MIZ-DGB: Commentary for the Tigers' New Star

It's official--Springfield, Mo native Dorial Green-Beckham has decided to "continue his education" at the University of Missouri. Green-Beckham, a 6'6, 220 pound wide receiver from Hillcrest High School, is the consensus number one recruit in the nation as well as the U.S. Today Offensive Player of the Year. He decided on Mizzou this morning after considering other college football giants such as Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and Alabama. "DGB" is probably the greatest recruit ever brought in by the Tigers, but what lured this sure-fire NFL first rounder to Mizzou?

National top football recruit, Dorial Green-Beckham, at a University 

of Missouri basketball game with MU offensive football coordinator, David 

Yost. During his signing interview, DGB joked that he wants to convince 

Yost to cut his hair, revealing some sort of early personal connection

 between the star and his future coach. 

It's obvious that there are school's with greater prestige and talent than MU right now, particularly at the QB position, so why did DGB choose us? Well a for sure reason is that it is close to home, DGB has a brother battling cancer and wants to stay close by to support him (a noble cause). Another reason is the allure of Mizzou to SEC and the Tiger community. DGB took a recent trip to an MU basketball game where students and fans made his presence felt, cheering MIZ-DGB and creating signs specially for him. This type of support let DGB know as soon as he steps onto this campus that he is going to be a focal point and star player on the team. Mizzou making the move to arguably the best football conference in the nation probably didn't hurt either, and going into the weaker, east-side of the conference gives Mizzou tremendous upside heading into the SEC with DGB.

I really like this signing decision by the young star, not only because I study at Mizzou (obviously), but because it shows tremendous self-confidence in his own ability. He could have easily taken the easier road and gone to a better overall team with more supportive talent around him, but this signing shows he wants and will demand the ball all the time. He is going to be the best player on the team as soon as he steps on the field, and I love the swagger he has to be the go-to-guy right away. He has a tall order ahead of him, however, as Mizzou will have a tough schedule next season--taking on powerhouses Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.

Moving onto DGB the player, I believe his athleticism and skill set are most comparable to that of Detroit star receiver, Calvin Johnson ("Megatron"). Tall, fast, and extremely physical--they are both the type of player where a QB could just lob the ball in their general vicinity and have confidence they will raise up and snatch it every time. These types of plays will be key to Mizzou's success with DGB, considering they do not have the most pass-savvy or accurate QB (unless Franklin vastly improved in the offseason). His ability, along with fellow receiver T.J. Moe, to catch mid-range passes will be crucial to opening up the part of the field where DGB truly shines--deep, down-field passes. No matter what happens, it is obvious that DGB will have a great career where-ever he decided to go to school, but I'm more than ecstatic to have him in a Missouri Tiger uniform.

What's your take on the DGB signing--good or bad decision? Can he make an instant impact? Where will Mizzou end up in the SEC now that they have him? Be sure to comment below and let's get a discussion going!

-John Jr.
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Redefining an Industry: Honoring Sarah Burke

Canadian freeskier, Sarah Burke, passed away last night after
battling critical injuries she received from a training crash on Jan. 10. 

Many of you (including myself) knew little-to-nothing about the Canadian freeskier, Sarah Burke, until her recent training crash on January 10th. I'm not trying to be shallow, but honestly much of what I knew about her I feel like was only available because she was in the limelight for being very attractive while being successful. After her accident I obviously watched the news and ESPN to delve deeper into the life of this revolutionary athlete, and that was how I discovered the ways in which she completely redefined the sport she loved.

Burke began skiing at the age of 5, and found an immediate attraction to performing aerial tricks and spins. As a teenager she began to compete in half-pipe and slope-style competitions, but was turned away or forced to compete with the boys because of the lack of women's divisions. After proving that she was more than capable of competing with even some of Canada's best male skiers, she moved on to compete in the Winter X-Games where she would win 4 gold medals and press them to add a division for women's slope-style competition.

Her list of accolades do not end there, however, as Burke was the first skier to win an ESPY athlete of the year award in 2007. She was also was the first woman to ever land a 720, 900, and 1080 at a competition, but perhaps her greatest accomplishment was her campaign to include her sport as an official competition in the Winter Olympics. A campaign that proved to be successful when in 2011 the Winter Olympics Committee announced that the 2014 Winter games would include both half-pipe and slope-style women's skiing competitions.

Unfortunately Burke would never get the opportunity to win an Olympic Gold Medal when she passed away last night at the age of 29, but her legacy will live on through the countless number of women who will now have the opportunity to compete as Olympic athletes in the sport the Burke held so dear to her heart. Those close to Burke, however, would tell you her best qualities were not her skiing prowess, but her humbleness and accessibility. She was always trying to make connections with her fans and spread her knowledge for the sport to aspiring competitors.

Even in death she was trying to impact the lives of those around her, requesting that her usable tissues and organs be donated. I hope I have been able to shed some light on the life of this amazing athlete and even more spectacular human being. Take some lessons from Burke in her remembrance today, and share you life, time, and passion for what you love. Who knows, it might be you that opens the door for great new accomplishments for not only yourself, but more importantly, other people with the same passion.

Click here if you wish to make a donation to Sarah's family to help pay for her costly medical treatment.

-John Jr.

Is Tebow's Performance Finally Good Enough?

It was said to be improbable... unfathomable... impossible. All the Tebow critics and even non-critics said, "There is not a shot in hell that Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos beat the Pittsburgh Steelers." They reiterated, "The Broncos are going to get demolished, and Tebow is but one bad snap away from losing his starting job and NFL career. Tebow can't throw, he can't make quick decisions, he just isn't good enough."

Last night the impossible happened--Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-23 in overtime. The question is though, is this finally good enough? Call it crazy, call it lucky, call it stupid, call it cliche--whatever you want to call it, I absolutely love it. I have the ultimate "Tebowner" right now, and so should you. I am absolutely mystified by what this guy has been able to do despite such adversity and such hardship. No young player in any sport has had to deal with more issues and negative publicity than Tim Tebow, and for what? Why do people hate such a positive role-model in an NFL league full of gangsters and thugs?

Tim Tebow exemplifies everything we as sports fans and human beings should love. He is the ultimate underdog and produces those moments of magic that keep us hooked and flabbergasted. This Denver win is the latest in legendary moments in NFL history, and I know 30 years from now I will not have forgotten exactly where I was when Tebow threw that 80-yard TD pass on the first play of overtime.

We can't give all the credit to Tebow, however. I know that I (nor Tebow himself) would want to take anything away from the team effort that produced this win for Broncos. I can't take away any credit from the Steelers either, who made this victory remarkably easier than it should have been. I still question the decision the bring the safety up on that last play of the game. Why as a defensive coordinator would you make such an aggressive call on 1st and 10 in overtime? Who cares if they run every first down, and who cares if they get a 10 yard run on the first play. When you are in overtime in a hostile environment you had better be playing bend but don't break defense (especially with the new overtime field goal rule). For that reason alone, the Steelers deserved this loss. I don't care if it is Tim Tebow at QB, you have to play smart football and respect that big plays can occur on any down.

I'm not going to rant about the stupidity of the Steelers though, this one is all about the Denver Broncos and Tim Tebow. Many people are tired of hearing about the Tebow debate on ESPN (myself included), but I am enamored by the story of Tim Tebow this year. He inherits a 1-4 team, and when no one gave him a chance, he turns the table winning the next 7 out of 8 games to help the Broncos win the AFC West. Next, after playing awful and losing 3 games straight, Tebow comes out in a huge playoff game and sets 3 NFL post season passing records on the way to winning in extravagant fashion.

I love this story because Tim Tebow represents hard-work, faith, perseverance, and never giving up on a dream.  To me, he stands for everyone who has ever told anyone else they aren't good enough to achieve their dreams. He has stood up in the face of the harshest criticism and proved, "I am good enough, and I belong here." Everyone should take a page from the book of Tebow and let it be known that no one can tell you that you can't accomplish your dreams, and no one can tell you are not good enough to do what you love.

-John Jr.