The GA that saw it should have gone directly to the police. Period. He saw it first hand and this is no time to worry about blowing the whistle on someone and trying to keep it in-house.

In Paterno’s defense he may have felt “Well, I didn’t see it with my own two eyes. Maybe my GA was confused as to what he saw. I’ll just send it up the chain and let them make the call since I didn’t see it for myself. They can decide if the police need to be called.” I’m sure that is what went through his head, although in cases like this you err on the side of calling authorities. This is ultimately what will have Paterno lose his job. He will be judged in the court of public opinion for doing only the bare minimum and the school will not want that publicity. Penn State will decide to part ways from the winningest coach in college football history.

The AD and VP of the school have no excuse for not investigating further and reporting this incident to authorities. They acted as if this was a recruiting violation that was to be swept under the rug. Someone didn’t steal petty cash here! These are terrible crimes against young boys.

As for Sandusky….he is just disgusting.

The Death of Dan Wheldon

Story:  Racecar driver Dan Wheldon (33) died following a 15-car wreck on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The death of the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and father of two, has been attributed to  blunt trauma to the head. The debate following Wheldon’s untimely death is whether or not open-wheel, open-cockpit, IndyCars are safe on oval tracks like the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

What to say: Even NASCAR’s Jimmie Johnson is opposed to racing IndyCars on oval tracks. The cars just go too fast for the oval track, which causes turbulence.  I heard Danica Patrick and Dario Franchitti are leaving IndyCar racing for NASCAR.

College Football Conference Re-Alignment

Story:  Conference realignment is a big story in college football. The better the conference you are in, the more money you earn from lucrative conference-wide television deals and from split bowl payouts. Many feel there will be a “natural selection” phenomenon of sorts, in which the strongest conferences gain members and the weaker conferences become extinct.

What to say: The SEC wants a new TV market, so that is why they offered membership to Missouri (who will likely make the move) over the better cultural fits of Clemson or FSU. The ACC will become an even more dominant basketball powerhouse by adding Syracuse and Pitt. TCU going to the Big 12 makes more sense than their original plan to join the Big East, which by title, doesn’t make sense for a team from Texas.

NBA Still Locked Out

Story: The NBA is still in a lockout, but nobody is really paying attention because it is football season. A portion of the season has already been canceled and more games could be called off if there isn’t a resolution soon.  Twenty-two of the 30 NBA teams are losing money, so the owners want to have a cap on amount of dollars that can be spent by each team toward salaries, take home more of the shared revenue, and axe guaranteed contracts, while the players are obviously against all of these points.

What to say: Looks like the NBA owners want a collective bargaining agreement that is more like the NFL model. Considering the NFL is the most successful sports league in America, maybe it isn’t such a bad plan. I mean, why should players get guaranteed contracts and make millions even if they don’t pan out?!

The Handshake Dilemma

Story:  After San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh and Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz got into it during their post game handshake, football enthusiasts are debating whether the post game handshake should become a tradition of the past.  Vanderbilt coach James Franklin and UGA Defensive Coordinator Todd Grantham also had to be separated last weekend. Apparently even grown men cannot be civil in the heat of the moment.

What to say: I think the handshake is essential to teaching their players about the importance of sportsmanship and also how to handle a loss with grace and humility. However, this is an emotional sport and sometimes losses, especially close ones, hit hard. Maybe they should keep the tradition with a twist and have them shake hands in the media room after cooling off in the locker room.

2011 World Series

Story:  The St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers will go head-to head in the 2011 World Series. The Rangers are headed back for their second consecutive year. On the flip side, the Cardinals are on this crazy run which saw them getting a wild card spot in the play-offs and now has them headed to the World Series.

What to say: I’m not necessarily a fan of either ball club (unless of course you are and then you have better lines to spout out than me) but you have to like both of their stories. The Rangers took 50 years to make a World Series game (2010) and now they are back for their second time in as many seasons. The Cardinals have the ultimate underdog story where they barely made the play-offs and many are saying they are lucky to even be here, but hey- they could now win a World Series!

Over-signing is sometimes a necessity for college coaches who have to proactively think about academic qualifications, medical hardships, and transfers of their recruits/players. It goes without saying that a coach will want to be as close as possible to the 85 roster limit when fall practice rolls around. So, often times they will consider on average how many recruits and players are typically lost after National Signing Day and over-sign to counteract that very common occurrence.

But what happens if you over-sign and not enough recruits go through medical hardship or fail to qualify? Well, much like an airline that has over sold their flight, recruits or players will be bumped and scholarships revoked. There is a rising concern for student athletes that could have signed elsewhere had they known they were on the cusp or would be the first man cut with their school of choice.

This was a hot topic amongst the SEC presidents and coaches during spring meetings. “Roster Management,” as it is often referred to, raises questions such as “Should there be a limit on scholarships each institution can offer in a given year?”, “Should recruits be guaranteed a four-year scholarship, so that they cannot be dropped mid-college-career to make room on the roster?”, “Should the roster be set further in advance than fall practice, so that cut players have the opportunity to apply elsewhere over the summer?” Currently, the SEC has voted in a 25-signee limit for its member institutions, hoping programs will choose wisely the recruits they sign. Although, it will not completely do away with over-signing, which many view as a necessity, some believe it will lead to smarter decision-making.

This will continue to be a point of discussion not only for the SEC, but for the NCAA as well. What are your thoughts? Over-signing: is it a smart philosophy by college coaches or unfair to the student athlete?

Here is my take by the way: schools should not be allowed to dramatically over-sign. How you police that, I don’t know. I understand every coach in America cringes when I say that, but if there are a crazy amount of medical hardships or players that transfer or prospects that don’t qualify, those spots should be filled by walk-ons. I find it to be a disservice to the student athlete that you can snatch his scholarship away his Junior year after you have made promises to offer a college education. And don’t give me the argument of “just like in business, if you don’t do your job you get fired.” You can’t talk out of both sides of your mouth and say “this is a scholarship opportunity and these are not ‘employees’ that is why they don’t get paid” and then use the good-ol’ “do your job” argument when you want to cut someone. When you are recruiting don’t take chances on kids with poor grades that may not qualify. Maybe that will motivate our high school athletes to take school more seriously instead of just focusing on the football ride. At the end of the day when you recruit someone, you are taking a chance on them just like they are taking a chance on you. They become a part of your TEAM, your FAMILY, so treat them as such. I have no problem with over-signing by one or two, because inevitably there will be a medical hardship or a transfer, but I don’t like to see over-signing in a gross amount. If schools want athletes to keep their commitments, they should start by keeping their own.

But, seriously, enough about my opinion. What’s yours?

A movie could not have scripted this any better. In dramatic fashion yesterday, the US Women’s Soccer Team advanced past Brazil and into the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup. If you woke up this morning and heard the U.S. won, you may not be experiencing the same elation the rest of us are. Afterall, the U.S. team is ranked #1 in the world and is a favorite to win it all, but let me fill in the colors of why this match will go down as one of the greatest and most awe-inspiring soccer matches ever played by a U.S. team:

While the U.S team is ranked #1 in the world, in recent weeks they have struggled, so it seemed in this particular match-up that the #3 ranked team from Brazil was actually going in as the favorites. The Americans go up early with a 1-0 score and held the lead throughout most of the game, but late in regulation play a red card was issued on U.S. player Rachel Buehler giving Brazil a penalty kick. Replays on television suggested that the red card was not warranted, but in heroic fashion U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo blocks the penalty kick. At this point the ref full on joins team Brazil and in fact becomes the best player on their team. The U.S. receives a yellow card for encroachment (also a suspect call according to tv analysts) and Brazil gets a do-over and makes the second try. drat!

Into over time we go….

May I remind you, the Americans at this point are playing down one player due to the erroneous red card. Brazil’s most well-known player, Marta, scores first in overtime. Only problem is, a missed off-sides call is what allowed her to score. At this point I am screaming at the TV and twitter-land is blowing up with tweets about the horrible officiating. The clock is ticking down and  things do not look good for the Americans. When the play clock gets under five minutes in soccer, it is like having 60 seconds left in a football game to drive 100 yards. Do-able, but very difficult. This is also about the time that Brazilian player Erika, in a despicable display of poor sportsmanship, decides to fake an injury to run time off of the clock. She wastes close to four minutes of time, during which a stretcher comes out to take her off the field. After being carted off, she un-straps herself, hops down and re-joins the team. Disgusting! My best friend at this point is texting me saying “Brazil is a disgrace.” Time runs out.

There is hope- in soccer the referees can add time back on the clock for time lost due to injury. They add three minutes of play time to the clock. The crowd has completely turned on the fan-favorite Brazil team. Audience members from all over the world are chanting “USA, USA, USA!!!!”  I have chills. However, as I mentioned three minutes is very little time in soccer, but the man-down Americans are gritty and determined. They do not give in. In the 122nd minute U.S. veteran player Abby Wambach head butted in a LEFT-FOOTED pass from Megan Rapinoe. HEAD BUTTED! Does that say bad-a** to anyone else?! It is the latest goal scored in a Women’s World Cup match ever.

We’re headed for a shootout!

Each team gets five kicks in a shootout. Here is how this went down:
U.S.A scores 1
Brazil scores 1
U.S.A scores 1
Brazil scores 1
U.S.A scores 1
HOPE SOLO BLOCKS BRAZIL KICK!!!!! Sweet justice for Solo after having a block called back earlier in the game!
U.S.A scores 1
Brazil scores 1
U.S.A scores 1
No need for Brazil to shoot. AMERICANS WIIIIIIIINNNN!!!! *I start singing patriotic tunes*

So, on the 12th anniversary of a stunning United States World Cup victory over China  (also a dramatic match-up) the American women launch themselves into the semi-finals and Solo, Wambach and Rapinoe become the new Mia Hamms, Brandy Chastains and Briana Scurrys. The women play France on Wednesday (11:30 EST). Put on your red, white and blue and warm up your USA chant. With the momentum from this game, I think our women can win it all! 

With the NFL and NBA lockouts, what is a sporty girl to do when she wants some good ol’ fashioned lunch time reading? Go to her second love…GOSSIP! I give you PINKCleats first edition of Sideline Gossip! Who is dating who, which athletes are now single, and any other juicy tidbits of gossip to get you through the slow summer hours at work. Let’s give it a whirl!

Young Love

Hayden Panettiere and Scotty McKnight:

The Hollywood starlet is rumored to be dating the Jet’s 7th round pick out of the University of Colorado, Wide Receiver Scotty McKnight. Not too long ago Panettiere was linked to fellow Jet Mark Sanchez, but it seems Sanchez and McKnight are actually childhood friends, so she was probably just hanging with the crew. The budding relationship is moving pretty fast. Panettiere met the family a couple of weeks ago when she attended a Newport Beach retirement party for Scotty’s dad. Thoughts on this one? I think they are cute!

Reggie Bush and Melissa Molinaro:

Molinaro is a D-list actress, but word on the street is that she has a pop album coming out some time in 2011. She has appeared in Making the Band 3, Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search For the Next Doll, and an Old Navy commercial where she plays what seems to be a Kim Kardashian-like reality star character. You can watch the commercial here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drCTL8oTHo8. It comes as no surprise that many are gawking at the clear similarities between Molinaro and Bush’s ex Kardashian.  My opinion? They look alike….a lot alike, but who cares? People have types in this world and Molinaro is hot!

Headed to the Chapel

Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries:

You have all heard by now that Kim Kardashian is marrying New Jersey Nets basketballer Kris Humphries, but who doesn’t like to talk WEDDING DETAILS?! The dress designer of choice is rumored to be Vera Wang. Can’t go wrong there. She will wear one dress for the wedding and another for the reception.  Kim is going to take the last name of her new husband, much to the reality-tv-branding-disapproval of her mother. According to TMZ, Kim has a deal with Platinum Motorsports in L.A. to provide wedding day  transportation to both sides of the family by Rolls Royce Phantoms and Maybachs. Supposedly this will be a Summer wedding, so this shindig should be going off any week now. My thoughts? These Kardashian girls sure like to date, get engaged and get married in under one year. Seemed to work for Khloe though. This duo will definitely walk down the aisle before the NBA lockout is over. Kim is ready to be a court side wife!

Love Triangle

A-Rod and his blonde beauties:

New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez has reportedly been hitting on the beautiful Christie Brinkley. One slight problem….he is still officially tied to girlfriend Cameron Diaz. Brinkley was A-Rod’s guest at a recent ballgame and he supposedly told her he was “unattached.” Rodriguez is shooting down the rumors, saying the two are “just friends.” Wait a minute. Weren’t you and Madonna “just friends” when you were still married? We’ll just have to see how this one plays out. What do I think? At 57 Brinkley is still stunning, but I don’t think A-Rod will like the fact that until last week it seems she was a Red Sox fan. I  think by mid-fall he will be on to his next conquest and neither of these ladies will be in the picture.

 Headed Nowhere

 Roy Williams and Brooke Daniels:

Dallas Cowboy Roy Williams has finally gotten back his $76,000 engagement ring from former Miss Texas USA, Brooke Daniels, after she turned down his February proposal. Williams had to actually file a law suit to get the ring back. I am somewhat shocked at that. She said no! She needs to give back the ring. She even pulled the ol’ “I lost it” line, but the ring turned up rather quickly when a lawsuit was filed. My thoughts? This smells of a gold-digger situation. Date an athlete for his money- however, when it boils down to it you don’t really want to be with him, but you don’t want to give the ring back either.

So let’s hear it folks- do you like the light reading of some solid athlete gossip? Comment below and let us know what you would like more of- genuine sports stories, tailgate recipes, sporty fashion watch or sideline gossip? Until next time, may your grass always be green and your cleats always be PINK! I’m out.

Top 3 topics your men are discussing:

1. NFL Lockout

This is a labor dispute between the team owners and the players. In the previous collective bargaining agreement the owners took $1 billion from the total revenue and the new agreement proposes they will take $2.4 billion off the top, then the rest would be shared. Players don’t want them to take the additional off the top, because that is less they can split. Also, they would like to see a 50-50 split after the initial portion is taken from the pie. The owners have proposed a 51-49 split.

The $1 billion dollars off the top goes to various operating costs. With the additional funds, the owners can upgrade facilities, put more into marketing, and all the other business-y expansions one typically thinks of. Some players do recognize that down the line, these investments mean more revenue and a higher salary for all. The NFL is the most successful professional sports league in the world, so one would assume the owners know how to invest the money wisely. Others are obviously not for it.

Also on the table is the proposition of a rollback on salary caps by 18%, meaning teams must spend 18% less on player salaries. The 18% wouldn’t be a direct hit to all players salaries. In my opinion, the starters would get the same pay, the lower tier guys would take the hit.

The NFL Players’ Association wasn’t having any of that and won’t agree to the CBA. The owners won’t budge either, thus the lockout. With no contract in place, there is not a business arrangement between employee and employer, so essentially the owners are saying “don’t come to work until we can agree on the terms of your employment.” Stalemate.

Key talking points with the guys:

* The proposal of an 18 game season means less pay for more games, and more potential risk to the body (the athlete’s money maker). Players not likey this so much.

* Previously, stadium and facility expansion was often partially funded by the government (tax payer dollars). The idea being that it would create jobs- construction, stadium employees, etc… In this recession, that ain’t happenin’ anymore. So, owners want more money to expand.

*$1 billion split amongst the 32 teams is $31,250,000. That sounds like a lot to you and I, but stadium reconstruction and facility upgrades can be hundreds of millions. $2.4 billion gives each franchise $75,000,000.

* Things don’t go the players way, they can retaliate by not performing to the best of their ability, which would be hard to prove.

* The players are not asking for MORE money. Just the same amount of money to be allocated to player salaries.

*The owners can hold out longer, because their TV deals were pre-negotiated and that revenue is still coming in. The players just won’t be earning anything.

* Who suffers most are the stadium workers, the ticket takers, the front office staff. They will be put on furlough or let go. Then the cities are hurt, because with no games they lose out on the economic impact. Next the low tier players and coaches will feel the effects.

* It is likely that the players will cave first. The average player career is 3 years and some months. If you sit out a year, you are  gambling a third of your career (and lifetime earnings) to make more money. The star players are sitting out for nothing, just to band together with the “fraternity”. They’ll be the first to want to negotiate. Checkmate, owners.

2. Buster Posey- Out for the Season with leg/ankle injury.

Why is this a big deal? Players are hurt all the time.

Well, he is the 2010 National Rookie of the Year and you hate to say anyone does something single-handedly, but he certainly was a major player in leading the San Francisco Giants to their first World Series Championship since 1954 (when they were the New York Giants).

The defending champs have kissed their season goodbye along with their star player. He is their most effective tool on offense and they don’t really have a viable replacement at catcher- just a few guys that are meant to be backups. The catcher is one of the most important positions- you are the leader on defense and you must have rapport with all the pitchers to be successful.

Furthermore, it is just plain sad to see a rising star, one that could potentially launch himself into the leagues of storied baseball players, go down in what is now a debated play at home plate. (FYI- the base runner has every right to run into the catcher if they are in the baseline). Most in the media say it was a clean hit. I have seen some photos that could suggest otherwise, but you never really know if the angle of the photographer has something to do with that. Either way, you hate to see such a rare talent go down.

Can I also add, that the heart-ache is exacerbated by the fact that he is a doll? Just a nice guy that epitomizes All-American baseball. But I digress…

My ultimate concern is that he will never play the same way again. A catcher spends much of his time in a squatted position. Take it from someone with a history of ankle injuries, that is a very uncomfortable position if you have old nagging injuries in that area. Of course, sports rehab at that level and in this day and time is pretty incredible, so here’s hoping that Buster will have a full recovery and a bright future!

#3 The Ohio State Saga:

This thing just gets worse and worse. Here’s what you need to know going into this: if you are an NCAA student athlete you cannot receive extra benefits that any general student at that school would not receive. If it isn’t available to the scholarship flute player, the scholarship football player can’t get it.

Well, Ohio State players have been running around town getting things for free or at grossly exaggerated discounts for longer than the institution wants to admit.  In fact, Ohio State as an institution doesn’t really admit to anything. They just throw up their hands and say “well, we had no idea….” Except they did. And now it is coming out that they did.

Things just went from bad to really bad. If the coach, or athletics administrators know the players are in violation of NCAA bylaws and 1. don’t put a stop to it and 2. don’t report it, then they are in a world of trouble. For one it shows that they lack institutional control of their athletes. Secondly, it shows they are dishonest with the NCAA. Punishment, whether it be loss of scholarships, revoking wins, players sitting out games or bowl ineligibility will certainly be worse if you play the NCAA.

Not only have players been getting discounts on cars and tattoos, but they have been selling their rings and other gear for money. Those items are not meant for re-sale because then suddenly the student athlete can make profit from their role, when the general student can’t. There is a lot of background as to why they don’t want players making a salary or getting extra benefits- competitive advantage for “rich” programs, it is about the holistic education which includes physical education, there is a forum to get paid in the major leagues if you are of that caliber- but none of that matters right now. What matters is what the rules are now. Not whether you want them to change. As of right now, they are breaking a whole lot of rules and penalty will follow.

The question is….how much penalty. Ohio State along with USC and a few select other programs are the darlings of the NCAA. The NCAA better come hard because every single school who has been in trouble for similar events is waiting to see what happens to the Buckeyes. So far in my opinion the whole thing has been ridiculous. The players in question were allowed to play in their bowl game, but have to sit out games this coming season. Their punishment was delayed. WTH. You don’t see that happen anywhere else. As more revelations have been brought to light in recent weeks, it will be interesting to see if they get a slap on the wrist or if the penalty is comparable to similar infractions at other institutions. Stay tuned….

It’s happened to all of us. The teams we love, cherish, revere, pray to the Football Gods about, lose hard. We’re not talking a close game, or a loss in a game that is irrelevant…they get creamed in an important game. This leaves us loyal fans with feelings of total despair, anguish, and in many cases, severe depression. 

Let’s take the example of my beloved Atlanta Falcons. What a year! The team goes 13-3, garners a bye for the first round of the playoffs, and….womp, womp, womp… loses hard to the Green Bay Packers. I couldn’t read ESPN.com, NFL.com, SI.com, or any other sports related website for a week, ESPN was banned on my TV, and I couldn’t look at my Falcons clothes without a tear in my eye. I mean, I can only just now write about it. However, I will say this – my love for those dirty birds remains strong and true, and now that I’ve had some time to process the loss, they had a pretty darn incredible season, especially given how far from the playoffs they were just a few years ago.

While yesterday’s loses weren’t as bad, I am sure a lot of Bears and Jets fans feel my pain today. I believe there are three stages in mourning the loss of a major game, whether it is football, basketball, hockey, soccer, lacrosse, or any other sport you hold dear to your heart.

Stage One: Mourning 

Everyone has to go through the mourning phase. I did it in a way that included not reading anything sports related and banning SportsCenter from my TV for a full week. Others release tears of pain, disavow their team (temporarily), and talk about all the things that should have happened and could have happened. It’s a personal process for everyone. Amen. 

Stage Two: Reality Sets In 

When you finally peek your head up out of the hole you’ve been living in for a week or two without reading or hearing about sports, you can finally come to terms with what has happened. Your team lost. Say it with me now…the season is (gasp!) over, or, you lost the big game that was just so important. You realize, ‘hey, it happens to the best of the best, and they just can’t win ‘em all.’ With these realizations and the acceptance of reality, you can prepare to move on to the all-important stage three. 

Stage Three: Gearing Up for Next Season:

When you’ve fully recovered, you can pull out your jersey again, and paint your face in your team’s colors and get ready for the next season. You’ll be discussing facts, figures, draft probabilities, and of course, saying “this is our year!” 

So, as we here at PINKCleats prepare for the end of the NFL season, wave goodbye to college football season, and look ahead to basketball, hockey, and baseball, we say cheers to you and your favorite teams! And hey, what’s life without being a die-hard fan.  

Make sure to leave us comments, and follow us on Twitter @PINKCleats and ‘Like’ us on Facebook!

Let me preface this story by pointing out that this is not a “most talented” or “most liked” college quarterback list. It is 100% superficial. We wanted to find the hottest dudes. The idea came about, because I kept watching men gawk at women- hottest cheerleaders, Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues, best looking dance team girls. Search the internet and you will find these lists everywhere. Well, dadgummit, if the men can stare for pure physical attraction, so can we!

I present to you, the 2010 Hottest College Quarterbacks. Enjoy Ladies.

10. Darron Thomas, Oregon

This quarterback boasts the top pass efficiency rating in the Pac-10, was a finalist for the Davey O’Brien award, and oh yeah one small thing….he is playing for a National Championship. I have to admit though, Darron leans more toward the “cute” side than “hot” side, but he is only a sophomore, so we have some time to watch this young man grow up. He is adorable. That smile warms your heart. Makes you want to pinch his cheeks.

9. Taylor Martinez, Nebraska

Taylor cracks into the top 10 despite the fact that his headshot on the Nebraska website is just so-so. Check out the images below and you will see why. This dual threat quarterback started out strong in the 2010 season, but the sizzle of his game kind of fizzled after an ankle injury. There was then some drama as to whether or not he quit the team following a public berating by coach, Bo Pelini.  Nevertheless, this freshman (yes, I said freshman) has a jaw line to die for. Check him out.

8. Jake Locker, Washington

Not only is Locker a starting quarterback that was on the Davey O’Brien watch list this season, but he has been drafted twice into the ranks of Minor League Baseball. He is under contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, so technically he is a walk on with the football team at Washington, not a scholarship receiving player. I love boys that can pull off both football britches and baseball pants. It’s Hot!

7. Chandler Harnish, Northern Illinois

Chandler leads the MAC in pass efficiency and recently started in his third bowl game in his collegiate career. This time the Huskies came away with a win and we come away swooning for this mid-western looker with the flirty sideways smile. The body ain’t bad either.

6. Russell Wilson, North Carolina State

Another multi-sport hottie, Russell Wilson is the star of the football team and was also drafted last Spring by the Colorado Rockies. Russell is a straight up athlete- good at everything he attempts. He can run the ball, he can throw the ball, he can bat the ball, and he looks good doing it! Russell is undecided as to whether or not he will return for his Senior year at NC State or enter the NFL draft. Just in case he doesn’t stick around, let’s get one last look at this babe in his football uni.

5. Nathan Scheelhaase, Illinois

Talk about year of the Freshman, Nathan has been making waves in the Big 10 this season and truly put life back into the Fighting Illini offense. He sure is easy on the eyes.

4. Dayne Crist, Notre Dame

Unfortunately we didn’t get to see this hottie suit up much in the 2010 season. After beginning the year as the starter for the Fighting Irish, he suffered a season ending knee injury. At this point the coaching staff is unsure if he will earn his starting job back for the 2011 season. We’ll nurse you back to health though Dayne! Man, even injured he is smokin’!

3. Christian Ponder, Florida State

A fan favorite when we asked you all to write in votes, Christian is a real looker! He received the most votes by far from our followers. Florida State has had a fine line of beautiful QBs in the 2000s, and we at PINKCleats say “Thank you Seminoles. Whatever you are doing on the recruiting front is workin’ for us.” Christian has had a solid career at Florida State that unfortunately has been riddled with injuries. When injury free (shoulder, and elbow) he will be an NFL team’s dream pro style quarterback. Here’s to hoping he stays healthy, both for the future of his career and so we can continue to watch him suit up for many years to come!

2. Cam Newton, Auburn

Remember this is not about most liked quarterbacks, but strictly about the looks, and face it- Cam is Hot! My personal opinions about his situation have been detailed in a previous blog, but he has a million dollar smile that just has us saying “Damn, he is good lookin’!” He is a Heisman winner, has stats that are out of this world, is playing in a National Title game and is totally dreamy.

and drum roll please……….

1. Kirk Cousins, Michigan State

Let. The. Pictures. Do. The. Talking.

WOWZA! Are you sure that is a football player that has been tackled, battered and bruised? Looks more like an Abercrombie model to us. My best friend and I have been putting together our own hottest QBs list for years, and we have some pretty distinguished alumni: Tom Brady, Brady Quinn, Kyle Boller….and who could forget Adam Tafralis? I know I haven’t. Let me just give you a sneak peak at the text conversation between the BFF and myself:

Me: “Hottest QB winner for 2010- Kirk Cousins. Google. Now.”

BFF: “Oh My God. Agreed.”

On the field Kirk has the highest percentage of completed career passes in Michigan State history. Michigan had Tom Brady, now the Spartans have Kirk Cousins. Man that is one hot state! We HAD to give you a few extra pictures of this babe. See below.

Congrats to our 2010 Hottest College Quarterback KIRK COUSINS! Can’t wait to start our 2011 research. And oh, ladies….you’re welcome

Looking for some last-minute gift ideas? PINKCleats has the answer for you…Original Retro Brand. The line combines classic team logos with vintage team logos for a look that feels totally fresh. Face it- vintage is in! Women and men alike will adore being gifted some throwback style this holiday season. I can’t rave enough about this brand. First of all, it is the softest material you will touch in your entire life. Secondly, they have their bases covered as they offer tees, long sleeve, sweatshirts, jackets, shorts, pants and more. Lastly, the stuff is just plain COOL.  I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

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Background to educate my ladies:

NCAA student athletes cannot in any way shape or form receive extra benefits to participate in collegiate athletics. This is for two main reasons: 1. it keeps a competitive playing field, as “rich” schools would then just be able to buy the good players; 2. it protects the integrity of collegiate athletics. This is supposed to be about the holistic experience of learning, physical education is a part of that, thus schools can give an educational opportunity to individuals with special athletic talents. From the NCAA’s point of view, college athletics is technically “amateur sports”. If you want to get paid, there is a forum for that in professional sports, if you are good enough to get there.

Why does this matter in the Cam Newton case? Well, his dad tried to bribe schools. This is not a direct quote, but basically the deal was- “If you want my son to come play, you have to pay for him.” An exchange of money here, would make Newton a professional athlete, because he is garnering a “salary”, it would make his dad his agent, and it would make him lose his amateur status, therefore making him ineligible for college ball.

But Auburn fans cry “Hold up a minute! He didn’t know what his dad was doing! Don’t send a kid to jail because his dad committed a crime.” Well, War Eagles, just like in the court of law every ruling sets judicial precedent and every NCAA ruling sets precedent for the future of collegiate athletics. For those of you who don’t know, the NCAA rushed an investigation that honestly should have taken years, said they felt Newton didn’t know what his dad was up to, and deemed him eligible.

Well, here in lies the problem- every kid who wants to get “paid” will have mommy and daddy do their dirty work and say they “didn’t know”. The NCAA has set a precedent…a bad one at that. Maybe Cam didn’t know (although I find that highly unlikely), and if that was the case I feel bad for the guy, but the NCAA needed to make his family an example and not create this loophole. At this point we need to give Reggie Bush his Heisman back and he needs to publicly declare “I didn’t know that my family took money from USC. I just thought we won the lottery.”

By the way- what would happen if the NCAA had ruled differently? All of Auburn’s wins this year would be vacated (meaning it comes off their win record, but does not then go onto their opponent’s win record. It is like the game didn’t happen), because Auburn would’ve played in ineligible player. Newton would also not be allowed to participate in the SEC championship tomorrow, nor in their bowl (potentially National Championship).

I guess the NCAA went on the theory of don’t punish a man for his father’s crimes, although in my mind regardless of whether or not the family took the money, he had someone acting as his agent, which would also deem the kid ineligible. Student athletes cannot have agents or have contact with agents. I’m not the only one with these opinions. Facebook and Twitter are blowing up with similar minded posts. See below (names removed):

1.  so you can pay a kid’s parents for the kid to play at a school and as long as you don’t pay the kid directly, then its ok? Why rule the kid ineligible and the reinstate him the same day? hmmmm..sounds little fishy if you ask me considering the NCAA decided they will look into Cam-Gate at Auburn “after” the season is over..the dude stole a laptop already what other evidence do you need?!

2. It sounds sweet, maybe, but look at the door the NCAA has possibly opened…now any recruit can utilize a 3rd party to solicit pay for play and, if caught/turned in, they won’t be in trouble as long as they supposedly didn’t know about it.

And hey, if a son supposedly doesn’t know and isn’t connected to what a father (who made the decision for Cam) is doing for his recruiting then how do you tie any other 3rd party to an athlete??? Think past this incident and Auburn.

3. HS football parents everywhere just got $$$ signs in their eyes- “My kid doesn’t know about this, but feel free to pay the family *wink*wink*”

4.  NCAA ruling on Cam Newton is going to plague the NCAA for years. I have to imagine recruits parents around the world are being put on payrolls as we speak!

5. This is the beginning of the end for the NCAA.

6. Man someone would have to be the dumbest summa b*tch alive to think he had NO knowledge of his pops shopping him around.

7.  I’m changing my last name to Newton cause I want to get away with stuff too…lol!

8.  I guess that it’s okay to ask for money for sell your kid, just send Jr. upstairs and don’t let him hear your demand for money from the college recruits, and it’s okay. Come on!!!

9.  Cam Newton, Auburn QB, SEEMS to be a nice guy to me, but I can’t believe that the NCAA has cleared him to play. Although his father has admitted that he asked for cash for his son’s services, the NCAA has decided that Cam wasn’t aware, and therefore is eligible. What?? Now any parent can try to sell their son to a school as long as he doesn’t know about it (wink, wink)

10. HIS FATHER IS FOUND TO HAVE BROKE RULES IN THE PAY-FOR-PLAY SCANDAL!!! So now, the NCAA has set a precedent that as long as the student player can claim he “didn’t know” then the student can be okay to play, creating a huge loophole for parents who possess influence to still violate rules.

We are entering a dangerous era in collegiate athletics. Kids getting paid (via their parents), then olympic sport athletes saying “what about me?’, Title IX debates are sure to follow as schools aren’t going to pay for female athletes. Get ready for the circus my friends. This is not going away, but easily could have had the NCAA upheld rules they set forth to prevent this very situation.

And again, I honestly feel for Auburn fans. They were shamed too by the Newton family. Forever their successes this year will be tainted by this sCAMdal. I love watching powerhouses make a comeback, I posted several times earlier this year that Cam should win the Heisman, but Tigers you know you want these prizes with a clear conscience. Auburn CHOSE to play him knowing this back story. It’s tough to be a fan only to feel like your team should have done their due diligence to investigate before playing a guy. At the end of the day though, you all may have the last laugh. At this point, Cam, with blessing from the NCAA can play.