Remaking Armstrong’s reputation

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Tuesday, 19 February 2013 13:52

Lance Armstrong’s life makes a TV soap opera dull by comparison. And my agent, I.M. Slick, thinks this is the perfect time to take a stand for Lance.

Slick: Do I have a deal for you!

Joe: Oh, really?

Slick: Lance Armstrong needs your help.

Joe: OK. I’ll bite. What does he need my help with?

Slick: He needs you to help reshape his image.

Joe: You are assuming he’d take my help.

Slick: Well, no one is knocking down his door offering to help, and so I figure this could be good for your reputation.

Joe: That’s doubtful.

Slick: But imagine how much money I could make as your agent if you’re somehow able to turn his image around.

Joe: Don’t take this personally, and I don’t wish ill on Mr. Armstrong, but I’m not...

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Winning beats the alternative

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Tuesday, 05 February 2013 14:48

Coaching is an interesting profession. Winning games is the goal, and the more coaches win and the higher up the ladder coaches climb, the more important winning becomes.

As far as professional sports is concerned, former legendary Packers coach Vince Lombardi had it right. Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.

Whether it’s professional football, basketball or baseball, the sole goal of a coach is to win games. That, in turn, helps the franchise make money and helps justify outrageous salaries.

Professional coaches aren’t required to build character, although they often deal with characters.

In theory, the situation is different for college coaches. Winning games is still very important, but it’s only one of many...

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A special team for a special girl

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Tuesday, 22 January 2013 14:35

Football players are rough. They’re tough. Sometimes they get a bad rap. Other times the bad rap is deserved.

It’s easy to lose perspective in sports. Coaches do it. Athletes do it. Fans do it a lot.

But a bunch of high school football players from Queen Creek, Ariz., did something very unusual that rightfully generated considerable positive attention, and they changed the life of a special-needs girl who faces an uphill climb in life. This story also reminds us how young boys are capable of doing great things. Rough and tough football players can be bullies. But in this story, they helped the bullied.

Sixteen-year-old Chy Johnson was born with a brain deficiency and was picked on her whole life. The life expectancy of those...

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K-State fan reaches across the ‘great divide’

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Tuesday, 08 January 2013 15:50

Maybe one particular K-State fan was in the holiday spirit when he sent an e-mail to me in December. Or, maybe it was his New Year’s resolution to be kinder and gentler to KU fans.

Who knew that a Kansas State fan would reach out across the great divide, also known as the KU-KSU rivalry, and offer an olive branch in an attempt to be encouraging?

This K-State fan will remain anonymous to protect his identity. Oops. I’ve already slipped and admitted it was a male fan, so that eliminates a significant portion of the population.

In any event, this KSU fan wants KU fans to know that football coach Charlie Weis and his staff will have a great recruiting tool this off-season, in spite of their 1-11 record in 2012.

This fan let me know...

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