Goofball can’t be face of NFL

When carrying a football, Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson can be poetry in motion. When not carrying a football, he speaks a different language.

Johnson suggested in a recent Sporting News story that he could be the new face of the NFL because he's the league's best player. That's unlikely to happen because the NFL is an image-conscious business and can take a safer route by promoting Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Peyton Manning.

Johnson is a huge talent. He became the sixth back in league history to top 2,000 yards rushing in a season, rolling up 2,006 yards on 358 carries last year.

But he's also a goofball with a big ego. For proof that he's not a master of English or philosophy, sample these ramblings from his Twitter account, ChrisJohnson28:

"Me and Adrian peterson will be free agents at the same time if we play Our contract out what yall think if we pull a miami heat and team up."

"Everybody put the kids to sleep for this next question I'm asking it in 2mins."

(Two minutes later) "What's the definition of making love."

■ STANDING BY HER OLD MAN -- The multitalented Kim Kardashian is now a football analyst. In an in-depth interview with People magazine, she said it was wrong that Southern California returned its copy of the 2005 Heisman Trophy won by her ex-boyfriend, New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush.

"Reggie worked hard for that Heisman and deserves it. He earned it," the reality star said. "I really don't think it's fair to give it back."

Swayed by Kardashian's convincing argument, NCAA officials are considering clearing Bush's name and dropping all sanctions against USC.

■ HOW ABOUT ANNA? -- If Spain would win the World Cup, singer/soccer fan Enrique Iglesias said he would water ski naked.

"A bet's a bet," he told People magazine. "Can you really get arrested for skiing naked?"

Iglesias said he's going through with it, and let's hope his girlfriend, former tennis star Anna Kournikova, made the same bet.

■ THE BIG RETIREMENT PARTY -- It's a sad day for superstars when their talents are no longer in high demand. On that note, the Miami Herald is posing this online poll question: Which one of these prominent athletes needs to just retire and go away?

The choices are David Beckham, Shaquille O'Neal, Terrell Owens and Michael Vick.

O'Neal led with 56 percent of the votes through Monday. Shaq was followed by Beckham (19 percent), Owens (15) and Vick (10). "All of the above" was not an option.

■ NEEDS A HUG -- West Virginia basketball coach Bob Huggins broke seven ribs in a fall at his Las Vegas hotel Friday and was taken to a hospital for observation.

In a touching moment, former Mountaineers star Da'Sean Butler bent down and got nose to nose with Huggins to comfort him.

COMPILED BY MATT YOUMANS
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL