JoePa's legacy will live on
NCAA Football Betting Lines
01/23/2012 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Before deciding on which university I wanted to attend, and believe me it was few and far between thanks to an SAT score comparable to Babe Ruth's slugging percentage, my father said something that still resonates with me today.
The youngest of three, I knew I wanted to attend Penn State not just because my older sisters did but for the simple fact that I was a sports junkie who admired the Nittany Lions and their white helmets, plain uniforms, black shoes and winning tradition. My father said to me in the mid 90s, "Geez, I hope Joe Paterno is still head coach when you get there."
Paterno was no spring chicken at that moment and he was certainly a selling point to be a part of that Penn State tradition. I graduated in the fall of 2000, granting my father's wishes that my stay in Happy Valley coincided with Paterno's tenure as head coach. I was fortunate enough to work with great minds such as former PSU publicist Bud Thalman and SID Jeff Nelson, talented players and an intelligent coaching staff during my time in State College. However, I only had once chance to meet Paterno face-to-face and it was during a media event outside the practice facility of Holuba Hall.
I approached the iconic figure on a bright sunny day and asked him about one of his offensive lineman, Jordan Caruso, and he shook my hand and told me I should have asked him during the press conference. I understood immediately Paterno does his business with the media when its appropriate. It was my own fault that I missed the press conference -- darn campus LOOP bus -- but I am forever grateful that I had a chance to shake the Hall of Famer's hand and become just a millisecond part of his storied life.
That life came to an end Sunday, January 22, 2012, in State College, PA, the place where Paterno turned an average school into a renown institution of sports and, most importantly, academics. Paterno's life of 85 years touched the hearts of countless individuals past and present, and every person was better for it. A hard-nosed kid from Brooklyn, NY, Paterno followed his dream of being a head coach and defied his father's wishes of becoming a lawyer. It's ironic how Paterno, who temporarily let his own father down and accepted a lower salary to coach football, was an instrumental father figure to those who crossed his path.
Ask any one of his former players how they feel about the man better known as JoePa, and they'll all have similar responses. Inspiration, pride and respect were only a few lessons Paterno taught in his days and he was the epitome of "We Are...Penn State."
Former defensive standout Matt Millen shared his thoughts on the passing of college football's winningest coach at the Division-1 level.
"Forget the football aspect. We just lost a great contributor to our society. He was way more than a football coach. There are many living positive testimonies walking around because of Joe Paterno. He straightened out many lives," Millen told USA Today.
"He was rare. This was a real guy ... he was not a fake. Was he infallible? Absolutely not. He had his flaws; he made mistakes. But he was as close to being what you are supposed to be as anyone I ever have been around."
The mistakes Millen is referring to was held up in the court of public opinion regarding former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, the one who is accused of molesting young boys. Sandusky, of course, was the architect of Paterno's defense and was a longtime friend of the man sporting Coke-bottle glasses, white socks and rolled up pants. Paterno was dismissed of his duties under a fiery media storm and quite possibly a Board of Trustees that saw an avenue to finally boot Paterno from his perch.
The game may have passed Paterno by and he arguably was just a figure-head in his later years with the Nittany Lions but make no mistake his years of dedication changed the landscape of college football. Other college football greats such as Bobby Bowden, Frank Beamer, Steve Spurrier and Mack Brown can all attest to that. It's the ones who are on the outside of the situation that make the most noise. Hundreds of other schools never had or never will have what Paterno brought to State College 46 years before etching his name into history. It just won't happen. Not today in this world of college sports. However, the current scandal involving Sandusky will blind those who reflect on Paterno, erasing 50-plus years of molding young minds into adults.
Hopefully, when the dust has settled and the court system is finished magnifying Penn State in a bad light, Paterno will be honored and his legacy restored.
Paterno was about family, education and simply doing the right thing. Penn State may have done the latter in tabbing New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien as Paterno's successor. O'Brien made an immediate impact during his introductory press conference by bringing his son, wife and other family members along to show that he too can lead like Paterno.
I wonder if several years down the road a father will ask his son if O'Brien will still be roaming the sidelines before choosing to attend Penn State.
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Super Bowl XLIV Odds
Super Bowl XLIII isn't even a week old yet and oddsmakers have already released Super Bowl XLIV odds.
Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers winning Super Bowl 43, the New England Patriots are 8/1 favorites to win Super Bowl 44.
Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds
With their 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, the Steelers became the latest NFL champion. But believe it or not, oddsmakers from online sports book MySportsbook.com don't have the Steelers the favorites to win Super Bowl XLIV next season.
That honor belongs to the New England Patriots, who are 8/1 favorites to win despite not even qualify for the postseason in 2008. The Pats also have a major decision to make regarding what to do with Matt Cassel, who played well in Tom Brady's (knee surgery) absence last year but is also a free agent this offseason.
Ironically, the Steelers aren't even oddsmakers second choice to win Super Bowl 44, as the Dallas Cowboys are listed right behind the Patriots at 9/1 despite not making the playoffs themselves. Clearly oddsmakers think the public will hop back on the Cowboys' bandwagon considering the immense talent they have and the opening of a brand new stadium.
After Dallas, then comes Pittsburgh at 10/1, but they share those odds with the New York Giants, who won Super Bowl XLII. The Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers round out the top six teams at 12/1, while the Baltimore Ravens (14/1), Tennessee Titans (16/1), Carolina Panthers (18/1) and Philadelphia Eagles (18/1) complete the top 10.
The NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals got no love from oddsmakers as they were established as a 30/1 long shot to win next year's Super Bowl. They share those same odds with the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers – two teams that didn't even qualify for the postseason. Other long shots are the Kansas City Chiefs (100/1), Detroit Lions (100/1), St. Louis Rams (75/1) and Oakland Raiders (75/1).
To see a complete list of all the team's odds to win Super Bowl XLIV, check below.
NFL TEAM FUTURE ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL XLIV
New England Patriots 8/1
Dallas Cowboys 9/1
New York Giants 10/1
Pittsburgh Steelers 10/1
Indianapolis Colts 12/1
San Diego Chargers 12/1
Baltimore Ravens 14/1
Tennessee Titans 16/1
Carolina Panthers 18/1
Philadelphia Eagles 18/1
New Orleans Saints 20/1
Atlanta Falcons 25/1
Denver Broncos 25/1
Green Bay Packers 25/1
Jacksonville Jaguars 25/1
Minnesota Vikings 25/1
New York Jets 25/1
Arizona Cardinals 30/1
Chicago BearS 30/1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30/1
Buffalo Bills 35/1
Houston TexaNS 35/1
Miami Dolphins 35/1
Washington Redskins 35/1
Seattle SeahawkS 50/1
Cleveland Browns 55/1
Cincinnati Bengals 60/1
San Francisco 49ers 60/1
Oakland Raiders 75/1
St. Louis Rams 75/1
Detroit Lions 100/1
Kansas City Chiefs 100/1
Odds as of: 2/2/09
Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds
To visit this online sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.
American Idol Betting Odds: Season 6
The online gambling websites are in the process of deciphering each American Idol contestant and his or her chances of winning Season 6 to come up with the early American Idol betting lines.
Tim Dalton of MySportsbook.com has been locked away in a soundproof room coming up with all the latest tallies, we are told. "American Idol has become one of the most significant betting events of the year," claims Jack Black of MySportsbook.com. "Last year, millions were bet during the season across the globe, not just in America.It's tough early on since we really do not have a glimpse as to how well each of these individuals will perform solo on a week-to-week basis. It's like Week 1 of the NFL. Pre-season means nada!
We do know the 24 finalists however.
Sanjaya Malakar is the young man whose sister failed to make it into the Top 24. He's very low key but - unless he totally flubs - will probably win over the young girlie vote for a few weeks anyway. He's too young to go all the way, according to Payton O'Brien.
Brandon Rogers - Who?
Phil Stacy is the military guy who missed his daughter's birth because of the Memphis audition. He should go a good distance.
Chris Sligh - He's got the humor and in many ways he's the Anti-American Idol much like last year's winner Taylor Hicks was. And this is why he'll probably get pretty far in this competition. He's chubby, white with a big curly afro....but more importantly, a great voice! People love "real", not "real cute" to go all the way.
"Blake Lewis should go far because of his uniqueness and looks. He's the boy next store with a twist - he beat boxes. But on top of this, he's a great singer, and I adore him," Payton O'Brien relayed.
A talented beat-boxer Blake Lewis was a hit during the group sing in Hollywood but Simon explained that this is a singing contest just before he told him he was “in.”
Paul Kim has caught our own roving reporter, Jenny Woo's eyes.
"I love the fact that there is a Korean American on the show and he is bound to get more Asians tuning into the show," Woo said from her Miami Beach estate. "There has never been a major presence of Asian-Americans on American Idol in the past. He's a hottie with a nice voice so that should help to take him far. Expect heavy betting action from the Asian community."
Sundance Head - He's not perfect, but he's got the personality that will take him through a few weeks, plus he's got the lineage (son of Roy Head - whose 1965 single, "Treat Her Right," hit No. 5 in the charts)
And the others:
Rudy Cardinas
AJ Tabaldo - the 5th time is the charm
Nicolas Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter
The girls
"Melinda Doolittle has one of the best voices," says MySportsbook.com Reporter and an acclaimed dancer in her own right, Destiney Lewis. "It is great to see a back up singer step out like she has. The girl needs to gain more confidence but that can also be a positive. I think she will go far."
Alena Alexander - Those tears (she never seems to stop bawling) should get her far.
"Single mom Lakisha Jones I suspect will be a pretty big favorite entering Week 1 of the competition," says Destiny Williams. Jones is an excellent singer and down to earth. "She'll have a wide appeal," echoed O'Brien.
Nicole Trellis - Seems to exert confidence.
Amy Krebs - a powerful singer.
Antonella Barba
Gina Glocksen
Hailey Scanardo
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Sabrina Sloan
MySportsbook.com is offering a 20% signup bonus with an initial deposit (i.e. open your American Idol betting account with $300, receive another $60 in which to bet with).
Last two contestants will be?
1 Male/1 Female +100 (a $10 bet pays $10 plus your initial $10)
2 Males +170 (a $10 bet pays $17 plus your initial $17)
2 Females +130 (a $10 bet pays $13 plus your initial $10)
MySportsbook.com is an online sportsbook accepts Visa Credit Cards and online sportsbook accepts Mastercard Credit Cards for easy American Idol betting lines.