Jimmy V Blog

Kevin Everett

Everett is a former NFL player, who played tight end for the Buffalo Bills. In 2007, he sustained a fracture in his spine and was most likely going to suffer permanent neurological damage. However, two days later he showed movement in his arms and legs and was going to be able to walk again.

Don Meyer

Meyer is a retired college basketball coach for Northern State University. He discovered cancer on his liver and intestines during a surgery following a car accident. His lower left leg was amputated soon after.

Messi Breaks Barcelona Record

http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/sports/2012/03/20/messi-breaks-la-liga-record/

3/26/12

Summary:

On March 20th, Lionel Messi broke Cesar Rodriguez's record for the most career goals out of any Barcelona player. With a hat-trick in Barcelona's 5-3 win over Granada, Messi increased his total goals to 234. Messi, three time defending champion of FIFA Player of the Year, has scored in seven straight games, collecting 17 goals. Currently, Messi leads La Liga in scoring with 35 goals and now has six hat-tricks on the season.

Significance:

Messi debuted for Barcelona in 2004, meaning he broke a long standing record of one of the best clubs in the world in 8 years. Also, he is a mere 24 years old and is on track to double this total by the end of his career. Not only is he considered the best player in soccer today, but Messi has been hailed by ESPN as the best to ever play the game. The Barcelona star has incredible talent and is history in the making every game he continues to play.

Alternate Heading: 24 Year Old Messi Breaks Barcelona Record

question: What is Messi on track to achieve?

Inspirational Athlete

I found J-Mac's story the most inspirational because for a kid with autism to shoot 6 for 10 from the three point line and score 20 points makes a statement: People suffering from a disability should encourage themselves to do great things. J-Mac scored more than almost any player on the court that game and has a disability, but he did not let that stop him. Anybody who has seen or heard J-Mac's story should be convinced that disadvantages can be overcome.

The Natural Essay - Avenues & Thesis

Thesis: The woman in Roy's life, that he at one point admired, ultimately lead to his failure to become a great ballplayer.

Avenues:

1. Positive to negative transition with Harriet Bird

2. Iris Lemon

3. Memo (caused Roy stress over hitting a boy, caused Roy to throw the game)

Fabrice Muamba Remains Critically Ill

http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/story/_/id/7705008/bolton-midfielder-fabrice-muamba-remains-critically-ill

3/19/12

Summary:

Fabrice Muamba, a midfielder on Bolton Wanderers, suffered cardiac arrest two days ago on the field in an FA Cup match against Tottenham. Muamba was following up on a play in the 40th minute when he suddenly collapsed to the ground and started shaking. Immediately, players and trainers surrounded him to help and realized he had a chance of dying right then and there. Multiple players walked away in grief and could not bare to look at their teammate dying before their eyes, but Muamba was given a defibrillator and remains in critical condition.

Significance:

There is no significance to the sports world from this story, but it is the second time ever a professional soccer player has suffered cardiac arrest during a game. Unfortunately, the first case ended it immediate death. Luckily, Muamba is still alive but has 50/50 chances of survival. Muamba's story is also significant because it is a scary thought that anybody at anytime could suffer a fatal attack.

Alternate Heading: A Deadly FA Cup Match

question: Is Muamba responsive yet?

Rooney scores twice as United beats West Brom 2-0

3/12/12

http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news;_ylt=AkOVMMr1MXXoMsy99dKnJOQmw7YF?slug=ap-epl-westbrom-manchesterunited

Summary:

On Sunday afternoon, Manchester United reclaimed first place in the Premier League after defeating West Brom 2-0. The first goal came from a cross by Javier Hernandez which Rooney directed towards the net on a volley with his right foot in the 35th minute. In the 66th minute, Rooney scored again, this time off a penalty kick that Hernandez had drew for United. Manchester United put this game as their number one priority because the win gave them a one point lead in the league standings. United started a strong lineup, including Rooney, Hernandez, Ashley Young, and Danny Welbeck.

Significance:

Manchester City, United's rivals, have been first place in the league since the season started until now. City lost 1-0 to Swansea City the same afternoon that United beat West Brom 2-0. While United claimed first place, they also had Javier Hernandez back in the lineup, his first game played in several months. Hernandez is a key part to United's success and his link with Rooney gives them a strong offense and good chance of winning the league. Also, United are no longer in the FA Cup or the Champions League and only have the Premier League left to claim.

Alternate Heading: Hernandez Return Sparks a United Victory

question: Why didn't they focus of Hernandez's return as a major part of the win?

30 for 30: The Two Escobars

1. Soccer and the drug industry were connected because the team's performance depended on how much violence there was in society, Pablo Escobar used drug money to support soccer in the country, and people believed in soccer to be the freedom away from all the drugs/chaos.

2.Pablo Escobar is controversial because although he was the biggest drug trafficker in Colombia, he used the money he made to help his country, building homes and setting up community fields. I think Colombia was better off when Escobar was alive and dealing drugs because at least he was helping Colombia progress positively and there was significantly less violence.

3. Andres Escobar was a great soccer player and patriot of his country. However, I think he was asking to be killed the night he went out because he knew there was terror in Medellin and he tried to talk sensibly with drug cartel members who were angry with him.

4. I liked this documentary because it revealed to me what was going on behind the curtains of Colombia's national soccer team. People around the world may think that Colombia played poorly in their World Cup performance, but they do not know what kind of pressure and situation they were playing under.

Kobe Bryant's 33 powers Lakers past Dwayne Wade, Heat

3/5/12

http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/recap?gameId=320304013

Summary: Yesterday afternoon a star-filled NBA battle took place between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat. The Lakers played at home and defeated the Heat 93-83, with Kobe scoring a game-high 33 points. Bryant generated his 3rd straight game with 30+ points and moved the Lakers into 4th place in the West. The loss for the Heat put them into second place in the East, behind Derrick Rose and Chicago. The Lakers were able to defeat the Heat because of their edge in big men and the fact that Kobe Bryant is arguably the best player of all time; LeBron and Wade could not handle him.

Significance: After the All-Star weekend, Kobe suffered a broken nose and concussion from an accidental play by Wade. While never clearing the NBA concussion test and having to wear a plastic mask for protection, Kobe has had three 30+ games in a row. Not only does he constantly prove his toughness, but he defeated Lebron and Wade while injured. This win is signicant for Kobe in his legacy over Lebron and for the Lakers because they showed they could beat the Heat if it came down to it in the NBA finals. Also, the game was significant because Kobe is 33 years old, injured, and clearly showing why he is the best player in the NBA.

Question: Why did the author fail to mention that LeBron did not guard Kobe?

Alternate Heading: The Legend of Kobe Continues

Steroid Answers

1. Phil Taylor is not in favor of athletes taking PED's, but he thinks that if they were allowed to absorb these substances it would help the crime rate among athletes. Also, watching the sport would become more entertaining with stronger and faster athletes.

2. All those athletes are great at their sport and have been investigated for using steroids. However, they are all similar because their repercussions for being found guilty of using PED's were very minimal.

3. The point of Phil Taylor's editorial is that PED's are barely illegal. Taylor believes that since many players get away with using them and become an admired spectacle that they might as well be legal. Although they are illegal, players who have used them in the past and been caught have suffered minor punishments.