Say What?

Barkley blasts Suns for inept players, lousy concessions

Former Phoenix Suns star Charles Barkley launched a tirade against the NBA organization in the wake of the firing of coach Jeff Hornaceck.  Appearing on Inside the NBA, Barkley said Hornaceck is fortunate because now “he can go work for a real team.”  When Ernie Johnson pointed out that the Suns’ top three scorers were injured, Barkley replied: “They were no good when they had them.”  He went on to complain of the concessions at Talking Stick Resort Arena: “pretzels that can break your dentures . . .  stale popcorn . . . flat beer and soda.”  He also said the seats were dirty, the cheerleaders ugly.  He suggested that the only thing good about the 23-year-old stadium is that “there’s plenty of parking.”  The one benefit of a bad sports team.

LeSean McCoy investigated for fight with off-duty cops

Buffalo Bills Pro Bowl running back LeSean McCoy, whose nickname is “Shady,” is under investigation in Philadelphia for involvement in a fight with two off-duty policeman at a bar, the Recess.  According to a police report, the altercation resulted when McCoy and his companion, former NFL running back Curtis Brinkley, were trying to purchase champagne at 2:30 a.m. Sunday.  The officers were hospitalized, with injuries that include fractures of ribs, nose and skull.  “Certainly over a bottle of champagne, nothing warrants an assault like this,” said police Lt. John Safford.  McCoy, a former Philadelphia Eagle, lives in Philadelphia in the off-season.

Giuliani complains of Beyonce insulting police

Rudy Giuliani, former New York City mayor known for his support of his police force, accused Beyonce of an “attack on police” with her halftime performance at the Super Bowl.  She was flanked by dancers in fashions that suggested the Black Panther Party of the 1960s and ’70s.  At one point the dancers formed an “X” that was interpreted as a salute to slain civil rights leader Malcolm X.  Giuliani called Beyonce’s tribute to the Black Panthers “outrageous.”  Appearing on Fox News, he said:  “What we should be doing in the African-American community and in all communities is build up respect for police officers.”  Mike Wilbon, African-American sports reporter, said on ESPN’s Pardon The Interruption: “I’m offended by Giuliani.  He’s got a racist agenda.”

Montana sees his body wrecked at 59

Joe Montana, who led the San Francisco 49ers to four world championships, performed the coin toss for Super Bowl 50, but anything more exerting than that is difficult.  Even sleeping is difficult for the 59-year-old retired quarterback.  He told USA Today that his hands “in the middle of the night hurt like crazy” from arthritis, which also causes constant pain in his knees and elbows.  His left knee has undergone several surgeries and remains so twisted that he’s unable to run.  He said the knee will have to be replaced.  He’s had three neck fusions (similar to the surgeries performed on Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning).  “I think I’m headed down the fusion thing again,” Montana said.  He also suffers from nerve damage in an eye that at times prevents him from reading.  He said doctors have attributed the nerve damage to head trauma suffered while playing football.  “Unfortunately, most of us leave this game with things that linger.”

Randall Cobb says microphone punctured his lung

Green Bay Packers receiver Randall Cobb suffered a punctured lung in the first quarter of their playoff game at Arizona, and doctors believe it was caused by a microphone he was wearing.  Such an injury is usually the result of a fractured rib, but his ribs were not damaged.  The injury occurred when he made a one-handed catch for a 51-yard gain.  Speaking on media row during pre-Super Bowl coverage, Cobb said, “I was mic’d up for the game.  I landed flush on my back.  The battery pack was on my shoulder pads.  . . . I walked back to the huddle and it got harder and harder for me to breathe. . . . I was choking, and the next thing I know I was spitting up blood.”