Brett Favre Wins Vikings Beat Cleveland 34-20 – Video

Brett Favre won his debut in Minnesota as the Vikings beat Cleveland 34-20 behind Adrian Peterson’s 180 rushing yards and three touchdowns. The opening game, Minnesota vs Cleveland, has been billed as the Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson Show.

“I haven’t played with an offense like this,” Favre said. “It starts with 28 [Peterson], but I’ll tell you what — that offensive line is pretty impressive.”

Erik Kramer & Brian Webber of FOXsports Online OT recap Brett Favre Viking’s debut, show highlights and more. Watch video.

If you would like to find out how to hire Brett Favre or other NFL players for a speaking engagement, appearance, endorsement, autograph signing or special event, request Brett Favre booking agent information from PFP Sports and Celebrity Talent Agency. PFP is a top speakers bureau and booking agent for sports speakers, football speakers, athlete appearances, endorsemnt deals, celebrities and corporate entertainment.

Tennis Legend Jack Kramer Dies at 88

Jack Kramer, tennis legend and promoter, died of cancer on September 12, 2009 at his home in Los Angeles. He was 88.

ESPN’s Cliff Drysdale reported the death during the Rafael Nadal-Juan Martin Del Potro semifinal at the U.S. Open.

Kramer,  Wimbledon and two-time United States singles champion, was the leading promoter of the professional tennis tours in Los Angeles for 60 years.  He was a world class tennis player particularly known for his consistent serve and volley attack,  powerful serve and forehand.

“He put more continuing pressure on an opponent than any other player I ever saw or played against,” Ted Schroeder, Kramer’s partner for two United States doubles championships, told The Associated Press in 2002. “That goes all the way back to Bill Tilden.”

Kramer was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame  in 1968. The Los Angeles Tennis Open was known as the Jack Kramer Open — the only World Tour event to be named for a player.

Serena Williams US Open Penalty Loses on Match Point – Video

Serena Williams lost to unseeded, unranked Kim Clijsters 6-4, 7-5 at yesterday’s US Open semi final due to a penalty she received for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The penalty just happened to be match point.

“She was called for a foot fault, and a point later, she said something to a line umpire, and it was reported to the chair, and that resulted in a point penalty,” Brian Earley the line referee said. “And it just happened that point penalty was match point. It was a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct.”

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Can Joe Mauer Hit 400 Batting Mark?

Each year there seems to be one or two baseball players who catch the attention of the sports world and stir conversation about the hallowed .400 batting mark.

This year, that talk has centered around Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer, who is currently hitting .363. History tells us that he’ll likely fall short – it’s arguably the most difficult record in sports to break.

The last player to hit .400 was the  great Ted Williams, who achieved the feat in 1941. Williams entered the last day of the season with a batting average of .39955, which would have been rounded up to .400, making him the first man to hit .400 since Bill Terry in 1930. ... Read More

Curt Schilling Interested In Ted Kennedy’s Senate Seat

Retired baseball star Curt Schilling announced last week that he’s potentially interested in filling the seat vacated by the death of Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy. Schilling has a keen interest in politics – he campaigned for President Bush, rallied voters for former presidential candidate Jon McCain and told Boston radio station WRKO in 2007 that running for office is “something my wife and I have talked about a couple of times.”

It would interesting to see how Schilling would fare should he decide to run. He’s achieved folk hero status in New England for the way he pitched with an injured ankle in the 2004 World Series. But whether that popularity would carry over in a state that takes politics very seriously remains to be seen.

Athletes turning to politics after their playing careers isn’t anything new. Some have fared better than others. A few examples… ... Read More

Boise vs Oregon Fight Blount Punches Hout – Video

When Oregon finally lost to Boise State, it  caused Oregon’s LeGarrette Blount, to finally lose it as well. As a result of his anger and frustration, Blount went after Boise State’s Byron Hout punching him in the chin.

Not only did Oregon lose to Boise State, 19-8, but now the Oregon Ducks are wondering what will happen to their hot-headed running back.

Toward the end of the game, Blount finally lost it and after punching Byron Hout, he then needed to be restrained by police and team staff to keep from going after fans.

“I just apologize to anyone watching that,” Blount said. “I just apologize to all of our fans and all of Boise’s fans. That’s something I shouldn’t have done. I lost my head.”

“I tell you what, that will never happen again,” Blount stated. “I will never lose my head again. I should have handled that situation a lot better than I did.

Update: LaGarrette Blount has been suspended costing him his carreer with the Ducks.

Watch Boise State vs Oregon fight video.

Why Are The Dallas Cowboys So Popular?

I’m always amazed at the popularity of the Dallas Cowboys and their players. I book sports celebrities across the country and no team except maybe baseball’s New York Yankees even come close to matching the popularity of the Cowboys.

The Cowboys popularity isn’t just confined to Texas. It’s true they are the most popular team in every corner of the state, but their popularity extends across the country. They earned the nickname “America’s Team” for good reason. Ask football fans in Richmond, VA who their favorite team is and they’re just as likely to say the Cowboys as the Redskins. ... Read More

Brett Favre Apologizes For Illegal Block (Video)

Brett Favre has apologized for the illegal block he committed against Safety Eugene Wilson during last Sunday’s preseason game against the Houston Texans.

Favre, Minnesota Viking’s newly acquired QB, blamed the penalty on being rusty.

Favre drew an illegal crackback block on Houston Safety Eugene Wilson, who is now unable to play. Wilson is now listed as day-to-day.

Favre complained earlier today of pain when he takes deep breaths and said he thinks he might have a cracked rib.

Favre said, “My intentions were not to hurt anyone including myself… I hope he’s ok… I’m sorry if he was injured, but that was not my intention.”

Watch video.

Brett Favre  illegal crackback block against defender Eugene Wilson.  Watch video.

PFP is a top booking agent for athlete appearances, sports stars, entertainers and celebrities.

Broncos Brandon Marshall Has Been Suspended

Last Friday the Denver Broncos  announced that Brandon Marshall was suspended for “conduct detrimental to the club”.

Marshall is not expected to play in Sunday’s preseason game against the Chicago Bears and there is no word on how long the suspension will last.

At practice last Wednesday Brandon was doing a drill half heartedly and then punted the ball at the end of it rather than just handing it over. ... Read More

Bart Starr, Archie Manning, Dan Fouts, Roger Staubach Where Are They Now

It’s always interesting for me to hear what athletes are up to after their playing careers have ended. Today I’ll take a look at four quarterback greats.

Bart Starr

Then…Bart Starr was quarterback for the Green Bay Packers from 1956-71, winning five NFL Championships and named MVP of the first two Super Bowls. He earned four Pro Bowl selections and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977. After his playing career, Starr was the head coach of the Packers for nine seasons from 1975–83 and compiled a 52–76–3 record.

Now…Today, Starr resides in Alabama and runs Healthcare Realty Management. He is co-founder of the Rawhide Boys Ranch, a place which assists boys in trouble. He’s also a popular sports motivational speaker.

Archie Manning

Then…Archie Manning played for the New Orleans Saints from  1971 – 82. In 1972 he led the league in pass attempts and completions, and in 1978, he was named the NFC Player Of The Year by UPI. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1978 and 1979. He went on to conclude his career with the Houston Oilers (1982-1983). He ended his 13-year career having completed 2,011 of 3,642 passes for 23,911 yards and 125 touchdowns. His 2,011 completions ranked 17th in NFL history upon his retirement.

Now…Today, Manning is best known as the father of NFL stars Payton and Eli. He resides in New Orleans and travels around the country as a sports motivational speaker. He’s also served as a spokesperson for numerous companies, including UPS and Mastercard.

Dan  Fouts

Then…One of the most prolific passers in NFL history, Dan Fouts led the NFL in passing yards four times and ended his career with 40,000 yards, the third player to surpass that mark. He led the Chargers to the playoffs from 1979 – 82 and twice to the AFC Championship. His career high of 4,802 passing yards during the 1981 season was an NFL record at the time. He was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.

Now…Fouts lives in Oregon and has enjoyed a successful college and NFL broadcasting career with CBS, ABC and ESPN. He was an analyst on Monday Night Football alongside Al Michaels and Dennis Miller for two seasons beginning in 2000.

Roger Staubach

Then…After an illustrious career at Navy in which he won the 1963 Heisman Trophy, Roger Staubach helped the Cowboys become “America’s Team”. He led the Cowboys to four Super Bowl appearances, its first title in 1972 and a second one in 1978. He was named MVP of the 1972 Super Bowl and became the first of four players to win both the Heisman Trophy and Super Bowl MVP. When he retired in 1980, Staubach was the highest rated passer of all time at 83.4. The six-time Pro Bowler was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.

Now…Staubach has enjoyed as much success off the field as he did on it. Residing in Dallas, he started The Staubach Company, one of the largest commercial real estate companies in the country. He served as CEO of the multi-billion dollar company until he stepped down in 2007. The next year, the company was sold to Jones Lang LaSalle for $613 million.

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