Hi Folks,
We do a lot of really insightful, thoughtful and serious features here at Footballguys with some very smart people thinking deeply for you. This is not one of those features.
This is Random Shots and it’s a few pages of me downloading my goofy and dysfunctional mental hard drive that gets stuffed with way too many random items from too many hours watching, reading about and listening to football every weekend and throughout the week. It's the only way I keep relatively sane. Here's hoping it has a tiny bit of value for you.
We’ll see how it goes. Let’s get to it.
J
If you thought holiday videos couldn’t get more annoying than the sweater around his neck dude, you are mistaken.
PGA Golfer Bubba Watson sets the new bar for terrible video with Bubba Claus. Proof that it takes more than just a bunch of money to create a great video.
Let’s get to the Holiday Good Stuff.
Just like last year, I'm starting right off the bat with the music on this one as we cover all the Holiday bases. First a Run DMC - Charlie Brown mashup of Christmas in Hollis.
Next up is Adam Sandler with the classic Hanukkah song.
Elvis sings my favorite Christmas song.
And for a picture of cool personified, he butchers the words but still kills it live.
Long live the King.
And one last song for you Star Wars fans...
Lastly, one of my favorite Sports Illustrated covers from a few years back featuring Belichick Santa.
Happy Holidays from all of us at Footballguys.
Enough Hallmark stuff. Back to the normal snarkiness you’ve come to expect from this column.
I can never see the Belichick perfect season Sports Illustrated cover without thinking of this shirt which Giants fans are sure to love.
Here’s something you don’t see everyday.
Gazillionaire Warren Buffet wearing a Ndamukong Suh jersey on the Detroit sidelines.
Turns out, it’s not that weird as Buffet and Suh are Nebraska guys.
From the FTW.USAToday article: “Buffett, a Nebraska grad, was introduced to Suh by former Nebraska AD Tom Osbourne. According to MLive, the two have stayed in touch over the years.”
Oh Jim…
Thanks to James Coots for that one.
The only thing better than real live St. Louis Bobbleheads racing bikes?
Real live St. Louis Bobbleheads wrecking at the finish where Isaac Bruce spins his head around.
Note to Russell Wilson. The Civil War Museum called and wants the uniform back.
Thanks to James Cook for that one.
Please let this be real.
Bless you @FauxJohnMadden.
Here’s what it’s like to be Colt McCoy these days. A reporter answered his loudly ringing cell phone while McCoy was talking on the podium.
McCoy was (rightfully) flabbergasted.
I guess we’re not in Texas anymore…
Speaking of not being in Texas anymore, here’s how bad things are for Johnny Manziel.
Pro Wrestler bad guys are mocking him.
Luke Harper is a “heel” (Bad Guy for you non Pro Wrestling Guys) and the WWE was in Cleveland Sunday Night.
He found trolling the Cleveland fans quite productive…
Cincinnati’s Ray Maualuga enjoyed himself as well.
Of course, the net result was Maualuga’s dumb play drawing a taunting penalty giving Cleveland a first down. But no need to let that get in the way…
Overall though, an awful day for Manziel.
And Lebron.
“NEW YORK—Bringing further attention to the NFL’s ongoing struggles with head-trauma-related issues, an anonymous survey published Thursday by ESPN revealed that multiple players from the New York Jets lied about suffering from concussion symptoms to get out of games this season. “Of 43 Jets players surveyed, over 30 admitted to having actively misled sideline doctors by complaining of severe nausea and blinding headaches in order to avoid going back out on the field,” said ESPN reporter Evan Thompson, adding that several players confessed to feigning a momentary loss of consciousness after a jarring hit so they could remain on the sideline for the rest of the game. “Among players who admitted to lying to coaches and team doctors, almost all claimed to having done so more than once over the course of this season, with many going to incredible lengths to stay in the locker room during games against a division rival. Most worrying, however, is that when asked if they would do it again, every player unanimously said yes.” The report’s findings also indicated that, despite their best efforts, every Jets player in question was forced to retake the field and finish the game anyway.”
God Bless The Onion. Meaning this isn’t real. At least as far as we know…
Seattle’s Michael Bennett with a very happy sack dance.
Oh Michael…
Less happy was Russell Okung who took a shot to his chest and was coughing up blood on the sidelines. A Seahawk trainer was checking on Okung.
Okung apparently did not want to be checked on.
I’m assuming there’s more to the story.
I’m no Defensive Coordinator, but I’m pretty sure leaving Dez Bryant uncovered is a bad idea.
Thanks to Brandon Michael Bronchetti for that one.
Here’s where things are in Washington…
I’m guessing Jeff Triplett isn’t on Santana Moss’ Christmas Card list this year.
If “Ice Cup Throwing” ever becomes an Olympic event, my money’s on Vinny Curry.
File this under “These Guys Earn Their Money”.
Clay Matthews, meet Eric Wood.
I’ll have to say, I never get too pumped about the pancake hits when a player doesn’t see it coming. There isn’t a player in the league who wouldn’t go down like Matthews there. Especially giving up 50 pounds. But that has to hurt.
Thanks to Footballguy Jim Coupe for that one.
San Diego may be struggling at Football these days. But Eric Weddle is not. Or more accurately, Eric Weddle’s beard is not. He dyed it gray for Christmas.
Cleveland isn’t that far from Cincinnati. But this Cleveland crowd wanted no part of Bengals RB Jeremy Hill jumping into the stands after a touchdown.
Thanks to Footballguys Scott Conrad and Brian Sumner for that one.
I met a guy this weekend though that would welcome Hill with open arms.
Scott Hanson walked out of the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas Sunday night with a check for TWO MILLION DOLLARS after taking down the FanDuel FFFC contest. Jeremy Hill was the guy who helped Scott break away from the pack as he was the only contestant out of the field of 100 to start Hill.
And yes, I said TWO MILLION DOLLARS. That’s TWO of these.
Here’s a short video from the festivities with some of the winners. That’s my Buddy Nigel Eccles, FanDuel CEO handing out the big checks and the handsome gentleman on the left with the microphone is Hall of Famer Bob Harris who gave me my start in this business. Without Bob, you probably wouldn’t be reading this. So blame him.
Congratulations Scott.
And congrats and a big thank you to FanDuel for a positively first class event.
I’m with Ryne Rapp. Kay Jewelers is missing out on a great ad tie in…
While I’m on advertising Jingles, everyone’s seen the Manning spot for Nationwide.
After this this effort against San Diego, the first thing I thought of was “Knew I shouldn’t have blocked that guy” to the Nationwide tune.
Glitch in the Matrix for Buffalo Sunday.
That’s a lot of Williamses. But it gets better: Aaron Williams #23 was also on the field for this snap.
Thanks to Footballguy Chris Doucet for this one.
Browns WR Andrew Hawkins has been a regular this season on Random Shots for his fun Instagram videos featuring his son.
Back in Week 9, Hawkins explained to his son that there will be only Hawkins fans under his roof…
In Week 11, we say a nice ending to the story.
But Sunday, things got real.
Hawkins wore a T-Shirt in pre game introductions calling for justice for the recent police shootings in Ohio.
Clipped from the ESPNCleveland.com article:
Hawkins donned a shirt that read “Justice for Tamir Rice and John Crawford” on the front and “The Real Battle for Ohio” on the back.
Rice, 12, was shot by a Cleveland police officer on Nov. 22 investigating a complaint about a boy carrying a toy gun. Crawford, 22, was shot and killed on Aug. 5 in a Wal-Mart while holding an air pellet rifle.
The protest drew criticism from the Cleveland Police Union, who called the protest “pretty pathetic” and asked for an apology from Hawkins. The Browns then issued a statement expressing respect for the Cleveland Police Department and for “our players’ rights to project their support and bring awareness to issues that are important to them if done so in a responsible manner."
On Monday, Hawkins gathered media in the locker and spoke without notes.
He said:
“I was taught that justice is a right that every American should have. Also justice should be the goal of every American. I think that’s what makes this country. To me, justice means the innocent should be found innocent. It means that those who do wrong should get their due punishment. Ultimately, it means fair treatment. So a call for justice shouldn’t offend or disrespect anybody. A call for justice shouldn’t warrant an apology.
You can see his complete statement here and you can see the video here. Both are worth the time.
My take on this if you care.
I don’t have enough knowledge of the Ohio shootings to have an opinion. So save the angry email.
What I do have an opinion on is how Hawkins handled himself here.
I love it. He made his point. He was respectful of those that don't share his viewpoint. He wasn't snarky or arrogant and had none of the "I'm right and you're stupid if you don't agree with me" that seems prevalent on BOTH sides of just about any issue these days. He seemed thoughtful, sincere and honest. And I believe regardless of whether you agree with someone or not, when they present their side with those qualities, you’re more open to listening. Which leads to real discussion. And real progress. Which is the goal. Or should be.
And to be clear, Hawkins may well be wrong in wearing the shirt. One can absolutely make a case that NFL employees must follow a dress code and they don’t get to use pre game introductions to advertise or promote causes or products. That’s a valid argument and it can be discussed. It’s complicated and complex. If Breast Cancer Awareness is ok to promote, how about Heart Disease Awareness? Do players get to wear shirts promoting their favorite Political Candidate? How about a shirt advertising Ford Trucks? Or Coors Light?
My point is it’s a real question as to what’s ok to promote. Hawkins made his decision, explained why he did it well and the chips will fall where they may.
I like how he closed his remarks, “So, like I said, I made the conscious decision to wear the T-shirt. I felt like my heart was in the right place. I’m at peace with it and those that disagree with me, this is America, everyone has the right to their first amendment rights. Those who support me, I appreciate your support. But at the same time, support the causes and the people and the injustices that you feel strongly about. Stand up for them. Speak up for them. No matter what it is because that’s what America’s about and that’s what this country was founded on.”
That’s good advice for any issue.
Rock on, Andrew Hawkins.
That didn’t take long.
Oh Colin…
If you’re wondering, this picture from July had some folks upset.
Small World Moment.
Last week, I gave you this pic and said, “Oh those Eagles fans…”
Turns out the guy in the picture is a Footballguys Subscriber.
And sent me part 2.
William Gay, you’re kind of ridiculous.
Just Jay Cutler and Kristin Cavallari at an ugly sweater party this week to benefit the Jay Cutler Foundation.
I’m not even sure where to start there…
I told you last week about Arian Foster plowing over team Chaplain Greg Tyler.
Footballguy Leo Scanlon emailed me and asked if he was flagged for “Roughing The Pastor”.
We’re here all week, folks. Please tip your server.
The Jersey Lives.
Just Rob Gronkowski with a kitten on his head from the ESPN Magazine photo shoot.
Last week, I said Detroit’s Andre Fluellen gave you Video Game guys something to smile about with his Hadouken sack celebration.
Rock on, Street Fighter.
But just like with the Wrestling moves, you guys always have more to add.
Footballguy Jake Riese sent me this email this week, “Hi Joe, as a fan of both Street Fighter and Dragon Ball Z it seems highly more likely to me that Andre Fluellen's celebration was in fact a Kamehameha Wave. The way his arms and mouth move are much more like a Kamehameha than a Hadouken.”
There you have it. I can’t get anything past you guys.
Wrapping with a wild story from Chad Johnson this week. (I used to have that sentence on Autotext but it’s been a while since I’ve used those words.)
Johnson left a $300.92 tip this week for his server on a $351.92 bill. That’s awesome.
What’s a little less awesome is we know this because Johnson took a picture of the bill to tell everyone what a great guy he is.
The “Look At Me” has always been strong with this one. No news there.
I also thought it was funny that while he may not be playing NFL football anymore, he’s still got the talk down writing that it wasn’t about the money.
Although I don’t recall Chad posting pictures of his regular tips…
Whatever. The server got a great tip and that’s cool.
But what’s really cool is that (once again according to Chad…) a woman saw this gesture and the tip prevented her from taking her own life.
Now that’s super cool.
Which leads me to this.
Holidays are a tough time for lots of folks. You never know when a kind act is going to make an impact on someone. I’m going to guess you probably don’t have $300 to leave for a tip. That’s fine. There are a zillion ways to do something kind for someone. Use your imagination. If you’re struggling, here are 29 ideas to get you started. These things can make a difference.
But here’s an Old Guy secret. I’m firmly of the belief that sometimes the biggest thing you can do for someone is just be present. Be there for them.
I see people get hung up on trying to figure out the perfect “kind thing” to do and they wind up doing nothing. We make it way too difficult when it’s really not that hard.
Just be there.
Be with them.
I believe people want to be known. I think that’s how God wired us and I’ve seen it over and over again that the real “gift” is just being there.
If you’re in a really bad spot and like the woman Chad Johnson mentioned, you’re considering something rash, please allow me to be so bold and say this to you: I bet it’ll get better. If you’re struggling hard, talk to someone and be honest. They’ll listen. If you don’t have anyone, email me at Bryant@Footballguys.com. Just don’t do something rash and permanent. Fight through it and come out better on the other side.
Ok. Off the soap box. But this is a big deal to me. It’s why I always close with the “Timshel” song and tell you guys to love your neighbor and stick together.
HibOO d'Live : Mumford and Sons "Timshel" from Le-HibOO.com on Vimeo.
Thanks to Footballguys Doug Drinen, James Coots, Brandon Michael Bronchetti, Jim Coupe, Leo Scanlon, Jake Riese, Brian Sumner, Chris Doucet and Scott Conrad for the help on this one. If you've got a Random Shot of your own, shoot me an e-mail at bryant@footballguys.com.
Thanks for playing along. I hope you make the most of whatever you're doing in your life. Love your neighbor and stick together.
And with that I wish you Happy Holidays. May Peace and Joy be yours.
J