Internet Relationships

It's been all over the news.. the story swept the nation. Manti Te'o had a fake girlfriend. He says they had never met and was just as shocked as everyone else that she was not real. A lot of people find this hard to believe. They wonder how could he ever not know she didn't exist.

I think this is a generational thing.. The younger the adult is the more likely they would be to understand it. Today's adult spends a lot of time in social media, they have "friends" on facebook, twitter, pintrest, etc.. People they may have never met. And yet they most likely have had detailed and intense discussions with them. Yes, we warn our children.. we talk about predators but honestly, there are a lot of people on line and most of them are just that, people online. Nothing nefarious about them.. and connections, real connections are made.

It's easy to discuss your thoughts, dreams, hopes and feelings with these people.. to share yourself with a faceless person. Over time you begin to feel a real friendship from them. An intense emotional bonding.. It's easy to get lost in the unreality of that reality.. to almost forget that they are faceless beings on the other side of the internet.. faces that you have created.. you do not connect face to face. You chat..

I think older adults for the most part don't get this.. they are used to a different world and while many may have embraced the internet, they still believe that relationships need to be made and created face to face. And really they should at some point.. but who are we to say what point.

Sadly, Manti is going to be learning a harsh lesson.. first he suffered the humiliation of having a "girlfriend" who didn't really exist. Then everyone in the world found out about it and he has become the butt of all the latest jokes. And finally, his career is questionable.. There is a strong possibility that this charming young man will drop far in the draft and not be able to demand the salary that he might have initially been able to.

Why? Because he is 22 and yes naive.. He has shown that he has a good heart and is a loyal team mate. That he is a skilled athlete.. but right now no one wants to see that, they want to see the fraud, the deception.. and it doesn't help that we are all dealing with the lies that Lance Armstrong has been spewing for years..

So no one is going to give this young man the benefit of the doubt. They are going to judge him as only the self righteous can. Seriously, even if he did it.. the kids is what 22 years old? How many of us did stupid stuff at that age? At least we were allowed to be stupid in private..

Shauni

Class Act

I know many many many people don't like Tim Tebow, I can't figure out why but there it is. I mean to me he seems like the kind of guy I would LOVE for one of my daughters to bring home. Intelligent, goodlooking, athletic and what looks to be a really just good guy. But for all that he is vilified on a regular basis. More so than even those that commit atrocious crimes. I won't mention the obvious ones that have remained in the press but think about Donte Stallworth, killed a person while he was drunk and driving and he gets 30 days and is currently playing for the New England Patriots.. This man, broke the law and committed DUI manslaughter why is it no one has ever said anything about that? And Tim gets reamed why? Oh yeah because he is a man of faith.. Don't tell me that's not why he is getting all the "bad" press.. 

And yet time and time again he steps up to the plate and responds with class.. I read an article by Jay Hart over at Yahoo Sports and really liked his response to the Tebow bashing... here are a few:

"On the field and off, Tebow's most scandalous act has been – wait for it – being himself.

He's not a prototypical quarterback, doesn't have the strongest arm or the best accuracy, and for that he's been castigated for the egregious act of trying. 

What a jerk! 

When a teammate anonymously called him a "terrible" quarterback, Tebow responded by saying, "It's not always fun having people saying negative things about you, but you try to be stronger from it." 

Clearly he has anger management issues. 

When the Denver Broncos kicked him to the curb after rallying a 1-4 team to the playoffs, replacing him with a future, albeit injured Hall of Famer, Tebow lashed back at his former team by saying, "First and foremost, I just want to thank the Denver Broncos for my time there." And then, "I understand what they were going through. You don't get many opportunities to have a chance to sign Peyton Manning. What a great quarterback he is."

What a bitter man Tebow is. 

And when the Jets relegated him to the roll of promotional pawn, parking him on the bench until they decided to utilize him in the wildcat formation in the worst of ways, Tebow agreed to play the upback on the Jets' punt team. 

What a prima donna. 

With nothing but role-model tales to go on, the vultures have taken to bashing Tebow under the guise of critiquing his quarterback ability. But even that's proven to be transparent. 

"Here's what happened in New York: They didn't realize how bad Tim Tebow was," Hoge said in his continued rant. "Once he comes in there and they got to see the sampling, they're like, 'Oh my gosh.' Not only can he not play quarterback, he's not really a good football player." 

What other player gets that kind of "critique," especially one who's coming off a season in which he finished 8-5 as a starter (including a victory in the playoffs)?

Maybe Tebow isn't good enough to be an NFL quarterback, but the "experts" who proclaim to know unequivocally that he isn't don't really know. In fact, the only evidence there is says otherwise. He has won in the NFL. He's done it more times than not, and he's done it despite being set up to fail. Heck, he was the best player on a pair of national championship teams that, last I checked, played in a conference that produces an awful lot of NFL players. 

Truth is, when it comes to hating Tebow, it's never about hating him, because really what is there to hate? He's a nice guy who gives of himself and doesn't have anything bad to say about anybody. Seriously, he's been criticized more than LeBron James' "Decision." "

And with all this the thing that upsets Tim the most? The slander on his character not his football playing.. here is his response

""You work your whole life to build a reputation," Tebow said Wednesday. "Then people try to bring you down when they don't understand even what happened. It's disappointing. You just want to express your side of the story. … You want people to look at what really happened, not what one person said." 

Oh, but this won't stop the vultures. They'll keep swirling, keep their eyes peeled for the next slip up, because, you know, the world just can't stand to have any more Tim Tebows running around. "

Nope they want Donte Stallworth and Michael Vick and... I mean who among us wants our children to grow up to be articulate young men with convictions and morals? 

I have to wonder why the news needs to vilify this young man just doing his best? I have a theory and it isn't a pretty one. It's because he insists upon living up to his faith and proclaiming it! He is an inspiration to those who believe in Christ.. but because we have become a nation that is determined to bash Christians, we can't accept that he is just who and what he says he is. Just days after we celebrated the birth of Jesus it is a shame that we insist upon mocking those who chose to walk in His footsteps..

 

All Roads Now Lead to the Superbowl

I know, the playoffs are over and I haven't written about football in a few weeks. There are reasons.. First off the incredible computer crash.. That sort of made blogging a wee bit difficult.. but secondly I was just irked..

Not one of my teams made it..

First off we had to have the memorial service for the Packers.. PITA Boy went into shock.. Considered burning all his Packer Gear thinks it may be cursed now.. *rolls eyes*

Then the Saints.. what the heck? I was so surprised but I will admit was thrilled to see the 49ers go to as far as they did.. California Girl that I am (so what if I live in Chicago.. born and raised in Southern California) I was glad to see the Niners back on top..

Now, for the AFC.. seriously? Poor Timmy was crushed but what did everyone expect.. Brady plays best when he plays with a chip on his shoulder.. and come into his town.. where he has lead the Patriots to how many Superbowls? Won How many? Has been named MVP How many times? And all the media could talk about was Timmy? Yeah Tom was gonna crush him.. *grins* I still like Timmy but the Broncos were really out classed.

I was sad to see Houston loose.. I would have liked to see them go farther but you know what? They did good!!

The Ravens? I don't really know much about them.. let's see, Michael Ohr from the Blind Side plays for them and Jim Harbough's brother, John is the coach.. but I did want them to make it to the Superbowl.. I really wanted to see the Harbough bowl.. *grins*

All things considered, I am happy to see Eli stepping out from behind Peyton's shadow.. and will look forward to the game..

My pick.. well The New York Football Giants are an awesome team and I think the better, more well rounded one... BUT never ever discount the Patriots..

Winning

Back to one of my favorite topics, football *grins* to narrow it down even further Tim Tebow.. well not really just had to say good ole, Timmy's name.. The Broncos won today and it was an awesome sight. A really good game that I seriously thought they were gonna pull a "Bears" on us and loose at the last moment after having led 20-6 at the half.

What got me about today's game is the media.. now there's a shock I know.. but the Broncos won.. pure and simple.. instead of saying the Broncos won, it was the Broncos won but.... so and so was injured, so and so didn't play, maybe a bad call or two... always qualifying that the Broncos didn't really win on merit..

Here's the thing.. years ago, a US figure skater won the national championship.. One opponent had the flu and one had a sprained ankle going in and after she won she was asked. Did she feel her title was negated by these facts? Her response is what has stayed with me for close to three decades.. she said.. 

"That is the nature of competition. On any given day anyone could be sick or injured and today.. I was the best.. and today is all that matters" 

I can't remember who said it, I am not sure even when it was said, I only know it was sometime in the early 80's.. and yet the point remains the same.. 

Today the Broncos Won.. get over it newspeople..

Seriously?

I am seriously confused! I live in the Chicago area... you know home of Da Bears? Yesterday they were humiliated by the Seattle Seahawks. Our offense was pathetic, our best receiver was injured.. in a way that could be life altering.. he is having back surgery today and we all know what that means. Oh sure he is expected to recover and play again but still BACK SURGERY. Last week one of our players was arrested because he wanted to become the top drug dealer in the Chicago land area... and what is the top sports news? Tim Tebow lost... 

Not only is that the top news of the day... it's said with glee... he is obviously not the chosen one after all. Ha ha.. he is a looser.. I don't get it. He actually played well and his team fell apart around him.. as opposed to him falling apart and his team held it together. It doesn't matter either way.. It's the malicious glee.. It's the fact that the media wants him to fail in the worst way. It's the fact that a decent hard working Christian Male is slammed... constantly.. He doesn't force his beliefs on the rest of the world.. he just stands by them, tries to live up to them.. He is a good and decent man who works really really hard!! 

Here we finally have a sports figure that SHOULD be used as a role model and the media is too busy gleefully tearing him down.. He goes to work early and stays late. He prepares for his job relentlessly, watches tapes.... does everything he can to get better at his job and all we hear is he is a looser... he will never make it.. he has no chance.. hmmmm... WOW!!! 

Please let's fall at the feet of the Michael Vick's and the Sam Hurds or wait DONTE STOLLWORTH.. he KILLED A MAN!! While driving drunk, he hit a man in a crosswalk and the man died.. Mr Stollworth got 30 days in jail... and is still playing in the NFL.. or how about Braylon Edwards? hmmm 9 days wonder all..

It isn't that I am not a fan of redemption it's just that I resent the desire to tear down a young man who wants nothing more than to do his best, works hard, behaves in a respectful manner and doesn't complain... and then make heroes of these inferior men. How messed up are we? To be so confused? To think that Tim Tebow is bad? That he is lacking? Someone is... I just don't think it's Timmy...

And The Broncos Win!

I LOVE IT!! While I am not a Bronco fan I am a Tim Tebow fan!! No, not one of those crazed people who does the "Tebow" all over the place, nor one who assumes he all but walks on water... nah, I just plain ole like the kid!. He is polite, considerate, a hard worker and committed to his faith... and THAT is the problem.

This young man has been more vilified than anyone in football EVER.. yeah the Penn State fiasco will blow over... OJ Who? Vick, you mean the current football darling? Favre?? yeah all those names get skipped over to insult and defame a young man who not only believes in God.. but does everything he can to live the life. Oh, I am sure he isn't perfect but of all the sports figures out there, this is a young man I have no problem with my children admiring..

I know he is a Christian.. and oh yeah he is HUMAN.. one day he may stumble from his convictions.. make a less than Christlike decision and then I am sure that they haters will dance with glee..

But for now.. The Broncos in a desperate need to win put Timmy in.. and oh how he has delivered. Not with glory but with grace.. ok, inner grace cuz his football is UGLY.. I love listening to everyone say oh yeah sure he's good at you know HS or college football and his style won't work in the NFL.. hey guys? It's working.. Why does it work? Because he makes those around him play better.. He inspires and elevates he has the something.. His team mates have been known to say that when he is in they just play better.. hmmmmm guess it's that intangible that broadcasters can't define.. I hope he continues to develop his skills and becomes that premier football player he should be.. but for now.. yeah I am giggling... Go Timmy

Sometimes I Just Don't Get It

As I have mentioned in the past I am an avid football fan. I like the NFL but I LOVE college ball. I follow several teams finding my favorites every year. Over the past few years I have enjoyed watching Tim Tebow become the fabulous player he is. I know there are many who think he will flop in the NFL for any number of reasons but today I read an article that totally ticked me off.

Please remember the NFL is an organization that allows convicted man slaughterers on their rosters, who allows players to pretty much get away with anything as long as they don't get press (and that has only changed in the past few years) but they feel that Tim Tebow may be a polarizing athlete because he stands firm and is vocal about his faith. He does not cram it down the throats of others but he does stand firm in his personal belief. That it seems is offensive to many in the NFL. Let me tell you right now if that is the reason Tim or as Word Girl affectionately calls him, Timmy, is not drafted then the NFL has lost me forever.

I read this article and frankly I was appalled. Basically it tells us that he may not be drafted because he is a Christian who stands for his belief. How did this country come to this? Where we are ashamed of those who take a stand for Christ? I know we idolize the unfit often but here is a gracious, attractive, charismatic, talented young man and because he devoted these attributes to God there are those who want him to fall. Now if he is like any other Christian he will stumble, he will make mistakes, too bad that if and when it happens the media will rejoice and make sure the entire world knows it.

Ok, I have said enough, I just needed to vent

Watching the Draft

I am never quuite sure why but I love to watch the NFL draft.. not gee why don't we catch the highlights on ESPN nope I like to watch then entire two day process.. It makes me believe in magic..

All these excited athletes and families waiting for their chance to have a career in a job they love. I know many go into it for the money but there are those few who play the game because they just absolutely love it.

I think the quote of the day belongs to Eugene Morris... I don't have the direct quote but basically he said I don't care if I was picked in the first round or the 7th round I am going to get to play football and I am here to work... WOW what an amazing young man..

Oh the glory players were all picked and most were sufficiently grateful and humble but there were a few showboaters out there. I always feel sorry for the one who slides from where they were "supposed" to be picked right on down the line.. and of course listening to the broadcasters pontificate always makes me smile..

I of course have a tendency to want the USC players to place well as that is my team... not that I went there or anything just favor that team.. but of course every year there is another team that strikes my fance and I wait to see where there players go...

My kids think I am nuts... well they always think I am nuts but this one is special.. now all I have to go.. back to the draft for me..

I Just Love Football

I love football, especially college football. Each weekend I try and watch as many games as possible, I enjoy trying to figure out who will go to the bowl games (although my heart always remains with USC) which teams will vie for the national championship and which one will actually win. This year has been especially fun the wonkiness of the big 12 their means of deciding which team is their best. The fact that the Pac 10 shoots itself in the foot every year and allows SC to dominate year after year after year...

Some years the choice of who goes to the national game is just wrong, others well it is laughable, this year?? well they may have actually gotten it right.. I know I plan on enjoying the game immensely. And the Rose Bowl should be equally exciting and I am thrilled that it is Ohio State playing in either opportunity. I am a bit irked that they made it to the fiesta bowl and figure that game should be a snoozer, watching the Longhorns destroy them. Oh yeah did I mention I cant stand The Ohio State football team?

As the regular season of college football winds down I can only say.. I am thrilled at least that there is basketball still going on. Already on pins and needles for the final four.