Brad Pye Jr. Sports Editor EmeritusDecember 4, 2016
Brad Pye’s National Sports Beat (12/1-12/7/2016)
The Seattle Seahawks’ Russell Wilson and the Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton, two of the best and most exciting young QBs in the NFL will be rolling against each other on Sunday Night Football. Both still have chances for playoff berths.
Texas grad Kevin Durant tried to cheer up his alma mater’s football coach Charlie Strong, who may be on his way out of the door. Durant wrote: “Thank you, Charlie.” Strong reportedly will be fired at the end of the season.”
“I don’t want you around the Rams anymore” the Rams head coach Jeff Fisher personally reportedly told Eric Dickerson, according to an interview the great Hall of Fame running back gave channel 11 Fox TV Monday night. Who do you believe? Fisher says there was a misunderstanding. Dickerson says he’ll never attend another Rams as long as Jeff Fisher is coach. Check This! The Rams have ignored my many requests for media credentials.
Should the Dallas Cowboys sensational first year players, QB Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott, share Rookie of the Year honors? I think so! What about co-MVP honors too. Thanks to this duo at the moment the Cowboys had a 10-1 report card. The league’ best record. Tonight (Thursday) the Dallas Cowboys’ fabulous rookie QB Prescott and his rookie partner Elliott will be on the track to lead the most famous team from Texas to its eleventh straight win.
I was in that delegation of black men and women journalists on a tour of Havana, Cuba, and to meet the leader elect of the country. Joe Louis the great Brown Bomber, took more than 80 or more of black newspaper members and broadcasters to tour Havana, Cuba. Louis had a contract with the Cuban government to attract black tourists. We were on the Island for seven days. On the plane back in Miami it was announced worldwide that Fidel Castro, who died on Friday Nov. 24 was announced as a communist and Joe Louis cancelled his contract. Included in the group from L.A. were the late Mr. and Mrs. Chester L. Washington, Jr., Mrs. Ell No relations to Colonel Leon H. Washington Jr., and Mrs. Ella K. Mays. Incidentally I was Colonel Washington’s sub, the late founder of the L.A. Sentinel. On New Years Eve we sat on the floor and ate friend chicken with Castro. And the beat continues!
Check this! The Cavs’ Kevin Love scored 34 points in a quarter to set a new league record and scored 40 in the game vs, the Portland Trailblazers.
Is there a future in comedy for L.A. Clippers’ star Blake Griffin? Griffin has been testing his talents in local clubs and at gigs on road trips. Griffin and his girlfriend have a three-year-old son and a three month old daughter. It is Griffin’s moment and his happy time. And the beat continues!
When LeBron James became the youngest player to score 27,000 points, he was 31-years and 317 days old, I thought you would love to have this stat.
Will Tiger Woods start adding to record of 14 major championship and all time record of 79 wins. Tiger said before the start of the Nov. 30 play in the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas’ Island. The tournament benefits Tiger Woods Foundation.
Olympic Games great Usain Bolt may “switchreels” to Soccer.
For the record, it has been 44-years since an NBA player led the league in both scoring and assists. That player was Nate ‘Tiny’ Archibald during the 1972-73 campaign.
The basketball playing UCLA and USC are unbeaten at this writing and appear on their best seasons in recent years. Over the weekend both schools were victorious. UCLA with Lonzo Ball and company leading the victory parade, the Westwooder’s beat Texas A&M 74-67 and, The Figueroa Street basketballers from USC prevailed 78-73 vs. SMU and improved their rankings.
. Check This! Going against Riverside on Nov. 30 UCLA was 4-0
vs. out town teams and 7-0 overall going into Pauley Pavilion.
Comedian Dave Chappelle refers to President Elect Donald J. Trump is a good sport when it comes to the soon to be our next President: “I’m going to give him a chance, and we, the historically disenfranchised, demand that he gives us one too.”
The Jackie Robinson Foundation is making the road to success for all of the world. Check this! 97% are employed or in graduate school, 62 % have received graduate degrees, and 63% lead or participate in community/services initiatives, 60% are junior-level management or above at their companies/organizations. . You can help support the Jackie Robinson Foundation! One Hudson Square 75 Varick Street 2nd Floor New York, NY 10013-1917 “Help us level playing field in higher education for talented minority scholars.”
Just call Clemson’s QB Deshaun Watson the six TD man. Watson threw for six TDs in his team’s 56-7 win over South Carolina to match his six TD game vs. North Carolina in 2014. Watson passed for 347-yards against South Carolina to move a step closer to a playoff berth.
Six years ago, Cayleb Jones was a four star recruit. His brother, Isaiah Jones, at 5-7, was the main man for every team’s jersey he wore. Robert Jones talents as a wide receiver had earned him consensus all-American honors at East Carolina. There are football players who are praying to be like the Jones family.
Who would have thought the L.A. Clippers would be sporting the best record (14-4) in the NBA on Nov. 24? Well they are! And even the first place Stephen Curry led Golden State Warriors and the second place LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers would be trailing the Clippers?
Checking the preps: Reseda High’s cornerback Jalani Ellison is battling his offensive cohorts for the headlines. Ellison doubles as a wide receiver too. Check This! Ellison has 15 interceptions and returned six of them for TDs. In three playoff games, Ellison has picked off six and returned three for scores. Not too tacky for a junior! Southland Preps have been blazing stats too. On Friday Ellison snagged three more and returned two for TDs in a 37-0 victory. By the way, Ellison has a 3.2 grade point average. . Now let’s check out of the area’s top HS offensive heroes. J.T. Daniels of Santa Ana’s Mater Dei High’s has passed for 65 TDs, and QB Tristan Miller has passed for 625 yards and WR Jacob Moss has caught for 20 passes for TDs and 381-yards in one game. That isn’t all! Riverside’s Norte Vista has romped for 4,194 yards and 53 TDs. . More on the Chino Hills Ball brothers, LaMelo and their teammates, Eli Scott, Onyekants, Kongwu and Andre Ball. . And the beat continues!
USC is pushing Adoree’ Jackson for Heisman Trophy honors. Jackson scored three TDs to help his Heisman chances. Jackson put his name in the USC record book for his three-TD day against Notre Dame at one of the most thrilling and exciting games ever played at the famous sports place. Coach Clay Helton can’t say at the moment if Jackson will return next season or not. However, Helton and Trojan fans pray he will be back for one more season. Check This! USC is being considered for a berth in the Rose Bowl or the Alamo are the most landing places or an at large bid in the Cotton Bowl. Check This! Jackson who played both basketball and football at Gardena’s Serra High. Their basketball coach died the other day at the age of 53, Here’s the tribute Jackson paid his Serra High mentor: “The man, The coach, The myth. The Legend, coach. Dwan Hurt. Rest In paradise Coach and thank you for everything.”
Don’t expect the L.A. Rams to come home from New England with a victory. Reason: Tom Brady and those New England Patriots can beat the Jeff Fisher coached Rams with their hands tied behind their backs. Drew Brees and his New Orleans Saints marched over the Rams 49-21, the last time they hit the field.
