NFL

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Sunday Link-Off: Make Us Whole

hannah-ferguson-galore14-01How important is the NFL to the cultural fabric of America? Something like thirteen channels were covering Roger Goodell’s press conference which went on at the same time as President Obama. The guy is leading the country isn’t as important as the guy leading the country’s leading sports league. Maybe that’s an illustration of the start of their problems…

Anyway, it’s Sunday morning which means that we’re doing the links. Let’s start with Hannah Ferguson in cheerleading garb which is ever so appropriate.

There was some concern that Quebec separatists would be bolstered by the strength of the Yes campaign in Scotland. However, the strength of the separation movement in Quebec might be the weakest that it’s been in 40 years. (The Globe and Mail)

With the Scottish Referendum done, the work isn’t finished for those in the British Parliament supporting the no side. They still have to come through on their promises. Failing to do so could start another independence campaign some years down the road. (MacLean’s)

“The days when old men get to decide what a woman does with her body are long gone.” Oh, Justin Trudeau… When will you stop trying to court me? I’m already in your corner. (CBC News)

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Wednesday Link-Off: Politically Incorrect

alejandra-guilmant-dineilabrazil14-02Well, Canada is still talking about Doug Ford taking over for Rob in the Toronto mayoral race. I don’t think Dougie has a shot but it would be interesting at the Ford homestead in 2017 and 2018 if Doug is the mayor and Rob wants the job back. If you’re not talking about Toronto politics, chances are you’re talking about the sad state of the NFL which seems to get worse daily.

And now, it’s time for us to do the links. Let’s kick things off with Mexican model Alejandra Guilmant.

Some people were willing to write-off the Liberal surge as a Justin Trudeau honeymoon. Now, the Liberals appear to be back and a threat to Conservative dominance. (CBC News)

Doug Ford was expected to be the brains behind Rob Ford’s mayorship. Instead, his been more hindrance than help. That doesn’t bode well for his candidacy. (The Globe and Mail)

And Doug’s candidacy for mayor wasn’t a last-minute plan thrown together to keep the Mayor’s sash in the family. It was implemented at the last-minute but Rob’s drug and alcohol issues meant this contingency plan was in place for months. (National Post)

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Wednesday Link-Off: More than PR

camille-rowe-next14-01There’s no getting around the way the Ray Rice story blew up. While we all agreed the suspension was far too light, past precedent notwithstanding. However, we didn’t suspect that the NFL had never really bothered with its due diligence in the matter. Now they’re scrambling, not to make it right, but to save themselves from a complete PR meltdown. What a sad state of affairs when PR trumps doing what’s right.

So let’s get this post underway. Here’s Camille Rowe.

Toronto mayor Rob Ford has scored a key endorsement in his re-election campaign: Mike Tyson. (Yahoo!)

If you’re a Politico reader, their executive editor just left over strategic differences with the site’s founders. (New York Times)

Several months after the incident occurred, the full video of Ray Rice beating his wife made its way to TMZ. Suffice to say that his two-game suspension became a massive PR nightmare for both Rice’s now-former team and the NFL. But that’s all this was about. It’s all about PR. (Sports of Earth)

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Wednesday Link-Off: All The Write Stuff

nina-agdal-soliver14-02I know that only writers and aspiring writers care about writing and other writers but there are a lot of links today about sports writers and sports writing. That might not be everyone’s cup of tea but hopefully there’s a link for everyone in today’s post.

But before we get to the links, let’s start with Nina Agdal.

Texas’ war on abortions isn’t really doing much to promote the “right to life” of unborn children as endangering them and their mothers when they look for abortions. (Washington Post)

The UN has released satellite photos showing Gaza before and after Israel bombarded it. (Sploid)

It seems like it might just be a coincidence but your name might an impact on your life. (The Atlantic)

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Sunday Link-Off: All The Write Stuff

genevieve-morton-randallslavin14-06No, that title isn’t a typo. I’m just back to making bad puns. What else do you expect from me on the weekend? I know! Links! And since today is Sunday, it’s probably a good idea to bring you the links. We start with some writing and transition to the downfall of sensibility in the NFL and the confused sustainability priorities of the NHL.

But before we get to all of that, let’s kick off with South African model and blog favourite Genevieve Morton.

TMZ might be the biggest player in celebrity gossip today but no one is entirely sure how it became a seemingly overnight success story. Here’s a look at the gossip site’s history. (BuzzFeed)

And since I just ran a BuzzFeed link, one of their lead writers is a serial plagiarist. (Our Bad Media)

After a couple of days of controversy, BuzzFeed undertook an internal review and let Benny Johnson’s for plagiarizing over 40 times. (BuzzFeed)

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Sunday Link-Off: Happy New Year!

luana-mourato-moonbasa13-06And here we are for a set of the links and the first set of links of 2014. Well, okay. We had Wednesday’s year-in-review but does that really count? Anyhow, it’s time for the Sunday links. Let’s start a new year off with a new face. Here’s Brazilian model Luana Mourato.

A recent poll says that most Canadians aren’t happy with the direction of the country. The next election is shaping up to be very interesting. (The Globe and Mail)

No one is happy with The Affordable Care Act. The right hates it because they hate the government doing anything affecting citizens. The left hates it because it doesn’t do enough. (New York Times)

Speaking of the political right, 2013 was a big year for shaming women. That’s something that should change. (Al Jazeera America)

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Wednesday Link-Off: Labour Day Blues

emmanuelle-chriqui-miami13-04With Labour Day come and gone, I think that means that summer is over. Well, I think summer was over early for me. It was 13°C on Monday. I’m glad that I did my grilling on Saturday and Sunday instead because I would have needed a winter coat for Labour Day.

Anyway, it’s time for the links. Let’s kick this post off with Emmanuelle Chriqui.

The Republicans have cold feet on intervention in Syria. This doesn’t have to do with principles or intelligence but politics… Of course it is. (Mediaite)

A gay rights activist was arrested under Russia’s new anti-gay laws. Cruelly, the man was turned in to police by his own parents. (Pink News)

How has political campaign reporting changed since the advent of Twitter as a source of disseminating news in near real-time. (New York Times)

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My Team’s Jumbotron Is Biggah Than Your-ahs: A Comparison of NFL Jumbotrons (Infographic)

No, I’m not trying to do a Tommy From Quiznee thing with that headline. I just thought it worked for the football theme of the post. With the NFL down to the final four teams, I though that this was as good a time as any to look at the jumbotrons of the NFL. With the Houston Texans planning to install 277 foot wide screens next season, they’ll have the biggest video screens in the league.

For a complete comparison of the video screens of the NFL, we have this handy infographic. Continue reading →

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Wednesday Link-Off: The Bigger Picture

doutzen-kroes-victoriassecret12-07Today, we take a break from the long reads to bring you our usual set of Wednesday links.  Don’t worry, though, because there is still some worthwhile reads in today’s links. But first, here’s Victoria’s Secret model Doutzen Kroes. Her appearance has everything to do with cashing in on last night’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.

John McAfee’s run from the law in Belize has been a long running story in the tech world. The story is exposing the possibility of corrupt government officials in Belize and the ineptitude of the police for being unable to arrest him. (New York Times)

By now you’ve likely heard about the murder-suicide committed by NFL player Jovan Belcher. Here’s a breakdown of the timeline of that fateful Saturday. (Kansas City Star)

The editor-in-chief of The New Yorker thinks that Hilary Clinton will run for President in 2016. (The New Yorker)

After the jump, a celebrity is planning a Senate bid, what does a Marine think of Spec Ops and a DMX Christmas carol. Continue reading →

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Sunday Link-Off: Sports Bucks

michea-crawford-paindusucre12-01If you thought there was a lot to read on the blog last week, wait until you see we have what we have in store for this week. We have a review of the Mass Effect 3 Omega DLC, a look at the top Canadian racing driver prospects and our annual look at the Spike Video Game Awards and none of those are short posts. It’ll be a good week if you like long reads.  Anyway, let’s kick off the links with Canadian model Michea Crawford.

Conservative commentator S.E. Cupp says that it’s time Republicans stop worrying about ridiculous pledges they make to earn endorsements and worry about the electorate and being accountable to the voters. (New York Daily News) By the way, if you read the comments, you can see the Tea Partiers take issue with her common sense point of view in this column.

Forbes again released their list of the value of NHL franchises. The problem is that they seem to be making up the revenue numbers used for valuation and ignoring the fact that there’s a lockout. (mc79hockey)

You shouldn’t need any help figuring out why you should have Notre Dame football. If you do need help, here’s a Hater’s Guide to Notre Dame. (Deadspin)

After the jump, David Stern is drunk on his own power, the return of Iron Chef isn’t as successful as hoped and a modern Santa Claus Conquers The Martians. Continue reading →