The Beginning of a Revolution in College Football

College Football Uniforms. Most years it’s a mundane topic, talked about by only the most hardcore fans who dissect each and every aspect of their team’s success or lack there of. This year, the topic of college football uniforms has taken center stage as it is talked about by every college football analyst and tweeted about by athletes around the world of sports.

NBA Draft Busts: Stromile Swift

Arguably one of the greatest names to ever play in the NBA, Stromile Swift was basically just that (a great name), during his brief stint in the league. Drafted out of LSU with the 2nd overall pick of the 2000 NBA Draft by the then Vancouver Grizzlies, Swift spent his first 5 seasons with the Grizzlies in which he averaged 9 ppg and 5 rpg. Hardly the stats expected of a 2nd overall selection. The 6-10 athletic freak signed as a free agent with the Houston Rockets during the 2005 off-season. Swift played one season for the Rockets before being traded back to the now Memphis Grizzlies on draft day. Midway through his second season with the Grizzlies he was again traded, this time to the New Jersey Nets. Swift finished out the 2008 season with the Nets, but saw his playing time drastically reduced during the beginning of the 2009 season. In March of 2009, the Nets released Swift making him a free agent. Three days later the Phoenix Suns signed him for the rest of the 2009 season. The Philadelphia 76ers were the next team on the Swift carousel, signing him in September of 2009 only to release him one month later. After his hard luck in the NBA Swift decided to take his game overseas, signing with Shandong Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association or CBA in December of 2009. Swift played for 4 different teams during his 11 year career in the NBA, finishing with career averages of 8.4 ppg and 4.6 rpg. Stromile Swift is just yet another case of a guy who couldn’t figure out how to harness his pure, raw, athleticism into becoming a productive and consistent NBA player.

Shaq Retires

The great Shaquille O’Neal announced his retirement yesterday via video on Tout.com. The 7 foot 1 inch behemoth of a man decided to call it quits at the age of 39 after 19 spectacular seasons in the NBA because of an achilles injury. Shaq broke into the league as a lean 20-year-old out of Louisiana State University (LSU) with the Orlando Magic. After 4 years with the Magic, Shaq signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers and led them to 3 straight NBA Championships from 2000 to 2002, winning the Finals MVP Award in each year. In 2004, the Lakers traded Shaq to the Miami Heat. There, he teamed up with Dwyane Wade and went on to win his 4th NBA Championship in 2006. Shaq was again traded in 2008, this time midway through the season to the Phoenix Suns. After a season and a half with the Suns, he was again traded in 2009 to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Shaq spent one season with the Cavs and then signed as a free agent with Boston Celtics in 2010. Shaq was limited by injuries late in his career, playing in only 37 games for the Celtics.

Shaq ends his illustrious career with:

4 NBA Titles, 3 Finals MVPs, 1 MVP, a Rookie of the Year, 15x All-Star, 2 Scoring Titles, 8x All-NBA First Team, 2x All-NBA Second Team, 4x All-NBA Third Team, 3x All-Defensive Second Team, 3x NBA All-Star Game MVP, 5th Leading Scorer in NBA History

Shaquille O’Neal is way more than a spectacular basketball player, he’s one of the most beloved and entertaining athletes both on and off the court we’ve ever seen. Shaq provides great quotes and sound-bites on a consistent basis and is a very well-rounded individual. He released 5 rap albums, starred in 2 movies, and appeared in a plethora of television sitcoms. Shaq has also tapped into the reality television outlet, hosting his own show called Shaq Vs. Shaq has used many nicknames to connect with fans and media. He always has a smile on his face and seems to be a fun-loving guy who enjoys life. Shaq is definitely in the top 5 in terms of greatest centers of all-time and I wish him the best in whatever he decides to venture into in the future.

I leave you with some of my favorite Shaq nicknames:

The Big Aristotle (my favorite), The Diesel, Shaq Fu, The Big Daddy, The Big Shaqtus, The Big Shamrock, The Big Baryshnikov, The Big Leprechaun