Happy Thursday everyone (except at Penn State University), here's my Top 5 for November 10, 2011 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
- Legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno and University president Graham Spanier are fired over the child sex abuse scandal.
- Penn State students riot in the streets in support of Paterno.
- There were marathon NBA talks yesterday as a "deadline" to accept the owners last offer came and went. They'll resume negotiations today.
- Catcher Jorge Posada says he won't be returning to the Yankees. His playing future is unknown.
- John Daly banged ball after ball into the water at the 11th hole at the Australian Open and then walked out of the tournament. He had been penalized two strokes on the 10th hole for hitting the wrong ball out of a bunker.
2. An Education
The Penn State case gets sicker by the minute. On your scorecard: three indictments, two firings and one student body that only compounded the mess by protesting in the streets. Can we get back to basics? Some young boys were horrifically assaulted. There will probably be more kids coming forward, more indictments and more firings. Time for the students to get back to class where they belong.
3. Your Turn
Some of your thoughts on the Penn State scandal.
* C.A. (Before Paterno was fired.) "Every minute Joe Paterno remains as head coach of the Penn State football team is another statement that the school and Joe Pa are in denial of their failures as father, parent, coach, administrator and caretaker of youth."
* J.F. "Where are all the concerned citizens when women are abused and killed by sociopath spouses?
* K.F. "JoePa is a hero, and I believe the enormous legacy he has created at Penn State will outlive his admittedly terrible judgment in the Sandusky mess."
* R.K. "Let's wait until the facts are in before passing judgment."
*N.S. on Twitter @LenBermanSports, when I suggested that Penn State students might give Paterno a "hero's welcome" if he returns to the sidelines Saturday, "Any 'hero's welcome' would be disgraceful. What message does that send to victims?"
4. Election Results
Top 5 subscriber Mark P. passed along the story of Adam Taliaferro. He played football for Penn State and suffered a severe spinal cord injury in a game against Ohio State in 2000. Doctors feared he'd never walk again. He not only proved them wrong, he got his law degree, and Tuesday he got elected to the Gloucester County New Jersey Board of Freeholders. Of course there are positive stories at Penn State. But they'll be lost in the shuffle.
5. Will Work for Food?
If you're six feet six inches and 350 pounds and can remotely attempt to play football there's a job waiting for you. Albert Haynesworth who soaked the Washington Redskins for $35 million and got cut by the Patriots has picked up by Tampa Bay. He'll potentially cost New England $1.5 million. What did the Pats get for their money? Three tackles and no sacks in six games. Good luck to you Tampa Bay.
Happy Birthday: Former outfielder Shawn Green. 39.
Bonus Birthday: Actor/Comedian Sinbad. 55.
Today in Sports: 15 years ago today, Dan Marino becomes the first quarterback to throw for 50,000 yards or about 28.4 miles. 1996.
Bonus Event: So how are we gonna settle things now? Tennessee outlaws dueling. 1801.
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