Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica
The Greatest forever: Muhammad Ali's impact spans generations.
Only Muhammad Ali could become a silent yet powerful subplot to a Super Bowl he didn't even attend … for the best and worst of reasons.
The day ended with photos flashed just as quickly around the planet of Ali watching the game, looking no worse or better than the 71-year-old, Parkinson's-afflicted champ has before. He was decked out in Baltimore Ravens gear.
For now, three days later, the crisis seems over.
The reflection on his life, career and impact on the world has hardly slowed, though. And there might be no greater proof of it than the team he represented in those pictures.
Days before the NFL regular-season opener, on a visit to Baltimore, Ali took an unannounced trip to the Ravens' facility and met the players, coaches and staff. They watched clips of his greatest moments, posed with him as a group and talked endlessly with him collectively and individually.
Players gushed about it for days afterward, in interviews and on Twitter. The reaction of lineman Kelechi Osemele: "Just met a legend. My hands touched the greatest of all time. Muhammad Ali. #Legendary"
Worth pointing out here: Osemele, a rookie, was born in 1989, eight years after Ali last stepped from the ring. The Ravens' oldest player — Ray Lewis, naturally — was 4 months old when Ali fought Joe Frazier in the Thrilla in Manila.
To even the elder athletes in every sport, the Ali they know is largely the old man with the shrunken features and rasping voice (when he does talk), a name and figure from their parents' or grandparents' generation.
But they still know the man their parents and grandparents knew. They know he was The Greatest, and they know why he was called that, inside the ring and out in the world around him.
The Ravens made that loud and clear for the entire nation on Tuesday, at their victory celebration in Baltimore. Coach John Harbaugh — whose father, Jack, a coach himself, was behind Ali's visit and who had made sure his sons knew his story early in life — told the crowd that the team had adopted the mantra "What's My Name?" For the history-deficient, that came from contender Ernie Terrell's insistence, in the build-up before their 1967 bout, on calling Ali by the given name he'd rejected, Cassius Clay.
Terrell's punishment for the disdain and disrespect he showed for the name choice and the meaning behind it? Ali punctuated every punch in their lopsided, borderline-barbaric fight by barking, "What's my name? What's my name?" at him.
You can guess what happened next at the rally. Harbaugh encouraged the crowd in the jam-packed stadium to chant after him: "What's our name? What's our name?"
Now that's a photo Ali's family ought to be circulating today — his reaction to the sounds and sights of the Super Bowl champions and their fans re-enacting a milestone moment in his life, putting one of his lessons into practice and celebrating the result.
But the Ravens did more than appropriate his words and actions, or whip a stadium full of revelers into a frenzy.
They brought Ali back to life.
Reports of his imminent death — questionable as they were at the time, even more questionable as they are now — cast a pall over everybody who came across them on Super Bowl Sunday. It was surely in the backs of everyone's heads watching the pre-game, in-game and post-game drama, as bizarre and riveting as all of that was.
Regardless of whether he really had days or months left, nobody was — or is — ready to lose Ali. Nobody was ready to memorialize his life for this or future generations. Where would anyone find enough words or images to encapsulate it?
Even the ones from Baltimore, back in September and from a day ago, don't do him justice. Still, ponder this: As fertile as his mind was in the physical and mental prime of his life, even he probably wouldn't have imagined that his presence, words and deeds would inspire an NFL team to glory 45 years later.
Defining one's own generation is one thing. Defining several generations to come … that's an extraordinary feat.
That was just one example from one group of men hooking themselves to one incident in his life. Multiply that by all the other examples he's left and the millions moved by them in one way or another. That would begin to scratch the surface of what a loss for humanity it will be once Ali's time does come.
On the other hand, as the Ravens proved, even when he is gone, he isn't really going away.
How
'bout them Chicago Blackhawks?
Overall Record 10-0-2. The six game road trip is over!!! The Blackhawks are the first team to 22 points this season while the next best squad, the New Jersey Devils, have 19 points in 12 games. " We've been consistent in our games and getting a lot of contributions from a lot of guys," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "It seems like chemistry and the mood of the room is as good as you can get. It's been reflected in our play." Naturally they'll slow down as the season goes on, but they've given themselves a ton of breathing room, especially given that this is a shortened season. As CS&T/AA has said, We have a great feeling about this team. This is our year, remember, you heard it here first!!!!! Go Hawks!!!
Sue Paterno defends Joe Paterno in letter to former Penn State players.
She wrote that the family's exhaustive response to former FBI director Louis Freeh's report for the university on the Sandusky child sex abuse case will officially be released to the public at 9 a.m. ET Sunday on paterno.com.
Sue Paterno will be interviewed for an episode of Katie Couric's syndicated talk show. In some markets it will air Feb. 11.
Freeh in July accused Joe Paterno and three university officials of covering up allegations against Sandusky, a retired defensive coordinator. Less than two weeks later, the NCAA levied unprecedented sanctions on the program that Joe Paterno built into one of the most well-known in college football.
"When the Freeh report was released last July, I was as shocked as anyone by the findings and by Mr. Freeh's extraordinary attack on Joe's character and integrity. I did not recognize the man Mr. Freeh described," Sue Paterno wrote. "I am here to tell you as definitively and forcefully as I know how that Mr. Freeh could not have been more wrong in his assessment of Joe."
The family directed its attorney, Wick Sollers, to assemble experts to review Freeh's findings and Joe Paterno's actions, Sue Paterno wrote.
She did not offer details on findings in the letter, "except to say that they unreservedly and forcefully confirm my beliefs about Joe's conduct.
"In addition, they present a passionate and persuasive critique of the Freeh report as a total disservice to the victims of Sandusky and the cause of preventing child sex offenses," Sue Paterno wrote.
Sue Paterno said neither Freeh's report, nor the NCAA's actions, should "close the book" on the scandal.
"This cannot happen," she wrote. "The Freeh report failed and if it is not challenged and corrected, nothing worthwhile will have come from these tragic events."
Sandusky's arrest in November 2011, triggered the sweeping scandal, including the firing of Paterno and the departure under pressure of Graham Spanier as president days later. Prosecutors filed perjury and failure to report charges against former athletic director Tim Curley and retired vice president Gary Schultz.
Sandusky, 69, was sentenced last fall to at least 30 years in prison in after being convicted in June on 45 criminal counts. Prosecutors said allegations occurred on and off campus.
"The crimes committed by Jerry Sandusky are heartbreaking," Sue Paterno, who has five children and 17 grandchildren, wrote. "It is incomprehensible to me that anyone could intentionally harm a child. I think of the victims daily and I pray that God will heal their wounds and comfort their souls.
Freeh released his findings the following month. His team conducted 430 interviews and analyzed over 3.5 million emails and documents, his report said.
"Taking into account the available witness statements and evidence, it is more reasonable to conclude that, in order to avoid the consequences of bad publicity, the most powerful leaders at Penn State University — Messrs. Spanier, Schultz, Paterno and Curley — repeatedly concealed critical facts relating to Sandusky's child abuse" from authorities, trustees and the university community, Freeh wrote in releasing the report.
Less than two weeks later, Penn State hastily took down the bronze statue of Paterno outside Beaver Stadium. The next day, the NCAA said Freeh's report presented "an unprecedented failure of institutional integrity leading to a culture in which a football program was held in higher esteem."
Penn State was given a four-year bowl ban, strict scholarship cuts and a $60 million fine. The NCAA also vacated 111 wins under Paterno, meaning he no longer held the record of most wins by a major college coach.
Since then Spanier, Curley and Schultz have also been charged with obstruction and conspiracy, among other charges. They have vehemently denied the allegations. So has the Paterno family, though they have promised a more detailed response with its own investigation was complete.
Paterno's true legacy wasn't his statue or his 409 wins, but family and players, his widow said. Less than an hour after the letter was released, a copy was circulating on social media and websites, including one belonging to Seattle Seahawks fullback and former Nittany Lion Michael Robinson.
"The great fathers, husbands and citizens you have become fulfill the dreams Joe had," she wrote to the former players. "All that we want — and what I believe we owe the victims, Joe Paterno and everyone who cares about Penn State — is the full record of what happened."
Paterno died in January 2012 at age 85, about two months after being diagnosed with lung cancer. The way university leadership handled his ouster — over a late-night telephone call — and its handling of the Freeh report and NCAA sanctions remains a sensitive topic for factions of dissatisfied alumni, former players, staff and community members.
Trustee Anthony Lubrano, who joined the board last year after drawing support from disgruntled alumni, has been among more vocal critics who say that school leaders rushed to judgment on Paterno. Critics have also said Freeh's report downplayed failures of Pennsylvania's child-protective services.
"I knew Joe Paterno as well as one human being can know another. Joe was exactly the moral, disciplined and demanding man you knew him to be," Sue Paterno wrote.
"Over the years I watched as he struggled with countless personal and professional challenges. Never — not once — did I see him compromise his principles or twist the truth to avoid bad publicity or protect his reputation."
The Paterno family has remained supportive of the football program and Paterno's successor, Bill O'Brien. SuePaterno has been active in organizing Special Olympics, which was again held on campus last summer; and son and former assistant coach Jay Paterno has done speaking engagements with students and attends sporting events.
The family's response comes a month after Gov. Tom Corbett filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA to overturn the sanctions. The NCAA this week asked a judge to throw out the suit.
Overall Record 10-0-2. The six game road trip is over!!! The Blackhawks are the first team to 22 points this season while the next best squad, the New Jersey Devils, have 19 points in 12 games. " We've been consistent in our games and getting a lot of contributions from a lot of guys," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "It seems like chemistry and the mood of the room is as good as you can get. It's been reflected in our play." Naturally they'll slow down as the season goes on, but they've given themselves a ton of breathing room, especially given that this is a shortened season. As CS&T/AA has said, We have a great feeling about this team. This is our year, remember, you heard it here first!!!!! Go Hawks!!!
Sue Paterno defends Joe Paterno in letter to former Penn State players.
She wrote that the family's exhaustive response to former FBI director Louis Freeh's report for the university on the Sandusky child sex abuse case will officially be released to the public at 9 a.m. ET Sunday on paterno.com.
Sue Paterno will be interviewed for an episode of Katie Couric's syndicated talk show. In some markets it will air Feb. 11.
Freeh in July accused Joe Paterno and three university officials of covering up allegations against Sandusky, a retired defensive coordinator. Less than two weeks later, the NCAA levied unprecedented sanctions on the program that Joe Paterno built into one of the most well-known in college football.
"When the Freeh report was released last July, I was as shocked as anyone by the findings and by Mr. Freeh's extraordinary attack on Joe's character and integrity. I did not recognize the man Mr. Freeh described," Sue Paterno wrote. "I am here to tell you as definitively and forcefully as I know how that Mr. Freeh could not have been more wrong in his assessment of Joe."
The family directed its attorney, Wick Sollers, to assemble experts to review Freeh's findings and Joe Paterno's actions, Sue Paterno wrote.
She did not offer details on findings in the letter, "except to say that they unreservedly and forcefully confirm my beliefs about Joe's conduct.
"In addition, they present a passionate and persuasive critique of the Freeh report as a total disservice to the victims of Sandusky and the cause of preventing child sex offenses," Sue Paterno wrote.
Sue Paterno said neither Freeh's report, nor the NCAA's actions, should "close the book" on the scandal.
"This cannot happen," she wrote. "The Freeh report failed and if it is not challenged and corrected, nothing worthwhile will have come from these tragic events."
Sandusky's arrest in November 2011, triggered the sweeping scandal, including the firing of Paterno and the departure under pressure of Graham Spanier as president days later. Prosecutors filed perjury and failure to report charges against former athletic director Tim Curley and retired vice president Gary Schultz.
Sandusky, 69, was sentenced last fall to at least 30 years in prison in after being convicted in June on 45 criminal counts. Prosecutors said allegations occurred on and off campus.
"The crimes committed by Jerry Sandusky are heartbreaking," Sue Paterno, who has five children and 17 grandchildren, wrote. "It is incomprehensible to me that anyone could intentionally harm a child. I think of the victims daily and I pray that God will heal their wounds and comfort their souls.
Freeh released his findings the following month. His team conducted 430 interviews and analyzed over 3.5 million emails and documents, his report said.
"Taking into account the available witness statements and evidence, it is more reasonable to conclude that, in order to avoid the consequences of bad publicity, the most powerful leaders at Penn State University — Messrs. Spanier, Schultz, Paterno and Curley — repeatedly concealed critical facts relating to Sandusky's child abuse" from authorities, trustees and the university community, Freeh wrote in releasing the report.
Less than two weeks later, Penn State hastily took down the bronze statue of Paterno outside Beaver Stadium. The next day, the NCAA said Freeh's report presented "an unprecedented failure of institutional integrity leading to a culture in which a football program was held in higher esteem."
Penn State was given a four-year bowl ban, strict scholarship cuts and a $60 million fine. The NCAA also vacated 111 wins under Paterno, meaning he no longer held the record of most wins by a major college coach.
Since then Spanier, Curley and Schultz have also been charged with obstruction and conspiracy, among other charges. They have vehemently denied the allegations. So has the Paterno family, though they have promised a more detailed response with its own investigation was complete.
Paterno's true legacy wasn't his statue or his 409 wins, but family and players, his widow said. Less than an hour after the letter was released, a copy was circulating on social media and websites, including one belonging to Seattle Seahawks fullback and former Nittany Lion Michael Robinson.
"The great fathers, husbands and citizens you have become fulfill the dreams Joe had," she wrote to the former players. "All that we want — and what I believe we owe the victims, Joe Paterno and everyone who cares about Penn State — is the full record of what happened."
Paterno died in January 2012 at age 85, about two months after being diagnosed with lung cancer. The way university leadership handled his ouster — over a late-night telephone call — and its handling of the Freeh report and NCAA sanctions remains a sensitive topic for factions of dissatisfied alumni, former players, staff and community members.
Trustee Anthony Lubrano, who joined the board last year after drawing support from disgruntled alumni, has been among more vocal critics who say that school leaders rushed to judgment on Paterno. Critics have also said Freeh's report downplayed failures of Pennsylvania's child-protective services.
"I knew Joe Paterno as well as one human being can know another. Joe was exactly the moral, disciplined and demanding man you knew him to be," Sue Paterno wrote.
"Over the years I watched as he struggled with countless personal and professional challenges. Never — not once — did I see him compromise his principles or twist the truth to avoid bad publicity or protect his reputation."
The Paterno family has remained supportive of the football program and Paterno's successor, Bill O'Brien. SuePaterno has been active in organizing Special Olympics, which was again held on campus last summer; and son and former assistant coach Jay Paterno has done speaking engagements with students and attends sporting events.
The family's response comes a month after Gov. Tom Corbett filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA to overturn the sanctions. The NCAA this week asked a judge to throw out the suit.
Sizzling Snedeker wins Pebble Beach title.
Reuters
FedExCup champion Brandt Snedeker finally reaped just reward for his red-hot early form on the PGA Tour this year when he eased to victory by two shots at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am on Sunday.
Runner-up behind Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in his two previous starts on the U.S. circuit, the American world number six closed with a seven-under-par 65 to post a 19-under total of 267 in the pro-am celebrity event.
Co-leader overnight with compatriot James Hahn, Snedeker took control with an eagle on the second hole and never relinquished his grip on a glorious day of late winter sunshine on the picturesque Monterey Peninsula.
American Chris Kirk sank a 16-foot birdie putt at the last for a 66 to finish alone in second, with PGA Tour rookie Hahn a further three strokes back at 14 under in a three-way tie for third after carding a 70.
Spring training is here! See the reporting dates for all 30 major league teams.
By Mike Oz
If you woke up today feeling a little better about life, a little more optimistic about the next few months, it's because spring training is here. You've made it through the saddest time of the year for baseball fans, and now you'll be welcomed with chalk lines, the snap of a fastball in a mitt and the crack of a bat. Go ahead, breathe it all in.
Via Spring Training Online, here are the pitcher-and-catcher reporting dates for each major league team (starting Sunday and continuing through the week). Their first full squad workout date follows in parentheses.
Sunday, Feb. 10
Boston Red Sox (Feb. 15), Chicago Cubs (17), Cleveland Indians (15), Colorado Rockies (17).
Monday, Feb. 11
Arizona Diamondbacks (Feb. 15), Atlanta Braves (15), Cincinnati Reds (16), Detroit Tigers (15), Houston Astros (16), Kansas City Royals (15), Miami Marlins (15), New York Mets (17), Oakland Athletics (17), Pittsburgh Pirates (15).
Tuesday, Feb. 12
Baltimore Orioles (Feb. 16), Chicago White Sox (18), Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (16), Los Angeles Dodgers (16), Milwaukee Brewers (16), Minnesota Twins (16), New York Yankees (18), St. Louis Cardinals (16), San Diego Padres (16), San Francisco Giants (16), Seattle Mariners (16), Tampa Bay Rays (17), Texas Rangers (16), Toronto Blue Jays (17), Washington Nationals (16).
Wednesday, Feb. 13
Philadelphia Phillies (Feb. 17).
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