Start your little Eagles fan early! This funny anti-Cowboys design inspires young football lovers and their families to root for their home team.
Shut down the obnoxious Cowboys fan in your life with some good-natured ribbing and this fun rivalry gear. Any Philadelphia football supporter would be proud to don this anti-Cowboys t-shirt the next time the Eagles take on Dallas.
Add a fun touch to your garden or patio. This outdoor 16” tiki totem statue, sculpted from 100 percent resin and hand-painted, features Philadelphia Flyers colors and graphics.
Philadelphia football lovers will enjoy this playful design featuring the infamous rallying cry of Phillies fans everywhere. This shirt is the perfect apparel for game day tailgating. Raise your glass high and cheer on your team to victory!
Put your Phillies pride on display! Place this Phillie Phanatic mascot bobblehead on your desk at work or set it on a shelf at home to show everyone you’re a real fan. This must-have collectible is perfect for any Philadelphia baseball lover.
Let everyone know you’re a real 76ers fan when you hit the road on your next adventure.
This fun women’s design celebrates the Phillies newest star player. After Philadelphia lured Bryce Harper away from Washington, D.C. for the 2019 season, his at-bat stats prove he was worth the hefty price tag.
Know your Phillies' history. This vertical wall hanging showcases the Philadelphia baseball team’s logos through the years, from 1915 to present day. Celebrate your favorite team’s heritage while upgrading your space.
This stylish brown leather wallet helps Philadelphia fans organize their belongings while showing off their team pride. The embossed 76ers logo adds a rugged touch to this winning design.
Philly basketball fans, get ready to cozy up on game day. Wrap yourself in this comfy throw blanket while watching the next 76ers game in the comfort of your home or add a pop of team pride to your living room décor. This 60” by 80” raschel-knit blanket is large enough to cover an entire couch and the design’s fun shadow play gives this fan favorite a unique look.
Crack open a cold one and root on your favorite team – without messing up your coffee table. These puck-shaped drink coasters feature the Flyers logo and add a nice touch to your next game-day gathering. They make great holiday gifts for Philadelphia Flyers fans.
Relive the Chiefs’ glory days. Don this classic design and celebrate Kansas City’s magical 1969 season, when the team swept the American Football League playoffs in the league’s final season before merging with the NFL and also took home its only Super Bowl championship in franchise history.
Take your team loyalty to the grave. This Kansas City Chiefs shirt, which comes in long- and short-sleeve or a tank top, is perfect for die-hard fans.
Add a fun touch to your garden or patio. This outdoor 16” tiki totem statue, sculpted from 100 percent resin and hand painted, features K.C. Wolf, the official Chiefs mascot, as well as the team’s colors and graphics.
This stylish brown leather wallet helps Kansas City Chiefs fans organize their belongings while putting their team pride on display. The embossed team logo adds a rugged touch to this winning design.
Crack open a cold one and root on your favorite team – without messing up your furniture. These ceramic coasters featuring the Kansas City Chiefs logo are perfect for your next game-day gathering.
Kansas City baseball fans, get ready to cozy up on game day. Wrap yourself in this comfy throw blanket while watching the next Royals game in the comfort of your home or add a pop of team pride to your living room décor. This 60” by 80” raschel-knit blanket is large enough to cover an entire couch and the classic design is a fan favorite.
Know your Royals history. This vertical wall hanging showcases the Kansas City baseball team’s logos through the years from when the team was established in 1969 to present day. Celebrate your favorite team’s heritage while upgrading your space.
Show your team pride in the office or add some sporty flair to your party wear. This 100 percent silk, printed tie features the Kansas City Royals team colors and graphics, making this dapper piece a must-have for any true fan.
Chilly game days are a breeze with this comfy team gear resplendent with Kansas City Royals colors and graphics. Cheer your team to victory in style!
Put your Royals pride on display! Place this Sluggerrr mascot bobblehead on your desk at work or set it on a shelf at home to show everyone you’re a real fan. This must-have collectible is perfect for any Kansas City baseball lover.
]]>Have a Tampa Bay sports fan on your holiday shopping list? Here are some great gift ideas for your favorite sports aficionado. No matter what home team they’re rooting for—Rays, Lightning or Buccaneers—we’ve got you covered this holiday season.
Shut down the obnoxious Yankees fan in your life with some good-natured ribbing and this fun rivalry gear. Any Tampa Bay baseball supporter would be proud to don this anti-Yankees t-shirt the next time the Rays take on the Bronx Bombers.
Tampa Bay baseball fans, get ready to cozy up on game day. Wrap yourself in this comfy throw blanket while watching the next Rays’ game in the comfort of your home or add a pop of team pride to your living room décor. This 60” by 80” silk-touch blanket is large enough to cover an entire couch and the classic design makes it a fan favorite.
Put your Rays pride on display! Place this Raymond mascot bobblehead on your desk at work or set it on a shelf at home to show everyone you’re a real fan. This must-have collectible is perfect for any Tampa Bay baseball lover.
The perfect gear for putting your team loyalty on display. This Tampa Bay Lightning shirt comes in long and short sleeve.
Add a fun touch to your garden or patio. This outdoor 16” tiki totem statue, sculpted from 100 percent resin and hand-painted, features Thunderbug, the official Tampa Bay Lightning mascot, as well as the team’s colors and logo.
Chilly game days are a breeze with this comfy team gear, resplendent with the Tampa Bay Rays’ colors and logos. Cheer your team to victory in style!
Let everyone know you’re a real Tampa Bay Lightning fan when you hit the road on your next adventure.
Show your allegiance to Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians. Die-hard fans will love this colorful shirt.
Show your team pride in the office or add some sporty flair to your party wear. This Tampa Bay Buccaneers tie features team colors and logo, making this dapper piece a must-have for any true fan.
This stylish wallet helps Buccaneers’ fans organize their belongings while putting their team pride on display. The embroidered team logo adds a classy touch to this winning design.
Know your Buccaneers’ history. This vertical wall hanging showcases the Tampa Bay football team’s logos through the years, from the mid-1970s to present day. Celebrate your favorite team’s heritage while upgrading your space.
]]>Ladies, raise a toast to your home team. This colorful Minnesota Vikings design is available as a long- and short-sleeve shirt or tank top, making it perfect for tailgating any time of year.
Cheer on the right side of this classic NFL rivalry! Any Minnesota football fan would be proud to don this anti-Packers t-shirt—which comes in long-and short-sleeve—the next time the Vikings take on Green Bay.
Take your team loyalty to the grave. This Minnesota Vikings shirt, which comes in long- and short-sleeve, is perfect for die-hard fans.
Know your Twins history. This vertical wall hanging showcases the Minnesota baseball team’s logos through the years, from the early 1960s to present day. Celebrate your favorite team’s heritage while upgrading your space.
Add a fun touch to your garden or patio. This outdoor 16” tiki totem statue, sculpted from 100 percent resin and hand-painted, features T.C. Bear, the official Minnesota Twins mascot, as well as the team’s colors and logo.
Show your team pride in the office or add some sporty flair to your party wear. This 100 percent silk tie features the Minnesota Twins logo and team colors, making this dapper piece a must-have for any true fan.
Minnesota basketball fans, get ready to cozy up on game day. Wrap yourself in this comfy throw blanket while watching the next Timberwolves game in the comfort of your home or add a pop of team pride to your living room décor. This 60” by 80” raschel-knit blanket is large enough to cover an entire couch and the design’s fun shadow play gives this fan favorite a unique look.
Let everyone know you’re a real Minnesota Timberwolves fan when you hit the road on your next adventure.
This stylish brown leather wallet helps Minnesota Timberwolves fans organize their belongings while showcasing their team pride. The embossed team logo adds a rugged touch to this winning design.
Put your Wild pride on display! Place this Nordy mascot bobblehead on your desk at work or set it on a shelf at home to show everyone you’re a real fan. This must-have collectible is perfect for any Minnesota hockey lover.
Crack open a cold one and root on your favorite team – without messing up your furniture. This stainless steel set features a laser-cut Wild logo and adds the perfect touch to your next game-day gathering.
]]>Take your team loyalty to the grave. This Oakland Raiders shirt, which comes in long- and short-sleeve, is perfect for die-hard fans.
It’s the end of an era at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. This season is the last chance for Oakland football fans to catch the team in its old digs before it makes the move to Las Vegas. This classic Raiders apparel captures a piece of history.
Start your little Raiders fan early! This funny anti-Broncos design inspires young football lovers and their families to root for their home team.
Know your Raiders history. This vertical wall hanging showcases the Oakland football team’s logos through the years, from when the team first formed to present day. Celebrate your favorite team’s heritage while upgrading your space.
Crack open a cold one and root on your favorite team – without messing up your furniture. This stainless steel coaster set features a laser-cut Athletics logo and adds a nice touch to your next game-day gathering.
Put your Athletics pride on display! Place this Stomper mascot bobblehead on your desk at work or set it on a shelf at home to show everyone you’re a real fan. This must-have collectible is perfect for any Oakland baseball lover.
Chilly game days are a breeze with this comfy team gear resplendent with Oakland Athletics colors and graphics. Cheer your team to victory in style!
Add a fun touch to your garden or patio. This outdoor 16” tiki totem statue, sculpted from 100% resin and hand-painted, features Stomper, the official Oakland Athletics mascot, as well as the team’s colors and graphics.
Take your team loyalty to the grave. This Pittsburgh Steelers shirt, which comes in long- and short-sleeve, is perfect for die-hard fans.
With six Super Bowl wins since the franchise was established, the Pittsburgh Steelers are in a league of their own. Die-hard fans will love this shirt boasting the team’s winning dynasty.
Chilly game days are a breeze with this comfy team gear resplendent with Pittsburgh Steelers colors and logos. Cheer your team to victory in style!
Add a fun touch to your garden or patio. This outdoor 16” tiki totem statue, sculpted from 100 percent resin and hand-painted, features the Pittsburgh Steelers logo and team colors, as well as mascot Steely McBeam.
Raise the Jolly Roger and let everyone know you’re a real Pirates fan. This fun shirt is the perfect gift any Pittsburgh baseball lover.
Pittsburgh baseball fans, get ready to cozy up on game day. Wrap yourself in this comfy throw blanket while watching the next Pirates game in the comfort of your home or add a pop of team pride to your living room décor. This 60” by 80” raschel-knit blanket is large enough to cover an entire couch and the classic design is a fan favorite.
This stylish brown leather wallet helps Pittsburgh Pirates fans organize their belongings while putting their team pride on display. The embossed team logo adds a rugged touch to this winning design.
Put your Pirates pride on display! Place this Pirate Parrot mascot bobblehead on your desk at work or set it on a shelf at home to show everyone you’re a real fan. This must-have collectible is perfect for any San Francisco baseball lover.
Crack open a cold one and root on your favorite team – without messing up your furniture. These puck-shaped coasters feature the Penguins logo is perfect for your next game-day gathering.
Know your Penguins history. This vertical wall hanging showcases the Pittsburgh hockey team’s logos through the years, from the late 1960s to present day. Celebrate your favorite team’s heritage while upgrading your space.
Show your team pride in the office or add some sporty flair to your party wear. This 100 percent silk, printed tie features the Pittsburgh Penguins logo and team colors, making this dapper piece a must-have for any true fan.
]]>Don’t let the haters get you down – not everyone is lucky enough to be a Yankees fan. Wear your New York love with pride and remember, they only hate you ‘cause they ain’t you!
Put your Mets pride on display! Place this Mr. Met mascot bobblehead on your desk at work or set it on a shelf at home to show everyone you’re a real fan. This must-have collectible is perfect for any New York hockey lover.
Relive the Mets’ glory days. Don this classic design and celebrate New York’s magical 1986 season, when the team last won the World Series.
This stylish brown leather wallet helps Giants’ fans organize their belongings while putting their team pride on display. The embossed team logo adds a rugged touch to this winning design.
Know your New York Jets history. This vertical wall hanging showcases the football team’s logos through the years, from 1960 to present day. Celebrate your favorite team’s heritage while upgrading your space.
Cheer on the right side of this classic NFL rivalry! Any New York football fan would be proud to don this anti-Eagles t-shirt—which comes in long-and short-sleeve—the next time the Giants take on Philadelphia.
Chilly game days are a breeze with this comfy team gear, resplendent with the New York Jets’ colors and logos. Cheer your team to victory in style!
New York basketball fans, get ready to cozy up on game day. Wrap yourself in this comfy throw blanket while watching the next Knicks’ game in the comfort of your home or add a pop of team pride to your living room décor. This 60” by 80” raschel-knit blanket is large enough to cover an entire couch and the design’s fun shadow play gives this fan-favorite a unique look.
Let everyone know you’re a real Brooklyn Nets fan when you hit the road on your next adventure.
Start your little Yankees fan early! This adorable anti-Red Sox design inspires young football lovers and their families to root for their home team.
Show your team pride in the office or add some sporty flair to your party wear. This 100 percent silk, printed tie features the New York Islanders logo and team colors, making this dapper piece a must-have for any true fan.
Crack open a cold one and root on your favorite team – without messing up your furniture. These puck-shaped coasters feature the Rangers’ logo is perfect for your next game day gathering.
]]>Start your little 49ers fan early! This adorable anti-Seahawks design inspires young football lovers and their families to root for their home team.
Show your team pride in the office or add some sporty flair to your party wear. This San Francisco 49ers tie features the team’s colors and logos, making this dapper piece a must-have for any true fan.
Celebrate the legendary career of Giants manager Bruce Bochy, who recently retired after 25 years in the business. Any die-hard fan will love this team gear honoring a San Francisco icon.
Chilly game days are a breeze with this comfy team gear, resplendent with the Golden State Warriors’ colors and logos. Cheer your team to victory in style!
Add a fun touch to your garden or patio. This outdoor 16” tiki totem statue, sculpted from 100 percent resin and hand-painted, features the San Francisco Giants logo and team colors.
The perfect gear for putting your team loyalty on display. This San Francisco 49ers shirt comes in long and short sleeve.
Put your Giants’ pride on display! Place this Lou Seal mascot bobblehead on your desk at work or set it on a shelf at home to show everyone you’re a real fan. This must-have collectible is perfect for any San Francisco baseball lover.
San Francisco basketball fans, get ready to cozy up on game day. Wrap yourself in this comfy throw blanket while watching the next Golden State Warriors’ game in the comfort of your home or add a pop of team pride to your living room décor. This 60” by 80” raschel-knit blanket is large enough to cover an entire couch and the design’s fun shadow play gives this fan favorite a unique look.
This stylish brown leather wallet helps Golden States Warriors’ fans organize their belongings while putting their team pride on display. The embossed team logo adds a rugged touch to this winning design.
Know your 49ers’ history. This vertical wall hanging showcases the San Francisco football team’s logos through the years, from 1960 to present day. Celebrate your favorite team’s heritage while upgrading your space.
Let everyone know you’re a real Golden State Warriors fan when you hit the road on your next adventure.
Don’t let the haters get you down – not everyone is lucky enough to be a Patriots’ fan. Wear your Boston love with pride and remember, they only hate us ‘cause they ain’t us!
Put your Bruins pride on display! Place this Blades mascot bobblehead on your desk at work or set it on a shelf at home to show everyone you’re a real fan. This must-have collectible is perfect for any Boston hockey lover.
This stylish wallet helps Patriots’ fans organize their belongings while putting their team pride on display. The embroidered team logo adds a classy touch to this winning design.
This funny t-shirt is the perfect gift for hardcore Bruins fans. Whether you’re watching the game at the bar or at home, grab a cold one and cheer on your team!
Show your team pride in the office or add some sporty flair to your formalwear. This 100 percent silk, printed tie features New England Patriots team colors and images, making this dapper piece a must-have for any true fan.
Add a fun touch to your garden or patio. This outdoor 16” tiki totem statue, sculpted from 100 percent resin and hand-painted, features Wally the Green Monster, the official Red Sox mascot, as well as the team’s colors and logo.
The perfect team gear for the Patriots’ quest for their seventh Super Bowl win. Make it your mission to show everyone you’re a true fan.
Know your Red Sox history. This vertical wall hanging showcases the Boston baseball team’s logos through the years, from the 1940s to present day. Celebrate your favorite team’s heritage while upgrading your space.
Ladies, make a sexy statement with this fun anti-Yankees design. Strut your stuff while wearing this cool racerback tank top the next time Boston takes on their biggest rivals and make your home team proud!
Boston hockey fans, get ready to cozy up on game day. Wrap yourself in this comfy throw blanket while watching the next Bruins’ game in the comfort of your home or add a pop of team pride to your living room décor. This 60” by 70” raschel-inspired blanket is large enough to cover an entire couch and the fun design play gives this fan favorite a unique look.
Wear your team allegiance with pride. This cool Cowboys design comes in long-sleeve and short-sleeve t-shirts or a tank top so you can tailgate in style any time of year.
Show your team pride in the office or add some sporty flair to your party wear. This men’s tie features the Dallas Stars’ logo and team colors, making this dapper piece a must-have for any true hockey fan.
Put your Stars’ pride on display! Place this Victor E. Green mascot bobblehead on your desk at work or set it on a shelf at home to show everyone you’re a real fan. This must-have collectible is perfect for any Dallas hockey lover.
Dallas basketball fans, get ready to cozy up on game day. Wrap yourself in this comfy throw blanket while watching the next Mavericks’ game in the comfort of your home or add a pop of team pride to your living room décor. This 60” by 80” raschel-knit blanket is large enough to cover an entire couch and the design’s fun shadow play gives this fan favorite a unique look.
This stylish brown leather wallet helps Mavericks’ fans organize their belongings while putting their team pride on display. The embossed team logo adds a rugged touch to this winning design.
Start your little Cowboys’ fan early! This funny anti-Redskins design inspires young football lovers and their families to root for their home team.
Know your Texas Rangers history. This red, white and blue vertical wall hanging showcases the Dallas baseball team’s logos through the years, from the early 1970s to present day. Celebrate your favorite team’s heritage while upgrading your space.
Chilly game days are a breeze with this comfy team gear, resplendent with Rangers’ colors and logos. Cheer your team to victory in style!
Relive the Cowboys’ glory days. Don this classic design and celebrate the 1995 season, when the team became the first to win three Super Bowls in four seasons.
Add a fun touch to your garden or patio. This outdoor 16” tiki totem statue, sculpted from 100 percent resin and hand-painted, features Captain, the official Texas Rangers mascot, as well as the team’s colors and logo.
Let everyone know you’re a real FC Dallas fan when you hit the road on your next adventure.
]]>$26.99
Honor Cleveland Browns’ legend-in-the-making, quarterback Baker Mayfield, with this iconic Shake ‘N Bake shirt. This design is available in your choice of a hoodie, and long- or short-sleeve t-shirts, so you can tailgate properly in any weather.
Let everyone know you’re a real Cleveland Browns’ fan when you hit the road on your next adventure.
In 2016, Cleveland Cavaliers’ fans everywhere rejoiced when the team won its first title since 1964. This engaging children’s book recounts the Cavaliers’ epic season and the team’s emotional comeback against Golden State in the NBA finals. “Cleveland Wins a Championship” makes a cool gift for kids or a collectible coffee table book for die-hard fans.
Cleveland basketball fans, get ready to cozy up on game day. Wrap yourself in this comfy throw blanket while watching the next Cavaliers’ game in the comfort of your home or add a pop of team pride to your living room décor. This 60” by 80” raschel-knit blanket is large enough to cover an entire couch and the design’s fun shadow play gives this fan favorite a unique look.
This stylish brown leather wallet helps Cavaliers’ fans organize their belongings while putting their team pride on display. The embossed team logo adds a rugged touch to this winning design.
Know your Indians’ history. This vertical wall hanging showcases the Dallas baseball team’s logos through the years, from the early 1920s to present day. Celebrate your favorite team’s heritage while upgrading your space.
Celebrate the fierce star quality of Odell Beckham Jr. Any Cleveland Browns fan will love this cool design.
Add a fun touch to your garden or patio. This outdoor 16” tiki totem statue, sculpted from 100 percent resin and hand-painted, features Slider, the official Cleveland Indians mascot, as well as the team’s colors and logo.
Chilly game days are a breeze with this comfy team gear, resplendent with the Cleveland Indians’ colors and logos. Cheer your team to victory in style!
Put your Indians’ pride on display! Place this Slider mascot bobblehead on your desk at work or set it on a shelf at home to show everyone you’re a real fan. This must-have collectible is perfect for any Cleveland baseball lover.
In 2018, touchdown king Baker Mayfield broke the NFL record for TD passes by a rookie in a single season. With his second pro season underway, the star quarterback shows no signs of slowing down. Pay homage to this talented, young player with this Cleveland Browns design.
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$22.99
Cheer on the right side of the NFL’s oldest rivalry! Any Chicago football fan would be proud to don this anti-Packers t-shirt—which comes in long-and short-sleeve—the next time the Bears take on Green Bay.
In 2016, Chicago Cubs’ fans everywhere celebrated when the team won their first World Series in 108 years. This engaging children’s book recounts the Cubs’ heartbreaking history, the infamous Curse of the Billy Goat, and the team’s epic and emotional championship season. “The Curse Ends: The Story of the 2016 Chicago Cubs” makes a cool gift for kids or a collectible coffee table book for die-hard fans.
Chilly game days are a breeze with this comfy team gear, resplendent with Cubs’ colors and logos. Cheer your team to victory in style!
$19.99
The perfect tailgate apparel for any Bears fan. This fun design is available in your choice of a tank top, hoodie, and long- or short-sleeve t-shirts, so you can tailgate properly in any weather. Grab a cold one and cheer on your team!
Know your White Sox history. This black-and-white vertical wall hanging showcases the Chicago baseball team’s logos through the years, from the early 1900s to present day. Celebrate your favorite team’s heritage while upgrading your space.
Add a fun touch to your garden or patio. This outdoor 16” tiki totem statue, sculpted from 100 percent resin and hand-painted, features Southpaw, the official White Sox mascot, as well as the team’s colors and logo.
Show your team pride in the office or add some sporty flair to your formalwear. This 100 percent silk, printed tie features the Chicago Blackhawks logo and team colors, making this dapper piece a must-have for any true fan.
Put your Blackhawks’ pride on display! Place this Tommy Hawk mascot bobblehead on your desk at work or set it on a shelf at home to show everyone you’re a real fan. This must-have collectible is perfect for any Chicago hockey lover.
Chicago basketball fans, get ready to cozy up on game day. Wrap yourself in this comfy throw blanket while watching the next Bulls’ game in the comfort of your home or add a pop of team pride to your living room décor. This 60” by 80” raschel-knit blanket is large enough to cover an entire couch and the design’s fun shadow play gives this fan-favorite a unique look.
$18.99
Start your little Bears’ fan early! This funny anti-Packers design inspires young football lovers and their families to root for their home team.
This stylish wallet helps Bulls’ fans organize their belongings while putting their team pride on display. The embroidered team logo adds a classy touch to this winning design.
]]>Here are 10 memorable moments of shade and hard-core snark – and, of course, good, old-fashioned smack.
(Editor’s note: We hated everything about Deflategate. Even typing that fake “word” hurts our fingers. There will be no mention of Deflategate or Tom Brady or the Patriots here. OK, no MORE mention of those things. SO OVER IT.)
Joey Bat Flip
The Blue Jays didn’t make it to the World Series, but slugger Jose Bautista sent Toronto into hysterics and the ALCS with a walk-off home run to end the division series against the Rangers. Joey Bats took a lot of heat for that demonstration of bravado, but it was classic smack and deserves a place on any list of iconic sports moments in 2015.
You like that!
The Redskins trailed the Buccaneers, 24-0, but roared back behind quarterback Kirk Cousins. Afterward, Cousins – who had operated in the shadow of RGIII for too long – became the voice of redemption when he yelled at Washington beat reporters – “You LIKE that! You like THAT!”
Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Josh Norman.
Giants-Panthers in Week 15 featured an NFL heavyweight battle – the best receiver in the league against one of the top, if not the top, cover corners in the game. It quickly devolved into a nasty brawl that landed Beckham a one-game suspension and Norman a hefty fine. MORE
Johnny Rehab.
The Browns drafted Johnny Manziel, then immediately began to mishandle the mercurial partier from Texas A&M. Johnny Football’s swagger demanded a starting role right out of college, but he instead had to sit and that idle time was not spent working in the film room. One of the off-season’s biggest story lines will be Johnny Football’s future – and the speculation will be sure to provide sweet smack fodder for many more months.
Kevin Durant vs. Stephen A. Smith.
The NBA All-Star from Oklahoma City and the loud-mouthed former sportswriter from Philly got into it publicly when Smith “reported” that Durant wanted a trade to the Lakers. Durant called Smith a liar. Smith responded with a weird, threatening declaration that Durant didn’t want to make an enemy out of him. So much sound. So much fury. So much smack. MORE
MJ, GOAT.
With aloof amusement, Michael Jordan observed the “emoji war” sparked by Chandler Parsons after DeAndre Jordan spurned the Dallas Mavericks to remain with the Clippers. While Chandler fooled around with his little airplane and others jumped in with their insipid foolishness, His Airness – one of the acknowledged Smack Zone Legends of Smack – ended the debate with his allusion to himself as the Greatest Of All Time:
?
— Jordan (@Jumpman23) July 8, 2015
Jonathan Papelbon vs. Bryce Harper.
The Nationals closer and MVP got into it in the dugout during a game. Who knows why? Something about a half-eaten sandwich, maybe? I don’t know. Anyway, they fought like cats (not cats and dogs – cats), and later buried the hatchet.
Kurt Busch vs. Trained Assassin.
NASCAR nabob and former champion Kurt Busch went off the deep end in February when he publicly asserted that his ex-girlfriend, Patricia Driscoll, was a trained assassin and shadow operative. Maybe she is, maybe she isn’t. But Busch is one weird dude, regardless. Either he dated a trained assassin and let it slide until they broke up, or he decided to publicly out a trained assassin – someone who could, by definition, kill him in his sleep with a Q-tip. Ain’t no smack like NASCAR smack!
Chase Utley vs. Ruben Tejada.
The Dodgers-Mets NLDS took an ugly turn when Utley plowed Tejada breaking up a double play, breaking Tejada’s leg and becoming Public Enemy No. 1 in NYC. This was physical smack that overnight transformed Utley into one of the most hated opponents in Mets history.
The Head Ball Coach Suddenly Calls it Quits.
Steve Spurrier, another of the Smack Zone Legends of Smack – the inspiration for the creation of Smack Apparel – left the South Carolina Gamecocks high and dry in the middle of the season. We appreciate the Ole Ball Coach orchestrating the perfect exit for one of sports’ best smack talkers of all time.
And to think, the college bowl system that has evolved over the last century got its start with participants chasing greased pigs.
It’s true. On January 1, 1890, members of the Valley Hunt Club paraded through the streets of Pasadena with flower-draped horse and buggies. It was the first Tournament of Roses parade, and soon after the pig chasing contests were introduced during ensuing years, officials found a better alternative to publicize the event.
Pigskins, college football style.
On New Year’s Day 1902, Michigan met Stanford at Tournament Park and cruised to a 49-0 victory. The college bowl system was born and would flourish until 1998, when the BCS system was implemented to determine a national champion. That has since been replaced by a four-team playoff, which will enter its second year in January.It’s true, bowl games before 1998 rarely matched the top two teams in the nation; between 1936 and 1992 (when the first bowl coalition began), the top two teams met eight times out of 57 seasons. And the advent of the BCS meant that No. 1 faced No. 2 thanks to an intricate system of human opinion and computerized fact.
But there was something charming about the old bowl system. It was conceived as a reward for teams who excelled and won their conferences during the season. The bowls had locked-in conference ties. You knew the Rose Bowl would pit the winner of the Big Ten against the Pac-10 champion, and that one Sugar Bowl berth would be claimed by the Southeastern Conference titlist. The Orange Bowl normally featured the Big Eight champion, while the Cotton Bowl showcased the Southwest Conference winner.
It also was rewarding for the teams and conferences represented in bowl games. Before the BCS, bowl revenue was shared only by the conferences playing in the game. So, if the SEC had a strong year and six teams went to bowl games, that was a huge boost to that conference’s balance sheet.
Bowl games also were a huge financial lure for the cities that hosted them. Warm-weather venues were appealing to football teams and their fans, who longed for a mid-winter break from snow and bitter cold. Cities like Miami and New Orleans played up their warm, sunny climates to the hilt. Since the Orange Bowl had a tie-in with the Big Eight, that meant that schools from the upper Midwest would travel south in droves to fill up Miami’s hotels, eat at its restaurants and shop at its stores. It was a boon to the city’s economy, and bowl officials made sure the team (and its fans) had a great time.
Other warm-weather cities followed suit, like Tampa (Outback Bowl); El Paso, Texas (Sun Bowl); and Tempe, Arizona (Fiesta Bowl). Cuba even got into the act, hosting a game in Havana in 1937 between Auburn and Villanova in the appropriately named Bacardi Bowl.
Bowl games provided teams a chance to bond and enjoy a nice vacation. Certainly, some teams were still in the hunt for a national title, but many were not and were eager to have a good time. Bowling outings, trips to tourist attractions and photo opportunities were commonplace.
In December 1983, Iowa visited Jacksonville to face Florida in the Gator Bowl. The night before the game, Iowa hosted a dinner for players, fans, media and friends in the Jacksonville Coliseum. It was all the steak you can eat, and while no numbers were released, there was a lot of beef consumed that night.
Sometimes, teams take a bowl game too seriously. The 1987 Fiesta Bowl, which pitted No. 1 Miami vs. No. 2 Penn State, was hyped as the “Duel in the Desert.” On the flight to Arizona, Hurricanes players changed into military-style fatigues to play up the “war” element of the game.
The battle plan backfired, and Penn State won the game 14-10 to take the national title.
Bowl games have had some great names, like the Raisin Bowl in Fresno, California; Tampa’s Cigar Bowl; the Camellia Bowl in Lafayette, Louisiana; and an all-time favorite in Phoenix — the Salad Bowl.
The biggest weakness of bowl games were also a strength — the tie-in to conferences. Because of that, a No. 1 team from the Big Ten, for example, had to play in the Rose Bowl. And if No. 2 was not from the Pac-10, then a true, head-to-head national title game would not be played.
That has changed now with the four-team playoff system. There are no more mythical national champions.
But the bowl experience remains a strong one, a time for cities to show civic pride and tout their area.
No more greased pig chases, though. And that’s a shame.
]]>It's All About The U Trick Shots! @hurricanesgolf wants a #MDTrickShots win this week over Florida State. #MIAvsFSU https://t.co/yxIp0TX1Qz
— Morning Drive (@GCMorningDrive) October 9, 2015Fear the Spear! And the trick shots! @FSUGolf is looking for this week's #MDTrickShots crown over Miami. #MIAvsFSU https://t.co/daH3xZJuf1
— Morning Drive (@GCMorningDrive) October 9, 2015
Both are pretty cool.
But yeah, FSU wins this, too.
[caption id="attachment_1268" align="aligncenter" width="474"] Click to get the shirt, Noles fans![/caption]]]>
The tarp was angry that day. pic.twitter.com/yd3gPFNwYR
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) October 9, 2015 It was not the first time the dreaded KC tarp went after a member of the grounds crew. Remember this, from a few years ago? [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dfr0SGW81Xw] This is no benign, field-protecting expanse of plastic and fabric. This tarp is a predator. This hideous creature even has its own Twitter account: @KC_Royals_Tarp. It's an outrage that baseball hasn't banned the Kansas City tarp for conduct detrimental to the health of the grounds crew. I mean, compared to the mildly hungry tarp that ate Vince Coleman during the 1985 NLCS, the tarp in Kansas City is a ravenous beast. We're seeing a pattern all over the country, in fact. If not for a couple of alert Pittsburgh Pirates this past summer, the tarp at PNC Park would have enjoyed a tasty grounds crew snack before making its escape on the wild winds of the Allegheny Mountains. Remember this? [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRQEMONYIEs] Stay alert, baseball grounds crews. Watch the skies, but keep an eye on the tarps. They're alive ... and they're hungry.]]>I'm just saying I am available for the right price??... #freeagent @nfl
— Connor Barth (@contbarth) October 4, 2015 By Erez Ladetzky, Smack Zone Contributor After Week 4 of the NFL season, one thing sticks out like a thorn: Kickers are bad. Kickers are really bad. Sure, the NFL made the extra point harder by moving it to the 15-yard line, but is that really an excuse for missing so many field goals?? The extra point has already been missed more times this year than all of last season*! Josh Scobee, who missed two critical field goals last Thursday in the OT loss to the Ravens, was promptly cut the next day. The kicking game is so bad after Sunday that a number of teams are calling Scobee in for a try out (he is injured and will need a few weeks to heal). Teams are willing to bring in Scobee, who is injured and missed two kicks last week. That has to be a blow to the egos of all these kickers missing left and right (pun intended). There might only be five good kickers remaining in the NFL. By good, we mean when they line up for a kick, they have an 85 percent chance of making it. It’s gotten that bad. The Saints kicker missed a potential game-winning kick at the end of the fourth quarter. Josh Lambo of the Chargers missed an easy field goal with no time remaining in a tie game. Lucky for him, Cleveland did a Cleveland thing and was offside. He made the game winning kick following that. (That guy in Jacksonville missed a bunch, too, but it's Jacksonville so who cares besides Gus Bradley? You know, GUS BRADLEY? He's the Jaguars coach. Gus. Bradley. Nothing? You need to read more.) Nobody for sure knows why kickers are struggling so much. Yes it is a lot of pressure to make a kick, but these guys are professionals. If you have a knack for kicking something, call an NFL team and see if you can try out. About half the league is looking for kickers. Don’t worry if you don’t make it or get cut, another team will be looking for you. *Including two by now-former Bucs kicker Kyle Brindza, who was released even as we wrote this post.]]>