2014 Games to Watch
Here are a few of the most pulse-pounding matches to watch this season.
Conerly Trophy Hopefuls
This year could be one of the wildest in the history of the Conerly Trophy, which goes to the best college football player in the state.
JFP 2014 College Football Preview: Bryan Flynn's Sophisticated Wild-Ass Guesses
Jackson State University, Mississippi State University, the University of Mississippi and the University of Southern Mississippi—the state's "Big Four"—have one common goal this season—reaching new heights.
The Death of Cinderella?
The NCAA Division I board of directors voted to give the Power Five conferences plus the University of Notre Dame the ability to start making their own rules in regard to offering more than just scholarships to athletes.
Brett Favre
The Packers and Brett Favre jointly announced that they are inducting the quarterback into the Packers Hall of Fame and will retire his number 4 on July 18, 2015.
The Evolution of UM
As the University of Mississippi has slowly pulled off its bandage of change, it banned Confederate flags, certain songs played by the school's band and ousted Colonel Reb.
The Slate
The wait is over for New Orleans Saints fans and other fans of the NFL. A full slate of preseason games kicks off this week.
Eli Manning
While Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning was having one of the greatest seasons ever, his brother, former Ole Miss and current New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, was having one of his worst since he joined the league in 2004 and became the team's full-time starting quarterback in 2005.
What to Watch This Saints Preseason
Here are five things to keep an eye on as New Orleans builds their squad for the 2014-15 season.
The Slate
Now is the time to tell your non-football friends and family goodbye for the next seven months of your life.
Deuce McAllister
Born Dulymus Jenod McAllister on December 27, 1978, in Ludlow, the Mississippi athlete known to many football fans as Deuce, will enter the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame July 25.
Ain’t Got a Kluwe
Finally, after what seems like the longest off-season in years, football is about to shift its focus back to what happens on the field instead of everything else in the world.
The Slate
Preseason football is getting closer. It seems like forever since the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl.
Don Hinton
Don Hinton became executive director of the MHSAA July 1, 2011, when Mississippi Sports Hall-of-Famer Ennis Proctor retired after 20 years in the position.
A Different Kind of Legacy
This past Friday was a day for bad sports cliches like "Return of the King" or "The Prodigal Son Returns." It was also a day for sappy videos.
The Slate
Here's some sports news you might have missed Friday because of LeBron James: Mississippi State University and Kansas State University agreed to a home-and-home series in 2018 and 2019.
Basketball Is Our Soccer
The United States Men's National Soccer Team gave it their all in a 2-1 loss to Belgium in the World Cup. While the USMNT didn't win, the team did improve.
The Slate
You might not believe it, but football is nearly upon us. College football media days are about to begin, and NFL training camps open up July 20 starting with the Buffalo Bills.
Mickey Loomis
New Orleans Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis and the Saints came out the winners when a third party arbitrator ruled that team member Jimmy Graham is to be classified as a tight end for purposes of setting his "franchise tag" cost to the team.
Support Team USA
I will watch anything to do with sports. It doesn't matter whether it's football, cricket, rugby, tennis, golf or poker. If there was a World Championship Tiddlywinks tournament, you could bet that I'd watch it.
The Slate
This World Cup has had just about everything happen—drama, heroics, questionable calls, and one player acting like a toddler and getting put in a big timeout for biting. Like I said, nearly everything.
NFL Minor League?
The NFL recently announced that they are looking into starting a minor development league, but a failure of the NFL is the inability to make one work after two failed attempts.
The Slate
USA soccer has done a good job so far of getting the country invested in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. This week, we have to wonder if Germany will do the U.S. and fellow countryman Jurgen Klinsmann a solid, and play for the tie on Thursday.
SEC’s ‘Dead Weight'
A couple of weeks ago, Orlando Sentinel sports writer Mike Bianchi wrote that the SEC should replace dead weight like Mississippi State and Ole Miss with teams such as South and Central Florida universities.
The Slate
The World Cup takes over The Slate this week since the NBA and NHL both finished their seasons. If you haven't been watching you are missing some great games.
Shelby Osborne
Next season, Campbellsville University in Kentucky will take on Shelby Osborne, who will be college football's first female cornerback.
My Hardest Job
Being a writer has nothing on being a stay-at-home dad. I didn't know what being tired at the end of day was like until I started staying home with my daughter.
The Slate
It's finally here; the 2014 World Cup begins this week in Brazil as 32 countries battle for soccer's top prize and a place in soccer immortality.
Racehorse of the Day: California Chrome
On June 7, California Chrome has a chance to end the current Triple Crown drought at the 146th Belmont Stakes.
The Slate
Last week, Canada's Stanley Cup drought continued. The last time a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup was the Montreal Canadiens in 1993.
Changes for the NBA?
The 2014 NBA Playoffs has all the makings of another classic like last year, when the Miami Heat beat the San Antonio Spurs in seven games. One big difference is that the Spurs have the home-court advantage this year.
Archie Manning
If a Mississippian brings up "Archie," they are without a doubt talking about former Ole Miss and New Orleans Saints great Archie Manning, one of the most recognizable sports figures in Mississippi history.
World Series Repeat?
Last year, we saw a great sports moment in our state: Mississippi State not only reached the College World Series but made it all the way to the championship.
The Slate
May comes to a close this week, and June is ready to bust out a ton of sports events. The Stanley Cup Finals, NBA Finals, World Cup and a shot at the Triple Crown highlight this packed sports month.
Omar Johnson
Jackson State baseball coach Omar Johnson has been able to keep the defending SWAC Baseball Tournament Champions focused during a trying time.
World Cup Dreams
In less than a month, 32 teams will descend on Brazil with hopes of winning the 2014 World Cup.
The Slate
Jackson State's baseball team went from seeing nearly all their equipment and luggage burn in a bus fire May 5 to winning the SWAC Baseball Championship May 18. That is overcoming some adversity.
Eddie Young
Eddie Young has been giving of himself since he first started volunteering 14 years ago at the YMCA on the corner of Farish Street, while he was attending college at Jackson State University.
The Slate
The St. Louis Rams aren't afraid of making history as a franchise. In 1946 (a year before Jackie Robinson broke baseball's color-barrier), the Rams signed Kenny Washington the first black player in the modern era of the NFL.
Another Draft in the Can
Finally, the NFL Draft has come and gone after moving from April to May. As usual, on paper, some teams had a great draft, but others appear to have bombed the draft.
Matt Hall
Belhaven University offensive tackle Matt Hall has all the physical skills to be drafted before Saturday, but he also has plenty of red flags against him.
Around the Sports World
It hasn't been a very good couple of weeks in the sports world. Donald Sterling got most of the press, but he was not the only sports figure exhibiting racist behavior.
The Slate
It feels like the Super Bowl was a year ago—that is how much I've missed football. Finally, the NFL Draft is here, and we football fanatics get a little hit of our favorite sport before the dog days of summer.
The NBA’s Big Problem
New NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has a big problem, and it couldn't have come at a worse time.
The Slate
These NBA Playoffs have been entertaining during the first round. Top seeded teams are getting all they want from lower seeds.
Windows Closing, Doors Opening?
A few NFL teams are in must-win mode right now. Of course, the Denver Broncos, which reached the Super Bowl last year, are a main focus with Peyton Manning getting older.
The Slate
It is time to start some speculation. The 2014 NFL Draft will begin May 8—who will the New Orleans Saints take with the 27th pick in the first round?
Jamierra Faulkner
The Chicago Sky selected Southern Miss star Jamierra Faulkner in the WNBA draft with the 10th pick in the third round, the 34th pick overall.
Yet Another Football Scandal
Over the weekend, Missouri star receiver Dorial Green-Beckham was kicked off the Tigers football team. Green-Beckham was accused of breaking into an 18-year-old Missouri student's apartment while looking for his girlfriend and of pushing the young woman down a flight of stairs.
The Slate
This month begins the quest for Lord Stanley's Cup and the Larry O'Brien Trophy as the NHL and NBA reach the playoffs. The NHL Playoffs might be the best sporting event you're not watching.