DL Kiwanuka OK After Crash, Brother not.
New York Giants DL Mathias Kiwanuka was involved in a Crash this evening, his agent reports he is fine but Kiwanuka’s brother is not doing well.
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A report from the New York Post,
The brother of Giants defensive lineman Mathias Kiwanuka is in critical condition after a motorcycle crash, according to Indianapolis television stations.
Benedict Kiwanuka, 32, and his brother were riding together this afternoon when Benedict hit a car and was thrown 100 feet off his bike. A report by WRTV Ch. 6 says he was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Mathias Kiwanuka, 27, riding alongside his brother, was not seriously hurt, according to reports.
The player’s agent sent a text message to NJ.com that said, “his client ‘said he is okay but his brother is not. … He is worried about his brother.’”
The Ch. 6 report said, “Investigators said they were told by witnesses that the brothers were speeding prior to the crash.”
A police spokesman told the Indianapolis Star, “Benedict was not wearing a helmet. … A helmet was found at the scene, but police think it was buckled to the seat.”
WTHR Ch. 13 said Mathias Kiwanuka “did not hit the car and pulled over to help.” The driver of the car had minor injuries.
Kiwanuka, drafted by the Giants in 2006, is an Indianapolis native.
New York Should Not Host the Super Bowl
New York Giants fans are undoubtedly excited about their new stadium and the announcement coming Tuesday regarding the site selection for the Super Bowl in 2014. While new stadiums always get awarded a Super Bowl and it might be a novel idea to host a Super Bowl in an open air stadium in cold weather, this is a bad idea and it should not happen.
Giants early Fantasy Football Forecast
It’s never too early to talk some fantasy football and let’s take a look at the New York Giants for 2010. The Giants fell back in the NFC East last season, to finish the season at 8-8 and while they did average slightly over 25 points per game, the defense was a key issue last season, and was the focus in this years draft.
The Hall of Fame needs to rethink it’s policy
Former New York Giants LB Lawrence Taylor was arrested this week after allegedly raping a 16 year old girl.This charge is simply the latest in a string of bad events which have plagued Taylor for over two decades now. And while Taylor is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, the NFL and the Pro Football Hall of Fame should be taking a hard look at revising their policies concerning players who are enshrined in Canton.
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Taylor is no newcomer to the court system. He tested positive for cocaine while playing in the NFL and was arrested twice for trying to buy cocaine from undercover agents when he retired from playing and fought with his addiction for many years. Speaking publicly in 2003, Taylor admitted at the peak of his addiction, he was spending thousands of dollars a day on drugs. Taylor suffered from a substance abuse problem and that should not ban him from the Hall of Fame.
Taylor has also dealt with tax issues and in the span of 6 months last year, was cited 3 times for driving infractions in Florida. Speeding, driving with a suspended license and leaving the scene of an accident. A reason for disbarment from the Hall? No. Stupid? Yes.
However, if these latest allegations are proven to be true, Taylor should be removed from Canton. If O.J. Simpson had been convicted of murder, he should have been removed as well. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has been very tough with this personal conduct code for active players, why doesn’t that relate to former players? Michael Vick, Donte Stallworth and Ben Roethlisberger have all felt the hand of the league office in the form of suspensions.
Last week I read an article where Oakland QB Bruce Gradkowski stated that only 1 out of every 600,000 high school students would ever get the chance to play quarterback in the NFL. Commissioner Goodell has stated over and over again that playing in the NFL is a privilege. So if the odds are so great that you’ll even receive the opportunity to play in the NFL, the odds of making it to be enshrined in Canton are exponentially higher.
Inductees to the Hall are the legacy of the game, the history entombed forever for future generations to learn from. If the NFL can punish and suspend current players, then why should they not be able to punish those who are entrusted with the history of the game?
I grew up watching Lawrence Taylor play while I was in high school. We were a fortunate generation sports wise. We watched Taylor on the football field. Michael Jordon perform magic on the basketball court. Cal Ripken march towards an unbelievable consecutive game record and Wayne Gretzky play hockey. Each player revolutionized their respective sport and each one deserves their accolades for their achievements and contributions.
However, just as baseball is debating whether there should be an asterisk by Barry Bonds or Mark McQwire’s homerun record, if Taylor is found guilty of this morally reprehensible and heinous crime, he should not be given that honor of being discussed in circles of the greatest of a generation or perhaps even all time.
Lawrence Taylor arrested on rape charges
CNN is reporting that former New York Giant superstar LB Lawrence Taylor has been arrested in a rape investigation. CNN reports that Ramapo Police said Taylor was part of an investigation into a rape which occurred Thursday in Montebello, NY.
I will have more on this story as it becomes available.
Giants 1st pick struggles
Last week the New York Giants selected University of South Florida DE Jason Pierre-Paul. Pierre-Paul did have an explosive season for the Bulls last year but only has 1 full year of playing Division I football. While he does possess the physical size and skills, he comes with a lot of questions and the dreaded tag, “upside potential”.
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On the second day of training camp Pierre-Paul spent most of his time getting treatments to his back. While Pierre-Paul attributes it to a reoccurring injury, the Giants should beware. Head coach Tom Coughlin attributed the problem to conditioning. “I think he’s going through the conditioning aspect of this. I think he’s suffering a little, but he hung in there.”
Coughlin then came up with a statement I find outlandish. “I just think he’s, like a lot of them, they’re suffering a little bit because it’s hotter than it’s been.” It was in the low 80′s when Coughlin made that statement. Pierre-Paul played his college ball last season for the University of South Florida in the St. Petersberg/Tampa area. The USF Bulls play their home games at Raymond James Stadium where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers play. Anyone who has sat in that stadium in September or October, will know the playing surface reaches 120 degrees plus and you feel as if you are still in the 10th level of hell while in the stands. Low 80 degree temperatures should not be a bother to Pierre-Paul.
