Detroit Free Press

GOATEAMWINGS ADMIT FACIAL HAIRLOOKS BAD, BUT THEY DON’T CARE

GOATEAMWINGS ADMIT FACIAL HAIRLOOKS BAD, BUT THEY DON’T CARE

It is not my place -- as a man who needs a month to grow a five-o'clock shadow -- to ask why Red Wings players are suddenly sporting the same facial hair. But I'll do it anyhow. Someone has to. I mean, if everyone in your office suddenly came to work looking like Magic Johnson, you'd ask, "What's going on?" Wouldn't you?So what's going on?"I don't know," says Aaron Ward, rubbing his mustache. "I just grew mine because you're supposed to.""Don't ask me," says Darren McCarty, scratching his beard. "I don't know who started it."
IN THE NEW NBA, YOUTH IS WASTED ON THE YOUNG

IN THE NEW NBA, YOUTH IS WASTED ON THE YOUNG

NEWS ITEM: Kobe Bryant, a 17-year-old high school basketball player, announced last week that he would skip college and immediately enter the NBA draft. He follows 19-year-old Kevin Garnett, who did the same thing last year. Many worry that the pattern will continue, and that college may one day be seen as a meaningless step in a pro sports career. "How much younger can it get?" one coach wondered . . . LOS ANGELES, May 5, 2014 -- Six-year-old Joey (Slamma) Jamma called a press conference to announce that he was skipping elementary school and jumping straight to the NBA draft.
NOTHING BEATS BEING AVAILABLE

NOTHING BEATS BEING AVAILABLE

We lost a good man last weekend. His death was sudden. It shocked those who loved him. When he finally was laid to rest, it was hard to believe how many people paid tribute.I am not talking about John F. Kennedy Jr., although you probably thought I was. Such is the state of American culture that even death can be usurped by the rich and famous.No, the man I am talking about was not a Kennedy. He was never dubbed "America's Prince." He was neither famous nor Adonis-like. He never Rollerbladed through Central Park.
WIMBLEDON FINDS FAULT WITH WILLIAMS SISTERS

WIMBLEDON FINDS FAULT WITH WILLIAMS SISTERS

WIMBLEDON, England -- In tennis, there are always two big stories: the reigning champions, and the young turks on the horizon. In case you missed it, the horizon these days is dwarfed by a pair of tall, gangly, American teenaged sisters named Venus and Serena Williams. They hover like twin tornadoes. Both are unorthodox, fast, wickedly powerful with their ground strokes, and as promising as a tooth that bursts through the skin.
WAS IT LUCK — OR DIVINE INTERVENTION?

WAS IT LUCK — OR DIVINE INTERVENTION?

And now for the Lions' newest weapon:Prayer."The good Lord did it," said Luther Ellis."I know I found religion," said Brett Perriman."Somebody wanted us to have a break," said Van Malone.What they were talking about, of course, was the last play of Sunday's game, a play that had "fade to black" written all over it. The Seattle Seahawks were lined up for a very makable 42-yard field goal that would have sent the Lions to their fifth straight loss, swallowed their meager playoff hopes, and assured them a spot in the Waste Of Talent Hall of Fame.
CURSES! SPOILED AGAINFEICK PLAYS HIS HEART OUT, BUT IT’S NOT ENOUGH

CURSES! SPOILED AGAINFEICK PLAYS HIS HEART OUT, BUT IT’S NOT ENOUGH

EAST LANSING -- In the closing seconds of Tuesday's hissing defeat, several Michigan State fans began to razz Purdue's bald-headed senior forward, Cuonzo Martin."Hey, Cuonzo, how's it feel to be ranked 25th in the country?""Hey, Cuonzo. Nice haircut.""CBA! CBA!"Martin, hands on hips, breathing hard from the 12 points he scored in the last six minutes, rolled his eyes and pushed his lips together. He blew them a kiss. Mmmwah! A winner's revenge.
NO CHEERING IN PRESS BOX, ESPECIALLY BY ME

NO CHEERING IN PRESS BOX, ESPECIALLY BY ME

DAYTON, Ohio -- The hamburgers are on the grill, and the margaritas are flowing like small green waterfalls."GO JAYHAWKS!" someone slurps."GO HILLTOPPERS!" screams another."Pardon me," I mumble. "'Scuse me. . . . Pardon me. . . . "I make my way through the tailgating parties like a police officer assigned to Beach Blanket Bingo. A van full of students is booming rock music and singing along. Suddenly, in the middle of the song, someone stops and yells "HOW ABOUT THEM HOGS?""WHOOOEEE!" they answer. "HOGS, HOGS, HOGS, HOG--"
WHY DADDY ISN’T A VERY GOOD FATHER

WHY DADDY ISN’T A VERY GOOD FATHER

What do Isiah Thomas, Barry Sanders and Juwan Howard have in common? All have been celebrated as "good guys." All have been hailed as humble star athletes who have their priorities straight.And all have fathered children out of wedlock.I bring them up only to prove that the current Sports Illustrated cover story, "Where's Daddy?" about paternity and athletes, is not some device to sell magazines, and not some blown-up tale about a few sex-crazed deviants. It's as real a problem as there is in sports, and it says a lot about who we are and what we choose to admire.

Mitch Albom writes about running an orphanage in impoverished Port-au-Prince, Haiti, his kids, their hardships, laughs and challenges, and the life lessons he’s learned there every day.

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