Sebastian Telfair runs in with The Law

Sebastian Telfair continues to meet up with the law. Investigations on the shooting of rapper Fabulous and the theft of Sebastian Telfair’s necklace are being considered connected. Telfair was outside of a club in New York, when one Fabulous entourage yanked his $50,000 chain off from his neck. Minutes later, after this incident the rapper Fabulous was shot outside of the same club. Witnesses say they saw Telfair making a call after refusing someone to call the police when he was robbed.

Telfair and Al Eden Fuentes, his friend were arrested in Yonkers after police pulled them over for speeding and discovering a loaded handgun in the car. Telfair was stopped shortly before 4 a.m. on the Bronx River Parkway when police say he caught going 77 miles per hour in a 45 mph zone. Police said that Telfair presented them with a Florida driver's license that had been suspended. New York Police officer Adrian Camacho found a loaded 45-caliber handgun under the front passenger seat while checking the car. Telfair and Fuentes, were both charged felony for possession of a loaded weapon. Telfair was also slapped with a misdemeanor charge for operating a vehicle with a suspended licence.

Sebastian Telfair was raised in tough neighborhood in Coney Island. Being able to defend himself made him feel like anything but a punk. So carrying a handgun was necessary for him. One of Fabulous, the rapper, entourage stole the chain from Telfair so maybe he did order a hit. Telfair didn't want to seem like a punk to Fabulous so he showed that he is to be taken seriously. Athletes need to find ways to stay out of trouble and make sure it doesn't find them if not their talent will go to a waste.

http://www.themightymjd.com/2006/10/20/sebastian-telfair-shot-fabolous/

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/04/20/sebastian-telfair-is-packing-heat-and-driving-fast/

Mitchell's Report

This Thursday a 409 page report identified 85 names that have used or have connections to steroid use. This report was submitted by George Mitchell to MLB commissioner Bud Selig. Steroid use is widespread by stars and scrubs, the report stated. This puts a question mark on some of the baseball records that have been broken and threatens the true skill of the game.

The records that have been broken will surely stand but several stars could pay the price in Cooperstown. Mark McGwire was kept out of the Hall of Fame this year because of steroid suspicion.

Huge names like Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Mark McGwire and Miguel Tejada. The list consist of players who have had a Hall of Fame type career to those that have just tried to make it as an average player. They include both pitchers and position players, and have diverse backgrounds. Clemens was hugely singled out in nine pages of the report. Much of the information on him was leaked out by former New York Yankees conditioning coach Brian McNamee.

Mitchell says everyone involved in baseball over the past two decades is to blame for the steroid era. Commissioners, club officials, the players association and players share the responsibility. There was a failure to recognize the steroid problem as it came to be and construct a plan to deal with it early on. Mitchell recommended that the drug testing program be made independent to every suspected player. A list would be taken of the substances players tested positive for and the time and date the test was taken.

Steroid use is a disgrace to the sport and to those that stay fair to the game. It deprives competition and damages the reputation of players and the game. Steroids have no place in sports. This is terrible for those that look up to these huge stars now Knowing that they've used performance enhancing drugs.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7559772?MSNHPHCP&GT1=10734

Gambling in the NBA

David Stern commissioner of the NBA pointed out a "rogue, isolated criminal" for a betting scandal that has devastated the league and threatened the credibility and trust of every referee. A disappointed Stern stated that he felt betrayed by Tim Donaghy, a former referee of the NBA. Donaghy was the target of an FBI investigation for betting on games, including some he officiated. The FBI first contacted the NBA on June 20 to talk about a referee alleged to be gambling on games. Both sides met on June 21. Donaghy resigned July 9, though Stern said he wanted to fire him sooner but was told it might affect the investigation. Although Donaghy has been charged with a crime, the referee's lawyer told the league his Donaghy was constructing a plea.

Investigators are also examining whether Donaghy provided inside information to outside references like referee schedules. "Not only aren't they permitted to either gamble or provide information to people, they may not even provide other than to their immediate family the details of their travel schedules or the games they are going to work" said commissioner David Stern. Stern compares Donaghy to someone that has committed treason.

The commissioner said there was nothing suspicious about Donaghy's foul call frequency, his bank account size or anything else that would have triggered off the league. Donaghy was a referee for 13 years in the NBA. Stern rated him at the top of officials. This gambling investigation wasn't the first time Donaghy was in trouble with the league. In 2005, the NBA investigated a dispute between Donaghy and his neighbors. Pete and Lisa Mansueto, his neighbors sued Donaghy for harassment and invasion of privacy. They also accused him of vandalizing their property and stalking Lisa Mansueto.

I believe the NBA will recover from this incident. This was one of the most serious situations the NBA has encountered. Stricter rules and regulations may have to be imposed to prevent such incidents.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2947237

Sean Taylor's Mourning Death

The young superstar safety from the Washington Redskins was shot in the upper leg, damaging an artery and causing significant blood loss. The shooting happened a week after someone broke in through a front window at his home in Florida. The unknown suspect left a kitchen knife on one of the bed's in Taylor's home. Taylor tried to defend his home and family while his girlfriend hid under the bed with their daughter and called 911. When the police arrived with medical assistance Taylor was airlifted to the hospital. Doctor's weren't sure whether he would make it or live with permanent brain damage because a major artery was damaged by the bullet.

Taylor's girlfriend told officials that both were awakened by loud noises. Taylor then grabbed a machete in his bedroom that he keeps for protection. Someone then broke through the bedroom door and fired two shots, one missed and the other struck Taylor in the leg causing severe blood loss. Officials couldn't conclude whether the crime was a possible burglary, robbery or maybe a possible hit.

Taylor had found trouble before in his first two years in the NFL. Taylor was fined seven times for late hits and other infractions. He was also fined $25,000 for skipping a mandatory rookie symposium shortly after he was drafted. In 2005, Taylor was accused of pointing a loaded gun at another, during a fight over some vehicles that had allegedly been stolen. Last year, he he pleaded no contest to two misdemeanors and was sentenced to 18 months probation. Another fine was summoned by the NFL but was still allowed to play the sport.

This was a horrible loss for the NFL. Sean Taylor in my mind was a future hall of famer. He put up great numbers and was still at the prime of his career. Taylor had the coverage speed of a corner back and could hit like a linebacker. This made Sean Taylor one of the top safeties in the NFL.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,312902,00.html

Bonds Indicted With Perjury

Barry Bonds, the San Francisco outfielder was held with perjury by the grand jury. Facts have been discovered that Bonds lied to the grand jury about denying the fact that he used a steroid such as the "cream". Bonds has repeatedly denied using performance-enhancing drugs with him knowing that they were. He was charged with lying when he asked about using steroids given to him by his personal trainer and childhood friend, Greg Anderson. Also charged with lying about Anderson never injecting him with steroids. Bonds says that Anderson would never do such a thing because he knows how Barry feels about performing-enhancing drugs.

Barry came into the majors with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1986 as a slim, base stealing outfielder. By the late 1990s, he noticeably reached the weight of more than 240 pounds. His physical growth brought with it a magnificent power surge. Anderson was became the center of the attention with bonds indictment. He spent time in a federal detention centre for denying to testify to the grand jury about Bonds steroids usage. Bonds has been tied with BALCO, a know producer of steroids. Athletes like Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield have been connected to BALCO. Gary Sheffield has testified to the grand jury that Bonds introduced him to BALCO.

Knowing facts like this really lead me against Bonds. I believe Bonds is guilty with perjury. Therefore he should do time for lying to the grand jury.

http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hwhtPj5yLY_ACQ3SRvIpffKPfSfw

New England Patriots Caught Cheating

First game of the NFL season, the Patriots defeat the Jets easily 38-14. During the first game of the season the Patriots have been caught videotaping the New York Jets defensive signals. Commissioner Rodger Goodbell of the NFL has recognized the Patriots with illegal conduct. Security officials for the NFL confiscated a camera and videotape from Matt Estrella, Patriots video assistant when suspicion grew on him recording the Jets defensive signals. Goodbell is considering the possibility of denying the Patriots of multiple draft picks because a competitive violation was made. So the chances of increasing their competitiveness with young talent will be denied. The Patriots have also been suspected in of other incidents. A possible violation of the number of radio frequencies the Patriots were using during Sunday’s game during their game with the Jets. An unclear explanation was given when questioned about their possible radio setup violation. Coach Belichick has apologized for the Patriots cheating violation. Belichick has spoken with commissioner Goodbell and the rule has been clearly interpreted to him.

Many feel that the Patriots should be denied their win against the Jets and so do I. Coach Belichick was caught in the act. He should take the violations punishment. The Patriots undefeated record should be held with an estrous in my mind. This may have effected every team they played against this season. The Jets and Patriots game should be played again seeing who wins fair and sqaure.

http://www.eontarionow.com/sports/2007/09/13/belichick-apologizes-about-patriots-cheating/

http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/2007/09/new_england_patriots_cheating_scandal/

Barry Bonds And Steroids

Barry Bonds says to a grand jury that he used a "clear" substance and a "cream" given to him by an indicted trainer in distributing steroids. The trainer told him that the substances were nutritional supplements and a pain reliever for arthritis. He told judges that he knew that the substances were undetectable steroids. These drugs were said not to be banned at the time Bonds use them. During the year that he used the drugs, Bonds pulled out the greatest season of his career with a record setting 73 homeruns.

Greg Anderson a friend of Barry's was caught with illegal substances in his home. Officials say they found documents that said Bonds had made transactions with Anderson. Bonds says that they are close friends and that Anderson only gave him legal drugs to treat his arthritis and fatigue. He said the drugs weren't helping so he stopped using them. Former teammates of Bonds: Armando Rios, Benito Santiago and Bobby Estalella, and former Oakland A's Jason and Jeremy Giambi, have confessed to using performance-enhancing drugs provided by Anderson.
This birngs up suspicions on whether Bonds was telling the truth. Bonds use of steroids is very unclear.

I do believe Bonds used illegal substances because of his connection with Greg Anderson. Bonds gained alot of weight quickly during his career. He went from slim base stealing athlete to a powerhouse homerun record setting player. He should be stripped of his homerun records and not be allowed into the hall of fame for being a cheater. Why would Bonds pay off Anderson for his help and also buy him expensive rings if they were friends. It looks like he was paying him to keep his mouth shut. Ever since Bonds steroid talks, he has gotten injured and hasn't been producing large numbers. It seems like he's been laying off the juice.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1937594

Andy Reid's Trouble At Home

Andy Reid is also a father to son's Britt and Garrett Reid, other than being the coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. Both were said to be drug addicts. When authorities searched the Reid property drugs and guns were found.

• Britt Reid, 22 years old, was sentenced to 8 to 23 months in jail and four years of probation.
• Garrett Reid, 24 years old, was sentenced to 2 to 23 months in the county prison and one year of probation.

Garrett confesses to selling drugs in poor neighborhoods and got a rush out of it. Being such a addict when Garrett was jailed prescribed drug were found in his cell. Officials believe he smuggled them in by placing the pills in his rectum. He said he enjoyed being rich and liked being known as a drug dealer.

Britt says all illegal activities he was involved in, his parents had no knowledge. Britt was held with possession of an illegal gun and drug charges. Britt was someone under the trap of drugs, which made him a violent man. This would lead to Britt pointing a handgun at another driver after a dispute.

Andy Reid and his wife Tammy Reid were said to have been very supportive of their sons. Andy took his children back in, in order to set them straight. His work got in the way of truly supporting his boys. So he took 5 weeks off the off-season to support his sons. He says that his sons troubles will not cause him to resign from the Eagles or retire as coach.

I believe that Andy had little knowledge of his sons illegal activities. He did try to take his boys back in order to straighten them out. Andy has no connection to his sons activities therefore should not be penalized. Britt and Garrett are not minors which drops them out of their fathers jurisdiction. Andy enjoys coaching, which keeps him from watching over Britt and Garrett. Many say he should resign but I think he should take some time off when his sons are released from jail to give them the help they need.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,307483,00.html

Micheal Vick's Dog Scandal

Vick is charged with sponsoring dog fights in his own home by the federal gran jury. Vick's home was raided by authorities and over 60 dogs (mostly pit bulls) were found. His home was full with equipment associated with dog fights. Blood stains were found on carpets and dog fighting pits were also seen. Micheal was convicted with training, conducting and betting on dog fights. Vick was accused with conducting a business involving gambling, buying, transporting and receiving dogs for the purpose of cruel dog fighting. He held dog fights that led to the death of the loosing dog. The defeated dog would either be electrocuted, hanged or shot. These were extreme and cruel methods. Wagers as much as $20,000 plus were made in which Micheal Vick himself is said to have made the transfers to the winners. This dog scandal was very organized sort of like an underground enterprise.

I feel Vick had no reason to get involved with sponsoring dog fights in his home. He's rich enough as pro football player. Maybe he just enjoyed the thrill of gambling on these fights, and having a chance of earning more money. Friends of his could have pulled him in to this world knowing that he had money and space to sponsor these fights with little chance of getting caught. Either way Vick shouldn't have fallen into this world knowing that he was a good player and there were going to be harsh consequences with the law. My thoughts are that he should be heavily fined and released from Atlanta Falcons. Also any organizations that sponsor Vick, should lose any connection with him.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2940065