What’s the buzz from the world of sports? Here are some items that will have people talking:
1
As the old saying reveals: The show must go on. But shouldn’t there be a time — when unprecedented tragedy arises — that a pause is in order?
That’s the question Talking Points asks after the Kansas City Chiefs elected to play their Sunday afternoon matchup against the Carolina Panthers, one day after linebacker Jovan Belcher killed his longtime girlfriend, then turned the gun on himself at the team’s practice facility.
Just a little over 24 hours after the murder-suicide, there was a moment of silence at Arrowhead Stadium, then the players strapped on their helmets and played football.
Not even death can stop the show, it seems.
However, there have been past examples of sensitivity shown by professional teams in light of unspeakable events. In April 2009 when Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart died in a car accident after a game, the team cancelled its next one against the Oakland A’s. Also in 2002, when St. Louis pitcher Darryl Kile passed away unexpectedly inside his Chicago hotel room hours before the Cardinals were to play the Cubs, Major League Baseball cancelled that game.
The three examples share little in common, only that an athlete passed away during the season.
But at least baseball got it right: out of respect, sometimes the show should not go on.
2
Who said the San Antonio Spurs are boring?
Last week, the team dominated NBA storylines after coach Gregg Popovich decided to rest four starters in Miami. The NBA slapped the organization with a $250,000 fine for the move. Now, a private photo has been unearthed that shows the Spurs’ biggest stars, Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, joshing around in costume and aiming toy guns at the head of a man dressed as controversial referee Joe Crawford.
