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)
Nocona got its new press box into place this week at Jack Crane Stadium. The old press box, which was in place for more than 60 years, was taken out in early June and moved to Indian Valley Raceway. The new press box was by the Southern Bleacher Company out of Graham. Athletic Director Black Crutsinger said they looked at a lot of press boxes and decided they liked the one at Lindsay High School and went with that model. Sean Hutson operated the crane from the Hurd Crane Service that put the press box up for Nocona.
Sunset native Cason Richey (right) and his team roping partner Beldon Cox from Weatherford repeated as the International Finals Youth Rodeo champions last weekend at Shawnee, OK. Richey and Cox won the previous year and were able to complete the repeat by catching three steers in a combined time of 16.6 seconds. Richey is expected to compete attend Texas Tech University this fall and compete on the rodeo team.
The Chisholm Trail Youth Rodeo had its awards ceremony this week, giving out plaques and buckles to the top competitors throughout the summer season.
There were four age categories with five events to compete in for the young athletes.
Along with the best results in each event, at the end the overall best cowboy and cowgirl in each age division was awarded as well.
The lead line division, in which an adult helps the young competitors, saw Rylee Stewart win the first in poles, barrel racing and mystery event on her way to win top cowgirl.
Hattie Snow got the fastest time in the flags event and Lany Shupak got the fastest goat time. Riggin Bishop got named the top cowboy in the division.
In the eight-and-under division, Whitley Goins won the top cowgirl and Trell Carpenter won top cowboy. Goins got the fastest times in barrel racing, flags and mystery event. Carpenter got the fastest time in poles and goats.
In the 9-12 age division, Sage Keck won the top cowgirl while Chisum Carpenter won the top cowboy. Keck got the fastest times in four of the five divisions. Only Layna Taylor getting the fastest goat time prevented her from winning in a clean sweep.
In the 13-18 age division, Tess Egenbacher won the top overall cowgirl award.
Kiley McCracken won both the barrel racing and flags event. Emma Strahan won the poles and mystery event. Hadlee Bryan won the goats event.
There was no top overall cowboy in the age division.
To see the times for the winners of each event in all four age categories along with pictures of all of the top cowboys and cowgirls, pick up a copy of the weekend edition of the Bowie News.
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