Howdy folks, it’s your friendly neighborhood football fan, back with his picks for Week 04 that will surely raise a few eyebrows. Now we all know that football is my first love when it comes to sports but I’m also a fan of all sports and this time of the year is the best time for sports fans.
College and Pro Football is in full swing. The NHL started its season this week. The NBA is beginning itstraining camps. Golf and NASCAR are winding down their season and the MLB is getting ready for the post season. Speaking of the MLB, there’s a little celebration that took place this week, that made headlines, that I feel I need to add my two cents to. Forgive me for going off the NFL path this week, but I really wanted to discuss this particular topic.
When the news broke of the death of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart, many of us were truly heartbroken for this young man, his family and teammates:
We were even more heartbroken when word came out that this tragic loss was due to a drunk driver. So it’s somewhat understandable that the Angels received a little heat about their celebration in the clubhouse when they clinched the A.L. West title this week, securing a trip to playoffs.
As we have seen many times during locker room/clubhouse celebrations, beer and champagne is sprayed and poured all over place. It’s a celebration of accomplishment and achievement. The Angels, who have paid tribute to their fallen teammate this year by posting an image of the player on the right field wall and has had his jersey with them at all of their games since his death, decided to include his spirit in their celebration.
Many of the Angels players’ decided to hold Adenhart’s jersey and began to pour beer and champagne on it as if he was physically in clubhouse. In my eyes, I felt that was a fitting tribute. He may have not been there in the physical form, but he was there, and had been with this team all season long in the spiritual form. After the clubhouse celebration the team, went out on the field and paid tribute to the teammate once more by doing this:
A classic tribute, and a classy move by the Los Angeles Angels and its staff. Of course, there are those who were not too happy with the pouring of the alcohol on the jersey. Apparently, they woke up the next day and decided to have a nice, cold, frosty cup of Hater-ade.
Many felt that the Angels went too far by pouring alcohol on his jersey due to the circumstance of his death. I’m in the minority and I hope some of you are with me in my stance. It was tragic, make no mistake about that. But, this team has respected this young man’s memory and carried it with them for the entire season as a form of inspiration for their success this year. Don’t you think you could lighten up for a minute and take in the fact that this team remembered their teammate and celebrated their achievement with him in and with their hearts? How many of us have poured out a little something for “those who ain’t here?”
Stop reading too much into certain situations people, it was only a celebration. Enjoy it for what it’s worth because you’ll never know when you’ll see a celebration of any sorts again. Life’s too short to sweat the small stuff, just look at Nick Adernhart’s life as proof.
Once again, I went off on a rant, so we’ll just look at the picks and as always, they’re open for discussion. So as I say every week, without further ado, let’s look at the picks.
Sunday, 10/04/09, 1pm
Game of the Week, Pt. 1
Baltimore Ravens (3-0) vs. New England Patriots (2-1)
My Pick: Ravens
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-3) vs. Washington Redskins (1-2)
My Pick: Redskins
Tennessee Titans (0-3) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2)
Jacksonville Stadium, Jacksonville, FL
My Pick: Jags
Oakland Raiders (1-2) vs. Houston Texans (1-2)
My Pick: Texans
Detroit Lions (1-2) vs. Chicago Bears (2-1)
My Pick: Bears 
Cincinnati Bengals (2-1) vs. Cleveland Browns (0-3)
Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, OH
My Pick: Bengals
Seattle Seahawks (1-2) vs. Indianapolis Colts (3-0)
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
My Pick: Colts
New York Giants (3-0) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (0-3)
Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO
My Pick: Giants
Sunday, 10/04/09, 4pm
Game of the Week, Pt. 02
New York Jets (3-0) vs. New Orleans Saints (3-0)
My Pick: Jets
Buffalo Bills (1-2) vs. Miami Dolphins (0-3)
My Pick: Bills
Dallas Cowboys (2-1) vs. Denver Broncos (3-0)
My Pick: Cowboys
St. Louis Rams (0-3) vs. San Francisco 49ers (2-1)
Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA
My Pick: 49ers
Sunday Night Football, 10/04/09, 8:20pm
San Diego Chargers (2-1) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2)
My Pick: Steelers
Monday Night Football, 10/05/09, 8:30pm
Game of the Week, Pt. 03
Green Bay Packers (2-1) vs. Minnesota Vikings (3-0)
My Pick: Packers
Bye week teams: Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers
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ok man, enough with the baseball already! lol seriously tho’, i like the titans to get off that goose egg, the chargers to steal one in l.t.’s return, and the vikes to stand up for the grand ole’ man against his old team.