IT GOES TO SHOW  THAT IF YOUR KID PLAYS BALL AND PLAYS IT GOOD ENOUGH TO WIN SOMETHING ...THAT HE OR SHE DOES NOT TO PASS OR GO TO SCHOOL...JUST PLAY BALL... THAT''S WHAT HAPPENS IN A SINGLE PARENT HOME(thablacks)  GO cheater S O C AND KANSAS ?

I've been negligent when it comes to blogging.  Friends of mine who actually look to this space for some insight have been telling me so.  So that changes..now.  Every day.  Sometimes several times a day.  The updates/opinions will be coming.

  As for today..I just spent about 30 minutes with new Mavs coach Rick Carlisle.  He told me he met face to face with Josh Howard last night.  The Mavs forward had an "interesting" year,  admitting to off-season pot use and suffering through a dreadful season on the court.

   Carlisle told me he feels that Josh understands that he "breached some trusts" late in the season,  and he knows he needs to "re-earn" that trust from teammates, fans and management.

    We'll run some Carlisle clips during our newscasts today,  and the entire interview Sunday night at 10 on "Sports Sunday."

Celtic's Burns loses cancer fight

Celtic legend Tommy Burns has died at the age of 51 after losing his long-running battle against cancer. Burns had been undergoing treatment in both Glasgow and France in recent weeks after being diagnosed in March. The former Scotland midfielder was treated for skin cancer in 2006, but it returned earlier this year. Burns played for Celtic from 1974 to 1989, had a spell as manager in the mid-1990s and was the club's first-team coach before being granted leave. A statement from Celtic said: "Tommy, a true Celtic legend and wonderful man will be sadly missed by us all. Clearly, our thoughts are very much with Tommy's wife, Rosemary, and his family at this extremely difficult time." YOUR TRIBUTES Tommy was as honest and dignified as any man could ever hope to be EH Burns was an influential member of the side that won the Scottish Premier Division championship and Scottish Cup in the club's centenary year under the management of Billy McNeill. Having won eight caps for Scotland, he bid an emotional farewell to Celtic after agreeing a £50,000 move to Kilmarnock, becoming manager at Rugby Park four years later. Having guided the club back into the top flight, he was appointed as boss of Celtic in July 1994 and eventually helped the club to end a six-year trophy famine by lifting the Scottish Cup final against Airdrieonians at Hampden. After parting company in 1997, he had spells as manager at Reading and assistant at Newcastle United before eventually returning to Glasgow. Gordon Strachan is devastated at the loss of Tommy Burns He worked in a variety of roles at Celtic - in youth development and with the first team - as well as serving as a member of the Scotland coaching set-up, before his untimely death. Celtic chairman John Reid said Burns' death would be mourned by everyone connected with the club. "Tommy is someone who was loved by so many of us," he said. "He was a man of true integrity and dignity. "As a Celtic player, manager and coach, Tommy served Celtic with distinction and true professionalism. "He was a true gentleman and someone who had the ability to connect and engage with anyone he met. "As Celtic supporters, we recognised Tommy as one of our own and Tommy in turn was always delighted to spend time in the company of fellow fans. He was a fantastic football player. He was effective, so effective. Former team-mate Alan McInally "It was a privilege to know Tommy Burns. He was a man who gave so much to the club he loved over so many years. "Tommy's passing will be mourned by the entire Celtic family. He will be hugely missed by us all, but he is someone we will never, ever forget." Peter Rafferty, Secretary of the Association of Celtic Supporters' Clubs, mirrored Reid's comments. "Celtic was a big part of his life, but the biggest part of his life was his family. He became a grandfather a few weeks ago and that is the biggest tragedy," Rafferty said. "Legend is a word that is used quite a lot these days, but he was. He was a great player with Celtic first and foremost. "He was a manager who played football the way Celtic supporters like to see it." The SFA, who Burns served as a national team coach under Scotland managers Berti Vogts and Walter Smith, described him as a "magnificent ambassador" to the game. Tommy Burns was a Celtic legend - Peter Lawwell "Everyone at the Scottish FA would like to pass on their condolences to the family of Tommy Burns at this very sad time," a statement read. "Tommy's passing is a great loss and he will be sadly missed by us all. He was a true gentleman and a magnificent ambassador for Scottish football." Alan McInally, who played alongside Burns at Celtic and under him at Kilmarnock, added: "He was a fantastic football player. "He was effective, so effective. I think that's why as a coach and a manager he did so well."

-=-=-=-

Football has lost one of its greats with Tommy Burns' passing that happened so quickly!  It is truely a sad day for Celtic fans and football fans worldwide who were lucky enough to watch him play. Gods bless you Tommy Burns!!

Busy Race & Media Weekend for Marc!

Austin & Kyle, TX — Marc had a busy schedule this race weekend. It started on Friday at Thunder Hill Raceway with an interview with Austins FOX 7 Weekend Sports Anchor Dennis de la Pena. The interview was filmed at the track is to be broadcasted at a later date on Fox 7 in Austin.

Then Saturday Morning it was off to the K-MAC Sports Studio 19 in Austin for a live On-Line Radio show, The A-Line Auto Parts JRA Kids Club Show. "It is Great that our team and sponsors got all the the media exposer in the Austin area." Marc Said.

After the Radio show it was off to Thunder Hill Raceway for a HOT night of racing action in the #19 Modified. "I want to thank Aaron Brungot with JRA Kids Club for being my transportaion to and from the track for this weekend." Marc would say later.

Marc would qualify 7th for the Express Jet Pro-Modified 50 lap Feature, but end up starting 6th after one car left the impound area to work on his car. In the 50 lap Feature Marc would move up to 5th early. With only a few laps in, running in a tight pack, the #26 of Bob Slezinsky would hit Marc causing the pick up tube in the fuel cell to move causing a fuel pick up problem. "All I could do after the 26 hit me," Marc would say, "was to make laps and stay out of the way, the fuel pressure would drop so low at times the engine would stall" The race had several cautions which help Marc manage a 7th place finish in the Feature.

People ask me all the time what I like most about my job.  It can be summed up in one word- service.

Sometimes it's testing products and being of service to our viewers during a newscast, but one of the great fringe benefits is being asked to be of service to local organizations.  Sometimes it's Career Day at a local school, sometimes it's judging a contest- most recently it was on behalf of  The Family Place for their annual Polo On The Lawn event.

I first met the folks at The Family Place a couple of  years ago while reporting on the benefits of their holiday Partner's Card program (an INCREDIBLE way to save money at hundreds of stores during the busy holiday shopping season <--- you KNOW I love a good deal).  Last year they approached me about acting as M.C. for their Polo event.  I had an out of town wedding, so I was unable to- but this year they asked again.  I was honored to accept.

The Family Place is the largest family violence service provider in the Dallas area. They reach out to THOUSANDS of victims each year.  They provide crisis counseling, emergency shelter and more than 150-thousand hours of service each year. It is an organization I am proud to lend my name and my time to.

The Polo event was FANTASTIC!  I had never been to a polo match before.  Below are some pictures from the day that I want to share with you.  You can learn more about the family place on line at www.thefamilyplace.org My thanks to the staff there for allowing me to be part of their event.

Me and Jason Sheeler from F!DLuxe

Our Best Dressed Tailgate Winners

The polo match

I just wanted to take this opportunity to say that I forgive those of you for talking smack to me about the Red Wings.  What did I tell you?  You can't hang with the Red Wings!!!   It's OK, I forgive you... cause you'll be crying tomorrow when we sweep you baby!  GO DETROIT RED WINGS!!!

I think Stars' captain Brendan Morrow gave all of Dallas an early monday wakeup call with his  winner in the 4th overtime of game 6 against San Jose.  Not normally an avid hockey fan, I found myself glued to the television set.  And I finally realized why so many people are die-hard hockey fans.  It's not a corporately sexy sport like football or basketball, but its playoffs might contain the best drama.

The Stars are now headed for a collision with top seeded powerhouse, Detroit.  A team that handled the Stars 3-1 in the season series will truly test the magic the Stars have conjured up during these playoffs.

These western finals are sure to be amazing, as it pits two teams that have fought tooth and nail over the years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe2o2Z4rpTU

here's a recap of Game 6 against San Jose, in case you missed it.

  Allow me to sound trite for a few lines here,  but Sunday night's 4 overtime Stars win is a reminder of why so many people in these parts love sports so much.

   The game had everything.   The drama of a contest that would eliminate one team from the playoffs.  The guts displayed by athletes pushed to the limit and beyond.  The magical skills of two red-hot goalies on display.

    What I like most about events like this, though is the way they provide a common talking point for a huge community like DFW.  Everywhere you went Monday,  people were talking about the game.  It's amazing how many people stayed up to watch at 1:30am.

     People love to talk about the weather.  It's the ultimate common denominator.   But sports can run a close second.  And Sunday night's epic is a great example of why.

This has got to be the saddest logo for a superbowl I have ever seen in my life. The superbowl committee should be ashamed. I really hope this is not it. You be the judge, do you like it or not.

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/story?id=4787701&page=
1

"These things are our family," Jones said. "We put everything into them that we have. They've given us everything they have. They put their life on the damn line, and she was glad to do it."

What got me is the last lines in this story. These THINGS?!  Wow, pretty dang impersonal aren't you Mr Jones? I never refer to my beasties who ARE part of my family as THINGS. They put their damn life on the line? She was a race horse - she wasn't in combat she was in a race. A Race that would have made YOU a pretty penny. Guess since she can't do that from the Rainbow Bridge, she is now just a thing.

The Stars in Sharks are about to start the 3rd overtime of game 6 tied 1-1.  A series that once looked very winnable for the Stars is about to be made or broken in this next period. I think a 3 OT loss in a game 6 would be devastating to a team that once held a 3-0 series lead. 

Both teams have played their butts off, and goaltending has been unbelievable by both Nabakov and Turco. Neither team has been able to break the will of the opposing goalie. If the Stars  blow this game and are forced to play a game 7 at the Tank, I will be willing to say the curse of DFW is back on.

And the Sharks just went on the powerplay! Things are about to get real dicey...

Prediction:

Sharks win both of the next two games to head into the next round.  Dallas Stars continue DFW sports grand tradition of PLAYOFF CHOKES!!!!

What a bunch of chumps we have in this town!

Edwards told the TV station in a telephone interview that Jones lied to police about the Feb. 19, 2007, shooting at the Minxx club that left an employee paralyzed and two other people wounded. Edwards said Jones paid someone for the shooting, but that it wasn't him.

"I want to let them know I'm not the person who done this. I've been shot before. I know how it feels," Edwards said.

He accused Jones of lying to help his plea deal as the suspended cornerback tries to return to the NFL. Jones was traded by the Tennessee Titans to the Dallas Cowboys last weekend, with Jones receiving a new contract.

Jones' agent and attorney, Worrick Robinson, said Edwards has reason to lie as the man facing three counts of attempted murder.

Robert Langford, Adam "Pacman" Jones' lawyer in Las Vegas, was out of the state Thursday and unavailable for comment, an aide at his office said.

Police say Edwards opened fire outside the strip club after Jones was involved in a brawl inside, and later demanded $15,000 from Jones for "services rendered."

Jones told authorities he didn't order the shooting and declined to pay. But he said he reimbursed a friend after the friend paid the money on Jones' behalf. Jones also told police he saw the person who fired the shots at the club and identified Edwards, who has an amputated arm, in a police lineup April 18.

A warrant filed in the case said Edwards' phone records were checked and that he had contacted Jones in Atlanta and Tennessee.

Jones pleaded no contest Dec. 6 in Las Vegas to conspiracy to commit disorderly conduct in a plea deal that reduced two felony charges of coercion, each carrying a possible sentence of one to six years in prison.

In return, he agreed to tell police what he knew about the gunman. Jones has never acknowledged any role in the shooting."

...Yeah, Jerry Jones, real classy personnel decision......