Rescued Chilean Miner Prepared for NYC Marathon

Republished from ABC News/ESPN Sports: Edison Pena has prepared for Sunday's New York City Marathon like no other competitor: running each morning and afternoon in steel-tipped electrician's boots that he cut down to ankle-high shoes. Pena ran back and forth along a 1,000-yard (1-kilometer) path through the darkness and stifling heat and humidity inside the collapsed gold and copper mine where he and 32 other men were trapped for 69 days before last month's dramatic rescue. Pena ran to clear his head, to push away his anxiety.

And he ran, fellow miners said, because he wanted to be ready to represent them in a marathon, where he might be able to spread a message about what he hopes will be the legacies of their ordeal: safer workplaces, closer families and more trust in God. "If I had to run barefoot, I would have done it," Pena told Associated Press Television News after his rescue. "Life has given us a new challenge — to care more deeply, to be more present with the people we love." Pena, 34, has been among the more outspoken of the rescued miners, a man willing to show his emotions, even tears, as he talks of his intense desire that Chile's mineral riches don't come at the expense of working people ordered into mines known to be unsafe.

"I would like things to change," he said. "It was for something that I ran inside the mine. I think that things can be done. I think we suffered too much, that this too has to be worth something." Marathon organizers who learned of Pena's subterranean exercise routine had invited him to come to New York to watch the race. They were shocked when he asked to run instead. "Edison Pena will be one of the stars of this year's marathon as he will be among the 43,000 or more runners at the starting line on Sunday," said New York Road Runners spokesman Richard Finn in an e-mail to The Associated Press. Fellow miners weren't surprised that Pena wanted to run in the marathon.

To read the complete article by Eva Vergara, please click on the title link: "Rescued Chilean Miner Prepared for NYC Marathon".

The Rock JOINS the Hard Place

One of the best pieces of sports news to come out of last week was the announced merger of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and World Extreme Cagefighting, to happen in 2011. This is a wonderful surprise for mixed martial arts fans, a legion that keeps growing and growing. It brings the two biggest organizations under one roof and will deliver a number of pluses to spectators, fighters, and moneymen alike.

Here is what ESPNs Jason Lagendorf says that we can expect from the merger:

• Deeper fights card - UFC cards have become undeniably leaner over time, especially as fan sophistication grows and expectations are raised. You want us? Fine, you got us. Now give us enough reasons to stick around.
• Greater appreciation for 'outside' promotions - it won't overlook the good stuff happening in some of the other circuits, most notably Strikeforce and Bellator.
• A lightweight royal rumble - the UFC has divisional hierarchies and matchmaking that are mostly fair and transparent.
• No more Napoleon Complex - the lower weight classes routinely put on some of the best fights around, at least they'll get a chance to enjoy the same exposure as the big boys.
  
• OK, it's all about Jose - one subject has captivated MMA fans in recent months, when will Aldo make the jump?

This is what boxing should have done years ago instead of degenerating into the farce that the sport has become. In the way of that happening are huge egos and too much money to ever let go. The principals have become the sport. But with the merger of UFC and WEC the fans get top fighting and better class of promotions. All the best stuff possible. MMA is here to stay, now bigger and better than before.

Randy Moss is a Square Peg Looking for a new Round Hole

Bizarre happenings in the frozen north! I know gloomy-gray skies and forever snow can make a guy grumpy and irritable, but come on, there's no cause for incivility. But it seems that the Randy Moss and Brad Childress marriage is going though an annulment quicker than Britney Spears and Jason Alexander. Randy was only in Minnesota less than month so what caused such a shocking change of heart?

If you believe the various things that are being broadcast around the NFL, then Randy may have only himself to blame. Especially when the team knows how well he can play. He had little production as a receiver in the four games he plays and seems to many observers that he only plays hard when he, Randy, feels like it. Well in professional sport, that kind of princely attitude will only get you fired and push away other suitors. Is it a wide receiver thing recently, like being a jerk and not really trying to be part of a team? Look what happened to outfits that played Terrell Owen; they weren't happy unions neither.

Of course you gotta have two to tango. There is also a lot of chatter in the team and around the league that Coach Childress not the deeply loved leader that the front office would like us to believe. I have heard of comments the bemoan the lack of football understanding that the boss actually has, or knowledge of the game to take a team forward, Whatever is actually the case, things are not close to being good in the Land of Vikings. Time for coaches and senior players to grab their spears, draw a line in the sand and put their pasts behind them. Time to win a berth in the playoffs through just sheer hard work and guts.

What were you thinking Mike?

Today Mike Shanahan, the current coach of the Washington Redskins, did a really stupid thing as a leader. I have a healthy respect for Shanahan as a coach, especially when he was in Denver. After all, the man won back to back Superbowls in 1997 and 1998. He built a winning team and has a winning system, both things I admire. But in benching Donovan McNabb two minutes before the end of a game while losing, and bringing on Rex "Mr Reliable" Grossman, who hasn't done anything meaningful in almost three years. You have to be kidding Mike... seriously!

What message are you trying to send here?That the benching was just a situational substitution with no long-term effect.Who are you kidding mate? You have sent a loud, clear message that you don't trust your number one quarterback, you don't have faith in him in tough situations, and that the huge money and hype you put up to bring McNabb to Washington was all talk. One small call but one with massive implications. All of a sudden you have cut the foundations you have built since pre-season and the team is rudderless. What were you thinking, I would truly like to know, but you blew it. It was a juvenile, knee-jerk decision that will come back to haunt you. You, of all people, should know better. Oh, and did Rex win you the game? Hell no, he fumbled and the opposition scooped up the ball and ran it home for a touchdown.

I hate it when both are right!

My beloved Tottenham Hotspur played Manchester United today and, yes the Red Devils won as expected, 2-0. The game ended as a farce when the referee abrogated his responsibility to the players and failed to inform them of what was going on after a free-for-all in the penalty. Nani thought he was fouled, which was a load of cobblers (he went to ground after being breathed on), and then touched the ball. Believing a free kick had been awarded the Spurs keeper tried to take a free kick, when Nani walked around Gomes and tapped the ball into the net. Then all hell broke loose and the referee almost got lynched.

Manchester United's manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, said that the goal was Gomes fault because he should have known better. And I totally agree with him. Gomes is a good keeper physically but goes on mental walkabouts too many times; maybe a spell on the bench might clear his mind! Tottenham's manager, Harry Redknapp said that Nani had touched the ball and should have been booked. If he's booked it's a free kick, and Spurs can get on with trying to salvage the draw and a point. He's right too and that's annoying. I hate when they both are correct.

They are also both correct when each manager says that nobody knew what was going on. It was a total stuff up. The referee should have clarified what was happening and then got on with the game. Instead he says nothing and stands there with his hands on his hips like some poncy scarecrow. Thankfully, the game was not decided on this one incident although it did totally take the result away from Spurs when a nail-biting finish was on the cards. Mark Clattenburg, the referee, is obviously not capable of controlling such a high class and important game and should be sent to the Championship or lower to brush up on his skills. It's not the first time he has committed such a howler. Either way, a complete farce finish to a good, tight game.

Pre-season games mean nothing

Pre-season basketball and NFL games are meaningless, except for their ability to suck in tons of fans (and therefore money) to watch their teams play. The perfect example of this is the recent run of form that the new Utah Jazz have been showing. They had a perfect pre-season, winning all of their games, even against top opposition like the LA Lakers and Phoenix Suns. But that means diddly! The Jazz got absolutely clobbered by the Denver Nuggets in the opening game of the regular season by 22 points. Some much for the big run, it's all show. Pre-season is basically practice, and club owners should come clean and sell these tickets for $5.00 a pop. Anything is robbery. Some sports, like Rugby League and Australian Rules football have a trophy for their pre-season competition which at least makes it semi-honest. The rest is rubbish. And there was all that feel good stuff about a new look Jazz team.

Broncos can't buck this trend

Republished from ESPN: So that's it, then. It's done. The fix is arranged. It's Game Over and everybody knows the score. The BCS computers TKO Boise State. Why keep punching when it's not a fair fight?

Auburn and Oregon are No. 1 and No. 2 in the country according to Sunday's latest, most fraudulent compilation yet from the BCS rankings. If those two schools win the rest of their games, they'll play in the BCS Championship Game.

And Boise State? Members of football's lowest caste system? It doesn't matter. The BSUntouchables play Louisiana Tech on Tuesday night, but they're just cleaning windows on the Titanic now. If Auburn and Oregon win out, Boise State can wipe out every opponent 50-0 and not make it in now. And the Broncos probably won't even if the Tigers and Ducks don't win out. Yes, we're talking about Auburn. The team that has 13 fewer wins over the past five seasons than Boise State. Yes, we're talking about Oregon. The same team Boise State punched out last season 19-8.

It's the biggest rip-off since the Nigerian prince scam. It makes you wonder why you watch college football at all. What Boise State is being asked to do isn't doable. It's like trying to win a Cuban election. Or break into the Genovese family.

The Broncos are 6-0. They've won 20 straight games, the longest streak in the country. They've beaten two BCS automatic qualifiers -- 6th-ranked Virginia Tech and 24th-ranked Oregon State. Doesn't matter. BSU could whip the 103rd Infantry and it wouldn't get a sniff. The computers are in charge. The pod bay doors won't open.

Boise State is going to get seated at the kids' table again. The Broncos will go to some pointless bowl and beat somebody like they always do -- they've already bested Oklahoma and TCU in bowls like that -- and they'll come home with a win and a hatful of "You kids sure play with a lot of heart up there" put-downs from the BCS blazers.

To read the complete article by Rick Reilly please click on the title link: "Broncos can't buck this trend".

Who Says Sports and Politics Don't Mix?

Former Philadelphia Eagles hardman John Runyan is in the race of his life. Not going for any fumbled football or a quarterback's head in this one, but running for the District 3 Congressional seat in southern New Jersey. Bit of a switcheroo you might say, and you'd be right! Apparently being named one of the dirtiest players in the NFL during his stint in the City of Brotherly Love is just the kind of training that Runyan can use in his campaign and possibly in the job itself. After all, New Jersey is pretty much known as the corruption capital of the United States. I think we'd all get out the way real fast is this guy was running at you hard.

As is the case with many political outsiders, Runyan's campaign casts his non-experience as an asset, and his opponent Adler's incumbency, as a liability. A recent ad from the Republican candidate called Adler a "career politician" and "part of the problem for 21 years." Runyan got a boost last Friday from New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who told supporters "there's nothing moderate about John Adler's record" and accused the incumbent of being a reliable vote for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. That could be a death knell for Runyan's opponent without the guy taking a swipe at him physically.

Sports Shorts

Perth star Erin McGowan is the new WBO female 135 champion. Erin showed brilliance and superstar potential with a near-flawless performance last night over the United Kingdom's Lindsey Scragg at the Arena Jundaloop here in front of a raucous crowd that came to cheer for their fighter. McGowan worked behind a crisp jab, and surprised everyone when she took the fight to Scragg instead of just using her height and reach advantage to cruise to a victory. The undefeated McGowan proved the busier and stronger fighter in this exciting and explosive 10-round dukeout which had the crowd on their feet throughout.

By winning his third crown in 2010, Roger Federer matched Pete Sampras in career ATP titles at 64. The Swiss is now targeting John McEnroe’s 77 for the No. 3 spot. At the If Stockholm Open, Federer found himself down a break at 4-3 in the final to Florian Mayer until the German admitted that situation got into his head. After consecutive weeks in Shanghai and now Stockholm, Federer now has a week of rest before his home Basel tennis event begins next Monday.

Lote Tuqiri has played in World Cups in two codes, contested State of Origin deciders and tasted NRL premiership success during his 11 years as a professional footballer. But the veteran winger still found himself in a "dream state" when his name was read out in Australia's starting line-up for Sunday's Four Nations match against Papua New Guinea. The selection means the 31-year-old is the first player to earn selection as a Kangaroo, then a Wallaby, before returning to rugby league's international stage with Australia.

Former BYU player Ben Cahoon, 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, is one of only nine professional football players to catch more than 1,000 passes in a career (see chart), and only the second to do it in the CFL. Heading into an Oct. 10 game against the Calgary Stampeders, he needed four catches to surpass Terry Vaughn's CFL career record of 1,006. He made the fourth catch with five minutes left in the game, hauling in another pass from Anthony Calvilo, the former Utah State quarterback who arrived in Montreal the same year as Cahoon.

Chelsea are planning to test the resolve of Liverpool's new owners by making a fresh bid for Spain striker Fernando Torres in the Barclays Premier League January transfer window. Liverpool rejected an offer of £25 million ($40.2m) for the Spain striker last northern summer, but Chelsea are hoping to exploit the regime change at Anfield and the team's poor start to the season by signing one of their prized assets. Torres professed his loyalty to Liverpool in a prearranged statement in August, but his commitment is contingent on the club challenging for the biggest trophies, which are already looking out of reach this season as the Reds are languishing in 19th place.

While Sonny Bill Williams will be forever grateful to former Toulon coach Tana Umaga and the club's colourful owner, Mourad Boudjellal, for the opportunity and support they gave him in adapting to the new code, Williams's development has accelerated at a rate faster than even he anticipated since his move to New Zealand. In just five national provincial competition appearances for Canterbury, the 25-year-old has confounded his critics with a devastating attacking style that convinced New Zealand selectors to choose him in a 30-man squad for this weekend's Bledisloe Cup match against Australia in Hong Kong and the end-of-season European tour. Should he make his Test debut on tour, Williams will become only the second Kiwi league international to switch codes and represent the country in rugby union.

Should football follow rugby’s lead?

Republished from The Globe and the Mail: On the football field, the uniform is a suit of armour that makes players feel invincible and has the NFL in a sudden scramble to make the game safe. On the rugby pitch, where the action is every bit as vicious, they've been playing for decades with little more than a paper-thin set of shoulder pads. These are two violent games, each of which produce more than their fair share of injuries. But if a rugby player is going to get “blown up” — as they like to say in the NFL — the sound will be that of bone-on-bone, not the loud, made-for-TV popping of a helmet onto a pair of shoulder pads. When you put those pads and helmets on, it does protect you, but only to an extent,” said Eddie O'Sullivan, a former rugby player in Ireland who now serves as head coach for the U.S. national team.

By eschewing pads and helmets, rugby players say they avoid the perils of the so-called “Superman effect,” a sensation that emboldens players to take bigger chances and make bigger hits because they feel safeguarded by equipment that essentially turns them into armour-plated projectiles. “A helmet would actually be seen as a form of protection, so that would massively change the way the game is played,” said Chris Jones, who has played for the Sale Sharks rugby union team in Britain for 10 years. “It wouldn't really suit rugby to wear helmets.” Indeed, helmets and thick shoulder pads would alter the fundamentals of rugby — especially the tackling part, which has less to do with knocking an opponent to the ground, more to do with wrapping him up and keeping him there. “It's a more precise skill, rather than just the car wreck effect that you see on the gridiron, and that's the thing that keeps the game pretty safe for us,” O'Sullivan said.

Rugby players are taught to never use their head in making the tackle, and without a helmet to protect them, the logic is pretty clear. Any player leading with the head is almost certain to get hurt as badly as the person he's trying to hit. Meanwhile, ballcarriers in rugby — a game with continuous play and no forward passes — are also taught that it's better to go down easily so they can more effectively work the ball back to a teammate and keep play moving. This is not the way of the NFL, and suddenly, the league finds itself in the midst of a safety crisis. On Sunday, a new era in the NFL will begin, one in which extra scrutiny will be given to hits made at shoulder level and above. Players who have been taught since childhood to hit hard, and often to lead with their helmet and shoulders, have become confused about what's allowable and what's not.

In the middle of this debate, a couple of the sport's icons, Penn State coach Joe Paterno and former Bears coach and tight end Mike Ditka, have suggested helmets either be scaled back or completely eliminated from football — an almost certainly unworkable prospect that would make football look the way it did in the 1940s and 1950s ... and more similar to what rugby still looks like today. “I don't think people would strike with the head as much,” Ditka said during the week. “You would learn to strike with the shoulder pads if you didn't have a helmet on your head. ”While they're far from helmets, rugby does make “scrum caps” — soft, padded head guards — available, though they are mainly used to protect players from getting their ears bents and tweaked during scrums. The caps, more recently, have fallen out of favour because players think they feel awkward and don't want to appear “soft” by wearing them. Instead, many favour tying a simple cloth or elastic band around their heads to protect their ears.

If you would like to read the entire article by Eddie Pells, please click on the highlighted title link, "Should football follow rugby's lead?".