The Rome report

NFL
This past Monday in the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys, Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson caught a beautiful 55-yard pass from quarterback Donovan McNabb. Jackson then proceeded to run the remaining five yards to the endzone for the touchdown. At the 1-yard line he flipped the ball behind him and began to celebrate. What Jackson did not know is that he did not score a touchdown because he flipped the ball away before he got into the endzone. Luckily for Jackson, the ball was considered down at the 1-yard line and running back Brian Westbrook scored the touchdown on the next play.

I love endzone celebrations just as much as anyone. I believe that the players should have the opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments. It’s fun and entertaining for the fans. I like watching Chad Ocho Cinco do the Riverdance after scoring or proposing to a cheerleader. I like watching Terrell Owens take a Sharpie out of his sock to autograph a football and give it to his financial advisor. These are things that keep the game fun and interesting. I have no problem with Jackson celebrating, but he needs to make sure that he gets into the endzone first. Jackson could have cost his team a touchdown. This is also not the first time Jackson has done this. In a high school all-star football game, Jackson did a flip at about the 5-yard line and landed at the 1-yard line. He fumbled the ball and the other team recovered. So, Jackson: next time you want to celebrate a touchdown, make sure you score the touchdown first.

MLB
Last Sunday marked the final game at Yankee Stadium. Now maybe it’s just me, but I really don’t see what’s all the fuss about. ESPN was doing a special on this and started coverage of an 8 p.m. game at 1 p.m. That’s a little excessive to me. Maybe I feel this way because I am not a fan of the Yankees. Maybe it’s because I have never been to Yankee Stadium. I have never been one of these fans to get all excited about the closing of a stadium or an arena. These stadiums are just a place to play games in. I am not saying that special moments don’t happen in these stadiums, but it’s hard for me to get sentimental about it closing when the owner is moving into a brand new stadium to make more money. If Yankee Stadium is so special, why don’t the Steinbrenners just use money to renovate it? It’s the same reason that Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is currently building a billion dollar stadium for his team. More luxury boxes in the stadium equal more money for the owner and higher prices for the average fan. I can’t say that I necessarily blame the owners. Part of their job is to make money for their franchise. But, while ESPN sees the closing of a historical ballpark, I see the owner taking the opportunity to make more money.