Category: NFL

A Pats Fan in Broncos Country - My Thoughts on Upcoming Super Bowl 50

1/30/2016

by Richard Rowell, Sports Break

"Peyton Manning 2014" by Jeffrey Beall - Flickr. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

As someone who grew up with the New England Patriots in Massachusetts, I’ll admit I’ve been pretty spoiled as a football fan. The Pats have been to seven Super Bowls in my lifetime, and won 4 of them, including 2015 against the Seattle Seahawks. Moving to Broncos Country (Denver, CO) with my partner Lyn Lomasi was a bit of a culture shock, as I own plenty of Patriots apparel. Suffice to say I’m careful not to wear Patriots garb in public now.

(Side note: They don’t care about my Red Sox stuff. The Rockies haven’t been good since 2007 and I constantly get people from back east that say Go Sox! when I’m public wearing Sox stuff.)

But unlike a lot of Patriots fans, I wasn’t really that upset about the Patriots loss to the Broncos in the AFC Championship game. Then again, I’m probably partly responsible. When Pats kicker Stephen Gostkowski missed an extra point after a touchdown early in the game, I said it would cost them the game. As it turned out, it did, as the Patriots would have been able to tie the game with the last-minute touchdown.

Being Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning’s final year in the NFL (most likely), it would be cool for him to go out as the winner of Super Bowl 50. But I’m pretty impressed by the Carolina Panthers this year - they of the 15-1 record. Cam Newton has had an extraordinary year, and I’ve always been a fan of him. In any case, I think it’s going to be a good game this year. The Broncos and Panthers were two of the best defensive teams in the NFL this year. It should make for a good showdown.

I’m perfectly fine with the Broncos winning it all this year. The numbers favor the Panthers, but either team could realistically win this game. Manning has had a rough year, and it will be interesting to see if the Broncos’ other QB Brock Osweiler makes an appearance. It’s possible that this will be the Broncos’ only shot at a title for a while - although Osweiler may be capable next season.

Basically, I just want a good game. I’m not so concerned on who actually wins. But if the Broncos win, all the better for Denver.

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Free Printable Office Football Pool Square Grids and Brackets (NFL & NCAA)

1/18/2015

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by Lyn Lomasi; Co-owner of Brand Shamans & Write W.A.V.E. Media

Many offices enjoy holding pools come football season, but who wants to waste time drawing all those squares and brackets? Free printable office football pool square grids and brackets can be a great time-saver, especially if your office has a good number of people participating. Football office pools can be a great way to enhance community spirit and teamwork within the workplace. Co-workers often become friends and this is something they can enjoy together outside of the responsibilities of work.

At PrintYourBrackets.com, you can find a wide selection of free printable football office pool charts. Brackets for both NFL and NCAA are included. Get square grids of 25, 50, or even 100. These include square grids for any game, NFL playoff squares and brackets, and even square grids for the Superbowl. If you also happen to be a basketball fan, this is a great resource for those grids as well.

Upon visiting PrintOfficePools.com, you'll see printable office football pool square grids sorted by weeks. There are options for preseason, season, playoff football pools, NFL 33 football pools, as well as NCAA football. There even are assorted options that allow for up to four winner squares. Look around for brackets and squares on your other favorite sports as well, such as basketball. It may be football season as you're reading this, but before you know it, March Madness will be coming around.

DocSports.com is another great place to find free printable football office pool square grids and brackets. In addition to the free office pool squares, there also are instructions and rules, just in case some co-workers are unsure. Also stay tuned to Doc's Sports for the latest football updates, including football picks and sports betting advice. Like the other sites above, if football is not the only sport you need office pool grids or updates on, Doc's is the place to go. There is a large selection of printable brackets here.

For a quick solution to your office football pool needs, visit PrintableTournamentBrackets.net. With a simple click, you'll have your free printable office football pool squares in no time. The options for tournament brackets are plenty. Here you'll find single elimination brackets, double elimination brackets, office pool grids, Super Bowl tournament brackets, and more. If you don't find what you need, there even is a way for you to suggest it to the publishers of the site.

*I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network

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NFL 2020: Free Printable Super Bowl Office Football Pool Squares

1/18/2015

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by Lyn Lomasi; Co-owner of Brand Shamans & Write W.A.V.E. Media

It's almost time for the NFL 2020 Super Bowl and many businesses will be looking for printable Super Bowl office football pool squares. Sure, someone could make one by hand, but it's much easier to print one from a ready-made template. Thankfully, there are some good ones online.

PrintYourBrackets.com has a variety of free printable Super Bowl office football pool squares to choose from. These are great for 2019 or any year, as these particular printable templates don't have dates or team names, but instead a spot for the AFC and the NFC. The options available include the 100 squares printable template, the 50 squares printable template, and the 25 squares printable template.

DocSports.com is another great place to find free printable Super Bowl office football pool squares. Doc's Sports has been providing sports info to fans since the 70's. With the help of the internet, that ability has grown. Get free printable 2019 Super Bowl squares, as well as instructions on how to play. Doc's Sports also offers other useful information and resources for football and other sports.

SuperBowlSquares.org allows you to choose from several options for your free printable footballs squares. The basic grid is 10 x 10 squares and you may also choose to have 2 or 4 sets of numbers. There is also a grid with 5 x 5 squares, for which you may choose the optional 2 or 4 sets of numbers. These printable office football pool squares are great for any football game, including the 2019 NFL Superbowl.

*Updated on February 3,2019 to reflect the current Super Bowl. Some links have been changed for relevance.

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Did Michael Sam Get A Fair Chance?

10/23/2014

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by Dennis Townsend, Contributing Writer

The NFL draft is over and while it was a fast and furious event of deal making and give and takes, as we all saw in the Kevin Costner movie, Draft Day, it was also time to answer a pretty big question. And if you think I was talking about who got Heisman Trophy winner, Johnny (Football) Manziel, I’m sorry to say you’re wrong. The big question was who would draft the first openly gay football player, Michael Sam, and bring change to the National Football League.

Well, that question was answered in the seventh round when the St. Louis Rams selected the Southeastern Conference defensive player of the year. While playing for Missouri, his coaches and players all kept his secret until he decided to disclosed it to the media earlier last year. And to prove that it was not a distraction to either him or the team, he went on to have the best year in his college career. While waiting to get the call, Michael Sam was at the home of his agent, Joe Barkett, and naturally, ESPN, and the NFL Network had camera’s there and at the ready to capture the big moment. Sam had family and friends there as well as his partner and when the call finally came, the 6-foot-2, 255 pound defensive end teared up and gave his boyfriend a kiss on the lips and a long hug. Now while we all knew about the relationship, we thought we could sanitize ourselves from actually having to see a show of affection between Sam and his partner, it seemed to me that he might have jumped a little too far outside the closet with the kiss. ESPN and the NFL Network had their camera’s there just so they wouldn't miss an opportunity to solidify the facts. And just to show everyone that he is comfortable with who he is, after having some cake, he again gave his boyfriend a kiss.

Now the critics say that it was not a sure thing that he would be drafted not because he’s gay, but because of what he had to bring to the NFL. They say that he is too short to play defensive end in the NFL, and slower than most outside linebackers, a position he would have had to transition to in the pros. The mere fact that he was selected 249th overall out of 256, made people wonder if he would be able to even make the grade.

Well, I guess that's a question that's been answered with his recent termination from the Dallas Cowboys practice squad. That's where he wound up after he was released from the Rams. Did he get a fair shot? He says that he did get a fair shot, and he will also tell you that he still plans on playing football in the NFL. One thing's for sure, he has broken the ground to enable all gay football players to stick a foot outside of the closet if that's what they wish to do. And with the recent rulings by the courts across this country legalizing gay marriages, it won't be long before the whole gay subject will be passé.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia commons.com

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NFL Admits Mistake With Husain Abdullah Penalty

9/30/2014

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by Phoenix A. Desertsong, The Prose Machine

Image via Pixabay; Public Domain

You see that thing about the Chiefs player, safety Husain Abdullah, getting a 15-yard “un-sportsman-like conduct” penalty for his prayer in the end zone? Like, what the eff? Seriously, refs? Abdullah is well known to be a devout Muslim, and he had indeed before promised that if he ever picked off a pass and returned it for a touchdown, he would “prostrate before God in the end zone.”

To be honest, the penalty probably only happened because it was a Monday Night Football game. Because you know, we don't have religious freedom in America. And the media and referees love the New England Patriots and didn’t want the almighty Pats being shown up. I’m a Patriots fan and I was perfectly okay with Abdullah keeping his promise to his Lord.

The NFL doesn't need any more controversy. He did something perfectly OK with me. It’s not like he did anything negative. The NFL didn't fine him or anything. It was an in-game "un-sportsman-like conduct" call, just a 15 yard penalty assessed on the kickoff. But it’s the very concept behind calling it. For years, you've seen players praise God after great plays. This is no different.

Actually, thankfully, the NFL did respond the right way to the incident. This is what NFL spokesman Michael Signora had to say.

“Husain Abdullah should not have been penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct following his fourth quarter touchdown," Signora said in an email to USA Today.

"Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1 (d) states 'players are prohibited from engaging in any celebrations or demonstrations while on the ground.' However, the officiating mechanic in this situation is not to flag a player who goes to the ground as part of religious expression, and as a result, there should have been no penalty on the play."”

There is, in fact, a rule that outlaws players going to the ground during touchdown celebrations. But over the years, plenty of Christian players have gone to the ground, and very few, if any, have ever been penalized. The most recent example of a player doing so, of course, was quarterback Tim Tebow.

Tim Tebow is well-known as a “missionary” football player. He might not be quite as demonstrative as Mr. Abdullah was. But the intent is the same. One thing I can say for Tim Tebow. He practices what he preaches. He’s a really good guy. He may not have played up to his potential in the National Football League, but he’s a good positive influence in a lot of lives. Tim’s a good human being, and his faith is his faith. It works for him, holds him accountable to his actions and he praises God for every opportunity that he’s had. That’s admirable, far as I’m concerned.

But Tebow is admittedly a bit of a "missionary." More than a bit, actually. Abdullah wasn't doing that. He was just very grateful to pick off one of the best Quarter Backs in the history of the game of American Football. He said he would do this, and it’s as if the referees were told to watch for it, and punish him for doing something that the United State Constitution protects his right to do. The excessive celebration penalty, an extension of the un-sportsman like penalty, was meant to cut down on players being cocky shits. But instead of being a cocky shit, Abdullah did the exact opposite. He actually humbled himself before his lord. If anything, that should be praised, not condemned. It seems the penalty was only called because he was a Muslim, and oh boy, that looks bad.

The officials should be ashamed of themselves. Obviously, a lot of people agree with me, and the NFL did indeed release a statement saying that it was a stupid penalty call. The penalty didn’t affect the game, of course. The Chiefs destroyed the New England Patriots 41-14. But it shows a sort of political correctness that should not be applied to an American pastime. It seems like such a little thing, but it’s the intention behind the call that worries me. I understand that Muslims are an extremely misunderstood group of people. But people like Abdullah, who demonstrate the best of his religion, should be praised.

Bless you, Husain Abdullah. I’m sure your entire team is behind you. Keep it up. Returning interceptions for touchdowns and prostrating before God. I’m sure the Chiefs will take the pick-six every time. Just don’t pick off poor Brady again, please.

At least the NFL responded correctly this time. Don’t let it happen again.

Phoenix Amelia Desertsong fancies herself a writer and expresses herself on a wide variety of topics including human rights, self-improvement, and kittens . She wants to use her ability and talent to write words to improve people’s lives in any way possible. She also really wants to be a cat lady.

You can find Amelia on Facebook here.

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A Pats Fan in Broncos Country - My Thoughts on Upcoming Super Bowl 50

Free Printable Office Football Pool Square Grids and Brackets (NFL & NCAA)

NFL 2020: Free Printable Super Bowl Office Football Pool Squares

Did Michael Sam Get A Fair Chance?

NFL Admits Mistake With Husain Abdullah Penalty

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