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It was a busy Saturday night (Jan. 12). The Chicago Bulls had a game at home against the lowly Phoenix Suns, the NFL playoffs were on television, and the Miss America pageant was on TV. In that it is difficult — some say impossible — to be in more than one place at a time, your humble correspondent decided that the one place should be where covering all that was possible: the couch.
White Sox pitcher John Danks and Miss Illinois Megan Ervin.
And, yes, there even is a sports-related component to the Miss America competition (not that one is need for inclusion on this site).
And so I was able to view the Baltimore Ravens’ 38-35 overtime victory over the Denver Broncos, the San Francisco 49ers humble the Green Bay Packers 45-31, the Bulls 97-81 loss, and Miss New York Mallory Hytes Hagan being crowned Miss America 2013.
During the inquisition portion of the Miss America program, Miss South Carolina Ali Rogers was asked about ESPN broadcaster Brent Musburger’s comments about quarterback A.J. McCarron’s girlfriend Katherine Webb and whether they “objectify women.”
Rogers’ response: “As a football fan and as someone who would like to be featured … at a football game, I think he has every right to point out her beauty. She is, in fact, gorgeous. I think this is something we can display not only on the Miss America stage, but hey, at a football game, too.”
Miss America 2013 Mallory Hytes Hagan.
Mallory’s question concerned gun control and whether she thought having an armed guard in every school would make for a safer environment.
“I actually don’t,” she said. “I don’t think the proper way to fight violence is with violence.”
Gee, apparently the NRA didn’t have a judge on the panel. Once upon a time, maybe a contestant would tap-dance around the topic (Mallory’s talent actually was tap-dancing of the dancing variety). Not Saturday night. And before anyone goes off and pooh-poohs her remark because she is a New Yorker, let the record show she actually is from Alabama. Betcha the NRA wishes she was asked the question about Musburger.
Miss Illinois, Megan Ervin, was among the 10 finalists but did not finish in the top five. Mentioning her does mean running a photo of her with Chicago White Sox pitcher John Danks is anything but gratuitous — even if it wasn’t fortuitous.
* Key to the Ravens’ victory was Corey Graham’s interception that set up the winning field goal. It was his second pick of the game. The first went for a touchdown. And, yes, that’s the same player who was a special-teams performer for the Bears. Are Bears fans supposed to feel good about his success or wonder why he no longer is on the Bears and wasn’t playing in the Bears defensive backfield?
* That Peyton Manning pass that Graham intercepted looked a little Jay Cutler-esque, no? Yes.
* Bears fans rejoicing over the Packers’ loss might want to note that Green Bay is not Super Bowl caliber. Then again, the Bears aren’t Green Bay caliber. Thinking one of those two might be Super Bowl caliber next season, and it’s going to be the Bears? Uh, not unless there is a significant roster upgrade for the Bears.
* Speaking of which, assessing Bears coaching candidates by their team’s postseason success needs to factor in the talent level of that team vs. the Bears’ talent. The only time the 2012 Bears looked like a top team was against bad opponents. If there is a postseason that features bad teams, then by all means include the Bears and they might emerge triumphant.
* Speaking of the Bears and coaches, you have to think if recently fired Lovie Smith had been coaching the 49ers, Alex Smith would have been their QB upon his return from injury, and Colin Kaepernick would be on the bench. Not that the Bears have a backup quarterback close to that caliber.
The downside to bypassing the Bulls game? Missing the Luvabulls perform their routinees. Thankfully, the video department at elliottharris.com was shrewd enough to have a couple of videos from their game Jan. 9 (either that or it forgot to use them sooner).
Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly reportedly is looking to parlay his team’s success into a longer, more lucrative contract. In the wake of a BCS championship game loss to Alabama on Jan. 7, he met with the Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday with both sides reportedly having interest.
“This week, I had an incredible opportunity to speak with one of the premier organizations in sports about becoming their head coach,” Kelly said in a statement released through the school.
“Like every kid who has ever put on a pair of football cleats, I have had thoughts about being a part of the NFL. However, after much reflection and conversation with those closest to me, I have decided to remain at Notre Dame.
“This decision was motivated purely by my love for Notre Dame and the entire Fighting Irish community, the young men I have the great fortune to coach, and my desire to continue to build the best football program in the country.
“We still have a lot of work to do and my staff and I are excited about the challenges ahead.”
Athletic director Jack Swarbrick said in a statement:
“I was always confident that Brian would continue to lead our football program. I am very happy to have that confirmed and share Brian’s excitement about what lies ahead for our program.”
Left unsaid is Swarbrick’s reported displeasure that Kelly would even entertain the idea of leaving Notre Dame.
Some video always sounds — and looks — like a good idea. Here is some featuring photographers and their work (yes, it really is work). First we have Brian B. Hayes with Rachel Bernstein for the SNI calendar:
And next up is our friend lovely Lariyah Daniels, who is featured in a video from Jim Cummins:
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