Giant Stingray - Largest Ever?

This stingray was recently caught off the coast of Thailand. Look at this thing, read more here.

Kurtis the Stock Boy and Brenda the Checkout Girl

In a supermarket, Kurtis the stock boy, was busily working when a new voice came over the loud speaker asking for a carry out at register 4. Kurtis was almost finished, and wanted to get some fresh air, and decided to answer the call. As he approached the check-out stand a distant smile caught his eye, the new check-out girl was beautiful. She was an older woman (maybe 26, and he was only 22);he fell in love.

Later that day, after his shift was over, he waited by the punch clock to find out her name. She came into the break room, smiled softly at him, took her card and punched out, then left. He looked at her card, BRENDA. He walked out, only to see her start walking up the road. Next day, he waited outside as she left the supermarket and offered her a ride home. He looked harmless enough, and she accepted. When he dropped her off, he asked if maybe he could see her again, outside of work. She simply said it wasn't possible.

He pressed and she explained she had two children and she couldn't afford a baby-sitter, so he offered to pay for the baby-sitter Reluctantly she accepted his offer for a date for the following Saturday. That Saturday night he arrived at her door only to have her tell him that she was unable to go with him. The baby-sitter had called and canceled. To which Kurtis simply said, "Well, let's take the kids with us."

She tried to explain that taking the children was not an option, but again not taking no for an answer, he pressed. Finally Brenda, brought him inside to meet her children. She had an older daughter who was just as cute as a bug, Kurtis thought, then Brenda brought out her son in a wheelchair. He was born a paraplegic with Down Syndrome.

Kurtis asked Brenda, "I still don't understand why the kids can't come with us?" Brenda was amazed. Most men would run away from a woman with two kids, especially if one had disabilities - just like her first husband and father of her children had done. Kurtis was not ordinary - - - he had a different mindset.

That evening Kurtis and Brenda loaded up the kids, went to dinner and the movies. When her son needed anything Kurtis would take care of him. When he needed to use the restroom, he picked him up out of his wheelchair, took him and brought him back. The kids loved Kurtis. At the end of the evening, Brenda knew this was the man she was going to marry and spend the rest of her life with.

A year later, they were married and Kurtis adopted both of her children. Since then they have added two more kids.

So what happened to Kurtis the stock boy and Brenda the check-out girl? Well, Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Warner now live in Arizona , where he is currently employed as the quarterback of the NFL's Arizona Cardinals that are in the Super Bowl. Is this a surprise ending or could you have guessed that he was not an ordinary person?

It should be noted that he also quarterbacked the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. He has also been the NFL's Most Valuable Player twice and the Super Bowl's Most Valuable Player.


AND THE REST OF THE STORY:
Today at church our minister mentioned that when Kurt, his wife and children go out to eat, he has one of his children pick out a family eating at the restaurant. Kurt then tells the wait staff he is picking up the tab for that family's dinner anonymously. He remembers the days he was working nights in the grocery store and feeding his family on food stamps.


Makes it hard not to root for the Cardinals IN THE SUPER BOWL...doesn't it?

It may also give you the sudden urge to buy an Arizona Cardinals Replica Helmet.

NFL Playoff Thoughts

The great thing about the NFL is that it's unpredictable. Every team is working with the same salary restrictions, which levels the playing field. Winning is based on not who can spend the most money. It's about the draft, management, leadership, playing as a team...everything you learn in little league. That's why the NFL has replaced the MLB as the National Pastime.

The past week we saw the Cardinals, Eagles, Ravens and Steelers advance. The Steelers were the only team that had the first week of the playoffs off, that advanced. The Panthers, Giants and Titans all played at home and had two weeks to prepare...yet still lost.

I'm convinced that it's better to play the Wildcard Weekend. The past few years have proven this over and over again. The last 3 Super Bowl winners played the first weekend of the playoffs and unless the Steelers win it this, year it will happen again.

My prediction: I don't see the Cardinals moving on next week. They squeked by the Falcons who pretty much outplayed them as they couldn't muster a long drive together other then one in the 4th quarter. Then, they breezed this past week with the help of 5 ints from Jake Delhomme.

The Steelers looked very tough. But so have the Ravens. I see the Steelers winning next week as these two teams are very similiar except the Ravens have a rookie QB and will be playing away.

As stated, the Eagles will breeze by the Cardinals and make for an Eagles-Steelers, all Pennslyvania Super Bowl! Not ready to predict the winner there.

My Record Breaking Cornhole Throw

Last weekend over on New Year's Eve I broke the world record for longest Cornhole toss. Enjoy.

The Perfect Gift for NFL Fan

Yes, Christmas is just 6 days away and unless your willing to expedite your shipping, you probably can't get this in time. However, I came across these leather football helmets, and think they are one of the best gifts I've seen for the avid NFL fan. Whatever team you like, they have it available.

The great thing about these helmets are they are unique. I didn't even know they existed. They are inexpensive. Usually run you around $35, which is in that price range for your brothers, relatives. Lastly, they are fun. They can be worn around during game time and are sturdy enough to bang around with.

Crazy High School Basketball Shot

Somehow this video got into the right hands and Yahoo is featuring it as their lead story on the homepage!

Top 10 Sports DVDs

It's been a little while since we've talked about sports dvds so wanted to just quickly run down the latest top 10 according to the Sports Movie Guide.

1. Rocky - 9.43


2. Hurricane, The - 9.33


3. Seabiscuit - 9.23


4. 61* - 9.15


5. Remember the Titans - 9.14


6. Hoosiers - 9.12


7. Breaking Away - 9.12


8. Field of Dreams - 9.10


9. Million Dollar Baby - 9.06


10. Slap Shot - 9.04

Top 5 Football Helmets

Ran across a good post about the top 5 best looking football helmets in the NFL. I'm a little biased and think the Falcons should be at # 1, but a great topic, nonetheless.

Top 5 NFL Helmets

The Devil Rays

I'm sitting here watching the ALCS and still can't believe that the Tampa Bay Devil Rays are playing. The only other time the D-Rays have gotten any air time is when cable shows The Rookie. While it will be tough to for the Rays to beat a playoff experience BoSox, never count out the young team with nothing to lose. They remind me alot of the Florida Marlins from a few years back.

The Tides Are Turning

It's week 4 of the NFL season and over the past few weeks I've noticed something about the landscape of today's NFL. It's changed. Right in front of our eyes...it has changed. We have entered a new era of players. I'm not sure why or how it suddenly changed, but it has.

Call me stupid, but I don't remember the last time a rookie class has been this significant. I'll throw out some names. Matt Ryan, Joe Flaaco, Kevin Smith, DeSean Jackson, Eddie Royal, Darren McFadden, Chris Johnson, Jonathan Stewart just to name a few. These rookies are making an impact.

Further, right before our eyes, Philip Rivers and Jay Cutler have become 2 of the top 5 quarterbacks in the league. Yes, we still have Tom Brady and Peyton Manning in the league (although they are down and out), but it just seems like we've just entered a new era of players. Does it just happen like this or am I just the only one realizing this?

It seems the game is also changing. Coordinators are getting better. So much so that players can no longer dominate like they once could. I know the scoring numbers this season are down compared to seasons past. LT is still great, but he's not dominate, like he was 2 years ago. What I think happens more effectively now is teams can stop a dominate player, which forces a team's weaker players to step up or fail (lose).

Michael Phelps Saturday Night Live

Michael Phelps was the host on Saturday Night Live last nite. In this segment Phelps is a guest on the "Charles Barkley Show". Is Phelps funny? NO. Not many athletes are. Peyton Manning, yes, it about it ends there. Anyhow, the other dudes bring a few laughs.

Jericho Scott

Nine year-old Jericho Scott throws a fastball 40 mph. At such a short distance Jericho throws so hard that the Youth Baseball League of New Haven has banned his team from playing. Jericho pitches for the Wii Fitness Team, who is 8-0 this season.

Opposing teams parents fear for their kids facing Jericho. Last week, when Jericho took the mound, his opponent just left the field. Jericho's coach, Wilfred Vidro said, “He’s never hurt any one,” Vidro said. “He’s on target all the time. How can you punish a kid for being too good?”

The situation bothers Jericho who says, “I feel sad,” he said. “I feel like it’s all my fault nobody could play.”

Peter Noble, a lawyer for the Youth Baseball League of New Haven, said the only reason in banning Jericho from pitching was that his pitches were too fast.

“He is a very skilled player, a very hard thrower,” Noble said. “There are a lot of beginners. This is not a high-powered league. This is a developmental league whose main purpose is to promote the sport.”

Dudes Catch Great White Shark in New Jersey

3 Fishermen pull in a Great White off the shores of New Jersey. Not a place the whites should be hanging. View video

Matt Ryan Video Clips of First NFL Plays

I'm in Atlanta so, obviously, a big Falcons fan. Fans are pretty pumped here about Matt Ryan, but also realize we have a long way to go before we are a playoff team again. It was refreshing to see Ryan play well in his first series in the NFL.

Soccer Streaker

Some guys just were not held enough as babies.