Tim Tebow's Concussion: The Day the Earth Stood Still

I don't want to get into too much about this but didn't your heart just drop when you saw Tim Tebow laying on the field almost motionless after being hit hard in last Saturday's matchup between the Gators and Kentucky. For so long, the intrigue about Tebow was his ability to take hard hits and even give them and stay in the game as if nothing happened. His nickname is Superman and I think too many people began to take it almost literally before last weekend when they saw their hero taken down and sent to the hospital with a concussion. Even if you're not a Gator fan, you must have been affected in some way. The Kryptonite play which left football fans talking illustrated that Tebow is human like the rest of us; but it also in a way helps football fans who don't neccessarily like the Gators appreciate what Tebow has done throughout his career. He is the most talented and physical Quarterback in the history of college football. With two national championships under his belt and having won the Heisman trophy his sophomore year, Timothy has given Gator fans bragging rights for the next decade. This hit on Tebow, which for Gator fans will be known as the day the earth stood still, will inevitably help him. Why? Because many who vote on the Heisman will look back and say, wow, even after a concussion Tim Tebow returned to lead his team to an undefeated season and SEC championship.

Serena Williams' Reputation Not Hurt After "Bullygate"

Serena Williams lashed out at a lines person in the semi-finals of the U.S. Open for being called on a foot fault down one set and 6-5 in the second set with Kim Clijsters up 30-15. She threatened the lines judge and although she did, I don't think her reputation will be hurt by the incident. Athletes and non-athletes alike probably understand why she lashed out although many people of course would have preferred her to keep her cool. My first blog regarding Serena's meltdown came soonafter it occurred, long before I had the opportunity to actually hear what she said (courtesy of audio enhancement). I had no idea Serena told the lines judge that she would shove the ball down her throat. If I did, I would have thought twice before jumping to her defense. Serena must realize she is looked up to by many young athletes; not just girls but by all young aspiring tennis stars. Serena also has to realize those young aspiring athletes watch not only her exceptional play but her dispositions as well.

Serena never apologized to the lines judge. What she said was she could have handled it differently. I don't fault her lackluster apology. I do however wish she would have apologized directly to the fans because her behavior was unacceptable. It was unacceptable when McEnroe used to do it and it's unacceptable for her as well. But the truth of the matter is John McEnroe is celebrated mostly because of his play and also his aggressive nature on the court. I think his behavior took away from the game and highlighted all the attention on his ability to swear. At the end of the day, I'm a fan of Serena and I don't want an incident like this to be part of the legacy of the Williams sisters. But it didn't hurt McEnroe's legacy overall and it won't hurt Serena Williams.

Controversial Exit for Serena Williams

I can't believe a foot fault was called on Serena Williams in the semi-finals of the U.S. Open. In the second set of the semi-finals match between Belgian comeback player Kim Clijsters and 11 time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, (with Clijsters up one set) a lines judge called a foot fault on Williams with her down 15-30 and 6-5 in the set. How unbelievable!!!!!!!!! Williams supposedly made threatening comments to the judge who was obviously trying to get back at her for the earlier strike against Serena in the match. It totally ruined the win for Clijsters whose comeback story has inspired mothers all over the world who have children that they can have a family and be competitive at their professions.

Considering only Serena and the lines judge truly know what was said it would have been a better respect of the game had the judge waited until the match was over to report Williams if what the judge claimed was true; then Serena would have been fined later. This U.S. Open will now forever be marked by this ugly incident. Clearly the foot fault was an act of revenge for any comments Serena made earlier. Even the play by play announcer who I believe was a McEnroe brother said that there was no foot fault. I am very disappointed watching this semi-final considering it was delayed a day because of rain.

This now repeats a trend with bad calls against the Williams sisters which have been made in the past. You will now get people saying the call was made because of race which will diminish what Clijsters has accomplished. Watching Mary Jo Fernandez interview Clijsters was uncomfortable because it was clear she thought the match should have been completed with Clijsters up a set and 40-15 with a double match point which would have inevitably been won by Kim. This story will continue after the U.S. Open is over and it is not what the sport needs.

With the rise of 17 year old American sensation Melanine Oudin and the return of Kim Clijsters, women's tennis was moving in a better direction. It was moving far from all the controversy which came with the underlying negative racial undertones of the Williams' sisters success. Serena Williams is undoubtedly the best women's player of our present time and whatever happened in the moment she deserved to finish the match. She's a competitor and of course she was upset by the call (which was likely a bad call.) But for respect of the game and for the respect of Clijsters who worked her butt off to beat Serena, the lines judge should have waited until the match was over to report Williams.