SPORTS
STORM CENTER: NFL ratings in freefall
Very rare is the occasion for the follow-up column, but the sports editor is more than happy to oblige when the topic is a hot-button issue.
National Football League protests during the playing of the anthem have been front and center during the past month – ever since the season started on Sept. 8.
The sports editor asked for feedback on the column, and there were two responses – one in email and one on our Facebook page.
Here’s what Gary Shafer, from Nocona, had to say.
“As a retired Marine, I have a special regard for the flag and I would be the first to say people have the right to protest whatever they want in whatever way they want as long as it does not break the law.
“However, the Flag has always stood for right and fairness even when our country was guilty of very wrong action.
“During the Civil War, this flag was on the side of freedom for all of our countrymen. Over the years, our servicemen have served and died for that flag and for those rights.
“So while saying they have the right to protest in this way, that does not make it okay. When you stand before a stadium full of people, you are representing your team/school from the National Football League all the way through high school.
“As such, I do not want anyone that thinks this is the correct way to start a conversation about an issue representing me or my family in any way, they should be dismissed from any organization they represent while doing so.
“Any coaches or administrators that allow this should also be fired. Because at the end of the day, we have the right to do whatever we want (within the law), but we do not have the right to be free from the consequences of those actions.”
We had a post from a Robert Thompson, Jr., on the Facebook page, but no additional information could be obtained from him – so we’re not including his comment with this follow-up column.
Maybe Dallas Mavericks’ owner Mark Cuban was right about the NFL all along.
Two years ago, Cuban called the NFL “hogs heading toward a slaughter,” because the league was oversaturating its audience with too much product. Read more from this column in the Oct. 1 Bowie News.
Editor’s Note: The Storm Center column is the expressed written views of sports editor Eric Viccaro and not The Bowie News.
Dallas Cowboys’ Stephen Jones, owner Jerry Jones, quarterback Tony Romo and Dallas Mavericks’ owner Mark Cuban are shown at a social event in Dallas. Cuban has been critical of the National Football League in previous interviews. (Courtesy image/Getty)
In its first match since last year’s state semifinal appearance, Saint Jo hosted Bryson Aug. 11 and took a 25-13, 25-12, 25-21 win over the Cowgirls.
The Lady Panthers lost some talent to graduation but have five seniors ready to have a successful season. Savannah Hil, one of the five, got Saint Jo rolling offensively with a four-point serving string, including a pair of aces. Abby Carter’s kill and Kamron Skidmore’s block helped put the Lady Panthers up 5-2 in game one.
Hadleigh Moore added a four-point string of her own to extend the lead to 10-3. Tatum Morman’s pair, helped by a Hill kill, gave Saint Jo a 14-5 lead. Bryson got within five before a Hill 3-pointer, with help by a Carter kill, put the lead back at 18-10.
After an Olivia Johnson kill broke serve, Jordyn O’Neal served up the final five points, with Johnson providing a kill to move things along.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
Despite being the smallest school in the Brock varsity classic volleyball tournament, the Lady Indians finished 4th out of the eight teams there.
After losing to the host team in its first pool play match Aug. 14 18-25, 14-25 and also to Class 3A Wall 12-25, 8-25, Nocona rebounded to close out pool play with a 20-25, 25-23, 25-20 win over Christoval. Sy Parker had 16 kills and 7 blocks in the three matches. Raylea Bowles had 12 kills, 17 digs and served up three aces. Maddyn Bowles had seven kills and 14 digs while Paige Davis had seven kills and 15 digs. Baylee Thomas added 11 digs.
From the setter spot, Kasi Castro had 20 assists, served up five aces and contributed 14 digs. Leah Meekins added 18 assists and six digs during the three matches.
To open Saturday’s bracket play, the Lady Indians posted a 25-18, 18-25, 26-24, 25-19 win over Fort Worth Christian. Castro staked Nocona to a 2-0 lead in game one. Kills by Parker set up pairs of points from Raylea Bowles and Leah Meekins helped Nocona negate an early deficit and take a 10-9 lead.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
County football teams had their first scrimmage of the season Aug. 14 with mixed results.
Forestburg hosted Azle Christian and Victory Christian. Under a new system with new head coach Cori Hayes, the Longhorns looked pretty good in the coach’s eye.
“The first team looked good,” Hayes explained. “Overall we need to work on our pace and blocking assignments and blocking assignments. Overall we looked good for the new regime.”
Forestburg hits the road to scrimmage Newcastle Aug. 21.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
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