Real Classy Tribute to Derek Jeter

What I love about this ad is that there is no dialogue, no grand special effects or grand proclamations. We see one of New York's most revered athletes shown getting respect from a host of people (even opposing players) for all that he has achieved over the years. The fact that the gratitude is expressed by the simplest of gestures -- a hat-tip -- makes this ad all the more rewarding.

Well done, Nike.

Happy Jackie Robinson Day

On this day 67 years ago, Jackie Robinson made his major league debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers and ushered in a watershed moment in American history. As the first black men to play in the big leagues, Jackie Robinson experienced insults and a racial animosity that no American athlete before -- or since-- has gone through. Today Major League Baseball commemorated the man who carried a burden in which we all rest upon.

Richard's Rant Heard Roun' The World

Richard Sherman sure was hyped following the NFC Championship Game last weekend. The post rant fallout hasn't been nearly as fun however.

In the last couple of years the loquacious cornerback, Sherman, has gained a bit of a reputation for getting in to people's faces and not being afraid to make a point. He did it to Tom Brady. He did it to offensive tackle Trent Williams and received a parting shot by way of a right hook. Neither of these two previous episodes received the attention of Sherman's latest post game faux pas.

Here's the video for those who might have missed it.

Grantland Looks at the Portland vs. Seattle Rivalry

Basketball is big just about everywhere nowadays with the NBA, FIBA, NCAA Tournament and even AAU leagues popping up across the country. With that expansion has come some intense rivalries. In this video from Grantland we see just how intense those rivalries between cities can be when we get an introduction to the Portland vs. Seattle I-5 tussle.

In this short video we see reps from both cities speak on the ballers from their hoods and local tournaments over the years between the two northwestern neighbors. Definitely worth a look.

The Program 20 Years Later

This is probably one of the most underrated sports films of the last 20-25 years. I loved it when I first saw it 10 years ago and it continues to be one of my favorites.

"The Program" is a film about a fictional college football team and the challenges and obstacles they must overcome during the course of a season. That's really just the icing on the cake however. Over the course of the film we get a view to varying degrees of the men who makeup the squad. There's the alcoholic quarterback. The freshman running-back trying to supplant the senior in the starting lineup. The fierce linebacker who trash talks the opponent to psych himself up during the game before it eventually costs him. And finally, there's the coach played by James Caan who is fighting to keep it all together.