Hot Fudge Backtrack

[Andy]

Athletes are always sticking their foot in their mouth only to come back with a statement their lawyer wrote them or better yet, some convoluted explanation for what ever they said in the first place that was so stupid.

Larry Foote: I'm glad I didn't sign a longer deal with Detroit. I want to be with a winner.

Larry Foote 2.0: That's not a shot at Detroit or the Lions.

Larry Foote, a Detroit native and Pershing grad, wanted to set the record straight Wednesday, a day after some of his comments to Pittsburgh reporters about leaving the Lions -- he signed a three-year contract with the Steelers on Monday -- made headlines.

Specifically, it was Foote saying, "I'm just glad I'm back and thank God I didn't sign a longer deal there (in Detroit)."

The point he was trying to make, he explained Wednesday, was how elated he was to get an opportunity to return to Pittsburgh, where he spent the first seven years of his NFL career before getting released last spring. Foote signed a one-year deal with the Lions last May, and talks in December about a contract extension here weren't productive.

"But if I'd have gone to any team (last year), I still would be saying, 'Thank God' I had an opportunity to come back to Pittsburgh,'" said Foote, who didn't realize until late last week -- after free-agent visits with the Redskins and Cardinals -- that returning to the Steelers was a legitimate option, for reasons both football and financial.

"When I was in Arizona last Friday, (the Steelers) stepped up their offer and I said, 'Holy, moly,'" Foote said. "My heart started beating fast. Because that's the place that drafted me and that's the place where I built relationships and friendships that go way beyond football. And I know how special a place it was. Anybody that's played in Pittsburgh understands that and, when I left, I missed it.

"I hope eventually this community can turn like that. But that's a special place, to wear that black and gold and have your fans travel the way they do. They say the Dallas Cowboys are America's Team. But that's not true. It's the Pittsburgh Steelers."

But, he added, "That's not a shot at Detroit or the Lions."

Foote, who signed a three-year, $9.3 million contract to be a backup in Pittsburgh, actually took part in a Lions event Wednesday, speaking to kids at an academy on Detroit's east side. And he was on the phone later in the day talking about his former team, praising linebackers coach Matt Burke, saying coach Jim Schwartz has things "moving in the right direction" and adding that he thinks general manager Martin Mayhew is "doing a great job."

Still, Foote, 29, admits he never got comfortable as the starting middle linebacker in the Lions' 4-3 defensive scheme last fall, especially after playing his first seven seasons in a 3-4 defense in Pittsburgh.

"They were evaluating me the whole time, and I was evaluating them," Foote said. "I guess it was a mutual decision. I didn't really fit into the defense, didn't feel like it suited my game. And I'm quite sure the coaches saw it that way, too."

The team's well-documented struggles also took a toll on Foote, who was part of two Super Bowl-winning teams in Pittsburgh.

"The losing part, there's no competitive person that's going to enjoy that," Foote said. "But as far as the experience and playing in Detroit, it was very positive. That's something I'm always gonna treasure. It was an honor to come home and play for Detroit and the fans. We have a whole bunch of true, loyal fans that've been going through this losing, and they were still there supporting us."

And Foote said he's ready to join them again now that he's done playing for the Lions.

"I've been here (in Detroit) every offseason when I was in Pittsburgh," said Foote, who still owns a home in Pittsburgh but laments now he sold all the furniture. "And Pittsburgh's definitely my home away from home. ... But when I'm done playing, I'm a Detroiter. There's no doubt about it."



From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20100317/SPO ... z0idF577il

[Andy]

Charlie Villanueva's pre-game promise didn't quite happen.

Villanueva posted a guarantee on his Twitter account Monday afternoon that the Pistons would defeat the Raptors. It didn't work out.

Then again, the closest thing to a guarantee this Pistons season has been losing and that's what happened, 111-97.

Villanueva said he was just having fun with some Toronto fans (Villanueva used to play with the Raptors).

"I knew they'd come out for this game," he said.


From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100413 ... z0kyPb9Bkr

[Andy]

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, making his first comments since a surreptitiously shot video of him spread across the Internet, expressed great respect for Bill Parcells and regret that a private, profane conversation perceived as critical of the ex-Dallas coach became public.

Jones said the video, which was filmed on a cell phone while he was socializing recently at a Dallas restaurant, was taken out of context. With slurred speech, Jones said on the video that Parcells "isn't worth a [expletive]" -- a comment he considers a sarcastic term of endearment -- and that the reason he was hired to coach the Cowboys was because Jones needed him to be able to build the new stadium.

"Bill, first of all, is a real friend of mine," Jones said Thursday evening at an American Diabetes Association fundraiser. "He is a great football coach. He probably has as good or better people skills than anybody I ever met. I have complete trust in him.

"The actual way I express myself is commonly known by my associates as a familiar, caring term of endearment, as you will. If I say to somebody that you're not worth a flip, then that means I think you're pretty good, certainly if I follow up with, I love you."

On the video, Jones did say, "I love him," after uttering the expletive.

Jones said the experience taught him a lesson that he should treat all public interaction as if he were being interviewed.

"I certainly don't and wouldn't use four-letter words in anything that would be involved in the media or for people of all ages to hear," Jones said. "The other thing that I would be careful about is any wit or attempt at wit or humor or attempt at humor. But that's just not what you're thinking about when you're having a social moment."

Jones said he isn't sure whether there were even firm plans for a new stadium when he hired Parcells in 2003, but he acknowledged that Parcells played a key role in making the $1.2 billion stadium that opened last season a possibility.

"Our franchise needed Bill," said Jones, who confirmed a report by ESPN's Ed Werder that he called Parcells to explain the comments he made on the video. "That's why I made the decision. The kinds of things that Bill could bring to the franchise create a positive feeling about the franchise, and that stadium is certainly one of them.

"To basically say a Hall of Fame coach, a coach that has his charisma and his personality, would accomplish franchise goals is correct."

http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/ne ... id=5095935

[Andy]

Dwyane Wade issued an apology Monday to those who may have been offended by his use of the phrase "World Trade" while answering a question about the upcoming Miami Heat season.

The All-Star guard made the remark Sunday before the annual charity basketball game he co-hosts with Alonzo Mourning.

Standing at his locker before a group of reporters, Wade said:

"There's going to be times when we might lose one, two games in a row, maybe two games, three games in a row, you never know. It's going to seem like the world is crashed down. You all are going to make it seem like the World Trade has just went down again. But it's not going to be nothing but a couple basketball games lost and we'll have to get back on track."

On Monday, before leaving on a flight to Los Angeles for some television appearances -- he was previously booked to talk with Jay Leno -- Wade issued an apology through the Heat.

In the statement, Wade said: "In an interview yesterday, I attempted to explain how some people may view the Miami Heat losing a few basketball games in a row during the upcoming season. It appears that my reference to the World Trade Center has been either inaccurately reported or taken completely out of context. I was simply trying to say that losing a few basketball games should not be compared to a real catastrophe.

"While it was certainly not my intention, I sincerely apologize to anyone who found my reference to the World Trade Center to be insensitive or offensive."

AOL Fanhouse initially reported the guard saying: "If we lose a couple in a row this season, it will be like the World Trade [Center] is coming down again."

Hours later, AOL Fanhouse published a different version of the quote, citing a transcription error and an editor's note saying, "we deeply regret the error."

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5392510

[Ansel Rakestraw]

Dwyane Wade issued an apology Monday to those who may have been offended by his use of the phrase "World Trade" while answering a question about the upcoming Miami Heat season.

The All-Star guard made the remark Sunday before the annual charity basketball game he co-hosts with Alonzo Mourning.

Standing at his locker before a group of reporters, Wade said:

"There's going to be times when we might lose one, two games in a row, maybe two games, three games in a row, you never know. It's going to seem like the world is crashed down. You all are going to make it seem like the World Trade has just went down again. But it's not going to be nothing but a couple basketball games lost and we'll have to get back on track."

On Monday, before leaving on a flight to Los Angeles for some television appearances -- he was previously booked to talk with Jay Leno -- Wade issued an apology through the Heat.

In the statement, Wade said: "In an interview yesterday, I attempted to explain how some people may view the Miami Heat losing a few basketball games in a row during the upcoming season. It appears that my reference to the World Trade Center has been either inaccurately reported or taken completely out of context. I was simply trying to say that losing a few basketball games should not be compared to a real catastrophe.

"While it was certainly not my intention, I sincerely apologize to anyone who found my reference to the World Trade Center to be insensitive or offensive."

AOL Fanhouse initially reported the guard saying: "If we lose a couple in a row this season, it will be like the World Trade [Center] is coming down again."

Hours later, AOL Fanhouse published a different version of the quote, citing a transcription error and an editor's note saying, "we deeply regret the error."

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5392510

Well Dwayne, perhaps you and LeBron should not have acted as if you were collectively the Second Coming to build such expectations - hmmmm?

HFD Translation - Buy the hype (and branded Nikes, jerseys, poster etc) and WORSHIP ME LIKE A GOD when I win , but dude, get clue and put it perspective when I lose.

I mean its not like it there was an hour long special about LeBron's decsion and it isn't like they held a parade in our honor already...

I hope those fuckers fall flat on their faces. As in Dwayne breaks another rib cross dribbling and can't make the playoffs, LeBron gets clothes lined by a series of bench warmers and gets scared of the paint and Bosh gets busted with a bong and 3 ounces in an airport. That epic of a melt down is the only way this ends well for humanity.

[Andy]

MGM Resorts International was under investigation after the underage son of basketball great Michael Jordan bragged on Twitter about partying at a Las Vegas Strip nightclub, Nevada gambling regulators said Monday.

Officials were examining whether the casino operator violated laws prohibiting drinking or gambling by minors, Nevada Gaming Control Board enforcement chief Jerry Markling said.

People younger than 21 often try to gamble or drink in Las Vegas, but punishment for casino operators depend on the circumstances, Markling said.

Jordan's 19-year-old son Marcus Jordan tweeted Aug. 20 about spending $35,000 at Haze at Aria Resort & Casino.

"Last night was stupid... 35K at Haze," the University of Central Florida sophomore guard said. "Totals 50K something the whole day."

The tweet has since been removed from the site.

Jordan told a Fox Sports website last week the tweet was a mistake and said he had conversations with both his parents about it.

"I didn't mean it the way it came across," he said. "My family and friends know the type of person I am."

Jordan was in Las Vegas for his dad's fantasy basketball camp with his brother, Jeffrey, and teammate A.J. Rompza.

A video posted to Twitter by Jeffrey Jordan shows all three players hanging out at the Liquid Pool Lounge, the resort's adults-only pool.

UCF basketball spokesman Doug Richards said the school had no comment.

MGM Resorts spokesman Alan Feldman declined comment. The Aria is the centerpiece casino of CityCenter, the company's joint venture with Dubai World that cost $8.5 billion to build.

Markling said he could not comment specifically about the case. He said the control board's findings would not be made public.

Markling said punishments in general depend on the infraction's scope, and could involve verbal warnings, fines, or in extreme cases suspending an operator's gambling license.

From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20100830/SPO ... z0yBC0UarD

[The Suburban Avenger]

"My family and friends know the type of person I am."

If you're anything like your dad, $50K in a day in Vegas is a bit of an underachievement.

[Roquefort Robert]

"My family and friends know the type of person I am."

If you're anything like your dad, $50K in a day in Vegas is a bit of an underachievement.

Christ, how bad do you have to be at gambling to lose 50k in one day (of your dad's money)? I guess if you're playing $1,000-$5,000 per hand at blackjack, or $500/$1,000 poker, but don't you think that a 19 year old kid playing that high stakes would raise some eyebrows? I guessing they knew, but didn't care. If you're Michael Jordan's son, you can probably do whatever the fuck you want.

[Ya Mar]

"My family and friends know the type of person I am."

If you're anything like your dad, $50K in a day in Vegas is a bit of an underachievement.

Christ, how bad do you have to be at gambling to lose 50k in one day (of your dad's money)? I guess if you're playing $1,000-$5,000 per hand at blackjack, or $500/$1,000 poker, but don't you think that a 19 year old kid playing that high stakes would raise some eyebrows? I guessing they knew, but didn't care. If you're Michael Jordan's son, you can probably do whatever the fuck you want.

He was at a Club. Not gambling.

[Roquefort Robert]

"My family and friends know the type of person I am."

If you're anything like your dad, $50K in a day in Vegas is a bit of an underachievement.

Christ, how bad do you have to be at gambling to lose 50k in one day (of your dad's money)? I guess if you're playing $1,000-$5,000 per hand at blackjack, or $500/$1,000 poker, but don't you think that a 19 year old kid playing that high stakes would raise some eyebrows? I guessing they knew, but didn't care. If you're Michael Jordan's son, you can probably do whatever the fuck you want.

He was at a Club. Not gambling.

I just assumed the gambling trait was passed down and he was playing cards. Holy fuck, that's even dumber. At least with cards, he would have had a chance at making money.

[Andy]

It's Roy's turn again.

Cowboys receiver Roy Williams said his words were somehow twisted last week, even though he was on radio when he said the only thing the Millen-era Lions lacked was an offensive line.

Lions center Dominic Raiola and others took offense.

"I saw where they tried to spin something I said to (tick) Raiola off," Williams told the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram. "I would never downgrade or downplay anybody on a football team that I've ever been associated with. ...

"I didn't talk to him. I know how it works. They spun it and made it sound like I'm whatever toward them. My thing is: If I did that, don't you think I (would have done) that when I got traded? Why would I wait 21/2 years to say something crazy?

"I respect those guys. I miss those guys. A heck of a football team like I said from day one."

Read more: Roy Williams: Didn't mean to diss Lions offensive line | freep.com | Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20101124/S ... z16CWHaraZ

It's not your fault Roy, it never is.

[gullycanyon]

Roy Williams is one of those guys who is such an obnoxious pain in the ass that most teams wouldn't want him around, regardless of how talented a player he may be.
In Roy's case, that's a moot point, because he doesn't amount to much, anyway.
"Them that can, do; them that can't, talk."
Williams is sort of the Anti-Barkley. Charles Barkley says controversial stuff that is, usually, pretty much on the mark, and stands behind it with a "Yeah, I said it" posture. Williams says half-wit horseshit-- or stuff that is just plainly obvious-- and then lacks the balls to stand behind it.
Roy Williams is a no-account, self-adulating bitch whose mama told him, too many times, that he was cute.

[Ansel Rakestraw]

Roy Williams is one of those guys who is such an obnoxious pain in the ass that most teams wouldn't want him around, regardless of how talented a player he may be.
In Roy's case, that's a moot point, because he doesn't amount to much, anyway.
"Them that can, do; them that can't, talk."
Williams is sort of the Anti-Barkley. Charles Barkley says controversial stuff that is, usually, pretty much on the mark, and stands behind it with a "Yeah, I said it" posture. Williams says half-wit horseshit-- or stuff that is just plainly obvious-- and then lacks the balls to stand behind it.
Roy Williams is a no-account, self-adulating bitch whose mama told him, too many times, that he was cute.

I think Williams secretly wants to be in the NBA where that sort of shit is the norm and somewhat celebrated. It's sad that as time goes by, Barkely begins to look like one of the good guys associated the NBA.

[Andy]

Antrel Rolle admits that he is a "bigmouth" and is unapologetic about it. Thursday, however, the Giants' safety put his foot in that mouth and had to issue a scripted apology shortly after he compared his teammates to American troops returning from Iraq.

In an attempt to defend ripping Giants fans Tuesday for booing the team, Rolle said: "They want to make it that guys paid this much money for a ticket. Yeah, I understand that, I understand completely. We risk ourselves out there on the field each and every day also. When soldiers come home from Iraq you don't boo them. I look at it the same way. I take my job seriously."

Later, in a statement released by the team, Rolle said: "I used a very poor, inappropriate example earlier today to demonstrate how seriously I take my job. Obviously there is no comparison between the men and women of our military putting their life on the line defending our country and what I do.

"They risk their lives and that gives me the opportunity to play a game for a living. After I made my earlier comments, somebody even said to me: how would your father, who is the chief of police in Homestead (Fla.) and puts himself at risk every day, feel about the comparison you made? Again, it was a very poor, very inappropriate choice of words."

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/footb ... z172wg784R

[Andy]

LeBron James is clarifying remarks he made about contraction and the NBA.

Speaking after Heat practice Monday, James said he "didn't mean to upset anybody" when he called the NBA "watered down" last week and that the league was more popular in the 1980s because there were fewer teams and thus more stars on the top squads.

James referenced Minnesota's Kevin Love and New Jersey's Brook Lopez and Devin Harris when making his comments last week in Phoenix. On Monday, he insisted he was not suggesting that the Timberwolves and Nets should be shut down.

James says he "didn't say let's abandon the Nets and not let them move to Brooklyn, or let's tear down the Target Center in Minnesota. I never said that. Never said that, all right."

http://detnews.com/article/20101228/SPO ... z19P8eFZCR