With another stunning come from behind victory against the Bears last Sunday, the Tim Tebow train keeps rolling. The Denver Broncos’ quarterback has become a cultural phenomenon. But his on-field exploits only make up one part of the Tebow mystique. Tebow’s public displays of faith play a major role in the star athlete’s public persona and the narrative surrounding him.
Quaterback Tim Tebow lead the Denver Broncos to defeat the Chicago Bears 13-10 in a game that stretched into overtime on Sunday. Takeaway sports contributor Ibrahim Abdul-Matin watched the game and gives his analysis.
Baseball's most feared slugger has a new home. Star first baseman Albert Pujols has signed a monster 10-year, $250 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The deal has taken the sports world by surprise. Perhaps no one was caught quite so off guard as Pujols' old team, the world champion St. Louis Cardinals, where the three-time MVP spent more than a decade.
Across the United States, statutes of limitations with regard to sex crimes vary from state to state. The cases of former sports coaches Jerry Sandusky and Bernie Fine highlight how variations in the law can create very different outcomes. On Wednesday, prosecutors said that despite credible allegations of sexual misconduct with minors, charges against Fine could not be brought because the statute of limitations has expired. Meanwhile, Sandusky has posted bail after spending a night in jail.
All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes has reportedly signed a six-year deal with the Miami Marlins, leaving the New York Mets after nine years. This contract is the largest that the Marlins have ever given out, and comes during an Securities and Exchange Commission investigation of the financing behind their new ball park.
First, there was Penn State and Jerry Sandusky. Now there is Syracuse and Bernie Fine. Last night, Syracuse University announced it had fired Fine, assistant basketball coach of more than 30 years. The decision came after a third man came forward, alleging he had been molested by Fine. And like the Penn State scandal, these accusations are years old.
Thanksgiving doesn't just mean turkey and stuffing for many Americans. It means football. The resurgent Detroit Lions play host to the currently undefeated and defending Superbowl champs Green Bay Packers. In Dallas, the Cowboys square off against a very hot Miami Dolphins team led by Reggie Bush. The loser will likely miss the playoffs. The night cap features a true sibling rivalry as head coach Jim Harbaugh takes his NFC West leading 49ers to Baltimore to face his brother and head coach of the AFC North leading Ravens John Harbaugh. Takeaway sports contributor Ibrahim Abdul-Matin previews the day's games.
This morning, some 15,000 runners are warming up ahead of the Manchester Road Race, a 4.75 mile circuit in New London, Connecticut. One runner is wearing the same blue tunic she wore 50 years ago, when she defied a ban on female participation in long distance running, and set a precedent that changed the face of the sport.
The upcoming NBA season is in jeopardy after players rejected the league's latest offer for a new labor deal on Monday. "After two years of making a genuine and concerted effort to try to close a collective bargaining effort with the league and our teams, we've come to the conclusion today that that process has not worked for us," NBA Players Association president Derek Fisher said. The players have now begun the process of disbanding the union, and filing an anti-trust lawsuit against the NBA owners.
Penn State football coach Joe Paterno was fired by the college's Board of Trustees Wednesday over a sex abuse scandal involving a former assistant coach. Thousands of students reacted violently, rampaging through downtown State College. President Graham Spanier was also removed as the university tries to stanch the bleeding over allegations that former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky sexually abused eight boys over 15 years.
The calls are getting louder for longtime Penn State football coach Joe Paterno to step down over over allegations he knew an assistant coach sexually abused young boys for a decade. Jerry Sandusky, a former defensive coordinator, is being accused of sexually abusing at least eight boys over a 15-year period. The question now becomes who knew about the incidents and why they went unreported. Penn State is reportedly figuring out an exit plan for Paterno, who is in his 46th season as head coach. A crowd of fans gathered outside his house to show their support on Tuesday night.
The celebration may be ending a little early in St. Louis. Just days after winning a thrilling seven game World Series, St. Louis Cardinals Manager Tony La Russa announced his retirement. The 67-year-old La Russa managed for 33 years in the big leagues, winning three World Series titles over the years and really revolutionizing the way the game is played. Joining The Takeaway to talk about La Russa’s legacy is George Vecsey, sports columnist for The New York Times and author of "Stan Musial: An American Life."
What is the Tim Tebow effect? The new Denver Broncos quarterback has garnered a lot of national attention, partly for his talent, partly for his prayerful play. But is the attention — or the critiques, which are growing after Tebow failed to lead Denver to a win over Detroit Sunday — fully warranted? We find out, and get a general NFL update from Takeaway sports contributor Ibrahim Abdul-Matin.
The NBA remains stuck in a lockout this morning as negotiations between players and owners have failed to produce a new collective bargaining agreement. Tomorrow is scheduled be the first day of the 66th season, but instead the stadiums will remain closed and fans will stay at home. It’s a big disappointment for fans, but for many people, their livelihoods are on the line too.
The St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers are tied 2-2 in this year’s World Series, with Game 5 set to be played tonight in Texas. While the Cardinals are trying to cap off one of the most incredible late-season runs in baseball history, the Rangers are trying to make up for a disappointing four games to one loss in last year’s World Series against the San Francisco Giants.
The Texas Rangers will face off against the Cardinals in game one of the World Series tonight in St. Louis. George Vecsey, sports columnist for The New York Times, and author of "Stan Musial: An American Life," previews the game and talks about what the World Series means to St. Louis sports fans.
From World Series favorites to Major League laughing stock, it's been quite a season for the Boston Red Sox. They started the September with a commanding lead in the Wild Card race and lost it to rival Tampa Bay Rays on the very last day of the season. The team's collapse saw popular manager Terry Francona leave town and general manager Theo Epstein depart to take over the Chicago Cubs.
Commissioner David Stern cancelled the first two weeks of the new NBA season on Monday night, after the league and the players failed to reach a deal to end a four-month-long lockout. At dispute is how to divide billions of dollars of league revenues, as well as league rules over how players are paid. The NBA will lose between $700-$800 million for each month of play lost.
Takeaway sports contributor Ibrahim Abdul-Matin runs through all the big NFL games from Sunday. He also discusses quarterbacks Drew Breeze, Aaron Rodgers, and Tim Tebow, and remembers long time Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis.