I’m walking through the Durham Center recently when I see my buddy Jill waiting on her roommate. We get to catching up, talking about classes and such. Then we start talking about interviewing for jobs after we graduate, which got me thinking about the professionalism and work ethic that goes along with a career.

Sometimes this isn’t portrayed in the jobs we do and the people we see, including those wonderful, lovable athletes.

They’ve Got No Kick In This Game

Now, I’ve got a lot of pride for my hometown. Sometimes this gets me into discussions, including those with fellow Daily reporter Darryl Frierson. Our wholesome Kansas City-St. Louis banter has become commonplace in the newsroom. And it’s that pride which helps out this rant.

I was driving home Sunday night after a day of working inside the Communications Building, listening to Fox Sports Radio. I had been keeping updated on all the football games during the day, including the Rams’ 34-14 pasting of the Jets.

On the way home, I found out about something I hadn’t known. One woman called into the show to talk about a “gutless” moment she found in the St. Louis-New York contest. Apparently, with a 31-7 lead in the third quarter, the Rams decided to pull an onside kick on their opponents.

I thought, “OK, why would they do that?”

One reason that came up was the Jets’ seemingly amazing ability to come back from large deficits. However, Martz didn’t seem to talk much about that in his post-game press conference.

So, let’s add up the facts. You’re up 31-7. You have an offense that is controlling the game. Your defense is supposedly improved. Now, what does that equal? Not an onside kick, I’ll tell you that.

Two words form in my head when a play like this one occurs.

Gutless and cowardly.

Does Martz have so much fear in his defense that he had to keep the ball to ensure a win? Frankly, no.

Now, I must admit, I have had respect for the Rams for a while. I thought that it was pretty cool when they won the Super Bowl. They weren’t my favorite team, but I didn’t have much reason to dislike them. Until now.

A play on this level makes me lose respect from the team that performed it. D’s city may have a good football team, but they need to work on their “insecurities” as a squad.

A Coronation Fit for a Coin

The New York Yankees are the greatest team in baseball history. From 1900-1994, they have displayed the presence of being a winner. The amount of World Series victories they have is unmatched at 22. The list of Hall-of-Famer players is countless.

Through the first 94 years of the 20th century, the Yankees have been a great force in baseball. Wait a minute, you ask. What about 1995-now?

Answer: The last six years don’t count.

Ever since the strike of 1994, baseball has reformed into an elitist game, with pretenders getting full of hope before being smashed by the powers that be. In baseball, you can’t get more powerful than the pinstripes. They have the money to buy the talent, replace the talent, get more talent and still have some leftover change to obtain half of the Hamptons.

The Bombers haven’t earned their last four titles – they straight out bought them. They’re the only team that can. The Braves, Indians, Astros and Rangers couldn’t do that when they were appearing one after the other against the mighty New Yorkers.

To tell you the truth, if the Yankees win again, I’ll have to rethink my baseball following habits. If they say it was good for the city, I’ll puke. These guys aren’t doing this for their city. They’re doing it for a tradition and a trophy. A tradition that’s been ruined and a trophy that’s filled with green and smells like currency.

My problem isn’t with the fans. I’m certain they’re extremely genuine and caring people. It’s a shame, though, that the players have sold their baseball souls for a few championships.

Absurd Predictions

This week’s prediction reaches absurdity right out of the gate, due to the fact that I have no idea what I’m talking about (but isn’t that usually the case?). It’s time to look back at the collegiate level of athletics for what will turn out to be a rather large event in the eyes of this sport’s competitors.

Ok, enough talk, what’s the sport?

I’m talking about none other than cross country. That’s right, a sport I could never compete in, and I’m presiding over its conclusion.

On Saturday, the Cyclones will head down to Norman to take part in the Big 12 Championships.

With the wide-open spaces of the Oklahoma red clay beaming brightly in the sun, the stage should be set for national power Colorado to take the men’s and women’s titles. Now as for the rest of the conference, it’s pretty much up in the air.

At the end of the men’s race, I see Mike Mwangong leading the ‘ Clones to a fourth-place finish. The women, with Kelly Brinkman at the helm, may fare a little better, ending in third.

One thing these people will certainly receive is my utmost respect. Anyone who can run like they do should be commended.

Jonathan Lowe is a senior in meteorology from Kansas City, Mo.