Hero/ Zero of the Week

In the world of sports, we quickly find new heroes and new zeroes on a day-to- day basis. Let's take a moment to look at this week's Hero and Zero.

This week's Hero:

Rodger Goodell 

US Presswire

As the Bounty Scandal became public, many pondered what this meant for the coaching staff of the Saints. While suspensions and penalties were expected for Sean Payton, Mickey Loomis, and Joe Vitt, all of which were aware of the Bounty's existence in their very own locker room, no precedent had really been set for a violation such as this.

Because no precedent had been set, Goodell had to set it. I think it is dramatic and disavowing to say these coaches were "made an example of."Goodell needed to show that when it comes to players' safety, he will talk the talk and walk the walk. 

Goodell proved he is in charge, he has the players' back, and that no single person is bigger than the NFL. Upholding the suspensions of these three men on Tuesday makes Goodell In The Stands' Hero of the Week.  

Now, for this week's Zero:

The NHL

Did you see that?? 

I get that hockey's culture is about a little extracurricular every once in a while, but this is not extracurricular. This is a blatant disrespect and negligence towards another member of your hockey brotherhood, towards another human being for that matter. Smashing an opponent's head against a glass wall... TWICE... should only be seen in the wrestling ring, not the hockey rink. 

So, after watching that clip, if you are wondering why Shea Weber himself is not the Zero of the Week, the answer is simple. 

The aftermath. The NHL chose to punish Weber with a mere $2500 fine. Maybe I shouldn't use the word mere, since $2500 is the maximum imposed fine the NHL can hand out; but there is such a thing as a suspension. To me this punishment screams, It's the playoffs, nothing else matters. Shame on you NHL, shame on you. 

A league that is trying to limit hits to the head in order to get head injuries under control (in case you haven't heard, those are no joke), will never make any progress towards reducing this if they continue to give lashes with a wet noodle. This is why, the NHL is In The Stands' Zero of the Week. 

Flashback Friday: One and Done

UConn is about to see their first ever One and Done men's basketball player. After completing one season filled with as many misnomers of that of a career of a fifth year senior, Drummond is off to the NBA Draft. During his short time as a Husky, Drummond was part of a team that suffered from previously imposed NCAA penalties, along with NCAA prodding, their coach's health issues, and the fall from fourth in the rankings to an unranked, almost unrecognizable, team.

Projected to go fifth overall, Drummond's youth, strength and size make him desirable to professional basketball teams, basically forcing Drummond to leave the team that can't promise anything next year.  

Now on this first Flashback Friday, in honor of Andre's departure, lets visit one of the more memorable dunks made by Drummond while playing at UConn against Syracuse.   

College Basketball Dunks of the Year

It hasn't even been ten days, but oh, how I miss thee, college basketball.

Checkout this video posted by ESPN of this year's best college dunks.

Waterworks Wednesday

Today I will be introducing an In the Stands feature, titled Waterworks Wednesday. This is a weekly post  in which I will bring to light the genuine heart break that comes with the ups and downs of sports. It is the intense drama, pure emotion and no guarantees promise that makes sports what it is... and sometimes that means tears. 

For the first Waterworks Wednesday post I want to congratulate Jeff Long for the very difficult decision to fire Arkansas Razorback coach Bobby Petrino. Long's choice to let Petrino go magnifies the idea that winning is not everything. In fact, it shows that winning means nothing when compromising the ethics of a football program, a university and an entire state. 

The tears in this story are not for Petrino who received his notice via a letter (hmmm...Atlanta, is that you giggling?) and is now officially unemployed. 

The tears aren't for the man who gets paid to make tough decisions about the personnel of his Athletics' Department. 

Rather, the tears are for the guy who had to look 108 young men, reminiscent of himself, full of promise, in the eyes and let them know the coach that has led them, will not be returning. During his press conference, Long remained composed and a man confident in his decision. However, when touching upon the subject of those 18, 19, 20 year olds (around the five-minute mark), Long reminded every one watching who was suffering the most from this. 

The tears are for these players who have been forced to deal with the indiscretions of a 51 year old man, and left to ponder, will football ever feel the same again?

Yes it will, I would tell them. Because Arkansas is bigger than Petrino. Football is bigger than Petrino. 

And you will live your lives as bigger men than Petrino. 

Introducing In The Stands: Here's To The Twenty-Somethings

Some one once said that the hardest age in a person's life is the twenty-somethings. It is not the teenage years, which can be awkward. It is not the years that plague you with ailments and back pains. No, it is the twenty-somethings that are the most difficult.

The argument is that in your twenties you don't know how your dreams will treat you. Will you achieve the things you have worked for through school and low paying, bottom of the food chain jobs? Will you find happiness and success in these dreams? 

It is the unknown and the tight rope walk who's ending is never guaranteed that make the twenties so nerve wrecking.

My goal is to write, to discuss, things that are relevant. I am obsessed with popular culture, from celebrities to music to today's NY Post cover. But while I love a good cover story, I crave the sport's page. And to me, sports are a huge part of pop culture in American and throughout the world. 

This is why I have created In The Stands... to put my take out there on what is happening right now in sports. And more importantly, to start discussions with other fans.

To pay homage to some of the other twenty-somethings out there who are getting it done, I would like to highlight their dreams.  

Lindsey Vonn

Lindsey is a fellow female twenty-something who is kicking butt and taking names. Hard work and dedication have led her to four overall World Cup championships, an Olympic Gold Medal, and even a guest appearance on NBC's Law & Order. The impact Lindsey has had on professional skiing is immense. She is an inspiration for all those little girl next doors out there. Sorry but I have to say it, you go girl!  

Kevin Durant

How can I possibly talk about twenty-something athletes without shining some light on Oklahoma Thunder's Kevin Durant? There are plenty of worthy NBA players to choose from to highlight, but Durant's usual down to earth demeanor makes him seem relatable to me (minus that vertical leap). The fact that Durant is a whole year younger than me, makes me... (no, not jealous)... excited for him. This is an athlete who is playing at a supreme level and he is only 23! And after being named this year's NBA All-Star MVP, with 36 points, Durant said, "It's just exciting to be named (an) All-Star, but to step it up another level and become MVP, it's only something as a kid you dream about. Coming from where I come from, I didn't think I would be here. Everything is just a blessing to me"

Kevin has to know now, dreams really do come true.

Aaron Rodgers

At the age of ten, Aaron was featured on the front page of Ukiah Daily Journal for his top performance in a free throw contest. Can you imagine a world where our Discount Double Check star didn't pass to the end zone but rather the hoop? (Maybe Brett Farve can)

Replacing Farve in 2008 as the Green Bay Packers go to quarterback, it only took two years for Rodgers to achieve his first Super Bowl win. Now considered one of the most valuable quarterbacks in the league, Rodgers is rocking his dream and holding on tight.