TWO VIKES WALK PLANK ON PARTY BOAT
Minnesota Vikings' players Fred Smoot and Bryant McKinnie pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges stemming from the team's October boat party. They received a $1,000 fine and 48 hours community service.Jeff sez: A grand and two days?! That's it?! Most guys spend that much time and money just feeling GUILTY over something like this. This isn't punishment, it's list price! They should've made 'em teach hookers how to fish. Proscecutor Steve Tallen said, "Hopefully, next year's party will be at the Children's Hospital." Yeah? Just remember to give the Candy Stripers the day off, Steve.
COURT SEZ RAZORBACKS CAN FIRE AWAY
A federal appeals court said that former basketball coach Nolan Richardson was not a victim of racial discrimination when the University of Arkansas fired him in 2002.Jeff sez: Nolan took it literally when he heard, "suuuuee- ee!" And on the surface you have to think, "Little Rock, black man, state school, get Al Sharpton and tell him to bring his bullhorn." But by all accounts AD Frank Broyles is a top-shelf guy who just felt it was time for a change and who also gave Richardson a chance to resign smoothly on his own. Richardson passed on that - his prerogative. Nolan was a great coach - national champs in '94 and runnerup in '95 - but his generation of black man, the Bill Cosbys and John Chaneys of the world, they've been holding in the rage and indignation of first-hand discrimination a long time. So when they "go off" in front of a bank of microphones, it's like buckshot - it might hit the right target but it's gonna hit a lot of other stuff, too.
SAMPSON GETS SEVERE HAIR CUT
New Indiana University hoops coach Kelvin Sampson was penalized for violations committed while at Oklahoma and cannot call recruits or participate in off-campus recruiting visits for a year.
Jeff sez: Indiana knew something was coming, but I don't think they expected a pool cue to the head! I'm a Wisconsin backer who had to sit and steam while the NCAA doused us in lye several years back just because kids got $50 off on gym shoes, so I'm not normally a Rules Infractions Committee supporter... ...but hell, it's Indiana! Screw 'em! Okay, seriously - apparently when it came to recruiting, Sampson's phone was never turned off at OU, even during non-contact periods or probably even church. So he's got a little somethin' coming. I think if there's one school in the Big Ten who can let their rep recruit for 'em for a year, it's IU. I still think Sampson's a good addition to the conference.
TRUMP MAY PUT TEE BOX IN CITY HALL
Officials in Briarcliff Manor, New York, have served Donald Trump with a notice of violation for moving the 12th hole tee box at the new Trump National golf course back several yards to lengthen the hole.
Jeff sez: I'd back off, gents, or Trump will wrap the 12th hole around the town courthouse, put the snack shack inside the mayor's house, and build some "experimental low-income housing" right next to your quaint antique-y downtown.
