The Saints are undoubtedly having the worst the opening season in the NFL. Dropping to 0-4, the Saints will more than likely miss the playoffs. Coming off of a 13-3 season, and having a reputation of being a contending team, the Saints resemble a fragment of what they used to be. Alas, there may still be something to cheer for in New Orleans. Flashback to five years ago when the Saints

By: rubendn

were in the same dismal predicament they are in today. The Saints were facing the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night, and were fighting for their first victory of the 2007-08 season.   The Saints came out blazing, fighting for what was left of their image, and put on a show. Drew Brees stole the show by throwing for 146 yards, 2 touchdowns, and led the Saints to victory.  Brees went on to break Dan Marino’s single-season yardage record, a record that Brees still boasts. Flash forward to the present, where Brees has a chance to break yet another record and lead the Saints to their first victory this season. The quarterback has thrown at least one touchdown in 47 consecutive games, and if he throws one more against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, he will break Johnny Unitas’ all-time NFL record.

A special guest on Sunday may be the good luck charm the Saints and Brees need. League sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that suspended coach Sean Payton will be at the Superdome for Sunday night’s game. Brees asked the league if Payton, general manager Mickey Loomis and assistant Joe Vitt could attend the possible record-setting night. As part of Payton’s season-long suspension,  he cannot have contact with the team, and will be in a private sector to view the game. Arrangements have been made for a postgame visit between Payton and Brees.

 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the NFL is joining the cause by donning pink. Breast cancer, like all cancers, has no boundaries. It transcends all economical classes, race, and genders. One NFL player sat down with Fox Sports reporter Reid Forgave and shared a very personal and touching account on why wearing pink means more to him, than just raising awareness.

“I’d wear pink even if my mom didn’t have breast cancer,” Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Nick Eason told FOXSports.com. “Any time anyone dies from a terminal illness, it’s a battle for them, a battle for that person and their caretaker.”

Courtesy: Fanatics Facebook page

Eason and his mother had a special relationship. After every game, he would give his mother his game-worn gloves and cleats, priceless mementos for his mom to look at and smile to herself. This is now just a fond memory for Eason. Iris Wilcox, Eason’s mother died of breast cancer at the age of 50 this past summer as Eason was heading into the Cardinals preseason workouts. Wilcox was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 47. She received her first chemo treatment days before her son a Pittsburgh Steeler at the time, faced off against the Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. Wilcox made it to game and saw her son play. The Steelers won, but Wilcox skipped the celebration and headed straight to her son’s hotel room, exhausted from her treatment.

The family thought they had beaten the cancer until earlier this summer. Eason took his mother to the hospital and found out not only was the cancer back, but was now at Stage 4. Eason didn’t think twice about missing the final OTAs and some of training camp, to became his mother’s primary caregiver. He moved his mother in with him in Arizona and had her treated at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Sadly, the cancer had spread to her chest, liver, heart, and lungs. It was terminal. Eason’s mother wanted to go back to their home town of Toombs County, Ga, and was not afraid of death. She was a Godly woman and told her son that her life was good with the Lord. Eason was with his mother as she took last breath, and told her, “I’ll do my best to live the life you taught me to live so I can see you on the other side.”

It is easy to look at NFL athletes covered in pink to be more of a marketing ploy than an act of pure goodness. To date, the league has raised $3 million for the American Cancer Society. Everyone knows someone who has had cancer. This small anecdote is a reminder of what the pink cleats, ribbons, gloves, and towels are all about.

 “This game is about winning, don’t get me wrong, but it’s also about giving, giving back to the community,” Eason said. “It’s a great cause, man. That’s why I believe God put me in this position, to be a role model. I’ll wear pink every game. I’m all in. Because of what it represents. It represents the people who’ve lost their lives and the people who are still fighting.”

Ashley and Peyton Manning Courtesy: Indystar

The name “Manning’ is making headlines, but it has nothing to do with football. Ashley Manning, Peyton Manning’s wife, has purchased a part of the Memphis Grizzlies’ NBA franchise, NFL.com reported. Ashley, a Memphis native is taking on this project independently from her husband, and Peyton openly says that this is his wife’s project. Sources say Ashley was a front runner to become a partner of the Grizzlies because she wants to keep the team in Memphis for as long as possible. The Denver Broncos released the following statement on Manning’s behalf. “I am proud of Ashley as she pursues this opportunity with the Memphis Grizzlies,” Manning said. “While my focus is on playing quarterback for the Denver Broncos, I look forward to watching her become involved with her hometown team.”

Ashley Manning’s name will solely appear on all the paperwork pertaining to the Grizzlies, and will join artist Justin Timberlake and several Memphis business owners as partner.

4. NFL Players; Fashion Victims?

We’ve all been there. Getting ready for work, you look in the mirror and think, “This shirt makes me look fat.” Well, what if that shirt was part of your uniform and you had to wear it while millions of people tuned in to watch your every move? This is the problem some NFL players are facing every game day due to new Nike uniforms.

“I hate them. They are built for thin guys,” 300 pound San Francisco 49ers starting guard Alex Boone,  told the Wall Street Journal. “It makes me look like I have big old love handles.”

Boone added that his wife joked that the new uniform makes it look like he “ate a small baby.”

Nike says that the new uniforms are made with body-contouring material, are very stretchable, and light weight. So far the linemen around the league are the only ones with complaints.

 “I don’t really care for the new jerseys,” Terrence Cody, a 349-pound defensive lineman for the Baltimore Ravens, said. “I feel like they should put different material in for the big guys.”

To Nike’s defense, they said that the uniforms do come in a variety of sizes and cuts to suit all player’s shapes and sizes. Cody isn’t buying it and said the uniform rides up his body throughout games.

Some players believe the jersey critics are focusing too much on their appearance,  and not enough on their game. 

“They say you have to look good to play good—I don’t believe that,” Baltimore Ravens 334-pound lineman Ramon Harewood said.

Whether your with them or against them, everyone deserves to feel comfortable in whatever they’re wearing.

Do you think players should have a say about their uniforms? 

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Written by Jenna

Jenna is a journalist born and raised in southern California. While obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in journalism from Cal State University, Northridge, she worked as a sports intern with KABC7. She had the opportunity to interview athletes such as Jerry Rice, Marcus Allen, and Marshall Faulk to name a few. Mom and Dad made sure their girl would be a sports fan, and took her to her first Angels baseball game at the tender age of two weeks. Being more of a fan of individuals than just one NFL team, you can catch her watching every game on Sunday with multiple jersey changes; depending on which players she has on her fantasy team. Journalism and sports is where two of Jenna’s greatest passions can come to life together, and she is grateful for her opportunity at Her Game Life.