The Tribune

By Inigo 'Naughty' Zenicazelaya

I MUST say I am glad to be penning a column in The Tribune again! For those of you who enjoyed my “A Comics View,” this column takes a slightly different twist. The good editor (my boss) wants a combination so to speak - my view of the world as a professional stand up comedian and as an avid sports fan. To this end, “Sporting Mischief and Mayhem” was born, so hopefully you will enjoy it every Tuesday here in The Tribune.

During my brief hiatus from radio, preparing for the launch of the All New KISS96fm, I got to do many things that I couldn’t do before with my very busy schedule. Watching as many sporting events as possible was high on my list, a myriad of college bowl games and the NFL Playoffs were already programmed on my television, and all the necessary football munchies and libations were fully stocked. Here’s where the ROBBERIES and REFEREES, RIVALRIES AND RIPs of sports took me on a wonderful roller coaster ride of emotions that I’m not sure I’ve fully recovered from as a sports fanatic. 

Robberies and Referees  

Can the NFL please abolish the present ‘catch rule’ right now? Don’t do it for me. Do it for the sake of the game and future generations of fans’ mental stability. You probably know where I’m going with this, because the most controversial play coming out of the NFC Divisional playoff weekend involved an obvious catch by Dez Bryant that turned into a Cowboy robbery that Commissioner Goodell’s often odd squad of referees were allowed to perpetrate. I can’t stop watching the replay and coming away with the verdict that it was a catch. Take the fact that I’m a huge Dallas Cowboys fan out of the equation, I’ve even had Dolphins fans (natural enemy of all Cowboys fans in the Bahamas) approach me cautiously and also declare their opinion that it was a catch.

My personal thought on the whole debacle? The NFL giveth and the NFL taketh away. Plain and simple.

Due to the fallout from the alleged blown call the week prior in the Wild Card round of the playoffs - when the Cowboys got a favourable call much to the chagrin of Detroit Lions fans - the NFL had demons to exorcise, and they did. They got their pound of Cowboy flesh. I’m moving on from this for my own peace of mind. Some things are just too painful. My case of Depends is done and VAT reach so time to let it go (the blown call that is).

Rivalries  

By the looks of it there should be an abundance of “rivalry games” on the horizon in men’s college basketball as we head toward tournament time and March Madness. My biggest question about the whole men’s college basketball scene is if Kentucky and head coach John Calipari can go a perfect 40-0 and become the first undefeated team since Bobby Knights’ legendary 1976 Indiana Hoosier team. 

As much as I would like to see the prestigious feat accomplished, sadly I think it’s not going to be. Injuries are raring their ugly head, couple that with each opponent bringing their A game every night against the Wild Cats, someone is bound to get lucky and catch those Wild Cats by the tail. 

Still, barring a catastrophe and a major upset they should win the NCAA Championship. My Super Bowl prediction I’m still mulling over, looking at all the angles. However I do know that quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Andrew Luck are the future poster boys of the NFL and we football lovers will be fed a healthy dose of them for the next 10 years, maybe even ad nauseam like they’ve done with Brady and Manning for the past decade (though anything involving Brady is and always will be infinitely more sickening than any superstar the NFL can possibly conjure up in the future). 

R.I.P.  

I want to wrap up with a tribute to a broadcasting legend and trail blazer - Stuart Scott of ESPN Sports Center fame. I truly respected and admired the style and flair in which he delivered his broadcasts, combining the world of Hip Hop music and lyrics, and everything trending in pop culture into his nightly broadcasts. His catch phrases were brilliant, while his passion and work ethic permeated through the television. Stuart Scott made it cool to be yourself and incorporate a piece of yourself into your show.

As a fellow broadcaster, I can truly say our fraternity lost one of its brightest stars. ESPN and Sports Center will never be the same. Thank you Stuart Scott, for all the great calls and memories. You will always be “Cooler than the other side of the pillow.” May you rest in peace.