Saturday, December 5, 2009

The global countdown to the World Cup kicked into high gear on Friday with the announcement of the tournament’s opening round matchups.  Bill talks with Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl about a re-hashing of the Revolutionary War, which African team has the best chance to advance, and the Group of Death.

As in many cities with NFL teams, fans stream toward the stadium on Sundays in Cleveland.  Though still passionate supporters of the Browns, these fans go more for the party outside of the stadium than the embarrassments inside it.  WPCN’s Eric Wellman reports on the sad state of the Browns and the sadness among their fans.

On the campaign trail President Obama was often presented to the public as a fit, young, energetic politician with a mean jumpshot.  But is the President leaving the hardwood in favor of the green?  Bill talks with The Wall Street Journal’s Elizabeth Williamson who wrote about the President’s golf game. (Check out the article here.)

Whenever a player points to the sky after a great play or thanks God at an award ceremony, the worlds of religion and sports become further intertwined.  In his new book, Onward Christian Athletes, author Tom Krattenmaker examines the role of religion in today’s sporting culture.

As a fresh-faced PGA Tour rookie, a young Tiger Woods spoke with Charlie Pierce for a profile in GQ.  After Tiger’s recent scandal, Bill gets Charlie’s updated opinion on the world’s greatest golfer.  And, of course, the futile New Jersey Nets, the Heisman Trophy, and a billboard in Oakland.

The story on the Lingerie Football League on last week’s show inspired a multitude of responses.  Bill responds to the critics and the devotees.

When the University of Cincinnati football team takes the field for their bowl game they’ll be lead out of the tunnel by a 12-year old boy.  Not just a fan, Mitch Stone has been adopted by the Bearcats thanks to an organization dedicated to improving the lives of children fighting brain cancer.  Only A Game’s Keith O’Brien reports on the Friends of Jaclyn.