Game Day Flyovers: As American As Apple Pie
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By James Critch Story Updated September 17, 2011
Now that week one in the NFL has come to an end and we are all getting ready for the upcoming weekend of games, I cannot get a thought out of my head. We just celebrated the tenth anniversary of 9/11. My thoughts and prayers go out to those that were lost and to their family members. Even though this was a tragic day in American history, the NFL honors it with class.
In Jacksonville Florida along with other NFL city stadiums, the NFL paid tribute to the fallen of 9/11. A moment of silence was held. While this was taking place local firefighters, police officers, members of their surrounding military personnel, NFL players and coaches held a flag that stretched the entire length and width of the field. Following the National Anthem, there was a military flyover.
I have heard a lot of people that go to the games talk about the flyover and how “awesome” it is. But according to a friend of mine, who has been a Jag fan and season ticket holder for over 10 years mentioned, “following this flyover, you could not only see the difference in people’s faces, you could feel the pride in the stadium. There were very few dry eyes in the stadium, from what I could see.”
The events of 9/11 were a dark time for the United States and it still leaves a bad taste in people’s mouths. It’s a day that will live in infamy. It is an event that caused more deaths than Pearl Harbor (according to NYmag.com in 9/11 America lost 2,479 people and according to Wikianswers America lost 2,403 people in Pearl Harbor).
According to one man that was at the Jags game and was raised with a military background, but would only allow the use of his first name for this article, John believes, “the flyovers represent America’s strength. We are a strong country and we can handle any adversity that comes our way. We are the best country in the world.”
I was able to speak with two other people that attended the game. One is a 42 year-old entrepreneur named Miguel Salas that has been a Jag fan for years and has been to almost every home game. His thoughts on the flyovers are, “This flyover was the most exciting thing about the game day experience. I wish I could have one flyover go over my house every morning. What a way to start the day.”
The second gentleman that I spoke to was a 22 year-old Sales Service Rep named Matt Hernandez. “It filled me with pride to be an American, to have the jets fly over, along with the star spangled banner to start the greatest sport in the USA. It gets you pumped up to be an American. The game day experience would not be the same without it.”
With the passing of the tenth anniversary of 9/11 it is a time to reflect and realize that even with the greatest of tragedies; we are a country of survivors. We will always adapt and overcome.
Military flyovers are a typical part of the NFL game day experience, but for many of us, this past Sunday’s, just made us realize that we are united and we are the Red, White, and Blue.
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It's Still Christmas in Denver
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By Pat Byrd Story Updated January 8, 2012
Denver,CO--If Christmas weren't already over it would surely have been hailed a 'Christmas Miracle'. Tim Tebow led the Denver Broncos ahead of the Pittsburg Steelers for most of the post season playoff game. The Steelers were making what looked like a well earned come from behind win but just managed to tie the score by the end of regulation.
New overtime rules implemented this year state that each team gets at least one possession unless one team score a touchdown; a field goal will not automatically win the game as in regular season overtime. The coin toss was held; Pittsburg made the call of tails. The coin landed heads and without question Denver received the ball.
If you blinked, left the room for a quick snack or bathroom break, you missed it! One snap, one throw, one catch and Demaryius Thomas and Tim Tebow clinched Denver's first playoff game of the season 29-23 against the Pittsburg Steelers.
Denver's next opponent will be the New England Patriots where they are without doubt the under, under dogs.
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Serena Pulls out of the Family Circle Cup
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Story last updated March 2009
I should have written this article four weeks ago but I didn’t want to seem the pessimist or try to appear physic but I could have predicted that Serena Williams would pull out of the Family Circle Cup a month ago.
This all started at the Australian Open. Serena was losing to Victoria Azarenka , already down one set when Azarenka pulled out due to illness. Serena moves on. If memory serves me correctly she meets Svetlana Kuznetsova on stadium court with the roof open, she isn’t doing very well with the high heat and loses the first set 57. The tournament officials decide to close the roof, Williams takes the second 75. Kuznetsova protest the closing of the roof to no avail. The temperature in the stadium drops more than 20 degrees, Williams takes the final set 61, Williams would go on to win the tournament.
After boycotting Indian Wells in California, Serena commits to play in the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, the Andalucia Tennis Experience in Marbella Spain the following week, and then the Family Circle Cup in South Carolina, three tournaments back to back.
Williams wins the Sony Ericsson, a two week tournament but has both ankles heavily taped and is visibly limping in the final. The very next week in Spain she loses in the first round to Klara Zakopalova 64 36 61 and complains of a thigh injury and pulls out of the Family Circle Cup where she is the defending champion.
I once saw a memo, of course it wasn’t for the presses eyes, for the public relations director of a tournament Venus Williams was committed to play in and was going to be fined for if she pulled out of. The memo stated that Ms. Williams would play on Tuesday and Wednesday only. I took this to mean one of two things; either she was going to lose on Tuesday, or pull out on Tuesday. You can take it any way you want to. In the end she showed up but didn’t play.
Serena's next tournament commitment is for the 4.5 million dollar tournament in Madrid Spain May 8th through the 17th. Seems she’s skipping the lower paying tournaments.
My personal thoughts about the Williams Sisters are that they aren’t made to play by the same rules as the rest of the players; Indian Wells is a prime example of that. They don’t keep commitments and make their schedules up as they go not caring about tournaments that have put money and resources into them giving their word that they are going to show up. I’m not even sure if you can tell if they win or lose on purpose or not. I think tennis has always been an afterthought for them; they have always made it quite clear that they have more important interest outside tennis. It’s too bad; women’s tennis could really use a Pete Sampras or Andre Agassi, someone who decided to give it one hundred percent. If both Serena and Venus don’t put some time into getting into better physical shape their careers might be over before they are ready for it to be.
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Local Dolphin Leads Team To NCAA Tournament
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By James Critch Story Updated June 4, 2011
The JU Dolphins ladies softball team recently advanced to the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history. Unfortunately they lost to the reigning NCAA champions the UCLA Bruins during the double elimination tourney.
Even with the loss, the team is in good spirits, coach Amanda Lehotak had this to say following the tournament, "I do see us here next year and I think we'll be better and we'll be stronger." Positive words from a coach that is about to lose one of JU's best players over the last four years as well as in the programs history. Senior Katie Kelly has played an integral part to making the Dolphins a contender. Over the last few years she batted .317 and .327, which led the team in batting averages. Her batting average of just over .300 this year was her worst year while at JU. (Who wouldn't take that for a good year?).
In her four years at Jacksonville University, Kelly has never missed a game. Along with that, she set a few records that will be hard to beat. Katie finished her career at JU as their leader in hits (207), total bases (277), runs (111), RBI (103), doubles (38), total bases (277) and assists (357). Kelly says she became more comfortable with her role as a leader this year. "This year I felt I could sit back and watch my team play and win together. It's been great." Not only is Kelly a star at JU, but she was also a powerhouse at West Nassau High setting a school record for homeruns and her batting average of .430 or higher over her four years led the team. She also led West Nassau to four consecutive state championship appearances.
A player like Kelly comes along once every blue moon. For coach Lehotak to say, “they will be back in the NCAA tourney and be stronger”, may just be wishful thinking.
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Giants win to continue streak
in final home game of the season
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By Ryne Edwards Story Updated February 27 2011
Jacksonville, FL- On Sunday evening the Jacksonville Giants continued their winning ways by dominating the Columbus Riverballers 159-87. With that win, the Giants remain undefeated at 23-0. Despite playing without All-Star Center Jermaine Bell, the Giants controlled the paint throughout the game. The Giants had seven players in double figures. Leading the way scoring was 6’4 guard Renaldo Norman with 28 points off the bench.
The Giants came out strong in the first quarter behind starting point guard Edward Horton, who made his first three field goals. Forward, Matt Fields dominated the paint for the Giants and finished with 20 points. The Riverballers couldn’t handle the Giants full court pressure and their swarming defense created turnovers early and often. The Riverballers had a difficult time setting up their offense and relied too much on long-range shooting. The Giants were up twenty-one at the end of the first quarter and never looked back.
The Riverballers seemed shorthanded and only had nine players travel for the game. Giants Coach, Kevin Waters, took advantage and substituted five players at a time during the middle of each quarter. The game seemed out of reach as the Giants outscored the Riverballers 47-24 in the third quarter, taking a commanding 110-66 lead starting the fourth.
Things did get ugly with about five minutes to go in the game, when Giants center, Jason Bennett pushed a Riverballers player after an intentional foul. Both players jawed at each other and were ejected from the game.
The Giants have four away games remaining and then start preparing for the playoffs. Coach Kevin Waters has done a great job all season with these group of players. He has the Giants playing with confidence, but they have been humble throughout the season. Waters has focused on controlling the paint with his big players and great ball handling with his guards. To beat the Giants an opponent will need to pressure the offense and force them to take long-range shots. On offense the opponent needs to successfully beat the full court press and control the paint with consistent rebounding and solid looks at the basket. To this point, the Giants have rarely seen an opponent that presents those skills and game plan. The team’s first post-season should be one to remember.
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