It had all the pizzazz of Vegas fight as Cowboys owner Jerry Jones took on a new challenge and host a championship fight at his new stadium. His introduction of "Mr. Jerrrrrrrrrrry Jones" echoed throughout the stadium as he took the stage.
"We will make it the fight to be remembered in this new stadium," Jones said to a small crowd attending the announcement.
On March 13th, Manny Pacquiao will face Joshua Clottey in a world welterweight championship fight. Their goal is sell 45-thousand seats, but more can't be opened up. The stadium will use a similar configuration that was used to host the first basketball game in the stadium back in December when Texas played North Carolina. It was considered a trial run for the final four.
"You got the greatest promoter in the world in Jerry Jones," says Lester Bedford of the Bedford Agency. "I know all these boxing promoters. I know Don King, I know Bob Arum, I know Oscar De La Hoya, and I've done work for all of them. None of them can match Jerry Jones. I'm telling you. He is the best promoter in the history of sport in this country. I never met PT Barnum, but jerry is a good one."
There are a lot of places where this fight could have been held, but it ended up in Arlington. Hall of fame promoter Bob Arum, who has been called the most powerful man in boxing, says Cowboys stadium will help sell this fight.
"It just blows you away," Arum says. "Forget the fact that Jerry is a wonderful showman, which he is, but this facility is incredible. Just incredible."
Arum should know since he promoted the Ali Norton fight at Yankee stadium in 1976. So far, Cowboys stadium has already had its share of concerts, Cowboys games, high school playoff games, college football games, a college basketball game, even soccer. Up next is the NBA All-Star game and boxing.
"I think it will sell, no matter what because I think you have enough boxing fans as the crowd here showed," says fight referee Lawrence Cole. "But I really think it's a spring board and it's right up Jerry's alley."
"Thank you Jerry Jones for giving us the opportunity to fight here," Pacquiao told Jones.
So what's next for Cowboys Stadium? "Well we're very excited about our bull riding competition," Jones says.
In case you're wondering, that's coming in February.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Dirk Nowitzki about reach major scoring milestone
In his 11th season, Mavericks Forward Dirk Nowitzki is about to reach a major scoring milestone. He's just 16-points away from 20,000 points and that puts him in elite NBA company.
"It's an unbelievable milestone," Nowitzki says. "I mean, looking back, eleven years ago, I don't think none of you guys thought I could score 1,000."
That is true especially when you consider his first game in Seattle on Feb 5, 1999 when Nowitzki had 5 assists, no field goals and 2 free throws.
It's also hard to forget his first trip to Dallas in June of 1998 when then Mavericks Head Coach, Don Nelson was showing him the future site of the American Airlines Center. Nowitzki was a tall skinny kid with long blonde hair.
"It's hard to recall back then but that floppy headed blonde German kid coming over here," says Donn Nelson, President of Basketball Operations for the Mavericks. "I thought he was going to be good, but we'd be lying if we thought he was going to be this good. A drink of water and the all of sudden he blossoms into this, it's really a cool thing for our fans to be a part of."
Nowitzki met his hero, then Seattle Forward Detlef Schrempf before his first NBA game. Today in German, Nowitzki is bigger than Schrempf and just as popular as Tennis legend Boris Becker and Formula one driver Michael Schumacher.
"He has tremendous respect in our country, because of his character, his work ethic and obviously his accomplishments," says German National Coach Dirk Bauermann.
By reaching 20,000 points, Nowitzki will do something players like John Stockton with 19,711 points, Isiah Thomas with 18,822 points, Rick Berry with 18,395 and Magic Johnson with 17,707 were never able to reach for one reason or another.
Meanwhile, Nowitzki says the record is fine but he still dreams of winning an NBA Championship. "It doesn't mean that much to me as of right now," Nowitzki says. "I'm stills trying to chase my dream and that's win a championship and like I said, all that other stuff is great once my career is over."
Only 33 players in NBA history have ever topped the 20,000 point mark. It's a virtual guarantee that when his playing days are over, Nowitzki will end up in the basketball hall of fame.
The all time leading scorer in NBA history is former Lakers Center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He finished his career with 38,387 points.
"It's an unbelievable milestone," Nowitzki says. "I mean, looking back, eleven years ago, I don't think none of you guys thought I could score 1,000."
That is true especially when you consider his first game in Seattle on Feb 5, 1999 when Nowitzki had 5 assists, no field goals and 2 free throws.
It's also hard to forget his first trip to Dallas in June of 1998 when then Mavericks Head Coach, Don Nelson was showing him the future site of the American Airlines Center. Nowitzki was a tall skinny kid with long blonde hair.
"It's hard to recall back then but that floppy headed blonde German kid coming over here," says Donn Nelson, President of Basketball Operations for the Mavericks. "I thought he was going to be good, but we'd be lying if we thought he was going to be this good. A drink of water and the all of sudden he blossoms into this, it's really a cool thing for our fans to be a part of."
Nowitzki met his hero, then Seattle Forward Detlef Schrempf before his first NBA game. Today in German, Nowitzki is bigger than Schrempf and just as popular as Tennis legend Boris Becker and Formula one driver Michael Schumacher.
"He has tremendous respect in our country, because of his character, his work ethic and obviously his accomplishments," says German National Coach Dirk Bauermann.
By reaching 20,000 points, Nowitzki will do something players like John Stockton with 19,711 points, Isiah Thomas with 18,822 points, Rick Berry with 18,395 and Magic Johnson with 17,707 were never able to reach for one reason or another.
Meanwhile, Nowitzki says the record is fine but he still dreams of winning an NBA Championship. "It doesn't mean that much to me as of right now," Nowitzki says. "I'm stills trying to chase my dream and that's win a championship and like I said, all that other stuff is great once my career is over."
Only 33 players in NBA history have ever topped the 20,000 point mark. It's a virtual guarantee that when his playing days are over, Nowitzki will end up in the basketball hall of fame.
The all time leading scorer in NBA history is former Lakers Center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He finished his career with 38,387 points.
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Father Son Combinations in Texas High School Football Are Common
Father son combinations in high school football are enjoying lots of success in the playoffs these days. At Graham High School, Case and his father Brad McCoy are headed the Class 3A semifinals this weekend. Brad is the head coach while Case is the brother of Quarterback Colt McCoy at Texas
Riley and Todd Dodge won the 2006 state championship at Southlake Carroll. They're still together today at the University of North Texas. Graham Harrell was a sophomore at Ennis when he helped his father, Sam win a state championship.
This week, the combination of J.W. and John Walsh at Denton Guyer will try to beat Longview in a rematch of last year's state semifinal game. J.W. is the Quarterback and his knowledge of the game started at a very early age.
"When you’re younger, you have the resource of your dad and the resource of coming up here and see the things that most kids who are in elementary school would not see at that time," says J.W.
The combination of father and son as the Coach and Quarterback is certainly not new to high school football and it's a combination that has worked well at other schools. It's a combination that seems to working well at Denton Guyer.
"At home when I have a question, it's easy just to walk downstairs and ask a question," J.W. says.
"He's worked hard enough physically to do all the running and the passing," says John his father and Head Coach. "What impresses me as a coach and as a dad is his leadership ability. He makes sure he puts the burden on himself and he puts himself first in front of the team and accepts responsibility good or bad and that's what I'm proud of."
"He's been lucky to be around quality programs. He's been lucky to be around quality quarterbacks. He's been around the Freeman boys, Jarret Lee at LSU, so he has an expectation for himself to be at that level those guys were and win a lot of football games for the football team and just growing up having the expectation. It's funny watching him, with all the attention he gets is that he just expects that's what is supposed to happen," his father says.
"He has the potential to be the best," says Taylor Bible, a Defensive Tackle for Denton Guyer. "People always ask do you think J.W. is going to be like Colt McCoy or Matt Stafford. To my knowledge, J.W. is going to be the first J.W."
And that's all any teammate could ask of their quarterback
Riley and Todd Dodge won the 2006 state championship at Southlake Carroll. They're still together today at the University of North Texas. Graham Harrell was a sophomore at Ennis when he helped his father, Sam win a state championship.
This week, the combination of J.W. and John Walsh at Denton Guyer will try to beat Longview in a rematch of last year's state semifinal game. J.W. is the Quarterback and his knowledge of the game started at a very early age.
"When you’re younger, you have the resource of your dad and the resource of coming up here and see the things that most kids who are in elementary school would not see at that time," says J.W.
The combination of father and son as the Coach and Quarterback is certainly not new to high school football and it's a combination that has worked well at other schools. It's a combination that seems to working well at Denton Guyer.
"At home when I have a question, it's easy just to walk downstairs and ask a question," J.W. says.
"He's worked hard enough physically to do all the running and the passing," says John his father and Head Coach. "What impresses me as a coach and as a dad is his leadership ability. He makes sure he puts the burden on himself and he puts himself first in front of the team and accepts responsibility good or bad and that's what I'm proud of."
"He's been lucky to be around quality programs. He's been lucky to be around quality quarterbacks. He's been around the Freeman boys, Jarret Lee at LSU, so he has an expectation for himself to be at that level those guys were and win a lot of football games for the football team and just growing up having the expectation. It's funny watching him, with all the attention he gets is that he just expects that's what is supposed to happen," his father says.
"He has the potential to be the best," says Taylor Bible, a Defensive Tackle for Denton Guyer. "People always ask do you think J.W. is going to be like Colt McCoy or Matt Stafford. To my knowledge, J.W. is going to be the first J.W."
And that's all any teammate could ask of their quarterback
Pilot Point Dealing With Death Before Championship game
The Pilot Point football team is playing in the Class 2A state championship game no saturday, but they didn't practice on Monday. Their afternoon was spent instead at a funeral supporting two brothers on their team who lost their dad.
"Obviously it's been on everyone's mind but at the same time," says Head Coach Blake Feldt. "I think our kids have done a fantastic job of handling this situation. As a matter of fact, our kids never cease to amaze me in some of the things they've done this year."
The two brothers who lost their father are running back Jarman Jackson who now holds the school record in rushing, and safety Willie Davis. Their father, Henry Melvin Davis died of cancer eight days ago. Now the team is providing support for their teammates while getting ready for their biggest game of the year.
"We've got to do the best we can and move past this and use this to something to really pull the team together and focus and get get it done for Jarman and Willie, says Offensive Lineman Cam Feldt.
we haven't been there in a long time but we've got a purpose to be playing for now, and the whole team," says Quarterback Seth Tilley. "They know we're dedicating this season to Jarman's and Willie's dad. So we're going to win it for him. We're going to play our hearts out no matter what."
This week is all about playing for a state championship, but their not just playing for themselves. They're also trying to win it for Henry Melvin Davis. They added his initials to the back of their helmet. Before he died, he told his sons to go win a state championship.
"His words were win it for me, says Wide Receiver Justin Chambers. "Jarman has been saying every week this is for my daddy, this is for my daddy. We're hoping to do it for his daddy."
Pilot Point hasn't won a state championship since 1981, but if there was ever a reason to win a game, the time is now.
"Obviously it's been on everyone's mind but at the same time," says Head Coach Blake Feldt. "I think our kids have done a fantastic job of handling this situation. As a matter of fact, our kids never cease to amaze me in some of the things they've done this year."
The two brothers who lost their father are running back Jarman Jackson who now holds the school record in rushing, and safety Willie Davis. Their father, Henry Melvin Davis died of cancer eight days ago. Now the team is providing support for their teammates while getting ready for their biggest game of the year.
"We've got to do the best we can and move past this and use this to something to really pull the team together and focus and get get it done for Jarman and Willie, says Offensive Lineman Cam Feldt.
we haven't been there in a long time but we've got a purpose to be playing for now, and the whole team," says Quarterback Seth Tilley. "They know we're dedicating this season to Jarman's and Willie's dad. So we're going to win it for him. We're going to play our hearts out no matter what."
This week is all about playing for a state championship, but their not just playing for themselves. They're also trying to win it for Henry Melvin Davis. They added his initials to the back of their helmet. Before he died, he told his sons to go win a state championship.
"His words were win it for me, says Wide Receiver Justin Chambers. "Jarman has been saying every week this is for my daddy, this is for my daddy. We're hoping to do it for his daddy."
Pilot Point hasn't won a state championship since 1981, but if there was ever a reason to win a game, the time is now.
Friday, April 03, 2009
Baylor's Kyle Woods Dies
Baylor lost a friend last night when Kyle Woods died. He was the former defensive back from W.T. White who suffered a paralyzing injury during practice back in 1979. He was 49.
At the time, Baylor didn't have long-term disability insurance, so his former college coach, Grant Teaff did everything he could to help him out. He set up a trust fund and bought a home for Woods. Most recently, Teaff helped Woods move into new home in Cedar Hill where he lived for the past 10 months.
"He said this year has been the happiest year of his life," says Teaff. "None of us could have expect that, that year would be his last year. I think even in his death he continues to send a positive message. That's what he's done for 30 years. Since the night of the accident and from that moment forward, his attitude has been the same. It's been positive with a smile on his face."
Teaff said Woods could say the most profound things at the most amazing times. He said his faith was strong and his faith was profound, something he told his teammates after the injury at the Peach Bowl in 1979.
Address the players for the first time after the injury, he told the players something his grandmother told him when he was a little boy. "Your body may give out, but I won't give in." Baylor went on to win the game for Woods.
Teaff says anyone wanting to contribute to help cover expenses for Woods, can send contributions to the following:
Kyle Woods Special Needs Trust
P.O. Box 7813
Extraco Bank
Waco, Texas 76714
At the time, Baylor didn't have long-term disability insurance, so his former college coach, Grant Teaff did everything he could to help him out. He set up a trust fund and bought a home for Woods. Most recently, Teaff helped Woods move into new home in Cedar Hill where he lived for the past 10 months.
"He said this year has been the happiest year of his life," says Teaff. "None of us could have expect that, that year would be his last year. I think even in his death he continues to send a positive message. That's what he's done for 30 years. Since the night of the accident and from that moment forward, his attitude has been the same. It's been positive with a smile on his face."
Teaff said Woods could say the most profound things at the most amazing times. He said his faith was strong and his faith was profound, something he told his teammates after the injury at the Peach Bowl in 1979.
Address the players for the first time after the injury, he told the players something his grandmother told him when he was a little boy. "Your body may give out, but I won't give in." Baylor went on to win the game for Woods.
Teaff says anyone wanting to contribute to help cover expenses for Woods, can send contributions to the following:
Kyle Woods Special Needs Trust
P.O. Box 7813
Extraco Bank
Waco, Texas 76714
Skyline Basketball Coached Relieved of Duties
J.D.Mayo's release as Skyline's head basketball coach has created an uproar within the school's community. When he was hired, Mayo was told he was the youngest head coach in the state of Texas.
“I think that's wrong because he's been here so many years,” says Chris Topher. “I think he did a great thing for the school.”
“I know it's messed up that they just fired him like that,” says Adrian Linley.
Mayo won't say why he was removed and says he can't think of anything that may have happened that caused him to get fired as the basketball coach.
“Not that I know of,” he says. “I tried to live my life pleasing to the big basketball coach in the sky.”
He is still teaching classes and dealing with the change in responsibility.
“My philosophy for decades has been Godliness, academics and hoops. That’s what we try to teach our players and students and that’s my goal as well, and just wants to spend some time in prayer and contemplating and just want to do things classy and dignified as we try to teach our students,” he says.
Harold Wright, Skyline's Principal, also won't say why the change was made, saying, "I won't go into that (the reason for his release). It was just my desire to move in a new direction. As a principal, I have to make unpopular decisions. I've treated Coach Mayo with great respect and dignity and want to keep a working relationship with him."
Calvin Miles is the parent of two Skyline basketball players, Cameron who is senior, and CJ who is playing with the Utah Jazz. “I know changes happen, but it's the way they did business and the way they treated him. It was unreal.”
Says Miles, “A man gets up one morning and before noon his day is ruined.”
“I am a company man and have been for 38 years. I've stood by Dallas ISD supported the program and I feel real good in what we've done,” says Mayo.
Wright, the school’s principal says “His decision to release Mayo of his coaching duties wasn’t easy and plans to honor him in the future.”
He plans to start with a new gymnasium and name it in Mayo's honor.
“I think that's wrong because he's been here so many years,” says Chris Topher. “I think he did a great thing for the school.”
“I know it's messed up that they just fired him like that,” says Adrian Linley.
Mayo won't say why he was removed and says he can't think of anything that may have happened that caused him to get fired as the basketball coach.
“Not that I know of,” he says. “I tried to live my life pleasing to the big basketball coach in the sky.”
He is still teaching classes and dealing with the change in responsibility.
“My philosophy for decades has been Godliness, academics and hoops. That’s what we try to teach our players and students and that’s my goal as well, and just wants to spend some time in prayer and contemplating and just want to do things classy and dignified as we try to teach our students,” he says.
Harold Wright, Skyline's Principal, also won't say why the change was made, saying, "I won't go into that (the reason for his release). It was just my desire to move in a new direction. As a principal, I have to make unpopular decisions. I've treated Coach Mayo with great respect and dignity and want to keep a working relationship with him."
Calvin Miles is the parent of two Skyline basketball players, Cameron who is senior, and CJ who is playing with the Utah Jazz. “I know changes happen, but it's the way they did business and the way they treated him. It was unreal.”
Says Miles, “A man gets up one morning and before noon his day is ruined.”
“I am a company man and have been for 38 years. I've stood by Dallas ISD supported the program and I feel real good in what we've done,” says Mayo.
Wright, the school’s principal says “His decision to release Mayo of his coaching duties wasn’t easy and plans to honor him in the future.”
He plans to start with a new gymnasium and name it in Mayo's honor.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Luis Yanez Prepares for Pro Debut
Luis Yanez is at a small gym in East Dallas quietly preparing for his professional boxing debut.
"We're going to paint the walls red, white and blue and we're going to put some Cowboys' stars on it," Yanez says. "I'm a diehard Cowboys fan."
The gym was set up by his management team so Yanez would have a place to train on his own.
"It's secluded, it's kind of like when Ali used to go to Brown Bear camp," says Michael Montoya of Brown Boy Media. "There's not a lot of traffic around here so Luis can focus on fighting. Train, fish, play basketball, swim, it's all his."
"This is a dream," Yanez says. "A dream that I've been waiting for and I've been waiting for it. And thank God, he gave it to me. He's given all these opportunities to me and he knows that I have worked hard for it."
Six months ago, Yanez was preparing to fight in the summer Olympics in Beijing, after his much publicized dispute with the U.S. head coach, who had him temporarily kicked him off the team.
"A lot of people didn't know what the actual situation was," says Dennis Rodarte, Yanez's trainer. "A lot of people kinda tried to use it against us."
Despite not winning an Olympic medal, Yanez still calls himself the Latin Legend, a name Cuban fighter Yampier Hernadez gave him at the Pan American Games.
"We went back up there and I met up with him and I beat him and I said 'Hey Conyo, yo so Latina layenda,' I said Yeah, I'm the Latin Legend," Yanez says.
His pro debut is Feb.20 at the American Airlines Center.
"We're going to paint the walls red, white and blue and we're going to put some Cowboys' stars on it," Yanez says. "I'm a diehard Cowboys fan."
The gym was set up by his management team so Yanez would have a place to train on his own.
"It's secluded, it's kind of like when Ali used to go to Brown Bear camp," says Michael Montoya of Brown Boy Media. "There's not a lot of traffic around here so Luis can focus on fighting. Train, fish, play basketball, swim, it's all his."
"This is a dream," Yanez says. "A dream that I've been waiting for and I've been waiting for it. And thank God, he gave it to me. He's given all these opportunities to me and he knows that I have worked hard for it."
Six months ago, Yanez was preparing to fight in the summer Olympics in Beijing, after his much publicized dispute with the U.S. head coach, who had him temporarily kicked him off the team.
"A lot of people didn't know what the actual situation was," says Dennis Rodarte, Yanez's trainer. "A lot of people kinda tried to use it against us."
Despite not winning an Olympic medal, Yanez still calls himself the Latin Legend, a name Cuban fighter Yampier Hernadez gave him at the Pan American Games.
"We went back up there and I met up with him and I beat him and I said 'Hey Conyo, yo so Latina layenda,' I said Yeah, I'm the Latin Legend," Yanez says.
His pro debut is Feb.20 at the American Airlines Center.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Careful Who You Cheer For!
The Texas Tech and Oklahoma game Saturday night has made this a weird week for college football fans, especially those who follow the Texas Longhorns. Texas Tech is playing in another one of their "Biggest Games" in program history, and if your a Texas fan, you may have no choice but to cheer for Oklahoma. How crazy is that? A win by Oklahoma would put Texas right back in the hunt for a National Championship.
I asked Cowboys Wide Receiver Roy Williams, a Texas Ex, if he would be cheering for Oklahoma this weekend, and he would only say "I'll be watching the game."
Leonard Davis, another Texas Ex, confirmed that he will be cheering for Oklahoma Saturday night, but he wasn't real crazy about it.
"I'm always rooting for Texas Tech," says Cowboys Linebacker Zach Thomas. As a graduate of Texas Tech, Thomas says "I'm excited that they're even in this situation. We never had Tech in this situation so I'm very excited for the program, and I'm really glad they're taking it to the next level."
There is one place where there is no question who folks are pulling for and that's Ennis, Texas. That's the hometown of Texas Tech Quarterback Graham Harrell.
I asked Cowboys Wide Receiver Roy Williams, a Texas Ex, if he would be cheering for Oklahoma this weekend, and he would only say "I'll be watching the game."
Leonard Davis, another Texas Ex, confirmed that he will be cheering for Oklahoma Saturday night, but he wasn't real crazy about it.
"I'm always rooting for Texas Tech," says Cowboys Linebacker Zach Thomas. As a graduate of Texas Tech, Thomas says "I'm excited that they're even in this situation. We never had Tech in this situation so I'm very excited for the program, and I'm really glad they're taking it to the next level."
There is one place where there is no question who folks are pulling for and that's Ennis, Texas. That's the hometown of Texas Tech Quarterback Graham Harrell.
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