Celtics Interested in Chris Paul

The Boston Celtics are looking in trading Rajon Rondo for the New Orleans Hornets star, Chris Paul. Chris Paul is considered one of the best point guards in the NBA and for the trade to be of an equal match the Celtics would have to give up Rondo. The Hornets aren't thrilled about this trade with the Celtics because Rondo still has four years and $50 million left on his contract, and in order to the Hornets to sign off the deal the team would have to get a third party involved to pick up younger players. Finally, Chris Paul doesn't come cheap. He is due for $16 million in the 2011-2012 season. If the Celtics were to give up Rondo, they would be getting a great player in Paul. I believe this would be a fair trade between the two teams because of the players superstar ability. If this trade happens the Celtics would continue to be a dominant force in the NBA.

*http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/boston-celtics-look-at-trading-rajon-rondo-to-new-orleans-hornets-for-chris-paul-113011

Lawrence Taylor hit with a sex trafficking lawsuit

Hall of fame Giant, Lawrence Taylor, was slammed with a sex trafficking lawsuit on Monday filed by the girl who was forced to prostitute herself to LT last year. The suit accuses Taylor of ignoring the bruises on the face of the 16-year old girl who arrived to Lawrence Taylor's New York motel last year. Taylor than tried to pursue sexual acts with Cristina Ferro, who was beaten by her pimp moments before. LT, 52, was originally charged with statutory rape, but then pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct in March. This whole situation, I believe, is very disturbing. It does not matter if he was a former super star or not, he deserves jail time for what he did to the minor. This isn't the first time Taylor has had a run in with the law, he used to be addicted to crack. Only time will tell his verdict.

*http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Lawrence-Taylor-federal-sex-trafficking-lawsuit-112811

West A Alum to fill Quarterback Position

Some remember Tyler Palko as the University of Pittsburgh quarterback, but I remember watching Tyler Palko play for our high school almater West Allegheny. I was about 9 years old when I remember watching Tyler play and just saw how amazing that team was in 2001. West Allegheny made it to the WPIAL championship and beat rival Hopewell, then finally to a State Championship victory. From there Tyler went to Pitt and had a so-so two years at the University. It was great to see Palko start for the Kansas City Chiefs last night and finally represent West Allegheny. Even though, they played the Patriots and Tyler threw three interceptions I believed he played okay. The Chiefs do not have an easy rest of the season either, with the Steelers this week and the Bears upcoming as well. Good luck Tyler, making West A proud!

Sid the Kid is Back!!!!!

Sidney Crosby will be returning to the ice tonight against the New York Islanders. This will be the 2007 NHL MVP's first game in a year. Crosby hasn't played since he sustained concussions in consecutive games in January. The last ten months have been stressful on the star, but he needed to take his time with the concussions. On Sunday he was cleared to play, and since then there has been play-off buzz around the city of Pittsburgh. Lets Go Pens!!!!!

*http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/Pittsburgh-Penguins-Sidney-Crosby-anxious-for-season-debut-112111

Roethlisberger with Fractured Thumb

I was very surprised to find out that Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger suffered a fractured thumb against the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday. Watching the whole game last week I did not see Big Ben break his thumb or be in distress after he did break it. The broken thumb is on his throwing and he was unaware that he broke it, as well, but knew it came during the second half of the football game. Ben has played with a fractured thumb before and can handle the adversity that comes with it. The Steelers beat the Bengals last week, 24-17, and have an overall record of 7-3. Luckily, the Steelers have a bye-week this week and Big Ben will be able to rest his injured thumb. I see no problem with Ben playing Kansas City on November 27.

*http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Pittsburgh-Steelers-Ben-Roethlisberger-nursing-fractured-right-thumb-111511

Paterno's name taken off the Big Ten Championship Trophy

More sad news from Happy Valley. The Big Ten Conference has taken Joe Paterno's name off the Big Ten's championship trophy. Jim Delany, commissioner of the Big Ten stated on Monday that it was "inappropriate" to keep Paterno's name on the trophy, which will awarded December 3rd after the Big Ten title game. The trophy was named the Stagg-Paterno Championship trophy, but now will take on its new name, the Stagg Championship trophy. It is sad to see this happen to a man who did so much for Penn State University. He wasn't just the face of athletics at Penn State, he was the face of the University. Penn State is not out of the fire yet, it will be a long time before this situation is resolved. I can't wait to see what will happen in the weeks to come.

*http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefootball/story/Big-Ten-takes-Joe-Paterno-name-off-championship-trophy-111411

Penn State Did the Right Thing

Over the course of this week, the main news topic was the sexual abuse charges brought upon former Penn State defensive coordinator, Jerry Sandusky, and the firing of head coach Joe Paterno. Joe Paterno was let go, Wednesday Novemeber 9th after earlier in the day he told the press he would retire after the season was over. I believe the Penn State Board of Trustees did the right thing with letting "Joe Pa" go. Having Paterno coach this weekend against Nebraska would have not been good, the Nebraska fans would have scruntized the coach and the players immensly. Yes, Joe Paterno has been at Penn State since the sixties and is considered the best collegiate football coach of all time, but all these allegations against the University will tarnish Paternos legacy. This incident could be compared to the University of Pittsburgh problems last year when newly hired head coach, Mike Heyward, was accussed of beating his wife. Yes, what Heyword did was wrong and is compareable to the Penn State scandal but Pitt handled the problem ASAP and did the right thing by not making a big deal about it or not even giving the chance for Heyward to speak. The University of Pittsburgh handled everything swiftly and properly throughtout their problems and I believe Penn State should do the same. There is no need for protest or all this unneeded attention that the Penn Staters are giving the public. All of Penn Staters need to admit that Joe Paterno was wrong and he didnt do the right thing, morally, and also man up because this problem is bigger than Joe Paterno. The school's legacy and athletics will be forever tarnished and not to mention the lives of those who were abused will never be the same. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families.

Floyd Mayweather to pay for Joe Frazier's funeral

This past week boxing has lost one of the greatest fighters of all time, Joe Frazier. Joe Frazier was the first boxer to beat Muhammad Ali in 1971 and to obtain the Heavy Weight Champion Title from Ali. Frazier, who was 67, died of cancer. With great admiration and love for the former Heavy Weight Champion, defending WBC welter-weight champion, Floyd Mayweather Jr. has agreed to pay for Frazier's funeral. Mayweather issued this statement via Twitter, "My condolences go out to the late great Joe Frazier. TheMoneyteam will pay for his Funeral Services". Earlier this year, Mayweather covered funeral costs for Genaro Hernandez, who Mayweather fought and obtained his first title against.

I can't believe Floyd Mayweather would pay for Joe Frazier's funeral cost. This is one of the most selfless acts I've seen in the sporting world. It shows Frazier had such an effect on Floyd Mayweather that Mayweather would go above and beyond for the former heavy weight champion. Rest in Peace Smokin' Joe.

*http://msn.foxsports.com/boxing/story/Floyd-Mayweather-to-pay-for-Joe-Frazier-funeral-110911

Magic Johnson's Shocking Announcement 20 Years Later

Twenty years go, today, Magic Johnson gave his shocking public announcement to the world that he was HIV positive. Before Magic gave his statement his agent Lon Rosen told Johnson to tell the public it was HIV, not AIDS. The crowd was silent and he began to speak these words, "Because of the HIV virus that I have attained, I will have to retire from the Lakers today". Silence was spread throughout the audience and everyone around the world was shocked. This was one of the biggest press conferences in sport. It could be compared to the day John F. Kennedy was shot or when the space shuttle Challenger exploded. This moment left an imprint in American history and sport history. Magic Johnson smiled as he always did in tough moments and was able to control this disease when most people considered it a death threat at the time. It is great to see Magic Johnson still going strong today and being a spokesperson for HIV/AIDS but it is heartbreaking that his disease cut him down in the prime of his career. Hopefully he will continue to live a long, great life.

*http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/magic111107/remember-magic-johnson-hiv-announcement-20-years-later

Russian plane crash was caused by piliot error

The plane crash that wiped out the Russian hockey team a few months ago was caused by a pilot error and the co-pilot was taking an illegal substance. The Yak-42 plane was in "good order" before it crashed September 7th shortly after takeoff from Yaroslavl, Russia. One of the pilots accidentally applied the breaks too early on takeoff which made the plane rise too steeply. It crashed 150 miles away from the airport in Yaroslavl. "Everything was fine with the time of the flight, the weather, and fuel", said an investigator from the Interstate Aviation Committee. To make matters worse the co-pilot of the plane was on phenobarbital, which was found in his blood after the crash. It is sad to see that pilot error was the cause for this horrific crash. If everything was executed correctly and the co-pilot was not on drugs the 44 members of the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl ice hockey team would be alive today.

*http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/russian-hockey-teams-plane-crash-caused-by-pilot-error-110211