Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Tuesday Tidbits

* Brett Favre is NOT coming to the Panthers. I'll be the most shocked person in the world if Carolina brings him in, but they won't. I don't know if there is a more frustrating thing on the planet than this particular nugget thrown into the internet rumor mill by a less-than-credible website. I won't even give you the site's name, just so they won't have the satisfaction of new user hits.

Favre is retired. Carolina is Jake Delhomme's team. The Panther brass didn't sign--shoot, they didn't even LOOK at a veteran back-up in the off-season. Favre should continue to do what he has done since March. Play golf, shoot Wrangler commercials, and enjoy his retirement with his wife and family. If he wishes to play again, that's fine, there are other NFL teams that have much more severe QB needs than Carolina.

No disrespect to Favre, his career is unmatched. When he is on, he is one of the best QB's to ever play in the NFL. He proved that he is still capable by leading his team to the NFC title game last season. Carolina just isn't the spot for him, if he indeed decides to come back.

One question, though. What does Favre have to prove, anyway?

* Dara Torres is an Olympian. Again. What a story. 41 years old, been swimming in international competitions, and trying to make Olympic teams since 1984. She's a mother, now a 5-time Olympian--remarkable.

She's competing against other swimmers that could be her children. Literally. And she was beating them in the pool. She qualified for both the 50m and 100m freestyle races, but withdrew from the 100m events in Beijing to concentrate on the 50m only. Her choice, and if that decision paves the way for another American swimmer to step in and win gold there (one that she didn't feel good about winning), then it was the right call. I respect athletes that put team first.

It's only been a few days, but already, fans out in a place I like to call Random Internet City are saying they think Torres isn't clean. That her performances are enhanced by chemicals.

Welcome to the reality of athletics in 2008.

An athlete simply cannot go out, perform to the best of their ability, and be congratulated for it any longer. Now, whenever someone runs the race of their life, throws a discus further than they ever have, or jumps farther than anyone has ever seen, the immediate response is, "drugs."

How sad.

I have no reason to suspect Dara Torres of using performance enhancers. She offers to be tested routinely, and routinely, when tested she passes. Does that mean she is using something that is undetectable? I don't think so, but it's a shame that there are those folks in the world who immediately suspect something underhanded is happening.

Torres has won 9 medals, and was competing in the Olympics at the age of 15. The only time I have seen the Olympics is on TV.

She is 41 years old and appearing in her 5th games, which is a new record.

Mr. Naysayer, what have YOU done today?

Instead of being a non-believer, try being inspired by an athlete who's desire to compete, no matter what age, is as strong now as it was 26 years ago when she first started.

I hope Torres is able to win gold in Beijing, pass every drug test and then smile into the camera and say "I love you," to someone back in the states. Upon her return home, I hope she ends up doing commercials for a calcium-enhancing drink, or yogurt, or something that gets he face on TV (and dollars in her pocket), so that way Mr. Naysayer in Random Internet City has no choice but to think, "I can't believe I saw a 41-year-old woman win Olympic gold, and do it without the help of performance enhancers."

Wow, do I hope.

Mike Solarte

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

what if jake gets hurt again and who would you really have as a backup with the panthers- matt moore or brett favre a future hall of famer?

Mike Solarte said...

Kyle-
Would Favre come to Carolina KNOWING he would be the back up? I say, if Favre is available, AND something happens to Jake, THEN you try and land him. Having Favre in camp is a distraction this team doesn't need, and can't afford.

Anonymous said...

"less-than-credible website"????

read what the new your times had to say today....

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/13/sports/football/13score.html?ref=sports