Sports Then and Now

The Sports Then and Now Vintage Athlete of the Month was the leader of a running attack that was the cornerstone of two Super Bowl Championship teams, including the only undefeated squad in NFL history.

With his distinctive headgear and a body suited for punishing contact, Larry Csonka looked the part of a fullback and for 11 NFL seasons delivered and took regular punishment on his way to the Hall of Fame.

Following in the great tradition of Jim Brown, Ernie Davis, Jim Nance and Floyd Little, Csonka earned All-American honors at Syracuse while rushing for 2,934 yards.  He began earning a name for himself as the Most Valuable Player of the East–West Shrine Game, the Hula Bowl, and the College All-Star Game.

Less than a week after leading a spirited, but ultimately unsuccessful comeback in the NFC Playoffs, multiple sources are reporting that 44-year-old quarterback Tom Brady is retiring from the NFL.

If the reports are accurate, it is truly the end of an amazing era in NFL history. Not only has Brady played in more Super Bowls (10) and has more Super Bowl rings than anyone else (7), but he holds the NFL records for most passing attempts, most passing yards, most touchdown passes and most passing yards in NFL history.

However, unlike some of the quarterbacks he overtook for the all-time passing records (Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, and Dan Marino), Brady’s legacy is truly less about the statistics than it is about his winning history.

In the 20 seasons in which Brady was the full-time starting quarterback, he led his squad to the playoffs 19 times, including the last 18 years in a row. His career playoff record of 35-12 in 47 games represents nearly three full regular seasons worth of postseason performances.

When describing great coaches, they often use the adage that he could take his team and beat your team and then take your team and beat his team. Tom Brady is one of a handful of football players for which you could make the same comment. If Brady was the quarterback of the team, you knew they always had a chance to win.

Few (okay, no one, except maybe him) predicted such lofty greatness when Brady was drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 draft with the 199th overall pick.

Disability is not a barrier in sport – as long as you are passionate, dedicated, and talented, you can succeed. Nothing can stand between you and your goal to conquer the sports field. The paralympics have a lot in common with Olympics but there are some important differences. Instead of the iconic interlocking rings, the Paralympic Games has its Agitos: three swoops in green, red, and clue that depict the Paralympic motto, “Spirit in Motion”.

These games are just as competitive and riveting as the Olympic Games, and we can bet you that once you start watching, you will fall in love. Here’s 7 reasons why we absolutely love the Paralympics!

1.      Social Inclusivity

The Paralympics are making sports more inclusive and diverse. Previously, sports could only be played by full-abled athletes, but this tournament was opened doors for everybody. The Paralympic Games offers people living with a disability a platform to showcase their talent and compete with other talented athletes.

This social inclusivity allows sports to be more fun and enjoyable for people all around the world, and it inspires people to not let a disability decide their fate. These games are changing the landscape and future of sports.

2.      Sports That Are Highly Unique

There are many sports that you will only have the pleasure of watching at the Paralympics. Goalball is played by two teams of three blind or visually impaired athletes who throw a heavy ball with a bell inside across the opposing team’s net. The defenders have to block their progress with their bodies and while they stop the opposing team from securing a point.

Another game, Boccia, features some of the most talented athletes at the Paralympics. This game is similar to bowling: the teams or individuals are required to roll, kick, or throw balls, aiming to hit them as close to a target as possible.

3.      Drug Testing

All Paralympic athletes are subjected to the same restrictions on substances as Olympic athletes. Nicole Sapstead, the director of Operations at UK Anti-Doping says “It’s a common misconception that a lot of Paralympians will be on prescription drugs. That’s not the case at all”.  Any player who requires additional medication for treatment or pain must apply for an exemption. There is no special treatment, nor is there any impunity offered to athletes.

Did you know that playing online games can be good for you? Apart from the social benefits, you also get to make money and increase your income. Furthermore, playing online requires you to have the skills and be interactive, thus making you mentally alert. Betting online has also become famous, so getting all the information you need is more accessible. There are games for all categories of people, for instance; if you are a newbie, you get games that match your level, the same as when you are a pro; you also get games that are challenging enough. Read on to find out exactly why gaming online is critical for you:

Helps in Managing Emotions

Playing online can be fun, but you can sometimes get frustrated, especially when you are not lucky to get a payout. At times you experience unexpected events like when betting on sports; your favorite player may get an injury and leave the game disadvantaging the team you preferred. These challenges help you learn how to regulate your emotions, and they also help you build resilience plus master how to calm yourself. The more you game online, the more you learn and acquire the skill of managing your emotions.  

It’s Easier to Play Online

The internet has come with many opportunities, and online gambling is one. Playing online is entertaining and educative. When you play online, the digital gadget you are using will guide you by giving you prompts on what to do. For example, to play games like the joker123 slot, you only need an internet connection and basic knowledge in poker as the computer will guide you on the rules and regulations. Wagering online platforms does not require strategy as most games have different levels. It would be best to pick the level you feel comfortable playing, then move to a more complicated level after gaining experience.

More individuals can join these activities as internet gaming and betting. You may select from various online casinos, each with its unique set of features. The first step in ensuring a great experience while playing for real money online is to learn how to choose an online casino. It is critical to comprehend the essential characteristics of the best online casinos. Knowing what is most important to you regarding gaming interests and needs is also beneficial. The following are some of the variables to consider while selecting an online casino:

Reputation

You’ll find a plethora of online casinos such as agen idnsport, if you search for them. Nevertheless, only a few of these sites have earned the trust of online gamblers worldwide. A good reputation in the online casino industry usually means others have given the site a positive review. Some online casinos may use an image that differs from the genuine one, which might be confusing. The online reputation of a casino might disclose a lot about it. Gamers should join casinos that have a lot of positive evaluations and comments from their customers. Don’t forget the importance of internet reputation for online casinos. The reviews and feedback that a casino receives might provide you with important information about that casino.

Regulation and Licensing

Among the most crucial elements to consider while looking for a decent online casino is licensure. This ensures that online casinos adhere to the established standards, rules, and laws. Fair gaming and randomized gambling or wagering games are available from a licensed online casino. Online casinos that are licensed follow a set of rules and regulations. These rules assist them in verifying gamers’ identities and safeguarding their personal information. Players should examine other people’s reviews to verify if an online casino is legitimate. Players may also look up these credentials on the casino’s bottom page. Players should avoid opening accounts with casinos that lack a license or certification.

Sad news from the sports world with the passing of legendary coach and broadcaster John Madden at the age of 85.

Whether from his days as a coach, broadcaster or simply as the name on a video game, John Madden was a football legend known by fans of all generations.

Though more than a dozen years elapsed between his final broadcast after nearly three decades as the preeminent color commentator on television and his passing, Madden remained a legendary and well-known sports figure until his death. Just this past Christmas, Fox Sports broadcast a program recognizing his legacy and larger-than-life personality.

Despite his death, Madden’s influence on football and pop culture will continue to live on in the leading football video game known as Madden NFL.

The journey for Madden from a 21^st round NFL Draft pick to the most recognized person in the NFL was truly a remarkable one.

A talented multi-sport athlete, Madden was a boyhood friend of John Robinson, who would go on to a successful career as head coach at the University of Southern California and with the Los Angeles Rams.

Madden played college football at the College of San Mateo for a year, earning a scholarship to the University of Oregon. However, an injury forced him to redshirt and he ultimately finished his college career playing two seasons as a two-way player at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. He was also a catcher on the Cal-Poly baseball team.

The Philadelphia Eagles selected Madden in the 21^st round (244^th overall pick) of the 1958 NFL Draft. However, a knee injury suffered in training camp ended his dream of playing in the NFL.

After completing his degree, Madden became an assistant coach at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California. He was promoted to head coach in 1962.

Following the 1963 season he was hired as a defensive assistant coach at San Diego State by head coach Don Coryell. Before becoming a successful NFL head coach with the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Chargers, Coryell turned San Diego State into one of the top small college football programs in the country.

After the 1966 season, Madden was hired by Al Davis as linebackers coach for the Oakland Raiders. During his first season in the AFL, the Raiders won the AFL Championship and played the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl II.

Following the 1968 season, head coach John Rauch left the Raiders to become head coach of the Buffalo Bills. Davis tapped the then 32-year-old Madden to be head coach of the Raiders. Considering his age and that his only head coaching experience had been at the community college level, it was quite a bold move.

Fortunately for Davis and the Raiders, Madden proved to be up for the task. The Raiders posted a 12-1-1 record during his first season as head coach and reached the AFC Championship Game.

Over the next seven seasons the Raiders won at least eight games each year and reached the playoffs seven times. They advanced to the AFC Championship Game in each of the 1973, 1974 and 1975 seasons, but each year fell just short of reaching the Super Bowl.

After losing to the Miami Dolphins in the 1973 AFC Championship Game, the Raiders thought it was their turn after defeating the Dolphins in dramatic fashion in a game known as the “Sea of Hands” game for the final touchdown pass from Ken Stabler to Clarence Davis in the final seconds.

Unfortunately, the Raiders proved to again be the bridesmaids as they lost the conference title game to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The same occurred a year later when the game was played in Pittsburgh and Madden and the Raiders felt that the Steelers intentionally chose not to cover the field, thus creating a slick surface that neutralized the speed of the Raiders.

Finally, in 1976 the Raiders posted a 13-1 regular season record and then avenged their only loss of the regular season by defeating the New England Patriots 24-21 in the opening round of the playoffs.

Participating in their fourth straight conference championship game and third against the Steelers, Madden and the Raiders finally came out on top in a 24-7 decision to reach Super Bowl XI.