Banned or allowed, sports signs have a lot to say

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Tuesday, 14 October 2008 14:44

In major college and professional football, signs are all the rage.

Signs praise players, belittle opponents, support teams and energize fans. Some are funny. Others are serious. Still others get personal.

TV cameras frequently zero in on the most eye-catching signs, because signs display an integral part of the college football atmosphere.

A few signs are outrageous. But what’s outrageous to me may not be outrageous to you. And that, my friends, is a conundrum for some administrators.

Cleverly worded signs can rally the crowd and at least generate some laughs.

Last season there were such signs as:

“We want a new Carr with Les Miles!” — Michigan fan

“Kansas football: A tradition since September!” — Jayhawk...

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Personal foul price should rise to reduce the number of cheap shots

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Tuesday, 30 September 2008 17:16

The Tabor College football team lost starting quarterback Jason Aubrey for the game and possibly the season when an Ottawa defensive back delivered a blow to his head when Aubrey was several yards out of bounds, according to several eyewitnesses.

Tabor coach Mike Gottsch was quoted saying, “It was an unnecessary, uncalled for shot.”

The hit had little to do with the outcome. In fact, the game was decided long before the alleged cheap shot, because Ottawa scored five touchdowns in its first five possessions.

It’s easy to overreact when a player gets injured. However, it is callous and wrong to stand idly by and accept late hits as part of the game.

One troubling aspect of team sports, like football, soccer and basketball, is how...

Read more: Personal foul price should rise to reduce the number of cheap shots

One rare football injury turns into lifesaver

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Tuesday, 16 September 2008 15:08

Football is rife with injuries. We’re not surprised, because the older players get, the faster, bigger and stronger they are. Many collisions are violent. Rarely is a game played at the collegiate and professional level without at least one injury timeout.

However, it’s not often that you hear of a hit that was life-changing and possibly life-saving. And yet, that seems to be the case for Dylan Witschen, a high school freshman football player in Anoka, Minn.

As reported by the Anoka County Union, Witschen was practicing with the freshman football team when, from his safety position, he delivered a blow on a running back. Roughly 20 minutes later, Witschen, now practicing at the quarterback position, experienced some numbness in his...

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Summer Olympics has room to grow

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Tuesday, 02 September 2008 15:45

Americans were captivated by the swimming accomplishments of Michael Phelps during the recent Olympic Games.

While all of the plaudits and attention is well-deserved for winning eight gold medals and setting so many world-record setting performances, can anyone explain why there are so many world records set in swimming?

Of course, all of the attention given to Phelps took some accolades away from other outstanding performances. There are only so many hours of broadcast coverage that television can give, and it’s kind of hard to ignore eight gold medals by one individual.

Although to be fair, it should be noted that Phelps had a little help from his friends in three relay races.

In fact, when the U.S. relay team won the race that...

Read more: Summer Olympics has room to grow