The Loco Lobo

A woman soccer player at the University of New Mexico, Elizabeth Lambert, has been suspended indefinitely by the league on November 6th due to her actions in a 1-0 loss against BYU in a semifinals match. Now, if you haven't seen the clips of what this girl did during the game, I strongly suggest you do so immediately. It's one of the most violent sports montages I have ever seen. Lambert is caught kicking, punching, jabbing, tripping, and even hair-pulling several different players on six or seven different occasions throughout the game. There was only one penalty on her behalf, and it was one yellow card (which was given for kicking a soccer ball purposely into an opposing players face at point-blank range, an incident that happened before the most blatant and disturbing of attacks—the hair yank). I'm glad someone was able to take a second look at all she'd been doing throughout the game, and that she didn't get away with it. But don't you think the coaching staff would have caught on to all this? What about the coach and players of the other team? The referees? Why did no one seem to notice this while it was going on in a televised matchup? It's stunning to think she was able to get away with all that and I'm pleased to know her unnecessary roughness did nothing to prevent a 1-0 loss. In an apology made by Lambert she states her actions on the field were, “completely inappropriate,” and that she got caught up in the, “excitement of the game,” and that these actions in no way reflect on, “who I am as an athlete and as a person”. But I beg to differ, Liz. I don't care how excited you are about a game, you don't get exceedingly violent and that should be a given. Apparently once someone is caught up in the excitement of the game they think it makes it excusable to be a complete asshole. It shows a lack of discipline and respect on her character in my opinion, and when she should return to the soccer team IF AT ALL should be based on any previous incidents on the court or as a person. The media made a huge deal about this situation, mostly because they were so shocked a woman could do this kind of damage. And although I must admit it is a little surprising, such statements only feed the sexist believe that mens sports is more intense and dangerous than womens. Perhaps this will go to show that they are as just as crazy—if not more so—than we are.

F-You, Buddy!

Owner of the Tennessee Titans Bud Adams celebrated his teams 41-17 victory over the Buffalo Bills at home this past Sunday in a professional and mature matter: by giving the entire Buffalo Bills fan base the middle finger. Adams issued a statement of apology on Monday, claiming he, “got caught up in the excitement of a great day, but I do realize that those types of things shouldn't happen,” he also stated his expectations for the league to “discipline” him for his actions and his cooperation with that decision. Commissioner Roger Goodell, who was at the game and spent most of it with Adams in the suite (apparently leaving before the incident occurred) fined Adams $250,000 dollars for his actions on Sunday. Now, this certainly sounds like a hefty fine for the man to pay for doing something most fans to do one another on a daily basis. I don't think giving the figure is necessarily as obscene or offensive a gesture as its made out to be, and I don't think Adams meant any real deliberate harm when he did it. But this is once again something that makes members of the NFL look bad. You'd think a man with that much wealth, status and power would act more mature than he did, and I think it's further evidence that shows just how unqualified some franchise owners really are. Adams admitted in his statement that he was excited about the “great day” of the game, but I just cant see excitement as being an excuse to do something ridiculous like that. All im asking for is a little composure amongst men and women of power. In a world where everyone is watching your every move you need to keep a head on your shoulders. 250,000 is a hell of a lot of money, but how much is that going to effect Bud Adams in the long term? He owns several Lincoln-Mercury dealerships, made his fortune in the petroleum business and is CEO of Adams Resources & Energy Inc., a wholesale supplier of oil and natural gas. Oh, and he also owns the Tennessee Titans. His team went over 10-0 last year, and the Bills are one of the worst teams in the NFL, it should have been a given that he would win this game-and he did by a blowout. He's a lifetime multi-millionaire and the fine is change in his pocket. I highly doubt this “discipline” did anything to change Bud's actions except maybe now he will be more aware of the eye in the sky.