Does Sotnikova Deserve Gold?

Today in the Olympics Russian Adelina Sotnikova took the gold medal in the women's figure skating in Sochi. She won the gold over the favorite Kim Yu-na of South Korea. Sotnikova finished with a total of 224.59 points. Yu-na finished with 219.11 points. This win for Sotnikova was not expected by anyone in the world. Everyone thought that Yu-na would recieve the gold medal. Many reacted negatively towards her win. Some blamed it on biased judges who were Russian. Many people believed that this event was rigged for the Russians to get another medal to try and get the most medals. Personally, I am not a figure skating finatic. I believe that the judges would not dare to rig the Olympics. These judges are professional judges and know what they are talking about. The average person wouldn't comprehend the advanced and complicated scoring of this event. Honestly, I think that it was just an upset and Sotnikova made all the right jumps perfectly. If you agree or feel differently, please comment.

Sources: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/21/sports/olympics/russian-is-upset-winner-in-womens-figure-skating.html?hpw&rref=sports&_r=0
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0f/2011_Cup_of_China_Adelina_Sotnikova.jpg/220px-2011_Cup_of_China_Adelina_Sotnikova.jpg

Ray Rice Assaults Fiance

Last weekend NFL player Ray Rice allegedly threw  his fiance Janay Palmer down at Revel Casino in Atlantic city. He and his wife were both arrested for assault and domestic violence. The left with each other when they were released. There isn't much detail why they laid hands on each other or what they were arguing about. However, I can't think of any reason of why someone should hit or throw a girl. I have been raised in a southern Christian home, and was raised right. I have never laid my hands on a woman. Many people also agree which makes this a controversy. She may have hit him, but Rice should have taken a better approach towards it. He could have restrained her, or taken other forms of defense. Rice should pay the consequences for what he did. If they are just engaged, there is no telling what could happen if they get married. How do you feel about this? Please comment and add additional information. Check out the rest of my blog!

Sources: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/ravens/2014/02/19/ray-rice-girlfriend-unconscious-atlantic-city/5621415/
http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1616849.1392617683!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_635/ray-rice.jpg

Michael Sam Admits Sexuality

Recently, Michael Sam admitted to press that he was homosexual. “I just want to make sure I could tell my story the way I want to tell it,” Sam told the New York Times. “I just want to own my truth.” He was a Defensive End for Missouri, and will attend the NFL Combine coming up. I think that this was a good idea for Sam. It shows that he is proud of who he is. People think that this was a bad move because it will cause distractions with media and will distract him from football. NFL teams also don't want any distractions. However, I don't think it will have any affect on his performance, or cause any distractions. Sam telling the public of his sexuality will help further the acceptance of sexuality in the country as well as in the NFL. It could also boost his confidence and his performance. If he does go to the NFL, the team that picks him will show Americans that they are fully accepting him for who he is. It will also show they aren't discriminating him due to his sexuality, but accept him for his ability to play the game.

Sources: http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/140209210505-michael-sam-senior-bowl-horizontal-gallery.jpg

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/09/draft-prospect-michael-sam-comes-out-as-gay/

Sherman's Interview

Richard Sherman is one of the most controversial players now. This interview is what put him at the top of the list. Sherman ended the Championship game with a blocked touchdown pass to 49er's Michael Crabtree. After the play, Sherman was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct due to comments he made toward Crabtree, and for grabbing his throat making a  "Choking" gesture towards 49er's quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Then, there was the interview afterwards. Sherman did show some disrespect towards opposing players and did sound cocky. However, he just made the last play that put the Seahawks into the Superbowl. If I were Sherman, I would be just as pumped, and my adrenaline would also be through the roof. People however didn't understand. Sherman recieved so many complaints for his actions, and they didn't take how happy and emotional he was with that win. Some people took his action too far calling Sherman a "Thug" which then brought up racism. People also said that he set a bad example for kids. His reaction was just simply adrenaline and happines for making an incredible play. Sherman isn't a thug, he graduated with a 4.0 from Stanford, and he didn't even curse in the interview. He is one of the top corners in the league. Can we not just let him play football

Sources: http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jan/28/richard-sherman-stanford-seattle-and-post-game-controversies

Arod's Suspension

Alex Rodriguez is in the midst of the most recent Performance Enhancing Drug scandal for the MLB. In August the MLB Commissioner ruled Arod with a 211 game suspension. He was accused of using PEDs (Performance Enhancing Drugs) and interfering with the Leagues investigation into the Biogenesis clinic. This January, the arbitrator Frederic Horowitz reduced the suspension to 164 games. This suspension is still the longest suspension for PEDs in MLB history. Rodriguez wasn't satisfied with the reduction. “The number of games sadly comes as no surprise, as the deck has been stacked against me from day one,” said Rodriguez. “This is one man’s decision, that was not put before a fair and impartial jury, does not involve me having failed a single drug test, is at odds with the facts and is inconsistent with the terms of Joint Drug Agreement and the Basic Agreement, and relies on testimony and documents that would never have been allowed in any court in the United States because they are false and wholly unreliable.”
I understand why Arod is still fighting for an even greater reduction, however I think he needs to own up for his mistakes. He has been brought up on charges before, however has never had to pay. The sentence is long, however he deserved every single day. His interference with the investigation could have been what raised his suspension. What is your opinion on this? Please add any additional comments.  

Sources:
http://mlb.si.com/2014/01/11/alex-rodriguez-suspended-for-162-games/
http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2014/01/11/rod-suspension-reduced-to-162-games/

Mike Tomlin Controversy, League Considers Punishment