Sports
Diet Mtn Dew ft. Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Super Bowl Ad)
Here’s an early look at the new Diet Mountain Dew ad spot set to premiere during Super Bowl XLVIII, featuring race car driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. It features the NASCAR star taking it up a notch after hearing his signature “Dale Call”.
Jan 31st
Purina Pro Plan MANning vs. Dog Challenge
Two-time professional football champion Eli Manning and several athletic dogs demonstrated that our four legged friends are naturally incredible athletes at the “Purina® Pro Plan® MANning vs. DOG Challenge” leading up to the Big Game. This made-for-media competition featured Manning and other human athletes pitted against highly athletic dogs in a variety of physical challenges, including flying disc, weave pole races and high-speed man vs. dog races.
Manning was joined by Dr. Brian Zanghi, Nestle Purina® Canine Sports Nutrition Researcher, and one of the key developers of the Purina® Pro Plan® SPORT PRiME and ReFUEL nutritional supplement bars. Dr. Zanghi discussed the science behind proper canine nutrition, and how the PRiME and ReFUEL nutritional supplement bars can be used to help active canines fuel, perform, and recover safely.
Jan 29th
Marshall Faulk and Other NFL Greats Ask #WhosGonnaWin
This week Verizon is getting you involved in Super Bowl Week with #WhosGonnaWin. Fans have enjoyed watching NFL teams light up scoreboards all season long, but during Super Bowl week, fans will be the ones lighting up the Empire State Building as part of Verizon’s WhosGonnaWin program, the first-ever social media-driven light show on the world’s most iconic building, in partnership with Empire State Realty Trust.
The five-night series, curated by the Empire State Building’s world-renowned lighting designer Marc Brickman, will showcase the colors of the two Super Bowl XLVIII teams, the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks, based on fans’ tweets to the question #WhosGonnaWin. Flipping the switch nightly will be current NFL stars Drew Brees and Matt Forte, along with NFL Hall of Famers Barry Sanders, Curtis Martin and Marshall Faulk, who will be flipping the switch on Tuesday to start the show.
Each day leading up to the Super Bowl, Verizon will pose a game-related question on Twitter to fans using the custom hashtag #WhosGonnaWin. The Twitter conversations surrounding the questions will be tracked throughout the day, and Verizon will turn the fans’ predictions into a spectacular nightly light show. The show will begin at 6 p.m. each evening, and open with a ceremony of lights celebrating the colors of all 32 NFL teams. The opening ceremony will end in Verizon’s iconic red.
At 6:55 p.m., the results show, an orchestrated visual concert set to music provided by NFL Films will begin. The show will be comprised of real-time data from the day’s conversation which will be translated into a stunning sequence, with the colors of the winning team ebbing and flowing depending on the votes throughout the day. The colors of the team which was the most prominent in the conversation during the day will dominate the skyline for the rest of the evening. The entire results show will be live-streamed at 
WhosGonnaWin.com and on NFL Mobile.
Today I spoke with Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk on which team will dominate defensively. On paper everyone is thinking that the Seahawks have the defensive edge.
When I asked Marshall who he thought would win the Super Bowl he gave told me it is anyone’s game.
“I think it can go either way. I don’t have a favorite. Usually you can look at the numbers or watch how they play common opponents. It is so tough to tell. I keep telling people that only because Peyton (Manning) is a friend of mine that I just want to see him win another Super Bowl.
Outside of that I really don’t know. I am not going to lie.” – Marshall Faulk
Follow Marshall Faulk at @marshallfaulk and go to WhosGonnaWin.com to make your voice heard!
Look out next week for my entire interview with Marshall. We discuss his playing days, Super Bowl and MVP titles and more.
Jan 28th
Chad Pennington Interview
Chad Pennington played in the NFL for eleven years. He was selected by the New York Jets in the first round in the 2000 NFL Draft. He played for the Jets then played for the Miami Dolphins. Chad won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award twice. He is the NFL’s all-time leader in career completion percentage. He is currently a color analyst for NFL telecasts on FOX.
Besides having a great career in the NFL, Chad and his wife, Robin started up the 1st and 10 Foundation. That organization was created to build stronger communities by funding programs to help improve quality of life. They are also busy with their three sons, who love to play outdoors just like their dad.
Chad and I were able to talk about his time in the NFL, winning the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award, and his foundation.
Art Eddy: Let’s first talk about your career in the NFL. You played for the Jets and the Dolphins. Both teams are in the AFC East. Do you feel that staying in that division helped your transition to the Dolphins?
Chad Pennington: I certainly had familiarity with division and with the teams that we would be playing to try and win a division crown. I also had familiarity with Bill Parcells and Dan Henning and some of the other people that were in place in Miami when I made the transition from New York to Miami.
AE: When would you say that you felt comfortable at your position after you were drafted?
CP: I think my third year was when the light bulb really went on. As a rookie you are just surviving on your college instincts. Your second year you are trying to figure out how to be a professional. By your third year you truly start to make progress as a professional. You start to contribute to your team in a positive way.
Even if you have some successful times in your first and second year, that third you I think that is when everybody starts to feel like okay I belong. This is where I am and what I need to do to have a long career.
AE: You won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award twice, becoming the only player since the awards inception to do so. What did winning that award twice personally mean to you?
CP: First it meant that both organizations that I played for when I did win those awards meant that I had great support. I had a great support system when I was trying to rehab from an injury. I had great teammates that supported me. When I came back from the injury we were able to do some special things on the field.
On a personal level it feels good that someone recognizes your hard work. It is very hard to come back from an injury. People don’t realize how much energy and time is spent just to get back on the field much less trying to play the way you are capable of playing. Playing after an injury is very, very difficult. It is a really exhausting process. To be able to win that award really meant a lot to me.
AE: Name one change the NFL has made since you entered the league that you like and one that you wish that they never had changed?
CP: I think that the game has gotten better from an entertainment standpoint. There are so many things that fans can get involved with the game and have real lifetime experiences with football. From a fan’s perspective it is really exciting.
I think with the safety of the game at some point in time we have to realize that this is a gladiator sport. It is a dangerous game. You can’t take away all the dangerous risks. That is like saying that there are no car wrecks in NASCAR. It is just going to happen.
I think the league is taking the appropriate steps to make it a safer game. We just have to be very careful that we are not taking away the integrity of the game as far as how this game is supposed to be played. As players we need to know that going in. We know what those risks are. To act like that we are not aware of concussions or that we are not aware of some of the things that go on is wrong as well. We got to make sure that we stay on that fine line and make it as safe as possible, but also realize that there is a risk in playing the game of football.
AE: You have played in the playoffs in your career. How much is the stress level heightened come playoff time?
CP: The excitement is certainly at a different level. The pace of game. The energy. The intensity of the two teams playing is at a different level. The winner goes on and the loser goes home. There is a finality to your season with that playoff game. It is the one time in the year that everyone is playing like there is no tomorrow.
I think that is why fans gravitate towards the playoffs as well as the players. At the end of the day when you take away all the frills of the NFL, the entertainment value, and all those types of things as a player that is truly what you are playing for. It is to win the Lombardi Trophy and be called world champion.
AE: Tell me a bit about your foundation and what type of events you guys do annually?
CP: The 1st and 10 Foundation was started with my wife, Robin and me in 2003. Our ultimate goal was to improve the quality of life in the areas we contribute. Those areas would be East Tennessee, Southern West Virginia, and the Tri-State area. We were able to establish a grant program in 2006. Since that inception we have been able to grant more than 1 million dollars to those geographical areas because of our donors and supporters.
The neat thing about our foundation is that all administrative calls are taken care of. Every donated dollar goes back into what we are trying to support. Our foundation is your foundation. That is what we always say. If you gave a dollar to the foundation we take a lot of pride to make sure that your hard earned dollar is put back to where it is supposed to be.
We got a lot of different initiatives. We have holiday parties, ticket programs, and some different things. Now that we have moved to Lexington, Kentucky we are looking at some other initiatives and programs that we really want to dive into. It has been something that we really have enjoyed these past ten years.
AE: What motivated you to start up the 1st and 10 Foundation?
CP: The first thing was when Robin’s father battled leukemia for ten months. We saw a need for patient family services with leukemia and cancer patients. It was not only for patient, him or herself going through a terrible experience, but the family is in shock. The family is trying to deal with the disease and support their loved one without having much knowledge or information. So that patient family service part is very important.
We felt like in the rural areas of East Tennessee and Southern West Virginia there are not big cities to access malls, movies, and other things to do. The community center is a source of life in these smaller areas and towns. We try to support community based programs and organizations to help many people as we can. The great thing about the community center is that affects all ages. That is what we were trying to do for the past decade.
Jan 27th
ADIDAS & NBA UNVEIL NBA ALL-STAR 2014 UNIFORMS
adidas, the official on-court apparel provider for the National Basketball Association (NBA), today unveiled the uniforms and apparel for the 63rd NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 16 in New Orleans, La.
Designed by adidas, the uniforms are inspired by New Orleans’ rich and unique culture, featuring vibrant Mardi Gras colors and shiny brass and silver accents on a short-sleeved silhouette. The NBA All-Star logo appears on the chest of the blue “East” and red “West” jerseys in the shape of the fleur-de-lis, the official symbol of Louisiana, with a purple “W” or green “E” cut out to identify the conference of each player.
“Each year, we look forward to developing a unique on-court look for the players that pays homage to the host city and adds to the excitement of this highly anticipated game,” said Chris Grancio, adidas head of global basketball sports marketing. “This year’s All-Star collection reflects New Orleans’ festive musical history while also providing the premium performance elements that NBA athletes have grown accustomed to.”
The All-Stars will take to the court in black, white and gray varsity-style warm-ups featuring conference logo patches. Each player’s jacket will be customized to represent individual career accomplishments such as NBA All-Star Game appearances and NBA All-Star MVP awards, NBA Championships, regular season accolades and scoring titles. Players will also wear shooting shirts that feature a colorful primal print.
NBA All-Star jerseys ($80 – $130) will be available at NBAStore.com in addition to a full range of NBA All-Star apparel from adidas including men’s and women’s T-shirts ($22 – $30), track jackets ($80 – $120) and headwear ($16 – $26).
Jan 16th
Dell Curry Interview
Dell Curry was one of the best shooters in the NBA during his time in the league. Curry would play either at the shooting guard position or at small forward. He played for five NBA teams, most notably for the Charlotte Hornets. In 1994 he won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award. To this day he still holds some team records.
Now working for FOX Sports as a commentator on Charlotte Bobcats television he gets to still be around the game he loves. His son, Steph Curry currently plays in the NBA for the Golden State Warriors. Like father, like son, Steph has a sweet shot and is a force to be reckoned with on the court.
I was able to talk with Dell about his time in the NBA, his son’s career in the league, and how the game has evolved.
Art Eddy: Looking back at your career in the NBA what aspect of your time in the league do you cherish the most?
Dell Curry: Just the fact that I was able to sustain a career for 16 years and that I am still friends with all my teammates and have a relationship with them. It was great to spend time with my family and watch my kids grow up while I was in the league. I still just cherish the relationships I have with some of my teammates while still living here in Charlotte.
AE: I bet you are excited that Charlotte’s team name will be the Hornets once again right? 
DC: Absolutely. It was great to play for the Hornets back then. The town was ecstatic and electric and we are trying to get that back. I can’t wait until next year when I get to say the Charlotte Hornets.
AE: For you was there a team or player that got you more hyped up than other teams or players?
DC: You better get ready for every player, every game, and every night. (Both laugh). Obviously I think everyone enjoys going up against the best players in the world. They give you the best competition and gives you something to compare your game to.
The best player that I played against while I was in the league was Michael Jordan. Anytime you played against the Bulls, back when I played, were one of the best teams in the league. They had one of the great runs in the NBA. It was always special to go up against them because you know you were going up against the best.
AE: You have such a sweet shot. How many hours a week did you just stay in the gym shooting around?
DC: (Laughs). I tried to make 500 shots a day. We shoot in practice and it wasn’t really about how many you shot, but about how many you made. That is the bottom line. You want to make as many as you can. I always tried to set up a number and try and reach that goal.
It was steady practice and I was blessed with the ability to shoot a basketball. With that said that skill was honed in on by putting in work every day. So on average I would try and make about 500 shots per day.
AE: What did winning the Sixth Man of the Year award mean to you?
DC: Well one thing is it is about consistency. It is very hard to come off the bench and be consistent on a nightly basis. That was something that I prided myself on. Everybody would love to start. I did start a few games. To have a guy come off the bench and the coach can rely on you on a nightly basis and as well as your teammates was a good thing.
Just like the starters, your teammates needed and expected your input to help win the game each night. To win it that one year and finish second a couple of years showed the consistency that I tried to play with while I was in the league.
AE: It was cool to see you and your son Steph play a game of P.I.G. last year. You showed the people at your basketball camp that you still have it by wining that game. How cool is it to see your son excel in the league just like you did?
DC: It is a father’s dream. For me to reach the highest level in that sport and make a career out of it. Having my son grow up and watch me do that and reach that level as well. To know how hard it is to get there. To have the success there that he has had is a father’s dream come true.
Also for him to be a better player than you are is great. I can still shoot that basketball. I can hold my own there, but he is a much better all-around player then me. I am very happy for him and his team right now.
AE: How do you feel the game has changed since the time you played to now?
DC: I think it is the youth of the game. We have so many young players right now. The game has gotten smaller and quicker. The game is not as physical as when I played. It is more fan oriented now. Fans want to see players run up the floor, make shots, and dunk.
It is very entertaining. Don’t get me wrong. I love today’s game, but it is different because it is a little less physical, a little quicker, and the players are not as big as before.
AE: Would you like to see the hand-check come back?
DC: No. (Both laugh). I like where it is at right now. It gives the guards a bit more flexibility. With my son being in the league and not being one of the biggest and strongest, if the hand-check came back into the league it might hurt his game a little bit. He would get to the free throw line a bit more so there is give and take there.
AE: Does Steph ask you for advice after games at all? 
DC: No. We talk about basketball a little bit. I coached him when he was growing up. I tried to give him all my knowledge to make him play the right way. Now he has all the best coaches in the world. They have all the equipment, training facilities, and film. They have one of the best organizations in the world. He gets it enough from them.
If I see something that I feel that I need to point out that would help him I do. Mostly we talk about his team, their goals, and what they want to do. I try not to talk to him about it because it is always on his mind. We probably talk more about golf than anything.
AE: Who has the better golf game?
DC: He does.
AE: Really?
DC: Yeah, he does. We are both in single digits, but he is closer to the scratch than I am. We are very competitive. We are close, but I started him playing way earlier than I did as a kid.
Jan 13th
adidas Releases Next Generation Springblade Razor
adidas launches Springblade Razor, the next generation of explosive energy under your feet. The new running shoe is available for pre-order on adidas.com this weekend starting Sunday, January 12.
Springblade, introduced last year, is the first running shoe with blade technology designed to help propel you forward. The Razor features a unique web design over sock-like Techfit technology that helps lock your feet in place and enhances breathability. The shoe’s 16 individually tuned blades instantaneously react to any environment, compressing and releasing energy. 
Springblade Razor goes on sale on adidas.com, at adidas Sport Performance stores and retailers nationwide including Finish Line on January 16.
The Razor launches in four colorways for men, including Solar Blue/Tech Grey Metallic/Black, Black/Tech Grey Metallic/ Light Scarlet, Metallic Silver/Black/Light Scarlet and Light Scarlett/Black/Metallic Silver, and three colorways for women including Solar Blue/Tech Grey Metallic/Black, Black/Black/Vivid Berry and Bahia Pink/Metallic Silver/Black.
Join the conversation on Twitter at #Springblade and @adidasUS and check out facebook.com/adidasrunning
Jan 10th
USF’s Rocky the Bull Crowned 2013 Capital One Mascot
The stampede of support from Rocky the Bull’s rabid fans trampled Raider Red’s “Wreck ‘em” crew in the championship finale of the Capital One National Mascot of the Year competition. The newcomer claimed an improbable title in the 12th year of the storied program.
Rocky was projected to finish last in the competition in college football and mascot prognosticator Phil Steele’s Mascot Meter rankings, but the famed University of South Florida mascot lowered his head and plowed through the 15 other Mascot Challenge competitors to finish with a perfect record and forever claim his place in mascot lore. “The entire University of South Florida community is thrilled for Rocky,” President Genshaft said. “All of the mascots competing in this year’s challenge were a wonderful reflection of the pride and passion of their respective universities. Rocky has always been first in our hearts, and now the rest of the nation can see how wonderfully he represents our exuberant and unstoppable USF students and alumni.” With the win, Rocky received $20,000 from Capital One for his collegiate mascot program, and was honored at the Capital One Bowl game on January 1, 2014 in Orlando, Fla.
“The enthusiasm and dedication USF fans have sustained during this 16-week competition has been inspiring,” said Doug Woolard, University of South Florida Director of Athletics. “Rocky the Bull is truly loved, and we are thrilled with the fan support he received during this challenge that helped him be crowned the champion.”
This year, Capital One introduced a new element of voting in the competition that took fans to a whole new level of mascot fandom. The addition of 25 and 100-point social media challenges allowed fans to show their creative side and go all-out for their mascots. Fans were asked to upload unique content to their social media channels using a special hashtag for their mascot to earn additional points. The unique weekly challenges – from creating a cheerleader-style cheer to snapping a picture while eating their mascot’s favorite tailgate dish – showcased how far fans would go for their mascot.
“The outpouring support for Rocky the Bull in the Mascot Challenge was astonishing,” said Marc Mentry, Senior Vice President at Capital One. “Rocky’s fans bulled over the entire competition giving this rookie competitor an undefeated record in the challenge! We’re excited to add his name to the famed Capital One Mascot Challenge Winners list.”
The complete 2013 All-America Capital One Mascot Team included:
Rocky the Bull of The University of South Florida – 2013 Winner
Raider Red of Texas Tech University – 2012 Winner
Baldwin the Eagle of Boston College
Big Jay of The University of Kansas
Big Red of Western Kentucky University – Hall of Fame Inductee
Pee Dee the Pirate of East Carolina University
Rocky the Rocket of The University of Toledo – 2012 Write-In Winner
Bucky Badger of The University of Wisconsin–Madison
Cam the Ram of Colorado State University
HokieBird of Virginia Tech
Mike the Tiger of Louisiana State University
Monte of The University of Montana – 2002 & 2004 Winner
Smokey of The University of Tennessee
Sparty of Michigan State University
The Duck of The University of Oregon
Wilbur T. Wildcat of The University of Arizona
Jan 2nd
Check out the #D1Bound Bowl at Cerritos College Tomorrow
Attention California prep football fans! Southern California football fans looking forward to the final week of the NFL regular season have the chance to see some future NFL stars in action at the inaugural #D1BoundBowl All-Star Classic at Cerritos College in Norwalk Saturday, December 28 at 6pm.
CollegeLevelAthletes.com (CLA) and #D1Bound are the title sponsors of the event and will have fresh #D1Bound gear available for purchase on-site. DJ Vick One from Power 106 will be providing musical entertainment. When hunger kicks in, there will be gourmet food trucks to gorge on.
At 2pm, there will be an all-star game featuring 8th graders. The #D1Bound Future Bowl will give many local football fans their first glimpse of future prep stars in the state. The weather should be perfect for an all-star double-header.
Several of the players participating are headed to big time college programs. Late great rapper Nate Dogg’s son, St. John Bosco defensive back Naijiel Hale, is headed to Arizona while teammate Jaleel Wadood just verbally committed to UCLA. The two standouts were instrumental in leading Bosco to an undefeated season and national championship. There are several other college level athletes featured in the #D1Bound Bowl.
It should be a great day of football at Cerritos College this Saturday. You can purchase tickets at the event or purchase tickets directly online.
So grab your friends and come out and support the top student athletes in the state competing in the first ever #D1Bound Bowl!
Dec 27th
Ronnie Lott #AmericasToughest Interview
Ronnie Lott knows a thing or two about toughness. A 10-time Pro Bowler and winner of four Super Bowls, Lott is a Hall of Fame player that obliterated the opposition for 14 NFL seasons. This is a guy who had his left pinky amputated after the 1985 season so that he could be ready to rock in 1986, without having to wait for some sissy bone graft surgery. So when Lott talks about toughness, people listen.
Lott is working with Hanes to promote their new line of ComfortBlend clothing, which feature the brand’s softest t-shirt ever. Hanes partnered up with Harris Interactive on a new survey that identified the top 10 toughest fan bases for NFL teams. Fans who tweet about their city’s NFL toughness or nominate a tough fan using the hashtag #AmericasToughest, can score free COmfortBlend t-shirts for their trouble.
We reviewed the top 10 toughest NFL fan bases with Ronnie and we also discussed the team he likes to win it all (spoiler alert: he’s biased), the toughest player in the game today, the toughest guy Ronnie ever had to tackle and the toughest places he had to play. Here’s the interview:
Dec 26th
