NCAA and NFL for 2009

2009 was a bit peculiar in the world of college football. We saw a coaching legend "ran out of town", a punch, and a waffle.

5. Player treatment

I know we just heard about the news concerning Mike Leach of Texas Tech, so many may think this is here only because of that. Remember, Mark Mangino was forced out at Kansas due to allegations of verbally abusing players. Jim Leavitt is under investigation at South Florida because it's alleged that he "hit" a player duting halftime of a game. The news of Leach placing an injured player in a shed and then in an electrical room only adds to this. Back in the day, this may have been viewed as toughening a player up or a way to discipline a player. Not anymore.

4. The exit of Bowden

The way Bobby Bowden will exit from Florida State is none to flattering. The Seminoles will play West Virginia, Bowden's first stop in coaching, in the  Bowl. Bowden made Seminole football and he deserves a far better way to exit the program. He deserved to have a "tour" in order for the man who put FSU on the map to receive his proper recognition.

3. Mark Herzlich's battle

Herzlich was coming off a 2008 that many college players dream of. He was a first team All-American, ACC Defensive Player of the Year, a finalist for Butkus Award as the nation's best linebacker and Herzlich was rated a mid 2nd round pick for the 2009 NFL draft. Herzlich chose to stay at Boston College for his senior year. In mid-May, Herzlich was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. Herzlich took the disease head-on and at the end of September, Herzlich announced he was cancer free. BC doctors confirmed this. Herzlich plans on playing for the Eagles in 2010 and doctors have given him the ok to play. Since Ewing's sarcoma is found in the bones and soft tissue, a rod was surgically inserted in Herzlich's leg for support and to aid in traning. Herlich received the 2009 Disney Award for Spirit despite not paying a down.

2. LeGarrette Blount

In a game that was to promote sportsmanship, Oregon Duck tailback LeGarrette Blount did the unthinkable. After the 19-8 loss to Boise State, Blount was apprached by Boise State's Byron Hout. Apparently, Blount was spouting off during the week. Hout approached Blount by thumping on Blount's shoulder pads. Hout proceded to say something to Blount. We will never know exactly what Hout said, but Blount obviously didn't like it and Blount fired a punch t the chin of the defenseless Hout. The reason Hout was defenseless was because Boise State's head coach Chris Peterson was already in the process of admonishing Hout's behavior. But it doesn't end there. Blount then aimed his distaste to the Broncos fans. Blount attempted to enter the crowd, but he was restrained by Oregon players and personnel. Blount would be suspended for the remainder of the season, but head coach Chip Kelly would later rescind the suspension after Blount completed a reinstatement plan.

1. Urban Meyer pulls a Brett Favre

This also just happened this past week. After the SEC Championship game, Meyer had to be taken to the hospital due to dehydration. It was furhter revealed that Meyer's health was deteriorating due to a heart condition and Meyer decided that it was time to get away from the game and retire from his position. In a press release, Meyer stated he'd ignored his health for too long and it was time to address the issue. Meyer also said he wanted to take time for his family. Upon attending the Florida Gator's Sugar Bowl practice the following day, the Gator players showed spirit and Meyer changed his stance on retirement. Meyer will take a leave of absence and leave Steve Addazio as the interim coach. In an iterview with ESPN's Tom Rinaldi, Meyer said what really made him change his mind was the thought of someone else coming into the Florida situation and changing things from the way he has them. What an ego. I guess his job is more important than hs family.

The NFL provided a few good moments, too. I've already referred to one. Here's my top 5 from 2009.

5. Jim Caldwell passes up on possible perfection.

Not in my original top 5. Caldwell's move to sit starters about halfway through the third quarter of Sunday's game against the New York Jets has not sit well with Indy Colt fans. In fact, there is a push for from an Indianapolis city councilman to try to make the team refund fans the money from tickets purchased for this game. It's really not so much that Caldwell sat the starters, it was the crcumstances. The Colts were leading the Jets 15-10 when the move was made. First year QB Curtis Painter, who had never played a down in the NFL, was inserted to replace Peyton Manning. The rest is history as the Jets reeled off 19 straight points and the chance for an undefeated season went by the wayside.

4. Mr. Goddell visits Washington

The main reason Goddell was in Washington in November was due to the House of Representatives having hearings about anti-doping in sports. The House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection held the hearings and Goodell testified. Just a week previous to those hearings, the House Judiciary Committee held hearings about head injuries. New policy regarding concussions has been instituted due to these herings plus the amount of attention the league and its players spend on the subject.

3. Donte Stallworth

On March 14, Stallworth was driving in his Bentley down a road in Miami Beach. A man named Mario Reyes reportedly ran out in front of Stallworth's vehicle and Stallworth hit Reyes who died at the scene. Stallworth contacted the authorities to report the incident. Stallwoth's blood alcohol content was reported at 0.12. The legal limit in Florida is 0.08. Stallworth completely cooperated with the entire process. Stallworth was charged with DUI manslaughter. In a plea agreement, Stallworth received 30 days in jail (to serve 24 days in accordance with Florida law), 1,000 hours of community service, 2 years of house arrest, 8 years probation and a lifetime suspension of his driver's license. It was also announced that Stallworth and the Reyes family had reached a financial agreement.

2. Favre flies to the Twin Cities

Tell me if you're tired of this one. Brett Favre retired. Brett Favre is coming back. Me, too. But Brett Favre was provoked out of retirment by Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress in late August. There was a small issue of a muscle tear that was teneded to by Dr. James Andrews first. Then, we were led to believe that Favre would not be returning to the NFL. He just didn't have the desire. But Childress somehow persuaded Favre tht things will be different in Minnesota. That's right...no training camp!

1. Vick lands in Philly

In the most controversial move in Eagles history, head coach Andy Reid brought Michael Vick into the Eagles flock. What some people didn't realize at first was that Donovan McNabb also had a hand in this. McNabb and Vick go back to when they were both in college and McNabb was trying to get Vick to attend Syracuse. Despite choosing Virginia Tech, a friendship was formed and the was a driving factor in the decision. The move still leaves a bad taste in the mouths of some Eagles fans.