Deaf Sports Figures

Whether it is playing baseball, football, golf, basketball or any other physical activity I have always loved sports. Even playing sports video games, fantasy football or watching sports on TV, I have always been a fan. I remembered about a article that I had read a few months ago about a deaf football player and how the article intrigued me so much. Due to that finding, I decided that I would dig a little deeper to find out more about deaf people in sports and sports in the deaf community.

After going back and finding a number of articles about the deaf football player, I was able to find out a little more about him and his name Martel Van Zandt. I thought it was amazing how he started every game as a Junior for Oklahoma State at the cornerback position.(Rake) The article also talks about how he picked up ASL at an early age and then began playing team sports at the age of seven.(Rake) When Van Zandt signed with Oklahoma State the school went out a contracted a man to be his personal interpretor and it made for a smooth transition for Van Zandt and the school.(Yasinskas) He was not able to attend the NFL scouting combine but did go with his interpretor to let teams know that he is capable of playing at the NFL level.(Yasinskas) Playing at the college level is a huge accomplishment, and is a great story of a man born with a “disability” yet competes not only in sports but in life better than most who do not have a disability. Sadly, after some research and digging Martel Van Zandt was not drafted by a pro team and has yet to be picked up as an Undrafted Free Agent.

There is another well known deaf athlete who has been getting quite a bit of attention because of his success and transition to a new sport. Matt Hamill is a wrestler turned UFC fighter and trained under Tito Ortiz on the third season of The Ultimate Fighter reality show.(Bonagura) Before he became a UFC fighter however, he was a successful college wrestler who was a three-time winning Division III champion.(Bonagura) In January 2007 he attended the National Deaf Prep Wrestling Tournament at the California School for the Deaf. It was a weekend full of wrestling where Fremont beat rival Riverside to a 43-36 win and finished 2^nd in the tournament.(Bonagura)

After looking at these two athletes, I have developed an even greater sense of respect and admiration for people in the deaf community. These two men have played, competed and done very well at their respective sports at some of the highest levels. Both are and will be a great inspiration to young kids both hearing and deaf alike. Although they cannot hear, or hear well, deaf people are not disabled in any way. Van Zandt and Hamill have proven this like all people in the deaf community, they may not communicate the same way or be able to hear but they can do everything that hearing people can do and in some cases even more.

Bonagura, Kyle. "UFC wrestling star attends deaf tournament". Oakland Tribune. FindArticles.com. 01 Dec. 2008. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20070121/ai_n17147551

Rake, Jeffrey. "Cowboys' Van Zandt inspires on and off the football field". Topeka Capital-Journal, The. . FindArticles.com. 01 Dec. 2008. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4179/is_20071018/ai_n21065721

Yasinskas, Pat. “ For Van Zant, it's more than just the injury issue”. ESPN.com. 01 Dec. 2008.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft08/columns/story?id=3257497

What?...Could it be Drew actually updated his site?!!!!

I almost hit the 3-month mark since my last post, trust me it was never my intention to just abandon this blog so I guess it is about time that I do a little posting.

So I was "tagged" by my lovely wife to do this question thing about 3 weeks ago...hey better late than never right? So here we go...I do have to tag other people to so I don't know how that is going to work yet. Stay tuned...but for now here is the wonderful post:

The Rules: "Each person posts the rules before their list, then they list 8 things about themselves. At the end of the post, that person tags and links to 8 other people and then visits those peoples' sites and comments letting them know that they have been tagged, and to come read the post, so they know what they have to do."

1) I am a wonderful beautiful person but...I am a procrastinator.

Sure I guess there are probably worse things in the world I can be but I am a procrastinator. My wife knows it, I think some of my friends know it too. I guess I just need to come to grips with it myself. I am a procrastinator. I don't study for tests weeks before the test date, I don't write papers weeks before the deadline, I also don't respond to a "tag" in very good time either. lol (That one is for you babe). Again, my motto as I put above is...better late than never! lol. In all reality, I irritate myself sometimes when I constantly put things off but somehow it never really gets me to respond until I'm faced with the issue and it is unavoidable. Now that I have come to grips with the reality I need to go ahead and make a change. I highly doubt my procrastination with school will change as I only have a year and a half left. Hey I guess it has worked well for me this far into my school career why fix something that isn't broken? hahahaha

2) The Final Four! Football, Baseball, Basketball, Golf

Yes...I am a sports fiend. When it comes to sports my first love is to actually play. Whether it is either of these four or even other sports...if it has to do with athleticism and competition...bring it!!!! My favorite sport to watch is hands down football! Not just any football...49er football! I'm a Niner's fan for life...I can guarantee that by the simple fact I've watched them, rooted them on and supported them over the last 3 horrible dismal seasons. Finally after these last few tough years being a fan I'm able to be loud once again...the NINERS ARE BACK!!! Alex Smith, Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, Patrick Willis, Nate Clements...these guys are going to light up the NFL this year, I just know it! Okay so moving on to my teams that suck...but I am still a fan. The San Francisco Giants are garbage. That may even be an understatement. However, they are my team and I would watch them more if I had the chance (ok maybe not). But will I be switching teams? Heck no! As far as basketball goes my team had it's shot around the same time the Giants had theirs. The Sacramento Kings probably won't be going to the playoffs again this year. Mike Bibby, if he stays better turn it around this year, Ron Artest needs to stay out of trouble and not be a ball hog and all the youngsters (Kevin Martin, Francisco Garcia, Justin Williams, Quincy Douby, and Spencer Hawes) need to get minutes and playing time to improve and grow. But I don't expect them to be an elite team for at least 2-3 years. Rebuilding is in the air for the Giants and Kings that is for sure...lets just hope the ownership and GMs allow that to happen. Lastly, Golf isn't something that I really enjoy watching. It is ok, but boy do I love to play it. Honestly, it is the most competitive experience you will ever have because the competition is really against an inanimate object...the course. The course that I'm talking about is the course between the two ears. Yes, if you haven't figured it out by now I'm talking about your mind...that is the toughest part about golf. It is a mental/physical game and in that order. Tiger Woods I will never be but I do hope to one day break at least 85. On a par 72 course and 85 would only be +13 over par. That isn't that bad at all in my opinion. For professionals that would be a waste of 4 hours but for me I would feel like a champion. Okay, I think I should move on...

3) I can admit it...I am a....GEEK!!!

Perhaps I should define what I mean by "geek". Ok well, I'm a kid at heart and I love to play video games. For the past year and a half I've been sucked into the fantasy world of "World of Warcraft". Most people by now probably think I'm a retard but hey, don't knock it until you try it! I was one if those kids/teens that used his imagination quite frequently. The wonderful thing about technology in this day and age is that you can have some of your imagination come to life...well almost. To be a character with a different race, name and talents and skills is truly amazing. My character is named "Korian" you pronounce that "Core-E-en" not Korean. :) Anyway, I'm a Night Elf hunter and I even have a pet cat named Kenshi. I probably play the game about 2 hours a day on an average. Not much considered I don't watch much TV and the average person watches about 6 hours of TV a day. I also like sports games (surprise there) as well as First person shooters and strategy games.

4) Give me my SPACE!!!!

I am one of those people who likes/needs to go into a cave for awhile, away from the world and just relax my mind. Usually this is where either number 2 or 3 above come into play. I just have to have down time doing what I want to do without any distraction. It is a need for me, because if I don't get it I can become...well...somewhat of a short fused, distracted person. I don't like that and I don't like people seeing me that way so I take my time. Whether morning, afternoon or evening it doesn't matter. As long as I get my time I'm good.

5) Momma...I'm hungry!

Food is something that I definitely enjoy. I'm no cook, I'm not picky but boy do I love to eat food. Italian, Mexican, American, Japanese, Chinese and just every combination of the 5. God has blessed me with a wonderful metabolism but I am afraid that even that blessing has it's age limits. This is where playing sports comes in real handy!!! lol

6) Follow the Leader?

One thing that I've adopted over my lifetime is that you have to be able to follow before you can lead. I like to lead...and when I lead I don't like people trying to take my leadership away. At the same time I like to follow...it really just depends what situation it is. I'm not the type of person who will take charge in a situation (although in some instances I do). I like compromise over confrontation. In my opinion, people can best live together if they all compromise with one another. Leading by example is the best possible way to lead...how can you lead people where you haven't been? "Do as I say and not as I do" is a cop out that people use who don't know how to lead people. I'm not perfect and no leader is but being honest and having good character is the two main things that I try to watch for in myself as well as what I watch for in others. Following is the only way to learn how to lead.

7) I can't stand the thought of cloth in my mouth!

This is very random but boy do I hate the thought of it! I'm thinking of like a sock in my mouth right now...ewwww it makes my mouth almost hurt! I'm sure this probably scares most people and many of you probably think I'm even weirder now but boy chewing on a rag makes my skin crawl.

8) Christianity?

I almost hesitate to use the word Christianity because of what people in our world today and throughout history have done with that "religion". The Crusades, manifest destiny, psycho killers claiming god told them to murder people...where does it really end? The God that I know exists comes straight out of the Bible. Look at the first 4 books of the New Testament and you will see 4 different authors and not all 4 of those guys knew each other. Yet, they all gave a very very very similar account to what Jesus Christ did. Show me where Mormons have that, Islam, Buddhism, show me where multiple authors spread over thousands of years can come up with the same story. Guess what...you are not going to find another "religion" out there that can or has. Most had one author, most were written during one human lifetime. You tell me...if 4 separate witnesses got up for a trial and testified to a grand jury the same thing...would the jury believe them? Heck yes they would. Why do people have such a hard time making that judgment for themselves? I don't know. Ignorance is Bliss...but what people fail to realize is that that bliss will only last 70 years...reality will last eternity. Once an evolutionist can explain to me how a Giraffe evolved, how trees defy gravity (a universal law in this world), how DNA first started (which is the handwriting of life) and where Quarks came to be then I'll listen. This world is filled with people with second hand information, it isn't their own opinions but it is the opinions of others that they call their own. Prove to me that God doesn't exist. I know I can't prove he does...no one can. So we're at a standstill. Prove to me that evolution is the exact way that everything came to be. When I say prove give me the very start and the finish. No one will because no one has the start to evolution figured out, yet we can't question science because science is a matter of fact. Please...science has been constructed like everything else in this world...the most depraved, lazy, hypocritical, violent, misrepresenting, misunderstanding mammal that walks the face of the earth...man.
( I would put more but I realize this is getting very long, if people have questions or comments for me...you know where to put them)

*My goal in this last paragraph is not to belittle anyone for what they believe, I don't hate anyone, however when someones eternity is on the line I do get a little anxious, not out of "I'm right and your wrong" but me not wanting people to make a huge mistake that will cost them everything. Killing for the sake of God is Old Testament, We are not under the 10 commandments anymore...they still apply but they don't judge us. Jesus (God's son came to save us from all the crap that we get ourselves into). It sounds weird I know...but I do believe most people realize that there is more to our existence than Sunday-Saturday. Keep searching...if your heart is to find the truth you will!

Disrespected to Respected

I worked with Cindy for about 6 months and got to know her a bit. This of course was about 4 years ago, before her son got sent off for his last time. I actually remember the weekend after he got sent off and, as a mother, she was quite saddened and worried that he had departed again. It was after I had stopped working with her that her son had died. She went on her crusade and I for one, like many, thought she was honestly...a moron. Please excuse my language there but this blog is to not be P.C. but to be truthful and honest. It is only up until about 3 months ago that my attitude and my mindset had changed. For me I feel like I've found part of the truth to this whole war. I believe wholeheartedly that the "golden-rule" applies to all areas at all times. I also believe that as it states in the bible, "There is a time for war and a time for peace". I just don't believe anymore that this really was a time for war. Especially, when the evidence I look at and see shows much lying and deceit. Thank you Cindy for your hard work. I criticized you for than I supported you but you were right in fighting for your cause, which I believe was the cause for truth.

Story

What a beautiful picture

I love the ocean so much. My wonderful wife took this shot and it is a favorite of mine.

I want the truth!

As some of you have read and now understand about me is that I want the truth. The kind of truth that I'm talking about is the kind that isn't tainted, isn't censored, isn't manipulated, and isn't distorted. I would argue that most people on the face of this earth want the same thing. Who wants to be lied to or manipulated? No one...at least no one I've ever met. The fact is, in this world today we are being lied to and are being made the fool. I want to take a stand against those lies and challenge them like many others before me and who have been and are doing that to this very day. The war in Iraq has been very challenging for me. What I want to share with you is something that I have watched 3/5 of and would encourage you to watch as well.

Bill Moyers is a outstanding journalist who is extremely respected in the media and press. He has held himself to the highest of character and has practiced real hard "democratic theory of the press" type journalism. His recent show was on how the media didn't do it's job of questioning the government pre-Iraqi Freedom. Here is a quick little blurb of something Moyers said:

As Moyers explained in the introduction:

The story of how the media bought what the White House was selling has not been told in depth on television. As the war rages into its fifth year, we look back at those months leading up to the invasion, when our press largely surrendered its independence and skepticism to join with our government in marching to war.

Our Founding Fathers wanted the Press to be free from any sort of censorship or control. Thomas Jefferson even though didn't like the press a lot of the time knew that the Press would be the "Watchdog" for the people. This "Watchdog" was caught off guard in the months leading up to the Iraq war...or were they?

My challenge is this: set aside your political affiliation, your mindsets and pre-dispositions, just watch this show and afterward reflect on it. The greatest thing God created us with is brains that can make choices. Wisdom, knowledge, faith, hope...it has all been created and instilled in us by God Himself. We can make a choice and we can think for ourselves. I challenge you to do just that.

Buying the War

Well, well, well....

I know many of you are thinking, "Where the heck is this guy?". I can assure you that I'm alive and well. Goldy I apologize for not doing your challenge thing yet, I promise you I will. This week has been very busy and crazy for me and honestly I'm really bored, tired and just...done. I'm wanting to dive into a hobby or game or something. Right now both are not really possible as my schedule will not allow it at the moment. The spring semester will be over very soon and I'm so happy about that. I'll try to get a real post up soon but as of right now I just don't have the energy or brain power to type what is on my mind. My mind is overloaded right now so therefore I'm really not in a place to type. Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend and continue to.

With the 1st pick of the 2007 NFL draft...

JaMarcus Russell was chosen number one overall by the Los Angeles...I mean Oakland Raiders. For those of you who didn't hear it Gene Washington, from what I've read, didn't say the "Oakland Raiders" but instead said the "Los Angeles Raiders" by accident. Or was it? Either way the Raiders got their franchise QB whom I don't really know whether or not will ever become a legit NFL starter. He has the talent, don't get me wrong, but I don't know if he really has the heart for it. For the Raiders sake I hope he works out well for them. Too bad they still don't have an Offensive Line for him, however; Russell weighs about 400lbs so he should be able to stay on his feet (I hope you read my exaggeration there, he weighs about 260). Definitely liked the Michael Bush pick, the dude is a good RB and will fit in nicely.

Here are my top 5 winners of this draft (Teams):

1) San Francisco 49ers -With Patrick Willis and Joe Staley the Niners filled one immediate need at Linebacker as well as the Offensive Tackle position on the Line.
2) Cleveland Browns- Selected Joe Thomas and Brady Quinn to get a sure starter Offensive Tackle and their franchise Quarterback.
3) Carolina Panthers- Getting both Jon Beason and Dwayne Jarrett were both very good picks as well as Ryan Kalil and Tim Shaw in the 2nd round.
4) Oakland Raiders- Obviously as I stated above the Raiders got their franchise Quarterback, they also picked up Zack Miller Tight end out of Arizona State and Running back Michael Bush. Not to mention they also picked up Quentin Moses a Defensive End.
5) Tampa Bay Bucs- With the selections of Gaines Adams, Sabby Piscitelli, and Quincy Black tells me that John Gruden wants to continue to keep the Tampa-2 Defense as one of the best Defenses in the league...they still will have to find an Offense though.

The Team with the best weekend has to be:

The San Francisco 49ers- The Niners were able to draft 3 guys that are extremely talented and will be vital to the overall growth of Defense and Offense. Patrick Willis is the extreme stud Linebacker from Ole Miss. He will solidify the young Linebacking core of the 49ers. Joe Staley the big strong Offensive Tackle out of Central Michigan will continue to help keep Alex Smith from getting hammered as well as keeping Frank Gore running wild on opposing defenses. With an absolute steal of a pick in the 3rd round the Niners were able to select Wide Receiver Jason Hill out of Washington State. The dude is fast at 4.37 combine speed and he is stout at 6'0 ft 210 pounds. What caps the Niners as the biggest weekend winners is that they were able to steal (and I mean steal) the Seattle Seahawks #1 Wide Receiver for their 3rd 4th round selection. Darrell Jackson has been a beast up in Washington and is still only 28 years old. He has had some injury problems in the past couple of years but I'm positive that the Niners medical staff made sure to thoroughly check him to make sure that he wouldn't be a huge gamble.

I will say this: The New England Patriots have had a pretty darn good offseason, I think the Niners edge them a little bit, but I'm biased. I do think and hope that the Moss trade really comes to bite the Patriots in the butt. Randy Moss is not a good character guy and isn't a team player. Why the Patriots would trade for him is almost beyond me. What I do understand is that Bill Bellichick is getting ready to move on from New England and he wants to go out with one more "Bang!"...SuperBowl. The Patriots are playing for this year and boy I hope that they fall flat on their faces. Nothing personal against the Patriots but I do think they have overstayed their welcome as the dominant team of the AFC. I hope to see a newcomer, maybe the Bengals or the Chargers this year. I don't care if the Patriots get to the playoffs I'm sure they will but I hope that they get taken down before they get into the Superbowl.