stwasm

Speaking of Vince McMahon, now that guy has to be on steroids. I remember when he was just a skinny guy commentating for them. Then, all of the sudden, he shows up, totally buff. Yikes!

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=hill/070628 The WWE was in the middle of an elaborate, fake-death story line involving chairman Vince McMahon -- going as far as to put out a press release about it and declare a day of mourning -- when life decided it could trump art. The WWE got its wish, all right. The pro wrestling world was indeed leveled by a major death, creating the nationwide buzz it so desperately sought. Only this death wasn't staged, it wasn't McMahon's and it pointed to a much more significant problem in the "sport." The bodies of legendary wrestler Chris Benoit, wife Nancy and 7-year-old son Daniel were discovered Monday after a gruesome murder-suicide. Initially, all three were thought to be victims -- the WWE and USA Network even aired a three-hour tribute to the 22-year wrestling vet -- but it soon became apparent the deaths were executed by Benoit, who strangled his wife and suffocated his child before hanging himself on the portable weight machine in the family's home. I realize we're supposed to look at pro wrestling as a high-flying version of "The Young and the Restless." But it is inconceivable that, given the appalling number of real wrestling deaths, there would ever be any plot lines involving fake deaths. The real lives of pro wrestlers, as the Benoit tragedy illustrates, are far more disturbing than anything they could act out in the ring. Two years ago, Eddie Guerrero was found dead in his Minneapolis hotel room -- medical examiners ruled Guerrero had an enlarged heart, a result of the anabolic steroids he had abused. In 2003, Miss Elizabeth -- the girlfriend of former WCW champion Lex Luger and a one-time fixture in the sport -- overdosed on a combination of pain pills and alcohol. That same year, Curt "Mr. Perfect" Henning died of a cocaine overdose. And in 1999, Owen Hart died while trying to perform a stunt during a pay-per-view event -- the show went on, and because pro wrestling is always full of theatrics, the viewing audience had no idea the mishap it had just witnessed resulted in a real death. "Personally, I thought the [McMahon] story line was in extremely poor taste from the start," said Phil Lowe, editor of WrestleMag.com, the largest wrestling Web site in the United Kingdom. "I'd like to think a story line such as this should never even be considered again and that the company now focuses on wrestling over far-fetched story lines, as well as paying more attention to the well-being of those who play a massive role in ensuring that the company is such a massive success." Although pro wrestling makes no illusions about its purpose, the countless deaths suggest it's time to scrutinize what goes on there with the same seriousness as in the NBA or NFL. Pro wrestling is still sports entertainment, which doesn't make it all that different from the sports leagues that don't have predetermined outcomes. It took Jose Canseco's book, "Juiced," and the BALCO scandal to get Congress to question officials from the NBA, NFL and Major League Baseball. How many more pro wrestlers have to die before Congress gives McMahon, who was charged with conspiring to distribute steroids to his wrestlers, a phone call? "Depending on what comes out from [benoit's] toxicology reports, we could see changes implemented or at least changes called for," Lowe said. Although steroids are poised to be the banner issue that emerges from the Benoit tragedy, the changes that need to be implemented should go further than just drug testing, which WWE already has. As we've seen with the retired NFL players who have taken their plight to the government, the mental strain that comes from competing in brutal sports -- and despite its being programmed, you could argue pro wrestling is as physically taxing as professional football -- can be debilitating, whether steroids are involved or not. Many pro wrestlers, as shown in the stunning 1999 documentary "Beyond the Mat," lead lives that are demoralizing, not glamorous. In that documentary, we learn that Jake "The Snake" Roberts -- whose signature "DDT" move I tried many times as a kid -- is just a lonely cocaine addict estranged from his family. Based on the things in "Beyond the Mat," we should almost be surprised when a pro wrestler doesn't die tragically. "Ultimately, every guy is responsible for his or her own actions," Lowe said. "That said, some of these guys -- especially those at the top of the tree -- are under huge pressure to keep in shape and maintain their physical condition while burning themselves out on the road 200-plus days a year." It seems the drama in pro wrestling isn't as fake as we'd like to believe.

That white-on-white always reminded me of practice uniforms instead of the game-day threads. Frankly, I found them quite "uninspiring."

Looks like it's time to break out my Charley Taylor jersey and gold throwback hat for the season-opener! SWEET!!!!!!

Okay, you've just contradicted yourself. Before, you said it wasn't the front office's responsibility to field a winning team. Now, you're saying it is. So, I pose the question back to you. Which is it? Maybe he needs to use those resources of his to improve the front office.

You had a tone in your "venon-free statement" and you know it. Unlike you, I'm willing to agree to disagree with you and respect your opinion. Yes, owning a football team is a business. But, at some point, shouldn't a responsible business owner think about the customer instead of his pockets?

TK, I'm only speaking in general. To me, at some point, if you're a business owner, you need to think more about your customers than your pockets. No need for the venom.

And that's exactly what I'm talking about. It's not about football anymore. I'm just frustrated with it all.

I just think that, in light of the disastrous season we just experienced, the last thing I want to see is the team selling yet more new -- not to mention expensive -- merchandise. It's not like the team is hurting for money. So give me a break! Oh, and for the record, I have been on the tail end of some extremely hostile personal attacks because of my feelings. Just because I don't share your views doesn't give anyone out there the right to say what has been said to me. We may have disagreements on how this team is being run, but we should be able to unite in the fact that we want to see the Redskins win. I want to see the Skins win again just as much as anyone else on this board. I have never put anyone down personally nor have I threatened anyone. Let's agree to disagree on some things and keep the personal attacks to a minimum, please.

Unlike Snyder, those teams haven't jacked up prices for tickets and parking, tried to ban pedestrian access to the stadium, try to force season-ticket holders to renew their seats using only a special Redskins credit-card, turned their backs on legendary former players from yesteryear (Bobby Mitchell) and tried to price out the die-hards that have been fans before he was even born. When the Redskins 50th anniversary rolled around, JKC simply had them wear a patch. He didn't create special jerseys and charge exhorbitant prices for them. Fair or not, because of his track record, every "merchandising opportunity" he tries to take advantage of will be viewed as yet another way to squeeze more cash out of loyal fans. I'm sorry this isn't what you want to read, but, as a long time fan, that's what I'm seeing. The emporer isn't wearing any clothes.

The bottom line: a uniform change will do nothing to change the fortunes of this ball club. To quote an old phrase, that would be re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. This is yet another money-making opportunity for Mr. Snyder while ignoring the serious, on-field problems from which this team is suffering.

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: We have a marketing corporation that plays some football.

I posted this in the stadium, but since this thread is here, I think it bears repeating!!!!!!

Um, no. Our play is ugly enough without our dressing the part to add to it.

The only time I remember them doing that was when they played the Cowboys on Thanksgiving a few years ago.

Yeah, burgundy-on-burgundy would be killer. On my eyes!!!!!!!! :doh:

I hear you, but that spear on the helmet was cool, I'm telling you! Besides, this is the NEW generation. A generation where we have competency on the sidelines AND the front office. Give it try!

Why don't we just go with what we wore during the 70th anniversary season? Those were tight!

Looking good, Miss Thing!

This shot was taken BEFORE we met! The one of me with the Super Bowl trophies was too far away, so I went with this one. Thanks for the love, Huly! And I WILL attend an ES Tailgate soon! Promise!

Here you go! It's GREAT to be part of this site!