Candidates to go back, back, back to ‘MNF’
Do you love watching politicians give sterile answers to completely meaningless questions in an effort to appear to be a relatable person while not offending anyone?
Can't get enough of sports analysts who were never funny in the first place spouting obnoxious catchphrases and antiquated nicknames while often running out of breath midway through a sentence?
There may be great news for you on the horizon.
John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal reports both presidential campaigns have approached ESPN about their candidates appearing on "Monday Night Football" on Nov. 5, the night before the election, and the network appears close to agreeing to have longtime studio host Chris Berman interview both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.
Obama and then-opponent John McCain appeared in separate spots with Berman on "Monday Night Football" the night before the 2008 election.
That night is remembered for some very cringe-worthy television as McCain tried to paraphrase a pair of Bermanisms. Ourand's story has the horrid details.
"When asked what personal qualities he wanted viewers to remember as they went to the polls, McCain said, 'I want them to think: He. Could. Go. All. The. Way. To the White House.' He followed that by saying, 'Even though some pundits have written me off, that's why they play the game.' "
Supporters of the Republican nominee this time around have to hope Romney avoids following suit.
Saying, "I'm ready to go back, back, back, back, back, back to Massachusetts" (or Michigan, or Utah) just doesn't have the same ring to it.
■ AKEY, BREAKY FEELINGS - Former Idaho football coach Robb Akey was "blindsided" by his firing this week, despite posting a 20-50 record midway through his sixth season.
Akey feels money had a lot more to do with the decision than a dismal 1-7 start to the season.
"If I had coached four more games, they would have had to pay me a third of my salary (an additional $105,000)," he told the Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Wash.). "You lose a third of your salary, it affects your ability to feed your family, so it's a little disappointing."
That's a lot of potatoes.
Akey said he is focused on finding a new place to coach.
"I know I'm bored to death right now. It didn't take long," he said. "I don't know how to do nothing."
That includes winning.
■ ANTI-SOCIAL MEDIA - After several "vulgar" posts by some Washington State players, football coach Mike Leach has decided to ban his players from using Twitter.
The offending tweets were brought to the attention of athletic director Bill Moos on Tuesday, according to The Associated Press.
Leach said players who post on Twitter from now on will face suspension.
It was probably a wise move by Leach to call for a social media blackout rather than go with his first instinct, which was to lock the guilty players in a dark shed during practice.
COMPILED BY ADAM HILL
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
