Say What?
Tiger Woods is no longer confident of a comeback
At a media conference in the Bahamas, Tiger Woods said he had “no idea” when or if he will play professional golf again as he recovers from the third surgery on his back. “I’m really good at playing video games,” he said. “That’s basically how I pass my time.” He also said: “I’ve had a pretty good career for 20 years. Pretty much everything beyond this will be gravy.” He said he’s hopeful of competing again. But one month short of his 40th birthday, the greatest golfer of his generation has never before sounded as bleak.
Peyton is probably done for this season; career in doubt
Peyton Manning is headed for the Hall of Fame. Perhaps earlier than he wants. The Denver Broncos’ 39-year-old quarterback is wearing a protective boot on his left foot as the torn plantar fascia heals. Bleacher Report’s Cecil Lammey quoted a doctor familiar with this type of ligament injury saying it’s unlikely Manning will heal in time to play again this season. And at his age, and considering the recent success of his backup, 27-year-old Brock Osweiler, Manning may consider retiring gracefully rather than being unceremoniously pushed into it. Dr. Jene Bramel said, “The Week 15 return is possible, but Manning will need to be out of the boot this week and have a smooth rehab to follow.” Then the question will be if coach Gary Kubiak will pull Osweiler, who is 2-0 in his starts, in favor of Manning. Steve Beuerlein, former NFL quarterback who now works for CBSSports, pointed out that because of his mobility, Osweiler is better suited to Kubiak’s offense, which features rollouts by the quarterback and emphasizes the running game over passing. “I believe Osweiler gives them a better chance to win,” Beuerlein said. Referring to Denver’s victory over New England to snap the Patriots’ 10-0 perfect run, Beuerlein observed: “He made the big pases down the field. I don’t think Peyton Manning can make those throws.”
Cam Newton curses heckler at Iron Bowl
As perfect as this season has been for Cam Newton, quarterback of the 11-0 Carolina Panthers, he had an unpleasant experience as he attended the Iron Bowl in Birmingham to watch his alma mater, Auburn University, play Alabama. Newton even participated in the Tiger Walk, a pregame tradition. As he did his paces, a bystander shouted, “180 K,” a reference to allegations that Newton’s dad required Auburn – or any other football team — to pay $180,000 to secure the services of his son. Newton shouted back to the heckler: “I’ll slap the s—out of you.”
Between the Lines: While Auburn fans were glad to see their hero give an obnoxious fan what he deserved, you do have to wonder if Newman, in the words of Shakespeare,“doth protest too much.”
76ers’ Okafor hires security guard after street fight in Boston
Jahlil Okafor, 6-11 center for the Philadelphia 76ers, has played as well as you’d expect the No. 3 overall draft pick to play. He leads all NBA rookies with 17.5 points per game and 8.2 rebounds. But off the court, he’s been involved in several troubling incidents. For one, the 19-year-old player presented a fake ID at a Philadelphia tavern. On another occasion he was in a bar when someone pointed a gun at his head. In early November, Okafor was stopped by police who said he was driving 108 mph over the Ben Franklin Bridge. Last week he was involved in a street fight in Boston. TMZ released video of him punching a man. A witness told ESPN that Okafor “punched the dude out” in retaliation to the heckler saying, “The 76ers (0-18) suck, and you guys are all losers.” So Okafor, upon advice from friends and family, hired a security guard to accompany him in public. He tweeted: “I’m not proud of some of the decisions I’ve made over the last few months.” Associates said he’s distraught about playing for such a horrible team after always being on winning teams.
Kobe says goodbye in poetry
Kobe Bryant, 37-year-old superstar of the Los Angeles Lakers, announced this week his plan to retire at the end of this season, and he did so in verses he wrote for the website, Players’ Tribune:
This season is all I have left to give.
My heart can take the pounding.
My mind can handle the grind.
But my body knows it’s time to say goodbye.
