THE WRITING ON (AND OFF) THE WALL WILL THEY KEEP NAME IF THE STEELERS LOSE?Byline: TOM HOFFARTH Not exactly the sports week in review, but a review of the weaker stories that didn't necessarily have the juice to squeeze out the bigger headlines: What happened: The city of Washington, Pa. - established in 1781, population about 15,000 - has changed its name, so there's no confusion about who they're pulling for in Super Bowl XL. They are now Steeler, Pa. At least through Feb. 5, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. a proclamation by the mayor and city council. ``I know the folks in the state of Washington are rooting for the Seahawks, so we wanted to make sure everyone knows the city of Washington is fully in support of the Steelers,'' said mayor Kenneth J. Westcott. What's the problem: Something strange about how a city like Washington will change its name, but a team like the Washington Redskins Add to that rumblings in the council chambers in Pittsburg, Kan. It would also like to change its name, for the time being, just to make sure outsiders know how the townfolk stand on the game. Welcome to Apathetic ap·a·thet·ic adj. Lacking interest or concern; indifferent. ap  a·thet , Kan.
What happened: Texas A&M University is objecting to the Seattle Seahawks' use of the term ``12th Man'' to describe the raucous fans of the Super Bowl-bound team, and school athletic director Athletic director (commonly, "athletics director") is a position at many American colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, which oversees the work of the coaches and related staff involved in intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic Bill Byrne C. William "Bill" Byrne, II is the current Athletic Director of Texas A&M University, a position he has held since January 2003. He previously served as the athletic director at Nebraska for 11 years from 1992-2003. said that university officials are working to have the Office of Collegiate Licensing issue a cease and desist order An order issued by an Administrative Agency or a court proscribing a person or a business entity from continuing a particular course of conduct. The force and effect of a cease and desist order are similar to those of an Injunction issued by a court. to the NFL NFL abbr. National Football League NFL (US) n abbr (= National Football League) → Fußball-Nationalliga team. The Seahawks fly a blue banner at all their home games with the large number ``12'' on it, to represent their loud fans. A&M has been using the ``12th Man'' tradition since 1922. They registered it as a trademark in 1996. ``We had similar situations with the Buffalo Bills What's the problem: The Seattle Seahawks
Paul Gardner Allen (born January 21, 1953 in Seattle, Washington) is an American entrepreneur. With Bill Gates, he formed Microsoft. . You really want to drag him and his posse into court? What happened: Barry Bonds Barry Lamar Bonds (born July 24 1964 in Riverside, California) is a left fielder for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball. He is the son of former major league All-Star Bobby Bonds, the godson of Hall of Famer Willie Mays, and a distant cousin of Hall of Famer Reggie is in talks with ESPN ESPN Entertainment and Sports Programming Network and Major League Baseball "MLB" and "Major Leagues" redirect here. For other uses, see MLB (disambiguation) and Major Leagues (disambiguation). Major League Baseball (MLB) is the highest level of play in North American professional baseball. about having him become the focus of a reality show that would air on Tuesday nights during the upcoming season. Cameras will follow him on and off the field, starting with spring training and through the 2006 season as he pursues the all-time home-run record. What's the problem: Aside from the fact that ESPN's own ombudsman, George Solomon, says that doing this ``boggles the mind, however beneficial to the ratings'' it may be, there are plenty of other ethical issues here. If something newsworthy happens during the course of this, does ESPN get exclusive rights to it, since it's essentially paying for the video? But, the reality is, will baseball fans finally get to see the real Barry Bonds? Sounds juicy, but don't bet on it. He who shields himself behind his kids during group interviews, who's liable to backhand clubhouse attendants who happen to catch him on a ``bad'' day, who might make secret trips in the middle of the night to the flaxseed oil store, will only be on his best behavior with the red light on. The more interesting reality show might be following around ESPN reporter Pedro Gomez as he runs in circles trying to cover Bonds. What happened: U.S. Olympic skier Bode Miller, in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, makes some allegations about those who take performance-enhancing drugs. ``Right now, if you want to cheat, you can: Barry Bonds and those guys are just knowingly cheating, but there's all sorts of loopholes,'' Miller said. ``If you say it has to be 'knowingly,' you do what Lance (Armstrong) and all those guys do, where every morning their doctor gives them a box of pills and they don't ask anything, they just take the pills.'' What's the problem: Later in the interview, Miller supposedly also said it's ``very cold'' when you fall down face-first into snow. What happened: A.G. Lafley, the chairman, president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of Procter & Gamble, has bought a share of the Cincinnati Reds. What's the problem: Does he have a solution for when you accidentally mix reds with whites in the laundry? What happened: The new Major League Soccer franchise in Houston has adopted the nickname ``1836,'' commemorating the year the city was founded. Houston 1836 franchise team president Oliver Luck says: ``This is a team for Houston. If you live in Houston, you must like it here.'' What's the problem: Luck will need plenty of it. Predicted attendance for the team's first game: 1,836. What happened: Orange County's NHL NHL Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, see there team will change its name next season, dropping the word ``Mighty'' from its nickname and going with the Anaheim Ducks. What's the problem: None, really. In fact, Angels owner Arte Moreno backs the decision fully. In fact, if the team needs some legal help in doing this, he has a few references. What happened: About 200 participants are expected to compete in the Empire State Building Run-Up on Feb. 7, racing from the first floor to the 86th floor (1,576 steps) in hopes of beating the record of 9 minutes, 33 seconds set in 2003. The problem: None of 'em have a chance against the giant ape using the fire escape. What happened: Call girls, strip clubs and escort services in Windsor, Ontario - just across the border from Detroit - expect booming business leading up to Super Bowl XL. Sex for money and all-nude dancing are perfectly legal in the Canadian city. To top it off, clients can also enjoy Cuban cigars, which are banned in the U.S. Hotels in the Windsor area are said to be booked solid. What's the problem: The Minnesota Vikings have just applied for a franchise venue change. CAPTION(S): 4 photos, box Photo: (1) KOBE BRYANT (2) RON ARTEST (3) BARRY BONDS (4) - Tiger Woods, on the new Nike driver in his bag after a 1-under 71 Thursday at the Buick invitational, his first round of competitive golf this season. Box: SUNDAY PUNCH BY TOM HOFFARTH |
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