Tony Hawk - Stallion Publishers

Sports Life
magazine
Breeders Cup
Green Bay Packers
Scott Wells
Dallas Cowboys
Brady James
UFC
Joe Daddy Stevenson
Aaron Gryder
Chantal Sutherland
Robbie Albarado
Kent Desormeaux
Vernon Forest
IT IS TIME!
Game Face
Who says woman
do not like football?
100
95
75
Tony Hawk!
This months cover feature.
Exclusive interview
Tony Hawk
Wednesday, August 12, 2009 7:02:17 PM
25
5
0
STARRING ALL YOUR
FAVORITE MMA CHAMPIONS!
HECTOR ECHAVARRIA
GEORGES ST-PIERRE
QUINTON JACKSON
ANDERSON SILVA
BJ PENN
HEATH HERRING
DVD Loaded with Special Features
Including Behind the Scenes, Music Video and More!
When an MMA world champion is lured into the illegal world of
underground cage fighting by an elusive promoter, he quickly realizes
that the only way out is to kill or to be killed.
RY,
O
E
H
RT
AVA I L A B L E E V E R Y W H E R E O N D V D !
[NYSE: LGF]
© 2009 Suenos Del Cielo Entertainment, LLC. All Rights Reserved. www.lionsgatedvd.com
www.neversurrenderdvd.com www.parkertheory.com www.12stones.com
BY
BER
SIC
U
SO
M
D
L
G
O
RIN
EC
TU
ON AY
T
FEA
S
W
STRONG SEXUAL CONTENT,
GRAPHIC NUDITY, VIOLENCE
AND SOME LANGUAGE
SPECIAL FEATURES NOT RATED
1
E
RK
A
, PCK, YS A
S
E
ON MN BLAND 7 DA
T
2 S UTU A
A
page 2 Lionsgate
page 3 Table of contents
pages 4-6 Tony Hawk
page 7 Ab Coaster
pages 8-9 Game Face
pages 10-11 AP Golf
page 12 Joe Daddy Stevenson
pages 14-15 Kent Desormeaux
pages 16-17 Chantal Sutherland
Pages 18-19 Aaron Gryder
Page 20 World of sports net.
Pages 21 Robbie Albarado
Pages 22-24 Gary Brackett
Pages 25-27 Brady James
Pages 29-30 Scott Wells
Page 31 Nokia Fight Center
Pages 32-34 Vernon forest
Page 35 Between rounds radio show
Page 36 Arctic Ice
Sports Life
magazine
Kent Desormeaux
The heartbreak ending to the Triple Crown.
Exclusive Interview
MMA
Exclusive Interviews.
King of the Cage.
Top fighters from around
the nation.
Former Raider
Greg Townsend
New NFL record in 2007.
Leading the NFL in interceptions.
Cover feature.
#31 Antonio Cromartie
San Diego Chargers
Exclusive Interview
Boxing Writer/Legend
Bert
Bert Sugar
Sugar
Exclusive Interview
Premier issue
www.sportslifemagazine.com
(760) 699-8858
MontageHealingArts.com
Healing Arts Spa
Offering professional Massage Therapy, Spa & Hydrotherapy Treatments and
Skin Care Services: including Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports Massage, Hot Stone
Massage, Detoxifying Body Wraps, Facials, Waxing, and Natural Spray Tanning.
Gift certificates and packages available.
Located downtown Cathedral City, Ca (Palm Springs area) in the Pickfair Promenade.
100
68718 East Palm Canyon Drive.,Suite 202.,Cathedral City, CA 92234
95
75
25
5
0
The Spa & glossary
Wednesday, August 12, 2009 7:24:39 PM
Greatness
Being considered great is an honor bestowed only on a select
few. To be considered great in the world of sports, the popular
belief is that one has to be multi-faceted. He would have to be
one of the best to ever play his sport, have a mass appeal so the
media will pursue him, and to be loved and adored in other
countries. Athletes who have reached this pantheon of
grandeur; Muhammad Ali, Wayne Gretzky, and Michael Jordan
to name a few. Michael Jordan is widely considered the best
player to ever pick up a basketball, had a personality and smile
that lit up the room, and was celebrated in some countries more
than he was in the Unites States! As great as the
aforementioned are, they all come from sports that are
generally participated in world wide. So how much harder
would it be to become great and world renown in a sport less
played, say…skateboarding?? This feat was not only tempted
but conquered by one Anthony Frank Hawk or simply Tony
Hawk as the world knows him.
I recently interviewed Tony to pick his brain on everything
from his background to his future plans and some his of
answers may be somewhat different than anticipated…
Q) Going back to your childhood, what sports did you play
growing up?
A) I played little league baseball and basketball until about the
age of 10.
Q) So how did you become interested in skateboarding?
A) All of my friends were doing it at the time and my older
brother gave his old board to try it out. I started skating
around the neighborhood and eventually went to the skate park.
Once I saw the possibilities of flying out of empty swimming
pools, I was hooked!
Q) Who were some of your idols growing up?
A) The best skaters at that time were Steve Caballero and Eddie
Elguera, so I wanted to learn all of their tricks.
Q) What advice would you give young kids who would want to
follow in your footsteps and pursue a career in skating?
A) My advice would be to keep challenging yourself but make
sure you have a good education. You can not rely only on your
physical skills to make it big. You will eventually have to make
smart decisions if you want to have a long lasting career.
skateboard?
A) Not really. Skating was not that popular at the time and
people didn't see it as a career choice. They simply thought I
was good at something but I would eventually grow out of it.
Q) Was schooling difficult while you were skating in
competitions?
A) Only in my later years in high school. It was not that my
work was missing, I was simply marked down for all of my
absences. When I was in class I completed all work.
Q) What, in your opinion, is the reason for the peaks and
valleys in the popularity of skating?
A) It was hard for the general public to see past the toy stigma
of skateboarding. They were more interested in the graphics,
music, and hairstyles associated with skating instead of the
physical skills of the experts. It was also difficult for private
skate parks to afford insurance in the 1980's, so most of them
closed and skaters took to the streets instead. This forced the
sport to survive "underground" for nearly a decade.
Q) Before such venues as the X-Games, how was skating
publicized?
A) In skate magazines and in the occasional TV commercial.
Q) In your opinion, how athletic are skaters when compared to
other athletes such as basketball or baseball players?
A) They are disciplined, determined, and brave. I believe they
work just as hard as any mainstream athlete, and sometimes
perform with serious injuries instead of "sitting the game out."
Q) What is the most impressive feat you pulled off that was not
caught on tape, something you did just with friends around?
A) It would have to be a Double Varial Flip Indy while skating
a private ramp in Geneva, Switzerland. I still can't figure out
how I got it to flip so fast.
Q) What went into your preparation for pulling off the 900?
A) Years of failed attempts and various injuries (broken rib,
fractured collarbone, seized back).
Q) What changed your life after achieving it?
A) The amount of attention I received. I suddenly started
getting recognized everywhere, by all sorts of people.
Q) Can you describe for the readers the process of becoming a
professional skater? Describe an early professional contest for
all of us, what went into it, how did you prepare, etc? How
many competitions, on average, would you skate in in a year?
A) In the early 1980's, skate competitions were few and far in
between, I'm talking maybe 6 to 10 in a year. There were only a
handful of entrants competing for a $150 first prize. Over the
years, as skating grew, the competitions became more frequent
and the prized money jumped by leaps and bounds. Now, the
pro circuit lasts nearly nine months out of the year with major
competitions almost every weekend. Nowadays, a first place
prize can be upward of $50,000 for a major event, a far cry
from the $150 only a few decades ago.
100
95
75
Q) How were you so successful growing up as a young skater?
What made you better than the other kids who were skating?
A) I was constantly learning new tricks and I was skilled
enough to incorporate those tricks into my
routines…consistently. Judges like seeing new stuff. I was also
able to adapt to different terrain while still doing the difficult
moves.
Q) Were you treated any differently by friends, family, or
others, for being somewhat as a child "prodigy" on the
4 Tony Page
Sunday, June 28, 2009 5:42:11 PM
25
5
0
4 Sports Life
aw
k
To
ny
H
100
95
75
25
5
0
Sports Life 5
5 tony hawk page 5
Sunday, June 28, 2009 5:39:54 PM
Q) Was this the biggest achievement (skating wise) that you
have ever pulled off in your opinion in all of your life?
A) Probably, because it was the longest I ever chased a goal in
skating. The fact that it happened at such a large venue was
incidental. I was just relieved to finally make one.
Q) What feelings did you have when you were producing your
ever popular video game and then actually enjoying the final
product?
A) It was exciting, but I knew the expectations were relatively
low because it was a new idea. Once we had the finished
product, I was extremely proud and I could not wait to share it
with the skating world.
Q) What went into your decision to retire?
A) I had competed for 20 years and I had a great platform to
step away from it. I wanted to spend more time with my family,
and I wanted to explore other opportunities in skating, ones that
I had passed up previously because of the nonstop competition
schedule.
Q) Do you encourage your kids to skate or do they just gravitate
toward it?
A) They are all different. My oldest son is an avid skater and
already making a name for himself. My younger boys like to
skate occasionally, but also enjoy other activities with their
friends. My daughter will probably be a skier, just like her
mom.
Q) It is well known that you do a lot for the community and
youth. Can you describe some of your organizations and
foundations and the motivation behind and successes of them?
A) I created the Tony Hawk Foundation to help low-income
communities get public skate parks in their areas. To date, we
have helped to create 300 skate parks across the U.S. and given
away over $2 million. I am also a founding member of Athletes
For Hope, created to inspire other athletes to work together and
give back. The least I could do after having all of this success as
a skater is to help provide the same opportunities to up-andcoming skaters in challenged areas.
Q) What is in your future as far as skating or community
service?
A) We would like to make THF a global initiative, but that
would require much more funding and staff.
Q) What else is on the horizon?
A) Our annual Stand Up For Skate Parks fundraiser in Beverly
Hills. Last year we raised over $1 Million for our cause and we
hope to do even better this time.
Q) If you were not a professional skater, what other profession
would you pursue?
A) A concert violinist. I gave it up when I started skating and I
regret not being able to play an instrument now.
Q) What famous athlete/actor/person would you love to go
skating with?
A) Sean Penn, when he was working on Fast Times At
Ridgemont High.
As displayed by Tony's behavior and overall disposition, being
great comes with many responsibilities. One needs to display a
behavior that is acceptable simply because eyes are always on
you. Also, being great brings you many riches, and Tony, like
many others, feels obligated to share their wealth and give back
to the community. Although Tony will never skate
competitively again, the impact that he has made will influence
many generations to come.
By: Rick Mckenzie
Tony Hawk Article 3
Saturday, October 18, 2008 9:03:27 PM
100
95
75
25
5
0
Award-Winning AB Coaster
NOW available for home use.
June 4, 2008 (New York)— The Ab Coaster®
(www.abcoaster.com) is an award-winning professional fitness
product that is being used by gym-goers around the world, elite
athletes, and even the US Military, and is now available for
consumers who wish to whittle their waistlines at home.
Fitness enthusiasts at every skill level can now get flat abs
safely, efficiently, and on their schedules.
®
The Ab Coaster helps to mold and shape the waistline by
working the lower abdominal first—which fitness experts
agree is the most effective way to achieve lasting results. Users
begin in a kneeling position and curl their knees up toward
their chests in a smooth motion, limiting strain to the neck
and back. The Ab Coaster is a unique, patented machine that
works the entire core, including the hard-to-lose love handles.
Flat abs have long been desired from a cosmetic standpoint,
but there are very real health implications associated with love
handles and spare tires around the middle. Doctors warn that
excess weight in the midsection could be a predictor of heart
disease, type 2 diabetes, and even some types of cancers.
Americans, wishing to lose the weight once and for all, are
turning to the Ab Coaster for effective weight loss and slender
waistlines.
The Ab Coaster is the winner of the Global Innovation Award
at the renowned FIBO 2008 international trade show for health
and fitness. FIBO is the largest fitness exposition in the world,
and the coveted FIBO Global Innovation Award is selected by
industry experts in the areas of health and sports science.
The Ab Coaster is used in training regimens of professional
and collegiate athletes around the world, including the
Pittsburgh Steelers NFL football team. Olympic double-gold
medalist gymnast Peter Vidmar credits the Ab Coaster for
helping him maintain his physique, and both the US Navy and
US Army have stocked Ab Coasters in gyms on bases around
the country.
Now consumers can train like the professionals do. The Ab
Coaster home unit can be ordered at www.abcoaster.com. Each
order comes with a 30-day risk-free trial.
100
95
75
25
5
0
fitness page 2
Friday, October 03, 2008 12:55:24 PM
GAMEFACE
The Kick-Ass Guide for Women
Who Love Pro Sports
------------------Erica Boeke and Chris De Benedetti
GameFaceCover
Tuesday, October 21, 2008 5:20:49 PM
100
95
75
25
5
0
Sports….With A Twist
Have you ever tuned into a sporting event on TV, only to
learn that the broadcasters were speaking some sort of
foreign language, comprised of numbers and stats that you
could not understand? How about watched a pre-game
show that is strictly filled with statistics, injury reports,
and game times? While this is a numbers-filled heaven for
some sports lovers, this is a complete turn off for others.
Spawned out of this dislike for "numbers only"
broadcasting, are Gameface, the book, and
gogameface.com, it's internet counterpart. The mind
behind this…a huge sports fan from the Steel City of
Pittsburgh, PA, Eric A Boeke. That's right, Erica, a
passionate sports fan, stepping up and speaking out for
women all across the nation.
from college to write their book, Gameface. "Gameface is
basically a book based upon what women love about
sports, traveling, games, food, etc. It focuses on the juicer
side of sports. It's a great read that women can enjoy and
men can appreciate." Expanding upon the book, Erica
decided to launch a website, gogameface.com. This was
an extension from the book, that gives readers a daily
update of the goings-on in sports. Erica went on to
explain, "This site is directed at women but guys are
interested in it because some are actually fascinated in the
other side of sports, other than stats. We want to create a
community for women to speak their mind and not feel
tested or threatened in their knowledge of sports. We
cover every sport and we add a dash fashion and music.. I
consider myself a student of sports and want to pass on
my enthusiasm to others If you are a true sports fan you
can find something to love or appreciate about every
sport."
So what does the future hold for Ms. Boeke and
Gameface? "I want to see this turn into a brand. To me,
this is so much more than just a book or a website. I want
to turn up the fashion aspect and get our own radio
broadcast, TV show, etc. I want people to see this as a pop
culture infused voice to sports. Honestly, I am hoping it
will turn into its own movement. I want it to continue to
grow and evolve, that's my goal and I will not stop until I
see it fulfilled," Erica exclaimed. For further information
visit gogameface.com or stop by any bookstore and pick
up Gameface.
"Yes, I grew up in Pittsburgh, a huge Pitt fan and Steelers
fan. I have early memories of always watching sports and
going to games with my dad, this is how I fell in love with
sports," exclaimed Erica. While earning her degree in
communication at University of California, San Diego,
Erica went on to gain a journalism degree from
Northwestern. "My first real taste of working with sports
was in the early '90's when I worked for the San Francisco
Giants. This was my favorite job of all time. I was their
feature writer and I was able to travel with the team," said
Erica. "After working for various magazines such as GQ
and Details, I really missed being around sports and had
to come up with a way to quench this desire to work in
this field." The story of how she went from a GQ
fashionist to traveling all around the country, attending
sporting events, is inspiring.
"I would routinely watch sports and totally be turned off
by all of the stats and numbers. I watch sports with my
heart and just love the ambience of the games," explained
Erica. "I wanted to find a happy medium between the
typical, sarcastic, women-know-nothing attitudes of. 'Well
ladies, a touchdown is six points',
and the ultra sports fanatic take on sports of 'his ERA is
.354 on the first Sunday of odd months'. In there
somewhere lies my love for sports," explained Erica.
What Erica did next was team up with her best friend
100
95
75
25
5
0
By: Rick Mckenzie
Backup_of_Game Face
Thursday, October 23, 2008 9:27:03 PM
Chicks Dig the long ball!!!
100
95
75
Tired of coming up
short off the Tee?
AP Golf
Friday, December 05, 2008 3:16:17 PM
25
5
0
AP Golf
Have a club designed by those who
A C T U A L LY c o m p e t e y e a r
round in National and World
Long Drive Events. Yes, we
actually use the same clubs
in competition as what we
design for you!! The club
will be a custom made for
your body type, swing speed,
swing plane, etc...because
it doesn’t make sense for all
golfers to hit with the same
club as manufacturers
force down your throat
So Get MAD AS HELL and order custom built MAD DRIVER from us today!!
If you use this product code in this ad, you will get 2 clubs for the price of one!!
The same club many World Champion Long-Drive Qualifiers use, including
4--time qualifier Scott McCormack and 2-time qualifier Adam Pilchman is now available for you!
ORDER NOW!!
Adam Pilchman 949-306-2428
Scott McCormack 858-869-4852
Fax 949-266-5602
www.apgolfmaddriver.com
100
95
ER
DRIV
MAD
Promotional Code
APSM
75
25
5
0
ap golf page 2
Friday, December 05, 2008 3:12:39 PM
Joe “Daddy” Stevenson
Being forced to grow up and be a man at a young age is a daunting task. It happens to
millions of kids across this nation far too frequently. At that point, the kid has to choose
his own path; whether to try to do something productive with his life…or simply fall into
one of life’s many traps. Joe Stevenson is one kid that chose the high road. “I didn’t
have what you would call a typical childhood growing up. I was born in Torrance, CA, a
city south of Los Angeles. We then moved to Inglewood, CA but that wasn’t it. I was
raised in Victorville, CA. I attended 10 different elementary schools and my father left
us at an early age.” Stevenson, who married at the age of 20, had two boys by the age of
21. There are few challenges more daunting for a young man to endure than taking the
responsibility of two precious lives into his hands. Since then, Stevenson has been
divorced and remarried and added two more boys to “Daddy’s Troop“. Stevenson is
undoubtedly a big family man. “I really want my wife and kids at home to know that I
miss them a lot when I am away training and I wish I was there,” longingly stated
Stevenson. Heart felt words for his family coming from a fighter who had anything but
the atypical family life growing up.
“Somewhat of a funny story as to how I got my nickname. In high school, my
nickname was Wonder boy. While sitting around with one of my good friends Brad, he
says, ‘Joe, your 21 and you have 2 kids…why don’t you change your nickname to Joe
Daddy?’ Ever since then it stuck with me,” stated Stevenson. With a wrestling
background that stretches all the way back to junior high, Stevenson started watching
UFC at the age of 13. Stevenson stated, “I wanted to play football growing up but my
mom didn’t let me because she said it was too dangerous. One of my inspirations
growing up was Dan Henderson, former Olympic Wrestler and current mixed martial arts
fighter. He is from my home town of Victorville so I really looked up to him. He is the
reason I got into wrestling. The wrestling aspect of my style gave me a solid ground
game base. I then turned to Brazilian Ju-Jitsu to bolster my ground game.” Stevenson is
a tough customer in every phase of the fight game. When he gets hit he is the type of
fighter to return fire, so his stand up game is improving fight by fight.
Another inspiration for Stevenson is superstar fighter B.J. Penn. Stevenson and
Penn became close friends from fighting in the same circuit. In January of 2008, the
inevitable happened; Penn VS Stevenson for the UFC Lightweight Championship. “This
is part of the game. He is a friend of mine, but that made me train even harder because I
knew his skill level and I had to push myself to the limits to have a chance to beat him. I
came out on the losing end, but that is also a part of the game. I picked myself up, went
back to the drawing board and worked on what I did wrong. If you can’t learn how to
lose, you will never truly be a winner.
As far as the future goes, Stevenson is looking for continued success in the fight
industry. He also looks to be a role model and a positive light for kids who grew up
under similar circumstances as him. He has opened a gym in his home town of
Victorville and he enjoys teaching kids not only how to fight, but how to be good people
in life in general. Stevenson seems to be wise beyond his years and enjoys spending his
time spreading that wisdom to some of the less fortunate people around him.
100
95
75
25
5
0
By: Rick Mckenzie
Joe Daddy Stevenson
Wednesday, August 12, 2009 7:13:55 PM
Kent Desormeaux
“I still get butterflies every time I
race” Kent Desormeaux, Jockey
Kent Jason Desormeaux, born February
27, 1970, in Maurice, Vermilion Parish,
Louisiana is an American thoroughbred
horse racing Hall of Fame jockey who is
part of an elite group of North American
riders that have registered over 5,000
victories. He is mentioned in the same
breath as Bill Shoemaker, John Longden,
Eddie Arcaro, Bill Harmatz, Ishmael
Valenzuela, Laffitt Pincay, Jr., Steve
Cauthen, and a few other illustrious Hall
of Fame Jockeys and recipients of the
prestigious George Woolf Memorial
Jockey Award.
Kent has excelled in a sport where
permanent, debilitating, and even lifethreatening injuries occur. Common
among jockeys are concussion, bone
fracture, arthritis, trampling, and
paralysis. To be at the top of this
profession a person must be athletic,
strong, and quite intelligent. Kent has
stated that, “He is always thinking
during a race and can’t let up.”
Desormeaux grew up on a farm where
he was introduced to horses. Beginning
by riding American Quarter Horses, he
was only 16 when he began working as
an apprentice jockey at the Evangeline
Downs racetrack in Lafayette,
Louisiana. He was still 16 when he won
his first career stakes race on December
13, 1986, that was aboard Godbey in the
Maryland City Handicap at Laurel Park
Racecourse in Laurel, Maryland. Kent
did so well that he moved on to the
Maryland racing circuit in 1987 and won
the Eclipse Award for Outstanding
Apprentice Jockey. Desormeaux
proceeded to win more races in the next
three years than any other jockey in the
United States. He is one of a handful of
Jockey’s to have won three national
titles in a row. Kent won the Eclipse
Award for Outstanding Jockey in 1989
and 1982. Kent joins Chris McCarron
and Steve Cauthen as the only jockeys to
win the Eclipse Award in both the
apprentice and overall categories. The
record for most wins in one year, 598, is
held by Desormeaux, this was set in
1989.
Moving to California in the early 1990’s,
Kent suffered a major set-back at the
Hollywood Park racetrack in 1992. He
was thrown by a horse and trampled,
enduring multiple skull fractures and
permanent deafness in one ear.
Returning to the saddle again for
the1993 season, he rode Kotashaan to
victory in the Breeder’s Cup.
Desormeaux was voted the 1993
recipient of the most honored George
Woolf Memorial Jockey Award.
Today, at 38, Desormeaux is excited by
his profession and sees no end in sight.
He is strong, positive and clearly a gifted
athlete. He scored his 5000th career win
on July 27, 2008 aboard Bella Attrice in
the 7th race at Saratoga Race Course,
located in Saratoga Springs, New York.
Kent currently resides in Garden City,
New York.
Kent said, “I’d like to win the Triple
Crown.” Just missing this achievement
In 1998, riding Real Quiet to the
Winner’s Circle in both the Kentucky
derby and the Preakness Stakes. Victory
Gallop defeated Real Quiet by a nose in
the final stride in the Belmont Stakes.
He won his second Kentucky Derby in
2000 with Fusaichi Pegasus.
Adding to his laurels, Kent Desormeaux
was inducted into the National Museum
of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2004. In
2008, Kent just missed again in winning
the famed Triple Crown. Demolishing
the field in the Kentucky Derby by
almost 5 lengths aboard Big Brown, he
then easily took the Preakness Stakes at
Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore,
Maryland, in a time of 1:54 4/5.
Regrettably, Big Brown tired at the
quarter pole in the final leg of the Triple
Crown, the Belmont Stakes and
Desormeaux was forced to ease the colt
to the finish line well behind the leaders.
Kent did not race in the Breeder’s Cup
this year as the highly anticipated “Race
of the Year” between “Horse of the
Year”, Curlin and the excellent Big
Brown, never materialized. Big Brown
suffered a career-ending foot injury on
October 13, 2008, prompting his
retirement.
When I asked Desormeaux how he felt
before a race he stated, “I still get
butterflies before a race” and added, “I
get thrilled with every win; it means I
did my job.”
Sunday, June 28, 2009 5:46:45 PM
95
75
By: Dan Hernandez
Photography by: Raymond Rodriguez
25
5
0
14 Sports Life
14 Kent Desormeaux
100
Gryder the rider wins his 3000th
“I get up everyday looking forward to what I’m going to be doing”
Aaron Tod Gryder, born on June 5, 1970 in West
Covina, California, has consistently placed in the top
echelon of American Thoroughbred Racing earnings as a
jockey. At the age of 13, on the invitation of retired jockey
Rudy Campas, Aaron left home to learn to ride.
minutes from Santa Anita Racetrack. When I was first
introduced to horses and racing I knew it was I wanted to do.
DH: How long do you intend to ride?
How long are you planning to write?
Turning professional at 16 years of age, Aaron met with an
accident while exercising a horse at Santa Anita. His saddle
slipped, throwing him to his left side, with Aaron’s right
foot trapped in the iron. He was asked to leave the main
track for being green and unready and was advised to learn
the trade more comprehensibly at its Agua Caliente
Racetrack in Tijuana, Mexico. Aaron learned quickly and
was just shy of becoming the track’s leading rider when he
was requested to return to California.
Gryder led Hollywood Park’s fall meet as an apprentice
jockey in 1987. Winning his first Grade 1 win on Asteroid
Field in the Matriarch Stakes. Aaron has ridden to over
3,000 wins in tracks spanning the United States, winning
racing titles at Churchill Downs, Arlington Park, and
Aqueduct Racetrack. Aaron completed the 2007 racing
schedule by having almost 900 mounts, with 100 wins, and
earnings over 5 ½ million dollars.
Aaron has also acted in two television productions,
Dellaventura with Danny Aiello and The Sopranos. He
played a jockey on both occasions. Displaying concern for
civic causes, Gryder has involved himself with various
children’s charities, such as, the Oscar de La Hoya
Foundation.
DH: As long as I can.
Yeah, that’s it. I plan to ride as long as I can. As I said, I
love what I do. How many guys can say that? Can you say
that?
DH: Many people don’t really enjoy what they do for a
living, fortunately, I do now. It sounds like you’ve
always felt that way, is that correct?
I get up everyday looking forward to what I’m going to be
doing. This profession has been good to me and it makes
me very happy.
Aaron had a right to be so exuberant; he had just recorded
his 3000th career victory on Wednesday October 22, 2008,
when he rode Pressthepace to a wire-to-wire victory in the
nightcap at Santa Anita Park. The milestone victory came in
a 51/2 furlong event.
Meeting at the Turf Club on the day of the Breeders Cup,
Aaron, confident and professional, was kind enough to
allow the magazine a brief interview and share his passion
for his life and success in his profession
DH: How long have you been riding?
How long have you been writing?
DH: Three years and I’ve been concentrating on boxing.
I’ve been riding for 22 years, so I’ll help you out here. I
train in boxing; it’s a great sport, a great conditioning sport.
DH: Do you like MMA or conventional boxing?
I don’t even know MMA. Boxing is great but I don’t want
to hit anybody. I don’t want to hit anybody, (pointing to
crowd surrounding us), not her, not him, not anybody.
DH: You seem to be happy in what you do, are you?
Pressthepace sped to the lead and won by a definitive 2 ¾
lengths and paid $19.60. After the race, the 36 year-old
Gryder said, “It feels great, it gives me a chance to reflect
back on all of the great races I have been fortunate enough
to win“. Gryder has been competing on the East Coast for
the past 12 years and just returned to Southern California
late last season. He was joined in the winners circle by
fellow jockeys Jon Court and Richard Migliore. Among
many others celebrating with the winner and sweetening the
experience, was his grandmother.
Aaron added, “Its fun to do it here in front of the mountains
where I grew up”. He knew from the time that he was 3 or 4
years of age that he wanted to be a jockey and said,” It was
the only job for me“.
I love it. I grew up here in West Covina, California, just 15
Monday, October 27, 2008 10:11:52 AM
95
75
25
5
0
By: Dan Hernandez
Aaron Gryder the rider
100
Chantal Sutherland
100
95
75
25
5
0
Sports Life 42
42 Chantal sutherland
Thursday, January 29, 2009 10:42:22 AM
Photography by: Gilbert Medina
A Profile on Chantal Sutherland, Thoroughbred Jockey, Model, Entrepreneur, Winner
“I love horse racing, I grew up on a
farm in Canada and was always
around horses and other animals.
Chantal Sutherland, Jockey
I was in the paddock area of Santa Anita
Racetrack in Arcadia, Ca. on the day of
the Breeder’s Cup, the paddock is an
enclosed area at a racetrack where the
thoroughbred horses are paraded and
mounted before a race and unsaddled
after a race. A thoroughbred horse is
considered “hot blooded and is known for
their agility, speed, spirit, and boldness.
The jockey room, where the jockeys
prepare for their job of attempting to
negotiate these approximately one
thousand pound animals around a
racetrack for a designated length, is
located directly behind the paddock.
Even on a warm day, this area is
relatively cool, although bristling with
fans, trainers, security guards, news
media, and jockeys.
endeavors. A two-time Sovereign Award
winner as Canada’s leading apprentice,
Sutherland has demonstrated the ability to
compete with the best journeymen riders
in this country. Hall of Fame trainer,
Bobby Frankel, gave Chantal glowing
praise when he said, “She sits
still”…”She sits quiet on a horse”. Her
agent, Hall of Fame Jockey, Jorge
Velasquez admitted to being reluctant
initially to work with a female jockey;
however, Jorge was won over by
Sutherland’s work ethic. Jorge has been
quoted as saying, “She’s the only rider
that I have worked for that I don’t have to
call in the morning” …”She’s out in the
morning; she’s on four or five horses
every morning. She’s the complete
package; she’s got the ability, she’s got a
nice personality, she’s a hard-working,
and she’s beautiful.”
At a relatively quiet time between races, a
young attractive, casually dressed,
diminutive blonde-haired person came
out of the jockey room and the buzz
began. “That’s Chantal“, said two of the
security guards to each other, a man
standing to my side said, “Do you see her,
that’s Chantal?” Chantal Sutherland
smiled graciously at the small, however,
admiring group of people. I asked her if
she would allow us to take some photos
and speak briefly for our magazine and
she agreed without hesitation. She said,
“You probably want me in my jockey
silks” and proceeded to return to the
jockey quarters to change, coming back
looking radiant. The “Silks”, are the
colors worn by the jockeys in races, these
are the registered “colors” of the owner or
trainer who employs them. The origins of
racing colors probably stems from
medieval times when jousts were held
between knights.
Born and raised in Manitoba, Canada,
where her father, Hugh, owned horses,
Chantal fell in love with horses at a
young age, she states,” I love horse
racing, I grew up on a farm in Canada and
was always around horses and other
animals.” Sutherland galloped horses
during summers of her years attending
York University in Toronto, where she
double-majored in mass communications
and psychology. She has stated that,
“The track for me has been a great place
to mature”. Chantal has said, “A great
rider can ride tight without touching, so
I’ve been practicing to ride as close as I
can without touching somebody” A
student of her craft, Sutherland adds, “I
study my performances when I get to the
jocks’ room or I’ll do them at night, and
I’ll draw a diagram of where the horses
will be”…”I highlight in colored marker
my number wherever I fall in and I know
who’s going to go to the fence. From
studying my riders here, I know who
might come off the fence and who might
not.”
In this setting of predominately-male
riders, Chantal Sutherland stands out for
her mixture of beauty, athleticism, and
success in horseracing as well as other
On the day of the Breeder’s Cup, Chantal
who did not have a mount for the featured
race, commented that, “My entire family
still lives in Canada but were all here
today”. When asked if she was married,
she replied.” I’m too busy; I’m just too
busy to think about that”. Every
statement she made was punctuated by a
smile that was both sincere and
ingratiating. Chantal. At 32, was
bubbling with excitement about
horseracing and her life in general, in
addition to her racing career she was
happy to report that she is, “Excited about
performing as a professional jockey for
nine years and am now focusing on
marketing myself.” When I inquired
about how she was marketing herself, she
struck a models pose displaying her
sponsor, Mistura Beauty. On August 21,
2008, Mistura Beauty announced the
signing of Ms. Sutherland as the new face
for their Mistura product line.
Andi Marcus, President and CEO of
Mistura, Inc. has stated, “We are
absolutely delighted…”Ms. Sutherland is
a wonderful role model for women and
brings her incredible sense of style and
natural beauty in keeping with our
branding. Her modeling experience and
global appeal drew us to her. Moreover,
the uniqueness of her profession aligned
well with our demographic. We look
forward to a very successful partnership.”
Chantal began her career in 2000,
winning her first race on October 9, 2000.
Sutherland had a memorable day recently
when she rode four winners, including
Executive Flight, a Stakes victory on
Canada Day at Woodbine, and she
celebrated August 9, 2008 with five
winning mounts.
Sutherland has also done modeling for
Vogue Magazine and was voted one of
People Magazine’s “100 most Beautiful”
in 2006. She has been featured in Sports
Illustrated and worked with famed
photographer Annie Leibovitz for a 4page spread in American Vogue.
100
95
75
25
5
By: Dan Hernandez
0
Chantal Sutherland
Sunday, November 09, 2008 8:46:52 PM
Robbie Albarado rides Curlin, Horse of the Year
later in the afternoon, and shared a few insights.
DH: How long have you been a jockey?
23 years, I started at the age of 12 in my home state of Louisiana,
on the bush tracks.
DH: Is it what you always wanted to do?
Yes, I never considered anything else.
DH: How do you feel before a race?
After all these years, I still feel nervous. Anxious, very anxious.
“It’s rough in there and you have to have your
Full attention on what you’re doing”
Robbie Albarado
Born on September 11, 1973, in Lafayette, Louisiana, 35 yearold Robbie Albarado is an American Thoroughbred racing
jockey and the regular rider for Curlin, Curlin by Smart strike
out of Sheriffs Deputy, by Deputy Minister, is a powerfully built
chestnut colt with an irregular star and stripe, who was voted the
2007 Eclipse winner as Horse of the Year. Curlin is the only
North American runner to have earned over 10 million dollars in
winnings.
Albarado began riding at the bush tracks in his native Louisiana
at the tender age of 12 and as a professional earned his first win
in Lafayette at Evangeline Downs in 1990. Despite major
injuries, which have interrupted his racing career, Robbie has
managed to compile over 3000 victories. During 1998 and 1999,
Robbie suffered two skull fractures, one of which required
doctors to replace a damaged portion of his skull with titanium
mesh and polymer plate. Another accident in the fall of 2000
kept him out of action most of 2001.
Albarado was victorious in the 2003 Jockey Club Gold Cup,
riding U.S. Horse of the Year, Mineshaft. He has also ridden in
eight Kentucky Derby’s, coming in third above Steppenwolfer in
2006 and Curlin in 2007. Robby picked up his 3000th career
victory on December 8, 2004 when he rode Isle of Silver at the
Fair Grounds Race course in New Orleans.
DH: How do you feel during a race, are you nervous then?
I’m too busy then to think about anything except the business at
hand. It’s rough in there and you have to have your full attention
on what you’re doing.
DH: And when you win a race?
It’s the best. You know you’ve done your job right and I get very
high on the excitement.
There is nothing like doing a good job and winning.
DH: What about losing, how do you handle that?
You always go over what you did right and what you did wrong
and try to be sure to the right things again. Every race is
different and very emotional.
DH: What’s it like riding Curlin?
He’s the best. It always feels good when you have a great horse
to ride I am always looking forward to the next ride, especially
when it’s an exceptional horse.
DH: What goals do you have left in racing?
The Kentucky Derby, I want to win that. In addition, I’d like to
keep doing the best that I can.
It was in 2004 that Robby Albarado received one of the most
prestigious awards in sports, the annual George Woolf Memorial
Jockey Award. Named after one of the greatest Thoroughbred
riders of all time, the George Woolf Award honors riders whose
careers and personal character earn esteem for the individual and
the sport of Thoroughbred horseracing. Among other winners of
this award have been Bill Shoemaker in 1951, Laffitt Pincay Jr,
in 1970, Chris McCarron in 1980, Kent Desormeaux in 1993,
and Gary Stevens in 1996.
100
95
75
25
5
Albarado made time for us during a break between races on the
day of the 2008 Breeders’ Cup where he would be aboard Curlin
By: Dan Hernandez
Photography by: Raymond Rodriguez
21 Robbie
Sunday, June 28, 2009 5:56:30 PM
0
21 Sports Life
100
95
75
25
5
0
WOSN AD
Tuesday, August 04, 2009 11:17:54 AM
Skate For Heritage
Todd Harder
A French Poet once said, “A
civilization is a heritage of
beliefs, customs, and knowledge
slowly accumulated in the course
of centuries, elements difficult at
times to justify by logic, but
justifying themselves as paths
when they lead somewhere, since
they open up for man his inner
distance.” Heritage, can be
described as the D.N.A that
shapes an individual. It is what
determines the way a person is
reared, the decisions they make
growing up, and, in turn, the way
they raise their families. Every
culture from Australian to Zairean
has a unique heritage. One
heritage that is rich in tradition
and unique in language and
rituals, is that of the Native
American people. Todd Harder, a
very proud man from Michigan,
has always embraced his Native
American heritage and has taken
a very unique approach to passing
said heritage down to today’s
youth.
Harder is from Adrian, Michigan,
a small town located on the Ohio
Todd Harder article 1
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 12:04:11 PM
Border and is perhaps more
known for having the oldest
active community band (Adrian
City Band), than anything that
has to do with sports!
Nonetheless, Harder took to
skateboarding and used it as his
release. “My real dad moved to
Florida and on one of his trips
back to Michigan, he brought
back with him a skateboard. It
was a black night skateboard and
had clay wheels. I cherished this
board and still have the deck for
it some 30 odd years later”,
Harder laughingly stated. And as
they say, the rest was history.
Harder would meet up with the
neighborhood kids and began to
and traveling to compete
nationally; back in this time
period, there was not much
money to be made in skating.
Therefore, Harder took a different
route in life…until about five
years ago. “While traveling to
pow wows throughout the United
States selling clothes, my
Girlfriend and I are noticed that
more and more Native kids were
skating. They were riding and
doing tricks on boards that should
have been trashed long, long ago.
So that turned the wheels in my
mind and with my connections
from my skate days, I was
Inspired to get these kids good
equipment for lower prices. At
the very next pow wow, we began
Play daredevil. They would ride
Ramps, do tricks, and simply
compete to be the best on the
block. Harder was a competitor
and went on to say, “I wanted to
best equipment so every dollar I
made went to skating. it was all
about pushing the limits. When
you get a session started with
your friends everyone was trying
to push each other to the limits to
see what we could do. I still
remember buying skate
magazines and trying to emulate
what we saw in the magazine.”
Although in his “heyday”, Harder
was one of the best skaters
around, being sponsored by shops
100
95
75
25
5
0
Taking skateboards and the
Business took off like crazy. To
link it to our heritage, I put
Cultural symbols and pictures on
the boards, called it Native Skates,
and the kids took to it like moths to
a flame. They were so intrigued,
the began to search for Native
symbols they loved and bring them
to me. This is my way Of giving
back to the community and
teaching the youth. I would give
boards away for free because the
cause is more important than the
money”, Harder explained. “It is
an easy way to reach kids that
don’t want to listen to anyone
when it comes to learning about
their culture. In the efforts to
preserve our culture, this is a way
to reach out to them to keep our
traditions ongoing. Kids would
come to me at these pow wows
and listen to my stories and gave
me a way to reach them and to
teach them about our culture. Its
sort of a way to sneak our culture
in to them by disguising it in a
sport that they enjoy”, stated
Harder.
Aside from wanting to preserve the
Native American culture, Harder
aims to help the poor youth
overcome their current state of life.
Harder went on to explain,” One
boarding company I work with is
called Wounded Knee, started by
Jim Murphy. Our aim is to try to
get the youth to see the big picture.
Not only can they be professional
skaters, but what about the
photographers in skate magazines?
What about filming in skate
movies? What about owning a
skateboard company? We want to
take off the blinders and show
them other ways to make a living
than skating. Opportunities rarely
fall into one’s lap, you have to go
out and get it. You have to make it
happen. This is a crucial point we
try to get across”, stated Harder.
For the past three years, Harder
has organized the largest skate
competition for Native kids called
the All Nation Skate Jam, held in
Todd Harder article 2
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 12:04:41 PM
Albuquerque, NM. This
competition is held the last
weekend in April and is growing
exponentially. “We have huge
sponsor support. A few of the
biggest sponsors are Vans Shoes,
Del Taco, and Gatorade. Vans has
been a huge contributor since year
two bringing pro skaters out to talk
to the kids and even giving away
hats and shirts. The owner of Vans
even cooks and hands out hot
dogs! Currently, we are working
with him on a shoe made out of
Pendleton Fabric; the same fabric
used in native blankets. Gatorade
was a huge addition to the skate
jam this year, they came to the
show last year and were blown
away. Gatorade has a small but
loyal Native American following
that they want to expound upon.
They had seen our event as a good
way to reach out. I had a chance to
meet with Gatorade to discuss the
high diabetes rate among the
native culture. We need drinks that
will not contribute to diabetes. A
viable alternative is G2 as it has
half the calories of Gatorade. Yet
you still receive the benefits of
electrolytes found in regular
Gatorade. We are trying to get
away from the energy drinks so
Gatorade loved this idea. Diabetes
is so big in our race so this would
be a huge help if we can get kids to
drink Gatorade or G2 instead of
the sugary energy drinks. Big
companies don’t usually target our
demographic,” Harder went on to
say, “But we are trying to change
that.
As far as the future of Native
Skates and the All Nation Skate
Jam goes, Harder simply wants it
to get bigger and spread the word
to more and more people. “If I
never make a profit from Native
Skates, I will not be disappointed.
As long as the message gets
across, ill be satisfied”, explained
Harder. For more information visit
http://nibwaakaawin.org/ and
www.nativeskates.com
Written by: Rick Mckenzie
100
95
75
25
5
0
Gary Brackett, the Indianapolis Colts Walk-on Star
“If you guys can run down a kick-off and
make a tackle, or block some of these
guys….we’ll find a place for you.
Tony Dungy, Coach of the Indianapolis Colts
Gary Lawrence Brackett is a star middle
linebacker for the National Football
League’s Indianapolis Colts, a perennial
championship contender. Born on May
23, 1980, 28-year-old 5’11” 236 lb.
Brackett is a standout performer. Gary
was signed by the Colts in 2003 and
became a starter in the 2005 season. He
responded to the starter responsibility by
making 131 tackles and 3 interceptions.
In 2006, he added another 123 tackles,
and was named captain of the Colts
defense in the fall of 2007.
Originally from Glassboro, New Jersey,
Brackett attended Glassboro High School
and was a top football player. He was a
two-time All-South Jersey selection, a
two-time All-Group 1 choice, and a twotime All-Tri-County Conference choice.
However, Gary’s college career started
rather humbly, instead of the commotion
usually accompanying star high school
players, Gary ingloriously walked on to
the Rutgers University football team and
had to prove his worth. By his senior
year, Gary was the captain of the defense
and won the team‘s defensive Most
Valuable Player honors.
Brackett followed the same pattern in the
professional ranks, signing with the Colts
as a free agent directly out of Rutgers.
Again showing fortitude, a positive spirit,
and a world of talent, Gary has managed
to rise to the top of one the NFL’s premier
teams despite the challenge of other,
highly drafted athletes.
In addition, while achieving this
recognition, beginning in 2003, Brackett
suffered the loss of his mother, father, and
brother, all within a span of 16 months.
Gary managed to remain focused
throughout this ordeal and achieve a lofty
place among his peers. These losses were
the motivation for him to establish Gary
Brackett’s IMPACT Foundation, the goal
of IMPACT is to provide opportunities
Brackett
Thursday, October 30, 2008 1:14:42 PM
and outlets to children affected by cancer.
The Charity provides interactive programs
and resources designed to directly benefit
these children and their families.
were mounting a comeback and it was
another chip off the deficit that we were
facing. It got us back into the game so it
was a must play at that time of the game.
Gary allowed the time for Sports Life to
share his thoughts on his background, his
career goals, and his commitment to the
team.
DH: You are basically focused on team
achievement, is that correct?
DH: Thank you for allowing the time
to speak with us Gary
No problem
DH: Is this a good time?
Yes, we have a little time right now, we
play Monday night, and so we have a
couple of days of light workouts.
Absolutely, you want to be on top of your
game and provide leadership out there,
but its all about the team. It’s all about
the 10 guys that are out there with you
and it ultimately accounts for how you do
that day.
DH: I understand you were a walk-on
at Rutgers University and you were
named captain soon after. How did you
manage that?
DH: They are unbeaten at this point,
are you guys ready to show your stuff?
Yeah, I was a walk-on, my first year of
college I didn’t play football, the second
year I walked on and my third year I
received a scholarship. Then that year
they hired Coach Greg Schiano and he
appointed me captain my junior and
senior year.
Yeah, yeah, their a hot team and a division
rival, so it’s gonna be a dogfight.
DH: That’s a real feather in your cap.
Were you proud of that achievement?
DH: I am looking forward to the game.
It looks like you guys are picking up
some steam, is that right?
Yeah, absolutely, being awarded captain
and being voted on by your team. At that
time we had a struggling Rutgers football
program but we were still trying. We got
rejuvenated when the new coach came in
and we were establishing a foundation so
that we could have a top-notch Division !
Football team. I was part of that
foundation of bringing Rutgers back,
myself and L.J. Smith who was the
captain then.
DH: Who do you play next?
The Tennessee Titans.
Yep, absolutely, absolutely, we just have
to play tight and everything else will take
care of itself.
DH: Tell me about the touchdown you
made in that great comeback game
against the Houston Texans recently.
We were actually down at the time by 10
points and we were down in the 4th quarter
by 21 points, so our offense had just
scored, bringing a 17-point deficit down
to a 10 point deficit and then I recovered a
fumble and ran it 68 yards for a
touchdown. It was my third touchdown
as a professional, my first one this year.
DH: How did it feel?
It felt great! You know, at that point we
But even with the success that they
received a couple of years ago, the
national limelight, a top 5 ranking at one
point of the season , a lot of the guys that
were performing were guys that we
helped bring to Rutgers and we helped
train and develop them as leaders. Those
guys really put the program on their back,
guys like; Brian, Ray Rice, Eric Foster,
those guys did a great job with leading
that program.
100
95
75
25
5
0
100
95
75
25
5
0
Brackett
Wednesday, October 29, 2008 4:26:29 PM
DH: Do you keep involved with
Rutgers?
Sure, last year I went to the spring game
and saw Eric Foster and hung out with
Ray Rice for a little while, he was just
drafted in the second round by the
Baltimore Ravens, so I definitely want to
see those guys do well. Unfortunately
this year their having a tough season at
two wins and five losses, but they lost a
couple of key games, some tough games
by just a few points . They are still at the
national level, they just have to find a way
to win the tough games and we’ll be in
good shape.
other.
Yes, my father had heart complications,
he was a Viet Nam Vet, he had heart
complications and passed in 2003, my
first season in the NFL. My mother,
besides being a minister was a registered
nurse and she went into the hospital for a
routine operation and she ended up having
a stroke on the recovery table after
surgery. She was only 51.
DH: What a loss.
DH: How did you get in with the
Colts?
I was a free agent when I came in. It was
the same formula of success for me as
how I got on at Rutgers. The one thing
that’s always needed on a football team
and it counts for 1/3 of that team is
Special teams. That’s how I made my
mark in college, coming in and being on
special teams and I was awarded the best
special teams player that third year. That
was an area that I could do well and when
I got to the Colts, Coach Dungy said in
the meeting room that,” if you guys can
run down a kick-off and make a tackle, or
block some of these guys and play this
phase of the game, we’ll find a place for
you.” I just took that statement and said
this is where I’m gonna make my mark.
DH: To achieve what you have,
particularly as a walk-on requires quite
a mindset. Where did that come from?
Yes, my mother and father both instilled a
lot of great qualities. Unfortunately they
both passed, but my mother was an
ordained reverend and she always used to
tell me, “It’s a plan, just keep everything
you got and do whatever is possible to get
a job and at the end of the day go home
with no regrets….know that you did your
best and you left everything you had on
that field.”
DH: Great words to live by. I
understand that you lost three family
members within a short span of each
Brackett 2
Thursday, October 30, 2008 1:15:21 PM
You always feel like you should have said
so much more
DH: Yes, my mother would always ask
me to sit and watch TV with her and
I’d usually refuse. Now I wish I had.
Yep, my father loved John Wayne, old
westerns, whatever he watched and I
wasn’t in to that. Instead of sitting there
and trying to talk to him I would just go to
my room and watch ESPN or something.
I lost a lot of time that I could have been
developing my relationship with him.
DH: What made you start your
IMPACT Foundation?
Actually it was started because of those
losses. In fact during that same 16-month
period, my brother was diagnosed with TCell Leukemia, he was my older brother
and he was 27 at the time. I was a match
for him and it was odd that at the time I
was battling for a position on that 2004
team and at the same time my brother was
battling for his life. I had a phone call
that the match was made and the hospital
was ready, it was right in the middle of
training camp and I had to make a
decision to go home and be with my
brother and give him a bone marrow
transplant. Coach Dungy and the Colts
were great about allowing me to go home
and take care of my brother, they have
supported me throughout those tragedies.
Because of that and being in the hospital
and seeing all the children affected by the
disease really impacted me. Cancer is one
of those things that you don’t really
acknowledge until it happens to someone
you know.
When it happens to a family member, you
learn so much about the deadly disease
and how many people it affects.
When I came back to Indianapolis I told
myself that if there was anything I could
do to help these children out, I would do
it. I developed my IMPACT Foundation
in 2006, we teamed up with Legacy
Management Group, they run and manage
my foundation and it has just been really a
great thing to give back to the area of
pediatric cancer. Not only the children
affected by the disease but also helping
out the families with some different
programs to help everybody get away
from what they are going through at that
moment, playing games, eating together,
fun things. The children and their
families are very interactive in this and
are able to create pleasant, happy
memories. I just love the fact that we are
helping benefit all these people.
DH: Thank you for sharing that Gary.
Is there anything else that you would
like to add?
100
95
75
My website is www.garybrackett.org,
which is where you can find out more
about the foundation that I have created.
Thank you for the interview, I appreciate
it very much.
25
5
0
100
95
75
25
5
0
Sports Life 16
16 Bradi james
Thursday, January 29, 2009 9:42:58 AM
Not Your Average Cowboy
Bradie James
7:00 AM: Early morning wake up. Shower
and eat breakfast.
7:30 AM: Head to the gym for a workout to
get my juices flowing.
8:30 AM: Special teams meetings.
9:00 AM: All team meeting where the head
coach addresses the team and schedule.
9:30 AM: Separate offense and defense
where the respective coordinators talk to
us.
10:00 AM: Break into position meetings, I
go with the linebackers.
11:00 AM: Head to the field for a team
walk thru.
11:45 AM: Finally lunch! Accompanied by
the media with questions.
12:20 PM: Another team meeting.
1:00 PM: Take the field for practice until
3:00 PM.
was an awesome experience for me,"
exclaimed James. "Not only was I still
relatively close, distance-wise, to my
family, but I gained life long friends while
at LSU. College also made me grow up
from a boy to a young man. It gave me
exposure to many different nationalities
and people. Also, for the first time, I was
doing such things as cooking and cleaning
on my own. I was very poor but it was a
good experience for me. The great
education that I received at LSU made me
competitive with practically anyone in the
'real world'," exclaimed James. After his
years at an institution of higher learning,
Bradie was fortunate enough to be drafted
by the National Football League. What
happens when you give twentysomething's, who grew up with practically
nothing, more money than he could ever
imagine? In many instances, that person
will indulge in purchasing as many
material things as the bank account will
allow. This was not the case with Mr.
James. Out of Bradie's strong family
background came a primary focus on his
education as opposed to becoming a
wealthy NFL player. "The one message
that stuck with me throughout all my years
is something my dad told me. He said, 'You
will be an ex-athlete longer than a current
one'. That was the point of view from my
family in general so when I turned pro, I
really did not know what to expect. One
thing that I quickly learned was that it
really is a big business and we compete to
eat! I do remember the first big purchase I
made was a 2003 Lincoln Navigator."
explained James.
Bradie James was drafted in the fourth
round of the 2003 NFL Draft by
"America's Team", the Dallas Cowboys.
Though the team has gone through many
Ups and downs in his short career;
(including a coaching change), nothing has
rivaled what this seasons' Cowboys are
attempting to rise above. As the current
season approached, the 'Boys' were
considered early favorites to win the Super
Bowl. Thus far, the team has not shown
many signs of that special team that many
experts anointed champions. Bradie
addresses this by saying, "We don't have a
choice but to overcome our obstacles. In
my opinion, it's not how you start a season,
but how you finish it. The season is long
and there are so many games, you just want
to be playing your best at the right time.
Last year we peaked too early and fizzled
out in the playoffs. We need to gel at the
right time, we string together some wins
and we'll be fine. As far as early
expectations go, you only have one champ,
and everyone else loses. Second place is
not a win. In that same breath, this is not
college ball either. One playoff win wont
be enough. We have to take full advantage
of the present moment because I do feel as
if we have the tools to make it all the way."
When Sunday arrives and it's time to take
the field, different players have different
routines. Some like to jump around and
3:45 PM: After showering, final team
meeting of the day.
4:30 PM: Head home, rest of the day is
mine, up at 7:00 AM the next day!
Such is a typical day in the life of an NFL
football player. To be more specific, a
Dallas Cowboys linebacker, by the name of
Bradie James. "I don't mind spending so
much time with my teammates, it takes me
back to my youth," stated James. He
continued, "I grew up in Louisiana in a
very small town. So small that I had a few
cousins living on neighboring streets and
both of my grandmothers lived on the same
street! This meant that I was raised by my
entire family and spent a lot of time with
my extended family." Bradie so loved the
concept of having a close-knit family, that
he decided to stay in state for college and
attend Louisiana State University. "College
Brady James 2
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 1:20:16 PM
100
95
75
25
5
0
Bradie’s Bash 2008
Foundation 56,
Breast Cancer Research
Scream and yell to get excited for a game. Other players talk on the
phone to the soothing voice of a loved one. Such is not the case for
Bradie James. "I'm sort of the opposite. I try to be very calm and
collected because I don't want to exude too much energy before the
game starts. I remember my first game as a professional, I got so
hyper before the game started that I was burned out before the
second quarter. So now I eat a lot of fruit and drink a lot of water. I
listen to calming music like Jasmine Sullivan but right before I take
the field, I turn it up with Lil Wayne or Kanye
West, then I'm ready to dominate." stated James excitedly.
Off the field, Bradie James has an affinity with wanting to solve the
problem that is breast cancer. Bradie lost his mother to Breast
Cancer in February of 2002 and now wants to try to conquer this
disease so no one else will have to undergo the pain that he has.
James has created a breast cancer awareness foundation called
Foundation 56. "The ultimate goal is to make the foundation mobile.
This means we would go into poor areas where women cant get
mammograms or biopsies and my foundation would administer
them. I want to get to them early because that is the key to beating
this cancer. I have partnered with existing programs to help these
people without transportation or the people that do not follow up
after diagnosed. I want to raise $1.7 million to get the mobile unit up
and going. The ball is rolling now, but we have to keep it going. It
started in Los Angeles and I want to branch it out to Dallas," stated
James. To learn more about how to support this worthy cause, go to
www.foundation56.org.
100
95
75
25
5
By: Rick Mckenzie
Photos by: James D. Smith.
Brady James 3
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 1:20:56 PM
0
18.95
68727 Panorama Drive
-
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
18.95
68727 Panorama Drive
-
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
100
95
Backup_of_subscription page
Wednesday, August 12, 2009 7:04:38 PM
75
25
5
0
Scott Wells
The date: January 12, 2008. The site: Green Bay, Wisconsin at perhaps the single most famous and
revered football stadium in all the land, Lambeau Field. The scene: Takes your mind back to the days
of old at the frozen tundra where the turf cut like razor blades and you can barely see your hand in
front of your face through the haze of snow. The NFL playoffs have always captivated the
imagination of football fans and players alike, and this day was no different. The Seahawks got out
to an early 14-0 as a result of two early fumbles from Packer running back Ryan Grant. The always
stoic Brett Favre made sure that he kept a steady hand and held his team together through the early
struggles. With Grant recovering to rush for over 200 yards and 2 touchdowns, Favre added 3
touchdown passes to lead the Packers to a 42-20 comeback victory over the Hawks. The orchestrator
of the offensive line and starting center, Scott Wells, shared in all of the excitement and victory,
advancing the Packers to the NFC Championship Game. “That whole playoffs stand out for me. That
was a classic Green Bay game in the freezing cold with snow and we had to come back to win,”
stated Wells.
Wells graduated from Brentwood Academy High School in Tennessee as a three sport athlete.
Scott excelled in football, track, and his personal favorite, wrestling. “I was really into wrestling and
did it year round. Some of my heroes were Olympic wrestlers. I was equally as good in football but
it was easier to get noticed in individual sports. That being said, I won nationals three times and was
undefeated as a junior and senior in wrestling. I was more heavily recruited to wrestle in college than
I was to play football but I chose football because it was a better career choice,” stated Wells. Wells
went on to play football at the University of Tennessee and after red shirting his first year, he started
49 consecutive games. “I chose UT for a few different reasons. The girl I was dating at the time, now
my wife, planned on going to UT. Also, my parents couldn’t leave the state at the time to watch me
play due to their jobs, and it was important to have them support me. Finally, in 1998 Tennessee won
the national championship, a huge recruiting tool,” remembered Wells.
Having much success at UT, however, did not equate to being a high draft pick. Wells was
chosen in the 7th round by the Green Bay Packers. “My signing bonus was only $22,000 and I was
married with a kid. So as you can imagine, that money didn’t stretch too far. Nonetheless, I am
blessed to have been given a chance to play football professionally in such a football rich city as
Green Bay. It is special at Green Bay partly because I am surrounded by the history. The entry to the
locker room has the Lombardi Trophies, pictures, banners, etc. from the great teams of the past. It is
a feeling that you get walking into the arena where the games are always sold out,” Wells states.
“My rookie year I was third center when I came in. In order to make it you have to be
versatile, so I had to learn to play guard as well. By the second season we lost both of our guards, so
I had to step up and fill in at that position where I started 8 games. I am now going into my fourth
year as the starting center. The average fan probably doesn’t know this but my position comes with a
lot of pressure. Being the center, you are expected to lead. I am the quarterback of the line because I
make the calls, identify the defense, and make sure everyone knows who they are blocking. I also
make sure the quarterback knows who we have on a blitz so there is no mix up which could result in
a sack. Communication becomes vital and I am responsible for that. It is a big task, one that I
welcome and try to do my best at,” stated Wells.
As far as the upcoming season goes, Wells is like every other player for every other team. He
expects that all of the hard work will pay off and result in wins. “I think we will continue to be
successful. Last year was tough, we lost 7 games by 4 points or less. We are a very young team. We
also made changes on the defensive staff and changed our defensive scheme. I think we will be very
successful.
100
95
75
25
5
By: Rick Mckenzie
Scott Wells
Friday, June 26, 2009 6:29:18 PM
0
100
95
75
Scott Wells
2 Scott Wells page 2
Wednesday, June 17, 2009 4:08:09 PM
25
5
0
Lenny Randle
The triumph of making it to the
mountaintop in sports is a feeling like
no other. Working hard all off season for
all the pieces to fall into place come
game time, and being the last team or
player standing is what competitors live
for. However, there is a lighter side to
chasing the goal of winning it all, and
that lighter side can be found throughout
all sports. Take baseball for instance,
who can forget back in 1991when
Rodney McCray was running as hard as
he could, attempting to chase down a
ball that appeared to be on its way to a
home run? In the midst of his pure
concentration on the ball alone, McCray
did not see the outfield wall that was
fast approaching him, and ran right
through it! Or how about in Cleveland
in '93? Jose Canseco was playing the
outfield when a pop fly was hit his way.
He ran all the way back to the warning
track but lost the ball in the blinding
stadium lights. When the ball fell, it
didn't land on the ground, but hit
Canseco on the head, and went over the
wall for a home run! Those are plays
that live in blooper hall of fame infamy.
Which brings me to another memorable
moment done only a decade before by
the jokester Lenny Randle. While
playing 1st base at a game in 1981
against the Seattle Mariners, a ground
ball was hit Lenny's way. The ball was
inches away from the foul line but
instead of attempting to make the play
at 1st, Lenny dropped to all fours and
took a stab at blowing the ball over the
foul line! He was successful and will
forever be remembered by that play!
“I get asked all the time about that
play," Lenny states laughingly. "As a
matter of a fact, I just appeared on The
Best Damn Sports Show as one of the
top sports bloopers of all time. We had a
great time on set and I explained how
my teammates thought it was a brilliant
48 Sports Life
Lenny Randle
Tuesday, December 23, 2008 3:36:37 PM
Sports Follies Hall of Fame
Idea and it helped the pitchers ERA, so
they loved it. It was all about 'Billy Ball'
(Billy Martin, Yankees manager) and
the fact that he taught us to do whatever
we could to win a game." It was that
kind of mind set that kept Randle in the
majors for his seven year career. Randle
went on to say, "I was able to have
longevity because I was a jack of all
trades if you will. Our team had a lot of
weak spots and I was the type of player
that could play any position. I was
somewhat like the glue that would keep
us together because I could plug into
any spot. I could play catcher, 3rd, left,
or whatever the team needed. When
someone went down (Joe) Torre would
ask who could cover it, and from the
back of the locker room, I could be
heard screaming 'I GOT IT!' I mentally
prepared myself to do it. I guess you can
say I'm from a different era in sports
because what I see today makes me
shake my head in disappointment. I see
guys that sit out games because of
hangnails, fatigue, or whatever other
excuse that can be drummed up. The
game has changed drastically over the
past quarter of a century. I look at some
of these guys who make so much money
but cant play 100 games a year."
teach kids how to cross train through
playing different sports as I did growing
up. I played football, basketball, and ran
track and they each complimented each
other. It also keeps kids in shape
because they are busy all year. I teach
speed by showing the kids different
speed drills and train kids from little
league baseball to Pop Warner football.
I am well received by the kids and
young adults for the same reason I was
liked when I played; I use comedy. I
make the kids laugh and have fun and
the whole time they don't realize they
are being taught valuable lessons. I
teach them when to take a break and
things to do to relax their minds and
heal their bodies like fishing, golf,
bowling, cooking, frog hunting, etc.
Currently, I coach 40 men on an
international travel baseball team. I have
players from everywhere and we will
play anyone, anywhere, anytime. We
have been to Italy, Puerto Rico, Korea,
and currently have a scheduled trip to
Japan. I recruit players out of places
you've never heard of and they range in
age from 18-25. My assistant coaches
are guys who have great stories and
have great personalities; they ensure
that we train extremely hard. We train in
a 52,000 square foot facility and my
players are all primed and ready to go
pro or go to college," stated Randle
proudly.
To get more information on Lenny
Randle and what he is doing in the
community, go to
lennyrandlesportstours.com. Also,
December 14th and the 21st, he will be
training kids and giving away
scholarship at Bertsol Park which is
near Pechanga Hotel and Casino in
Temecula, CA.
Randle is indeed cut from a different
cloth. He grew up around professional
athletes as a water boy so he watched
and studied a lot of the things that the
players did in order to mimic them
when he took the field. "I had uncles
that trained me since I was eight years
old. Couple them with positive mentors
growing up and the great staffs that I
had been on during my long career,
whether at Arizona State or in the
majors, I've always been prepared to
perform at the best of my abilities. This
is what I dedicate my life to today. I
100
95
75
25
5
By: Rick Mckenzie
0
An in Depth Interview with Vernon Forrest, Champion
and himself among others. The interview
followed soon after:
DH: When you lost to Mora, how did
you feel?
I felt that I disappointed myself number
one and I disappointed my fans. The other
thing on my mind was to hurry up and get
a rematch .and get the win back.
DH: Did the rematch come fast enough
for you?
Well, we had to go through the negotiation
period, but it came soon enough.
“Boxing is like chess, boxing is not checkers, when Hopkins sets you up,
its checkmate!
Vernon Forrest, WBC Super Welterweight Champion
Vernon “The Viper” Forrest recently
reclaimed his World WBC Super
Welterweight Title with a resounding
victory over one of two men to ever defeat
him, Sergio Mora. Forrest now has a
career record of 45-3-1, with 29 wins
coming by knockout. He was born in
Augusta, Georgia on February 12, 1971.
Vernon has been in boxing for 28 years,
compiling an amateur record of 225-16 and
still loves what he does. He is a
consummate professional and is a student
of the game. I met with him at the
Maywood Gym, a 2-ring boxing and MMA
facility sponsored by the City of
Maywood, California. Vernon was there at
the invitation of Larry Rieche, President of
Sports Life Magazine and part of a
promotional jaunt.
Forrest was a member of the 1992 U.S.
Olympic Team that competed in Barcelona,
Spain. Earning his spot on the team by
defeating future professional boxing great,
Shane Mosley. Stricken with food
poisoning a day before his first Olympic
encounter, he lost. Forrest returned home
and chose to become a professional fighter
making his debut in November of 1992.
Winning his first world title on May 15,
2001 with a definitive decision over Raul
Frank and becoming the IBF world
welterweight champion.
Forrest defeated the favored “Sugar”
Shane” Mosley, the WBC world
welterweight champion twice in 2001 by
decisive margins and earned the Ring
Magazine 2002 Fighter of the Year Award.
Suffering his first professional career loss
in January 2003 by knockout to Ricardo
Mayorga, the WBA welterweight leader,
and losing by a hotly disputed decision to
Mayorga in the rematch, Forrest took time
off of boxing to have reconstructive
surgery on his left arm. He had three
surgeries, two on his shoulder to repair a
torn rotator cuff and one on his left elbow
to repair torn cartilage and nerve damages.
Making a successful return to boxing, after
a few tune-up bouts, Vernon won the
vacant light middleweight title with a
lopsided victory over Carlos Baldomir on
July 28, 2007. Losing his title to Sergio
Mora via 12-round majority decision on
June 7, 2008 and winning the rematch
against Mora just recently. Forrest is
focused on proving to the boxing world
that he deserves a place of honor as one of
today’s premier fighters.
I was speaking with Forrest’ investment
advisor and real estate agent, Armica Nabia
of Northside Brokers in Murietta, Georgia
and enjoying her views on life and her
great smile when Vernon asked me how old
I was. I replied, I’m 61” and he said,” you
see you had to be pretty sharp to get to that
age, don’t you think?” I told him that, “I
believe I was just lucky, and hope to
remain so.” He was making a point for the
value of the fighters in boxing fighting for
championships and big money matches
after the age of 35. Fighters such as
Bernard Hopkins, Mosley, De La Hoya,
DH: I heard you say earlier that you’re
not in a hurry to give him a rematch, is
that correct?
I’m not giving him a rematch.
DH: I see, is there a personal grudge
you have with him?
First of all, I gave him an opportunity to
fight for a championship. He didn’t earn a
shot, I gave him a shot. Now once we
fought and he got the win, well, naturally if
he got the win and if he really thought that
he was better than me, than he should have
offered me a rematch. I already had a
rematch clause, but I shouldn’t have had to
enforce my rematch clause. He should
have given me a rematch, but because he
didn’t offer that on his own I see no point
in giving him another shot. I beat him,
there is no such thing as a, well put it this
way, I’m not fighting him again when he
didn’t deserve it the first time.
DH: You’ve beaten Sugar Shane Mosley
in the amateurs and the pros, what is
this thing you have over him?
100
I’ve beaten everybody I’ve fought, but one
person.
75
DH: That was Mayorga
That was Mayorga and the only reason I
haven’t beaten him was that when I fought
him I had a bum shoulder and a bum
elbow. Now that I’m healthy, once I get a
chance to fight him, I’ll get that win.
32 Sports Life
vernon forest
Sunday, June 28, 2009 5:52:02 PM
95
25
5
0
people that watch boxing like boxers that
show blood, guts, and glory, but doing that
doesn’t necessarily extend your career.
DH: Yes, most of the good fighters from
the past echo those statements.
They said that no one else is going to
take care of them if they get hurt.
DH: Is there still a market for you to
fight Mayorga again?
There is not necessarily a market for the
fight, it’s a fight that I want. It’s just based
on pride. I don’t have to beat Mayorga to
justify my career or my accomplishments.
Nor does Mosley have to beat me to justify
his career and his accomplishments. He’s a
helluva great fighter whether he beat me or
not.
DH: That’s true. How many years have
you been a boxer?
I’ve been in boxing 28 years, amateur and
pro..
DH: Quite a long time, however, you
look like you’ve hardly been touched.
Well I mean, I try not to get touched too
much. (Laughter)
DH: That is the idea, isn’t it?
Absolutely, there are a lot of people,
especially on the media side that are fans
of the sport, but they are only fans of a
certain type of fighter. The fighters they
like, fight with their faces. They get
knocked down and keep getting back up.
Boxing is about skill, you can be skillful
and exciting. You can use defense, boxing
skills, and ring generalship. That’s why I
think that there ought to be more boxers on
the media side, commentating, that can
convey more about what’s going on in the
ring.
As you look at other sports, basketball,
football, baseball, they have former players
that are commentating on the games.
Boxing still has journalists and I believe
that when the media allows boxers to do
the punch-by-punch that it will go a long
way towards making boxing maintain its
popularity and not let the MMA catch up to
them.
DH: Is commentating in your future
plans?
Exactly
DH: You have apparently learned your
lessons very well. You are an excellent
defensive fighter, and you have good
power. As you mentioned earlier, like
Bernard Hopkins, you are smarter and
sharper than ever. Is that right?
Well, I try to take care of my body, I try to
do the right thing as a professional. So far
I’ve made two mistakes in my career, the
first was against Mayorga in not fighting
strategically like I was supposed to.
Secondly, was the first Mora fight, I did
not prepare myself as I should have. Other
than that I’ve had pretty much of a
mistake-free championship caliber career.
I’ve been able to last this long because I
take care of my body. I know the fans and
Sports Life 33
vernon
Sunday, June 28, 2009 5:52:27 PM
added to that there are thousands of people
cheering for your opponent, what’s going
through your mind, what are you thinking
about? A guy that went to school to be a
journalist can’t convey that to the public.
Only a guy that’s been in there, only he
could convey that to the public.
DH: The commentators I enjoy most
are guys like Roy Jones Jr. and Emanuel
Steward who constantly say things that
only someone that has been there would
notice.
We need guys like that in the corner and
we need guys like Steward that continue to
give expert opinion and not necessarily
allow anyone else to interfere with his
thoughts.
DH: And guys like Vernon Forrest, you
are quite eloquent when speaking on
boxing.
I really know this sport, I’ve been involved
with this sport all my life, all my
childhood and all my adulthood. I have
dedicated my life to this sport and I know
what’s going on in the ring. I know when a
guy is trying to shut off a guy, I know
when a guy is tired but still working hard.
People say a guy is tired because he didn’t
train hard enough and that isn’t so. If the
guy is fighting somebody just as good as
him, I mean if you get two NASCAR race
cars or two horses and run them side by
side or race those cars for an hour or two,
one of those cars are going to break down.
That’s just life, lots of people break down.
DH: I would enjoy that type of
commentary.
Absolutely, I believe that at this stage of
the sport we need more pro fighters on the
microphone, and in the booth. Because
they know what it’s like to fight a 12 round
fight when you run out of gas and your
opponent is coming on and there are still
three or four rounds left. They knows what
it feels like to know that your about to get
hit and you don’t know what to do, and
you don’t know how to stop this guy, and
the championship is on the line. Then
I could often see what’s going to happen
before it actually does. One thing I like
about Bernard, the thing I like about
watching him fight is that what he tries to
do in the first round is to set up what he’s
going to capitalize on in the later rounds.
He sets guys up for down the road, he’s not
setting guys up for right now and try to
pull the trigger. You see boxing is chess,
boxing is not checkers, when
Hopkins sets you up, its checkmate. It’s
not like you have another move, its
100
95
75
25
5
0
checkmate. I like watching him because he
is the epitome of what boxing and boxing
skills is all about.
DH: You are clearly an admirer of
Hopkins, however, you see your ability
in controlling a fight as similar. Is that
correct?
Yes, when you have guys that really know
how to fight, those guys have a long career.
Those guys fight as long as they want to
fight. They don’t suffer bad losses that
cause them to hang it up. They fight until
they just don’t want to fight no more and
then they do something else.
DH: Earlier I heard you mention that in
the recent Margarito-Cotto fight, Cotto
seemed psyched out. Will you
elaborate?
Cotto is one of those guys that is a topshelf fighter, if Cotto was a wine, you
would bring him out on special occasions.
He is that good, he is a very fine wine, and
you don’t just drink him everyday. He is
such a great fighter that when he hits you
with his best stuff, something bad happens
to you. That’s just the way it goes. So for
Cotto to hit Margarito point blank with
some of his best stuff and not be able to
hurt him, man that could be frustrating. It
can be very unnerving.
DH: Vernon do you have other interests
that motivate you beyond boxing and the
desire to become a commentator?
I started my Vernon Forrest Foundation
and we’re working with kids, going to
different schools, speaking to kids with the
idea of following their dreams. People
often say to kids, “What if you don’t make
it, what are you going to fall back on?”
Basically they are planting the seed that
you can’t make it and once a kid feels that
he can’t make it or that there are no
alternatives, well a lot of times kids don’t
reach their full potential. People have told
me that they wished someone had been
around when they were younger that
simply said, “Follow your Dreams.” The
young person has to believe 100 percent
that they can achieve whatever it is that
they want, and then ,”Go for it.”
DH: How long has this Foundation been
in existence?
I just started the Foundation, I had a
previous foundation where we dealt with
people with mental disabilities. And I’ve
done all I can do with that charity, now I
want to aim at this one.
DH: Do you have a web site or
somewhere we can view your goals?
It is not up yet, but we’re in the process.
DH: Vernon, is there anything that you
would like to add, you know something
that makes you stand out and would
make someone want to know you better?
I believe that I’m one of those people that
go down the road less traveled. I try to be
different, I want to do things my own way,
and my aim is to set my own mark. I don’t
want to follow nobody, I try to be unique.
For example, my boxing style, it is a
mixture of some of the greatest fighters
that ever laced a glove. It is an
accumulation of different styles, I don’t
have one style that you could pinpoint.
What makes me a good fighter is that I’d
rather die than lose. Since I was a kid I’ve
never accepted losing, and if anybody ever
beat me, I want to fight them again. It’s
my pride.
DH: In the gym earlier you mentioned
Hopkins Vs. Pavlik and how Pavlik was
just outfought, out boxed, controlled.
And I responded that I felt Pavlik did
not put in a full effort. You came back
with the statement that Pavlik was
unable to fight back and could not fight
back because he was trapped and beatup. What bothered me was that I heard
Pavlik’s corner say on at least a couple
of occasions that “It isn’t important”. I
am presuming that was because there
was no championship at stake and this is
exactly the thing that has bothered me
the most about boxing in recent years. If
there is no title, if it’s strictly for money,
then where is the pride. If they can say,
“It doesn’t matter”, there is something
missing from what got me to be a fan in
the first place.
I agree with that. I agree with what you
said. I realize that I am a professional and
I look at it like this. Every Super bowl that
you’ve seen is not going to be the best
Super Bowl that you ever watched, there is
not always going to be great plays and
guys breaking records and everything.
When I see an NBA Championship series, I
know that it may not be the best
championship series that I’ve ever seen,
the same thing with baseball, it’s not
always the best two teams playing, but
what I expect is for all the participants to
put on a good show. When you have two
guys that are fighting, I don’t expect it to
be the best fight I’ve seen in my life, I
don’t expect a rock ’em, sock ‘em, robot
kind of fight, but I do expect those guys to
be 100% professional and give me my
money’s worth.
DH: That’s it, you got it.
Every time I fight I try to make sure I give
the fans their money’s worth. In order for
them to want to see me again they have to
know that each and every time, Vernon
Forrest tries to give them their money’s
worth.
DH: Vernon, that’s a good ending to this
interview. That was good and I really
appreciate getting to know you.
I appreciated you taking the time to want to
get to know me. Thank you very much.
100
95
75
25
5
0
By: Dan Heranadez
Photo’s By: Raymond Rodriguez
34 Sports Life
vernon 3
Sunday, June 28, 2009 5:52:55 PM
Between Rounds Radio Show
So when Sportslife Magazine asked us to write a piece on MMA
the same old concepts of rankings and fighter profiles went
through our minds. So as Dave and I were pondering this task, my
trusty cohost had the brilliant idea to make the article about
ourselves! Given that the mood of Sportslife Magazine is
lighthearted and is here to convey a lifestyle we thought it
appropriate to document our recent trip to Montreal Canada for
UFC 97.
Dave and I set out our journey from different parts of the country,
he from Dallas and myself from Phoenix. We landed in Montreal
where we met up with our other co-host Shawn Tompkins. I
brilliantly scheduled my flight to leave Phoenix at 6 in the
morning, not a good idea when you meet up with Shawn
Tompkins and his sidekicks from Canada in Montreal at prime
clubbing hours. Upon checking into the hotel, we quickly met up
with Shawn and his cast of characters which included fighter Chris
Horodecki. Needless to say the evening ended very late and our
wallets were much lighter.
Thursday morning brought a fresh day after nearly no sleep the
night before. Being that we were here for business we had to suck
it up and get ready for the days events. The UFC 97 pre-fight
press conference was first on the agenda. As the herd of media
made its way to the very small press conference room, it was
evident that there would definatley be overflow in the room. After
a run of the mill presser, Ken was able to fianlly make his way to
the main stage for the first time ever. No it was not his finest hour
as a member of the media to get up in front to his peers as he has
dreamt but merely a favor he was aksed to move the podium so the
fighters could square off for photo ops.
So after this achievment it was back to the hotel to prepare for our
huge event later that night.
can catch on our website .
As that event ended, it was off to the weigh-ins where we get our
first look at who took there training camps seriously, and when we
start to second guess some of our pre-fight predictions. After
Silva and Leites squared off ending the weigh in, it was off to a
restaurant with our friends at THQ.
This is where Dave made his first mistake in ordering a Hen,
which Shawn and I won’t let him live down.
After dinner we did what we seemed to do best in Montreal and go
back out to the clubs. After bouncing around at a few clubs we
decided to switched it up a bit and go to a local bar where we had
some laughs, had even more drinks and closed yet another fine
establishment down.
The next morning came to soon, once again, and it was off to
another scheduled event outside the arena where we teamed up
with Xyience, Sinister, MMA Authority Magazine and THQ
makers of UFC 2009 Undisputed. Here, we interacted with fans
and watched the excitement as fans got autographs and took
pictures with Wanderlei Silva. As that event ended it was time for
the fights!
We figured Shawn would join us for the main card in THQ’s
luxury box after he was done cornering Vinny Magalhaes and Sam
Stout in the prelims, but to everyone’s surprise, Sam Stout got
moved to the pay per view, just before the Silva vs Leites main
event.
Sunday, the trip was over, and it was time to go back home, after
another successful trip to a UFC fight.
Preparing for a live event would leave some broadcasters pouring
over tons of material and making sure all the i's were dotted and t's
were crossed. Not the three of us though! As Shawn had a
legitimate excuse, he had to make sure Sam Stout and Vinnie
Magalhaes were preparing properly for the fight in 2 days.
Our event started at 9 PM and was put together by MMA
Authority Magazine at the Club 7 in Montreal. Before we joined
the party we managed to do a taping of our radio show
interviewing Chris Horodecki and GSP’s trainer, Firaz. This was
not the end of our duties at the event. Dave had the priviledge of
judging the MMA Authority ring girl contest. . If getting to sit
there and judge a bunch of beautiful women was not enough, Dave
had the privelidge of judging this contest with the beautiful Amber
Nichole Miller from XYIENCE along with trainer Firaz Zahabi,
and cut master “Stitch” Duran. Dave wasn’t the only member of
the team involved in the contest. Shawn managed to land the role
of emcee for the contest. Thanks to Shawn's sharp wit as the
emcee, the contest was a success and the ring girl was crowned.
After the contest it was back to the party, where we managed to
shut down Club 7 that Thursday night.
Having spent 2 nights in Montreal but minimal time in our beds,
Friday started with much promise. Another busy day with the
main focus the THQ UFC 2009 Undisputed media event. We
were able to watch Dana White go toe to toe with Georges St.
Pierre on the video game. Dana who claimed to be undefeated in
the game, wasn't so lucky going up against GSP on his home turf
in Montréal. Dave and I were not so much excited about watching
this exhibition as we were at the prospect of our next interview
which would in fact be Georges St. Pierre. We were able to sit
with the UFC welterweight Champion for a lengthy interview you
Between Rounds Radio Show Article
Friday, May 15, 2009 4:55:10 PM
100
95
75
25
5
0
Your body is a sponge...
...soak up superior liquid nutrition with
®
If youÕve taken tablet vitamins in the past and felt little results, thereÕs a good reason why. Ingredients listed on a label mean
little if your body doesnÕt absorb them! With VemmaÕs delicious liquid shot, youÕll enjoy instant nutrition that goes to work
right away to help FIG HT DAMAG IN G FREE RADIC ALS!*
Vemma provides your family with quite possibly the MO ST PO TEN T LIQ UID AN TIO XIDAN T PRO TEC TIO N AVAILABLE
AN YWHERE. Plus, this physician-formulated blend provides amazing phytonutrients from the mangosteen fruit, pure aloe
vera, green tea and a full spectrum of vitamins and plant-sourced minerals in a bioavailable (body-ready) form. O ne shot
a day gives you benefits you can feel and trust:
¥ C reates Abundant Energy*
¥ Maintains Healthy Eyes, Skin and Hair*
¥ Boosts Your Immune System*
¥ Supports a Healthy Digestive System*
¥ Protects and Supports a Healthy Heart*
Your bodyÕs 63 trillion cells are just waiting to absorb the power of this formula.
You WILL feel a difference and we guarantee it with our empty bottle, money-back promise.
For more information go to: www.myvemma.com/watkin
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.