RG's Weekly Sports Recap

Embattled Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick has made a very wise decision by admitting his guilt in participating in dog-fighting & gambling activities. Taking the case to trial was NOT gonna be a smart route to take, being that two of his closest friends have already plead guilty of the charges & were set to set to testify against him & the feds just had too much evidence against him as well. By Vick copping a plea, he will only face up to 18 months in prison. Why risk going to trial with everything against you & face a longer jail sentence, certainly ending your NFL career? There's no guarantee that Vick will return to play in the NFL even after he does his year up to year & a half bid in the pen. He'll still be young, 31 or 32, but based on this crime, teams will shy away from him, which will be a shame because Vick is an unbelievably gifted athlete blessed with elusive speed moves & a nice throwing arm. Just 3 years ago, Vick signed a 10-year, $130M contract & garnered huge endorsement deals with Nike & Topps trading cards & for him to even engage in something as cruel as dog-fighting & aiding in killing dogs in disturbing ways if they didn't do their thing during combat is very shameful, disgusting & sad. It goes to tell you that you can be on top of the world one minute & you can come crashing downhill the next minute, just like that!

*Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy admitted his guilt in illegally betting on NBA games he officiated during a four year period. In a pending move that has NBA Commish David Stern very nervous is that Donaghy will cooperate with the feds & rat out up to 20 other NBA officials who also bet on NBA games. Up to 20 refs?! That is a scary proposition right there!! Personally speaking, I've had my suspicions on how NBA games were being officiated in the past & present. Terrible foul calls in key situations & non-foul calls against superstar marquee players especially. Now with this matter with Donaghy, it has come to light, & that is a huge concern for the true NBA fans that love the game. We shall continue to follow this saga & I'm very eager to find out who else was involved with this mess!

*Veteran shock-jock Don Imus reached a settlement with CBS radio for $20M, & is gearing up for a return to the airwaves, possibly with WABC radio. As we all know, Imus has been out of work since April, getting fired for making an insensitive & racist remark on-air about the Rutgers women's basketball team, infamously calling them "nappy-headed hoes." One of the players, Kia Vaughn, has filed a defamation-of-character lawsuit against the I-Man, saying that his negative remarks has damaged her reputation. My message to Kia: Why let Imus' negative remark get to you? YOU know that you're not a nappy headed hoe. YOU are an intelligent & beautiful woman, inside & out & you are doing something positive with your life by currently getting a college education. Keep forging ahead, Kia & don't absorb the hate that comes your way, baby!

*Baseball briefs: Arizona Diamondbacks ace pitcher Brandon Webb has not given up a run in 42 straight innings & counting.....Minnesota Twins ace lefty Johan Santana struck 17 Texas Rangers with dominating stuff in a victory. When Santana enters free agency, he will command big money!!!......Chicago Cubs ace right-hander Carlos Zambrano signed a 5-year, $91.5M contract extension. Well deserved 'cause he truly is a great pitcher with great stuff & durabilty.

*In college football AP poll, USC comes in as the #1 ranked team, which is interesting to me. I guess it's the rep that Coach Pete Carroll has solidified with the program. The defending national champ Florida Gators is ranked #6 in poll.

*In soccer, superstar David Beckham had a pretty nice week. Becks scored his 1st goal with the L.A. Galaxy by way of a free kick in a victory over D.C. United. In a game against the Red Bulls at Giants Stadium in NJ, the attendance was an outstanding 66,237 fans to see Becks do his thing, & he didn't disappoint. He had 3 incredible assists which led to goals for the Galaxy, but all for naught as the home team Red Bulls won the game, 5-4. Young soccer phenom Freddy Adu made his European debut as a member of the Benfica of Portugal team. Keep in mind that Adu is just 18 years old with a ton of superstar potential.

*Rest in peace to the great former NY Yankee shortshop & broadcaster Phil Rizzuto. He was 90 years old.

Well, my friends, it's a wrap on another sports recap. Til next week, stay GAME everyone! Peace, RG*