Sports Thursday. The return of LeBron

I had an email from Buzzard at the crack of dawn this morning bemoaning the hypocrisy of the NCAA letting Cam Newton off so easy. I’m not bothered so much by that. The big hypocrisy is the way the NCAA, the Division I schools and the bowls siphon off all the dough while the players get pay equal to below minimum wage, based on the free education they get in return. I’m not sure whether there should be quotation marks around the word “free” or “education” in the previous sentence. If I were King of All Sports the college players would be paid – above the table.

On a similar note, I loved what Hines Ward said about the NFL yesterday – and I don’t usually go out of my way to praise wearers of the black and gold. He lambasted the NFL for claiming that they are fining players for hitting too hard as a means of protecting them, while at the same time pushing the players’ union to accept an expansion of the schedule to 18 games next year.

Now I’m sure Hines’ words were motivated in part by how hard the Steelers have been hit with these fines, but it’s hard to argue with him. The NFL has been stiffing former players for years over health care benefits and fought reforms tooth and nail until the science related to head trauma became overwhelming. I’ll never forget the high school practice in 1965 when Charles White hit me with a forearm to the helmet that made me see stars. I can’t imagine what an accumulation of blows like that might do to someone. I may even have a little lasting trauma myself. Why, I’ll never forget the high school practice in 1965 when Charles White hit me with a forearm to the helmet that made me see stars. I can’t imagine what an accumulation of blows like that might do to someone. I may even have a little lasting trauma myself.

But the big sports news today is that it’s 29 degrees with snow showers in Cleveland this afternoon – although the wind makes it feel like it’s 19. Meanwhile, it’s 73 and sunny in Miami. I don’t know what my fellow Cavs fans have in store for LeBron’s return this evening but it better be good if it’s going to overcome the 44 degree swing between his former and current homes. Personally, I think the Heat’s record is justice enough. I swore off the NBA immediately after LBJ announced he was “taking his talent to Miami,” but I have to peak in this evening.

Finally, I’m heading to Miami myself for the weekend. I’ve got Browns v. Dolphins tickets on the 50 yard line and pre-game field passes so I can get right down there and feel completely inadequate.