Action Jackson

Success

"She like listen Jigga man, I don't care if you rap...you better R-E-S-P-E-C-T me..."

Jay-Z - Girls, Girls, Girls

The Philadelphia Eagles are getting the acclaim that was missing during most of the season...so I find it interesting that rookie wide receiver DeSean Jackson is on the cover of Sports Illustrated...however I'd rather see the Birds get national recognition, better late than never.

Growing Pains

Pop quiz...who was the 49th pick of the 2008 NFL Draft...if you said DeSean Jackson, then you are not only correct...you are more than likely an Eagles fan. Born December 1, 1986, and standing at a mere 5'10"...the speedy wide out has made a name for himself this season. As a top selection in the draft, the eyes were on him, especially in Philadelphia, and playing within the Andy Reid west coast offense along with Brian Westbrook, and Donovan McNabb, he has had more than his fair share of opportunities to contribute to the team. 

He is most known for his superb play against the rival Dallas Cowboys early in the season, in which he purposely dropped a touchdown pass in error, celebrating prematurely. It's a long season, and Jackson has not only matured, he has grown as an athlete, as he and his teammates will travel north on I-95 this weekend, to square off against the New York Football Giants. 

Is this cover a sign of good things to come for DeSean Jackson and company...only time will tell.

Photo: Sports Illustrated/www.si.com

'08 Year in Review

25-years in the making

Gold Standard

Rookie of the Year, MVP, and Olympic Gold

Superman

Pursuit of happiness

"Shine your light for the world to see..."

Mos Def - Umi Says

Today as I look back at the past year in sports...I eagerly anticipate what 2009 will bring. Penn State has returned to the Rose Bowl as they will battle against USC, the Lakers and Celtics are once again 2 of the better teams in the NBA, and the NFL doesn't have a clear cut favorite, making the playoffs more interesting than it's been in recent years. No matter the outcome from the various teams around the leagues this upcoming year, 2008 was one of the best 365 days of sport in a longtime.

Great in '08

The things that made last season one of the best ever was a combination of the underdog, and the allure and delivery of memorable moments from the summer games in China. I'll keep this post short, because everyone has their own opinion, however I feel that when a team like the New York Football Giants won the Super Bowl against the juggernaut favorite, New England Patriots, it shifted the paradigm in all of sports. To further the shift, the Philadelphia Phillies did the impossible by not only making it to the World Series, but to win it all and restore order in the City of Philadelphia...that may have been something only the Phillies saw coming. Last but not least...'08 was an impressive Olympic year...between Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt, and the USA basketball teams, it made for some of the most magical summer memories, reminding me of the '88 and '92 games, with Flo Jo, and the Dream Team.

2009 could very well be the year of the championship teams everyone loves to hate. The University of North Carolina could win the NCAA basketball title, the New York Yankees may return to their winning ways, and the Los Angeles Lakers could win that elusive 4th ring for Kobe Bryant, making last season a distant memory.

The game isn't won on paper, or my computer screen for that matter, so we will all watch and wait, for what will be another interesting sports cycle.

By Any Means Necessary...

West Coast offense

Brian and AG

"Handle my biz...I scramble like Randall with his...Cunningham, but the only thing runnin' is numbers fam...Jigga held you down six summers..."

Jay-Z - Heart of the City (Ain't no Love)

I'm in the midst of a very long, summer. The term hard work does not give justice…and for those of you that know me, you should remember how much I dislike the summer months. The good news is that we are getting further away from the sticky July days and nights, and closer to the cold wintry season were I can feel what seems like frigid air flowing in my veins.

Nevertheless, I am thankful for my hectic summers, because every year I try to work harder than the last, so that eventually my mother will not have to work as hard as she did when my siblings and I were younger and still does today. Hard work makes people appreciate the fruits of their labor, and in turn the labor is often times rewarded.

In October 2003 I landed a job with the Philadelphia Eagles as a volunteer for the Media Relations game staff. I had been out of work since July 2002, so I was very grateful to work for free. It was a start, and in most instances that's all you need.

My first game was mid-season on October 26; as the team would go on to win 7 more games in a row for a 9 game win streak. That win streak changed the season, as the team would win the NFC East Division for the third time in consecutive seasons. The wins began, on October 19th in the Meadowlands where the 2-3 team was fueled by the strong play of Brian Westbrook, to the note of a game winning 84-yard punt return, for a touchdown. The Eagles were down 3 (10-7) to their rival the New York Football Giants, and with 1:34 remaining on the clock and no timeouts, Westbrook did what he has been doing since he was a kid growing up in Fort Washington, Maryland. 

Westbrook was the first person on the team that I made friends with. We both loved sneakers...so everything clicked.

Any Given Sunday

Five years, Campbell’s Chunky Soup commercials, Super Bowl and Pro Bowl appearances later…Brian Westbrook hasn’t changed, or skipped a beat.

Here is the instant replay on our conversation:

What is your favorite sneaker of all-time and why?
“Jordan. You know it’s so many of them that I really like, but if I had to pick one...it would pick the Jordan XI, white/black.”

What shoes do you play in?
“When I play on grass I’ll wear a 7-stud [cleat], and when I’m on turf I’ll wear a molded cleat, but most of the time I play in the [Nike Zoom] Michael Vick.”

What are the major differences between the sneakers and styles in Philadelphia as opposed to PG County Maryland?
“In Philly the style is a lot more flamboyant. You will see wild, bright colors in Philly, but in PG [county] we have the ability to be wear those colors but we are a lot more relaxed with our style.”

What was it like playing in the Super Bowl?
“The thing about the Super Bowl is that it defines your professional career. The fact that we [Philadelphia Eagles] got there was very exciting, now we didn’t win it, but being there was something that I will appreciative forever.”


Ambition and determination are qualities that cannot be taught, purchased, or sold. Either you have it or you don’t. Brian Westbrook is ambition, and he embodies determination, every day on and off the field.

Peace.

AG.

Photos: Jamie Squire/Getty Images, AXG