to apologize to. I know this is not who I am...but it is who I am today. An apology here means nothing if I...
Every reference to the three and the show including bios, excerpts, and promotion have been removed from the 790TheZone website...
Atlanta Sports Shock Jocks Make Fun Of Steve Gleason... (UPDATED: Suspended Indefinitely, Firing Might Be Easier Than Before, NFL Contacts Falcons)
Full disclosure on two fronts: The HQ is a member of Team Gleason and supports ALS research...
So, this morning on Atlanta morning-drive sports talk radio...
790 The Zone is an ESPN Radio affiliate, but they do their own morning show from 6-10AM...
They've done it for years, and at times, it can be funny... but, honestly, we're talking years ago...
This morning, however, they were not...
In a bit at their half-way point, they decided to do a bit making fun of New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason and his battle with the disease...
((NB: We're waiting for audio to surface so we can publicly ridicule them))
Word started on the LSU message board, "Tiger Droppings," and has made its way back to Scott Fujita and his Twitter:
I'm going to reserve judgement until I hear this morning's playback from @790TheZone. But right now I'm enraged.
Sources close to OSG HQ say that the segment idea began since Steve Gleason did Peter King’s article this week on SI.com. He said he now has to communicate using his eyes and is unable to speak. They then said could you imagine trying to interview him on a radio show...
And the bit started...
One of the jocks, Nick Cellini came out with this idea on his Twitter feed:
we took a shot, it backfired. Live and learn...
Really...???
Live and learn...???
Learn this, gentlemen...
((HT: Fox 6))
NOON UPDATE: Cellini followed his first Tweet with this one:
My apologies to everyone. It was a stupid attempt at humor that backfired. Emphasis on stupid.
Thanks for that... and thanks for jokes like this one...
Knock knock
who's there?
smother
smother who?
smother me, do me a favor
If only the ALS community could do that to your on-air signal...
1315 UPDATE: The hosts have been suspended indefinitely... according to Rick Mack- 790 The Zone Sr. VP & General Manager
1445 UPDATE: From Pro Football Talk
One of the hosts of the "Mayhem" show, "Steak" Shapiro was widely thought of as an owner of the place- which would have made it difficult to fire himself.
But Shapiro and Andrew Saltzman sold their equity stake to Lincoln Financial in 2010.
Lincoln Financial took the assets from Shapiro and Saltzman's Big League Broadcasting since Big League's foray into St. Louis sports talk was a financial money pit and abject failure- and they, probably, could use the financial rescue.
From the AJC's Rodney Ho at the time of the sale:
“Owning your own company is extremely rewarding,” Shapiro said. “We decided to trade in the day-to-day stress for the security of a great job at a great company.”
Here’s Saltzman in the press release:
“We have accomplished a great deal as entrepreneurial broadcasters, and this acquisition allows 790 The Zone to compete at an even higher level,” said Saltzman. “I am pleased with the development of this strategic partnership.”
Just how much longer they're partners will be interesting to see...
1500 UPDATE: Sources close to the 790 situation are saying that the National Football League has contacted the Atlanta Falcons over what happened this morning. 790TheZone is part of the Atlanta Falcons radio network.
They are also part of the Georgia Tech radio network, but no response has come from the Flats as of yet...
So, this morning on Atlanta morning-drive sports talk radio...
790 The Zone is an ESPN Radio affiliate, but they do their own morning show from 6-10AM...
They've done it for years, and at times, it can be funny... but, honestly, we're talking years ago...
This morning, however, they were not...
In a bit at their half-way point, they decided to do a bit making fun of New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason and his battle with the disease...
((NB: We're waiting for audio to surface so we can publicly ridicule them))
Word started on the LSU message board, "Tiger Droppings," and has made its way back to Scott Fujita and his Twitter:
I'm going to reserve judgement until I hear this morning's playback from @790TheZone. But right now I'm enraged.
Sources close to OSG HQ say that the segment idea began since Steve Gleason did Peter King’s article this week on SI.com. He said he now has to communicate using his eyes and is unable to speak. They then said could you imagine trying to interview him on a radio show...
And the bit started...
One of the jocks, Nick Cellini came out with this idea on his Twitter feed:
we took a shot, it backfired. Live and learn...
Really...???
Live and learn...???
Learn this, gentlemen...
((HT: Fox 6))
NOON UPDATE: Cellini followed his first Tweet with this one:
My apologies to everyone. It was a stupid attempt at humor that backfired. Emphasis on stupid.
Thanks for that... and thanks for jokes like this one...
Knock knock
who's there?
smother
smother who?
smother me, do me a favor
If only the ALS community could do that to your on-air signal...
1445 UPDATE: From Pro Football Talk
One of the hosts of the "Mayhem" show, "Steak" Shapiro was widely thought of as an owner of the place- which would have made it difficult to fire himself.
But Shapiro and Andrew Saltzman sold their equity stake to Lincoln Financial in 2010.
Lincoln Financial took the assets from Shapiro and Saltzman's Big League Broadcasting since Big League's foray into St. Louis sports talk was a financial money pit and abject failure- and they, probably, could use the financial rescue.
From the AJC's Rodney Ho at the time of the sale:
“Owning your own company is extremely rewarding,” Shapiro said. “We decided to trade in the day-to-day stress for the security of a great job at a great company.”
Here’s Saltzman in the press release:
“We have accomplished a great deal as entrepreneurial broadcasters, and this acquisition allows 790 The Zone to compete at an even higher level,” said Saltzman. “I am pleased with the development of this strategic partnership.”
Just how much longer they're partners will be interesting to see...
1500 UPDATE: Sources close to the 790 situation are saying that the National Football League has contacted the Atlanta Falcons over what happened this morning. 790TheZone is part of the Atlanta Falcons radio network.
They are also part of the Georgia Tech radio network, but no response has come from the Flats as of yet...
Thursday, May 9, 2013
KT's New Challenge...
Just so you know... this is a column I wrote for our friends over at Georgia Public Broadcasting...
And I figured I would share it here...
If you mention the name Kevin Turner to the folks in Tuscaloosa, they have this picture in their mind of a guy who would run over you to get where he needed to go...
The soft hands could catch passes out of the backfield and then the size and frame would leave tire tread on you as he plowed his way forward. Turner spent nine years in the NFL as a fullback and a special teamer and now his battles are far different...
It's a battle to eat...
It's a battle to hold something in his hand- even for a second...
And shaking hands to greet a stranger for the first time is out of the question...
Turner has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis... Lou Gehrig's Disease...
This is the second time that I have been near someone who is fighting this animal that, I'm told in analogy, is like being a candle and having wicks at both ends that are lighted. And as the candle burns, that's the effect the disease has on the body. It goes from the outside in when it attacks...
The first time, you all know, was when those of us at GPB were introduced to former Greenville Head Coach Jeremy Williams. I can say that, after being with the Williams family, they are some of the bravest people I know. It's easy to make a correlation between Jeremy's hard-hitting style at Memphis as a punishing defensive back and how he is now. But it hasn't been divulged that his on-field stats are the cause of his health issues.
And we may never know...
But with Kevin Turner you see the same kind of strength and inner peace that I have seen in the Williams family. He and Jeremy see themselves as vessels to a greater message- and the message may differ from person to person.
I think that's the point...
Kevin is now one of the faces of the NFL concussion lawsuit- feeling deeply that those who run the sport he played
need to take a deeper responsibility for the actions of those who paved the way to form today's corporate monolith.
He thinks that shoulder pads shouldn't be used as much as they are...
He thinks that kids should be held out of playing the sport until their teen years because the body is being formed many times over until then. If a young kid wants to play football, and they express that interest to a parent... and Kevin means REALLY, REALLY, expresses that interest to a parent- wait a year... and then let the kid get the taste to play first-hand.
As a player, a coach of young kids learning to play, and as a parent... Turner has a lot to say... He's even let Jon Frankel follow him around to chronicle his battle with the disease... and the battle his family and close friends are part in as well...
Here's the trailer for "American Man..."
It's brave... it's eye-opening... and, something Turner said initially would be a fun thing to do...
You don't hear a lot of people say that... that opening up your life to one of its biggest challenges and baring your day-to-day struggles would be a fun thing to do. But Turner approaches this whole thing with a sense of humor. He knows that his life is different and will only get more so...
He joked with me that he can't text and drive as much as he used to...
But, I know, that the mission and the message will shine a light into some corners that need to be exposed.
Here's our short version of the conversation we had...
The long version is here...
And to find out more about the Kevin Turner Foundation, go to kevinturnerfoundation.org
For those of you who want to catch "American Man" it will be shown tonight at the Buckhead Theatre in Atlanta- action starts at 7 with the documentary kicking off at 8...
Be there... you might even see someone you know...
Play it safe, everyone... I'll see you soon...
And I figured I would share it here...
If you mention the name Kevin Turner to the folks in Tuscaloosa, they have this picture in their mind of a guy who would run over you to get where he needed to go...
The soft hands could catch passes out of the backfield and then the size and frame would leave tire tread on you as he plowed his way forward. Turner spent nine years in the NFL as a fullback and a special teamer and now his battles are far different...
It's a battle to eat...
It's a battle to hold something in his hand- even for a second...
And shaking hands to greet a stranger for the first time is out of the question...
Turner has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis... Lou Gehrig's Disease...
This is the second time that I have been near someone who is fighting this animal that, I'm told in analogy, is like being a candle and having wicks at both ends that are lighted. And as the candle burns, that's the effect the disease has on the body. It goes from the outside in when it attacks...
The first time, you all know, was when those of us at GPB were introduced to former Greenville Head Coach Jeremy Williams. I can say that, after being with the Williams family, they are some of the bravest people I know. It's easy to make a correlation between Jeremy's hard-hitting style at Memphis as a punishing defensive back and how he is now. But it hasn't been divulged that his on-field stats are the cause of his health issues.
And we may never know...
But with Kevin Turner you see the same kind of strength and inner peace that I have seen in the Williams family. He and Jeremy see themselves as vessels to a greater message- and the message may differ from person to person.
I think that's the point...
Kevin is now one of the faces of the NFL concussion lawsuit- feeling deeply that those who run the sport he played
need to take a deeper responsibility for the actions of those who paved the way to form today's corporate monolith.
He thinks that shoulder pads shouldn't be used as much as they are...
He thinks that kids should be held out of playing the sport until their teen years because the body is being formed many times over until then. If a young kid wants to play football, and they express that interest to a parent... and Kevin means REALLY, REALLY, expresses that interest to a parent- wait a year... and then let the kid get the taste to play first-hand.
As a player, a coach of young kids learning to play, and as a parent... Turner has a lot to say... He's even let Jon Frankel follow him around to chronicle his battle with the disease... and the battle his family and close friends are part in as well...
Here's the trailer for "American Man..."
It's brave... it's eye-opening... and, something Turner said initially would be a fun thing to do...
You don't hear a lot of people say that... that opening up your life to one of its biggest challenges and baring your day-to-day struggles would be a fun thing to do. But Turner approaches this whole thing with a sense of humor. He knows that his life is different and will only get more so...
He joked with me that he can't text and drive as much as he used to...
But, I know, that the mission and the message will shine a light into some corners that need to be exposed.
Here's our short version of the conversation we had...
The long version is here...
And to find out more about the Kevin Turner Foundation, go to kevinturnerfoundation.org
For those of you who want to catch "American Man" it will be shown tonight at the Buckhead Theatre in Atlanta- action starts at 7 with the documentary kicking off at 8...
Be there... you might even see someone you know...
Play it safe, everyone... I'll see you soon...
Monday, February 18, 2013
OSG High: Texas Bill To Limit Full-Contact Practice
((HT: ETFinalScore))
The HQ is well aware of what concussions and helmet-to-helmet contact have done to football players these days...
All you have to do is look...
On one side, you have OJ Brigance and Steve Gleason who are dealing with ALS and, on the other, there are all the deaths of football players who have been diagnosed with CTE.
One Texas state legislator is looking at the collision sport and trying to trim the number of contact practices even further...
Brownsville rep Eddie Lucio is putting a bill to the floor in the state house in Austin to restrict full contact practices to one per week.
“If you don’t allow (a) muscle or bone to heal, it’s going to break,” he told Ben Kamisar of the Austin Statesman. “The same thing is relative to the brain. It can only heal itself at a certain rate, and any additional hits could cause more damage.”
Coaches gave Kamisar alternating opinions:
"I’ve always felt like good coaching prevents those things,” Austin-Cedar Park (TX) head coach Joe Willis said. “…If you have one day (of full-contact practice), and you go out there with bad technique on that one day, you might get a concussion anyway.”
Lake Travis High School head coach Hank Carter said that his team already doesn’t tackle players to the ground during regular season practice to limit injuries.
The HQ will be interested to see where this goes...
Here's some analysis on the early changes in the UIL during last football season...
The HQ is well aware of what concussions and helmet-to-helmet contact have done to football players these days...
All you have to do is look...
On one side, you have OJ Brigance and Steve Gleason who are dealing with ALS and, on the other, there are all the deaths of football players who have been diagnosed with CTE.
One Texas state legislator is looking at the collision sport and trying to trim the number of contact practices even further...
Brownsville rep Eddie Lucio is putting a bill to the floor in the state house in Austin to restrict full contact practices to one per week.
“If you don’t allow (a) muscle or bone to heal, it’s going to break,” he told Ben Kamisar of the Austin Statesman. “The same thing is relative to the brain. It can only heal itself at a certain rate, and any additional hits could cause more damage.”
Coaches gave Kamisar alternating opinions:
"I’ve always felt like good coaching prevents those things,” Austin-Cedar Park (TX) head coach Joe Willis said. “…If you have one day (of full-contact practice), and you go out there with bad technique on that one day, you might get a concussion anyway.”
Lake Travis High School head coach Hank Carter said that his team already doesn’t tackle players to the ground during regular season practice to limit injuries.
The HQ will be interested to see where this goes...
Here's some analysis on the early changes in the UIL during last football season...
Sunday, February 10, 2013
OSG High: Catching Up With The Williams Family
((HT: AJC))
Full disclosure...
TBH and I are privileged enough to call the Williams family as friends...
We've covered Jeremy Williams on the field and off as he has been fighting ALS for a long time...
Jeremy Williams was a hitter in high school in the secondary and went on to play at the University of Memphis as the "Georgia Assassin." He went home to coach at Greenville (GA) High and turned around a program that hadn't won in a long time...
Now, he's on a ventilator and has a line of support miles long as he plays in the 4th Quarter of his life- at the age of 41...
FOSG Steve Hummer and Curtis Compton update us all on a family we all can learn from...
Full disclosure...
TBH and I are privileged enough to call the Williams family as friends...
We've covered Jeremy Williams on the field and off as he has been fighting ALS for a long time...
Jeremy Williams was a hitter in high school in the secondary and went on to play at the University of Memphis as the "Georgia Assassin." He went home to coach at Greenville (GA) High and turned around a program that hadn't won in a long time...
Now, he's on a ventilator and has a line of support miles long as he plays in the 4th Quarter of his life- at the age of 41...
FOSG Steve Hummer and Curtis Compton update us all on a family we all can learn from...
Thursday, January 17, 2013
OSG Medical: Steve Gleason Announces Special House For ALS/MS Patients
((HT: WWL-TV))
Former New Orleans Saints defensive back Steve Gleason went in front of the United Nations over the spring and said that technology could help in the integration of ALS and Multiple Sclerosis patients.
Today in New Orleans Team Gleason, Steve's foundation, announced the construction of a special residence for people with neuromuscular disorders in the St. Margaret's Skilled Nursing Residence in town. Eye-activating technology allows people to open curtains, turn on TVs, open doors and turn on lights inside the house.
JPMorgan Chase and Company gave $350,000 to the house in its construction.
Meg Farris was at the announcement...
Full disclosure: The HQ is a member of Team Gleason and supports its goals as we're very close to people who are fighting both diseases...
Former New Orleans Saints defensive back Steve Gleason went in front of the United Nations over the spring and said that technology could help in the integration of ALS and Multiple Sclerosis patients.
Today in New Orleans Team Gleason, Steve's foundation, announced the construction of a special residence for people with neuromuscular disorders in the St. Margaret's Skilled Nursing Residence in town. Eye-activating technology allows people to open curtains, turn on TVs, open doors and turn on lights inside the house.
JPMorgan Chase and Company gave $350,000 to the house in its construction.
Meg Farris was at the announcement...
Full disclosure: The HQ is a member of Team Gleason and supports its goals as we're very close to people who are fighting both diseases...
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Team Gleason And Indianapolis
((HT: NBC Sports/NFL))
Full disclosure...
The HQ supports Team Gleason and an ALS Chapter here at home base since we're very close to someone who suffers from Lou Gehrig's Disease...
Peter King does a great job on catching up with Steve and his wife Michel as they battle the disease form two fronts- their very private front and the public front we all see with Steve as his fight is now in the 13th month.
Until this gets pulled or NBC comes up with a longer version that includes the intro and a longer outro from Bob Costas...
Enjoy...
And support causes that mean everything to you...
Full disclosure...
The HQ supports Team Gleason and an ALS Chapter here at home base since we're very close to someone who suffers from Lou Gehrig's Disease...
Peter King does a great job on catching up with Steve and his wife Michel as they battle the disease form two fronts- their very private front and the public front we all see with Steve as his fight is now in the 13th month.
Until this gets pulled or NBC comes up with a longer version that includes the intro and a longer outro from Bob Costas...
Enjoy...
And support causes that mean everything to you...
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Saints Gleason Goes Public With ALS Diagnosis
((HT: WWL-TV))
Drew Brees called this play one of the most important in Saints history...
((HT: ESPN/NFL/youtube))
Brother Phil was there on that evening, and he can confirm that after that moment the game was over... it was what New Orleans needed on that night...
And Steve Gleason gave it to them...
Gleason has now gone public with a diagnosis of ALS... he was an honorary captain for the game today against the Texans...
((HT: NFL on CBS/NFL/NFLNetwork/youtube))
"In a way, I see this as an opportunity to continue to be an inspiration, maybe even more so than I ever have been," he said in interviews this afternoon.
Here's Drew Brees talking after the win over the Texans about Gleason and his fight
Drew Brees called this play one of the most important in Saints history...
((HT: ESPN/NFL/youtube))
Brother Phil was there on that evening, and he can confirm that after that moment the game was over... it was what New Orleans needed on that night...
And Steve Gleason gave it to them...
Gleason has now gone public with a diagnosis of ALS... he was an honorary captain for the game today against the Texans...
((HT: NFL on CBS/NFL/NFLNetwork/youtube))
"In a way, I see this as an opportunity to continue to be an inspiration, maybe even more so than I ever have been," he said in interviews this afternoon.
Here's Drew Brees talking after the win over the Texans about Gleason and his fight
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