The War Eagle Reader » Football

Cam Newton shoots ESPN Sports Center commercial, finds Shaq’s shoe

Staff — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:06:51 +0000

We keep wanting to work some sort of Luke 3:16 analogy thing into our report on the reports of Cam Newton’s most recent visit to ESPN, but whatever.

Point is that Shaquille O’Neal’s shoe, despite being the size of a Jet Ski, was apparently missing somewhere in the World Wide Leader’s offices. And the point is that Cam found it. He solved the mystery. Because he’s Cam.

He’ll probably even be able to find Shaq.

The Blessed Individual was in Bristol in full Panther gear Thursday to shoot a “This Is Sports Center” commercial.

If his record-setting swagga is any indication, this will likely be Sports Center for quite some time.

In December, ESPN The Magazine made Cam it’s NEXT issue It Boy.

Last week, he was named the AP’s Offensive Rookie of the Year.

h/t @FearlessandTrue; photos via.

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Katy Perry introduces Cam Newton as Rookie of the Year

Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:54:22 +0000

Here’s video Katy Perry introducing her new boyfriend as the AP’s Offensive Rookie of the Year this past weekend.

Just listen to that cocky SOB credit his rookie season wonders to the “Savior of my life” and his teammates and fans. (But try to block out Perry’s pronunciation of “offensive”—frankly, it’s offensive.)

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It’s Pronounced Jordan is sheer pleasure for Auburn Men

Jeremy Henderson — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:33:36 +0000

Last week on It’s Pronounced Jordan, we invigorated two classic “Vintage”-section stories—this one and this one—with the warm, freestylin’ repartee that envelops the Auburn Network studios every time Rich Perkins, Ron Anders, and I allow ourselves to get real. And don’t think the warmth fake or merely professional—Ron gave me a free Coke from Anders Bookstore when I graduated from Auburn. Now you know.

(We also talked about Trim: Shear Pleasure For Men.)

For more marvelous Marconi misadventures in Auburn history, tune in to The Drive—ESPN 1065 FM in Auburn / Opelika or online at www.espnau.com—Thurs. at 5 p.m. (And for previous episodes, click here.)

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Reagan touts Tigers in Tuscaloosa, gets booed

Jeremy Henderson — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:15:24 +0000

After his campaign speech at the University of Alabama in 1984, Ronald Regan stopped off for a Big Mac at a McDonald's on McFarland Blvd. Reagan would have turned 101 today.

Whatever your politics, George Bush’s “Waaaarrr Eagle” in 2003 was undeniably badass, and heralded Georgia’s swift, unconditional, surrender to Auburn and it’s F-16′s in 2004.

I’d like to think he was taking a nod from the Great Communicator, who would have turned 101 today, and who during a 1984 campaign speech at the University of Alabama insulted the Evil Empire right to it’s face.

From the Oct. 18, 1984 edition of The Plainsman:

Reagan’s address dealt with the work his administration has done to lower inflation and what he wants to do if reelected. The president also talked about some of his past encounters with the late Paul “Bear” Bryant. Reagan talked about Bama’s win last week over Penn State, and then compared his economic policies to a “rolling tide.”

Reagan also said that one team from each state is usually known for its football and right now he said, “That team is those Auburn Tigers.” The president was booed for making such a comment.” [click to enlarge].

Originally posted Sept. 27, 2010.

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Cam talks Darvin, Ziemba

Staff — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:23:37 +0000

Starvin' for Darvin'...

Sporting News editor (and occasional TWER contributor) Ken Bradley’s question about Lee Ziemba and Darvin Adams (somehow) didn’t make it into his recent story about the Blessed Individual’s new endorsement deal with Gatorade. But by God it’s going to make it into this one.

Q: Did it help having two of your Auburn teammates, Lee Ziemba and Darvin Adams, on the roster as a rookie?

CAM NEWTON: Absolutely. Being comfortable with teammates you’re already familiar with plays a big role in your comfort level around the facilities. Having Lee there, having Darvin there—those guys did so much for me being able to carry on the way I carry on, rather than trying to come in and see who’s who … everybody knows you’re in the NFL where the age ranges from 31 to 35 to 26 to 22. Here I am the young buck coming in, trying to mix and mingle and talk to so many different people. But at the same time I have college teammates that I played with and most importantly, those guys have made big strides. In this league, it’s very hard to even make the team, but I think Darvin and Lee both have made big strides, stabilizing their point and looking forward to being on the active roster next year.

Follow Ken on Twitter: @KenBradleySN.

Photo via Mr. Ziemba’s Twitter account.

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Chick-fil-A’s hears you, Cassanova McKinzy—and you might be hearing from them

Staff — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:50:56 +0000

If Cassanova McKinzy wants to come to Auburn just because he can Eat Mor Chikin than he can at Clemson, by God that’s his right. Yesterday, the Birmingham linebacker essentially listed proximity to Chick-fil-A as a deciding factor in his decision to play for the (good) Tigers.

“[It was] kind of the environment and plus they [Clemson] had no Chick-fil-A on campus,” McKinzy said. “You had to go like, probably like 15 minutes off campus to go to like a real restaurant.”

That’s real music to Jerry Johnston’s ears.

“Yes, we just saw this probably two hours ago,” says Johnston, Corporate Public Relations Senior Manager for Chick-fil-A. “We’ve already shared it with the Chick-fil-A family.”

Johnston hinted that the Atlanta-based fast food chain might “follow up” with McKinzy, “but I’m just speaking hypothetically.”

“Obviously we’re honored,” Johnston says. “It’s not everyday you hear something like that. We work hard trying to create raving fans and it certainly sounds like he is one. It certainly makes you feel good from that standpoint. Hopefully he’ll have Chick-fil-A’s close-by during his college tenure.”

Oh, he will.

Sure, Clemson, you may actually have a Chick-fil-A, and sure, it may (as the company just tweeted) have been one of the first Chick-fil-A’s to ever open on a college campus. But still, when it comes to “real restaurants,” the ‘Nova knows his market penetration.

Auburn has four Chick-fil-A’s within five miles of its campus.

Clemson? Four in 12 miles.

Like Lewis Grizzard said, Clemson is Auburn ~~with a lake~~ without the Chick-fil-A’s.

UPDATE: Mark Paden reminds us, Auburn opens its 2012 football season against Clemson… in the Chick-fil-A Kick-Off Classic. Classic.

Updated graphic via you know who.

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Robert Leff signs with Auburn, tries to eat ocean

Staff — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:40:00 +0000

At only 6'7, 280, Robert Leff is a little shrimpy for an offensive lineman.

Robert Leff signed a scholarship to play football for Auburn yesterday. Then he tried to eat a half-pound of fried crawfish tails, a half-pound of fried oysters, 16 fried shrimp, 8 conch fritters, 4 stuffed crabs, a cup of seafood gumbo and a serving of bread pudding, all within one hour. That’s 7½ pounds of weight-packing, Yoxall-pleasing seafood (Leff is only 6’7, 280).

The folks at the Compleat Angler in Daphne call it The Jubilee Challenge. Leff is the first person to ever attempt it. If you polish it off in the allotted time, it’s free. If you die, your family still owes them $99.

“At 50 minutes, I knew I wouldn’t be able to finish it,” Leff told the Mobile Press-Register.

Leff is a Toomer’s-rolling Auburn fan from way back and apparently a student of jujitsu (same thing if you ask me). He plans to start summer workouts at Auburn in May. Look out, Fishizzles Fish N Skrimps!

Read more on al.com, photo via.

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Cam Newton announces Gatorade endorsement deal on CNBC’s ‘Fast Money’

Staff — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:29:44 +0000

The Blessed Individual announced yesterday that he will allow Gatorade to quench his thirst. For cash.

The news of Cam’s latest multi-year sponsorship comes less than a year after he broke Reggie Bush’s record for the largest endorsement deal handed an NFL rookie (Cam: “Really…”) by signing with Under Armour.

Ah, fast money indeed.

The terms of the deal are still under wraps, but we can only hope they include a siggy-signature flavor line—folks would go full Wolfson on that ish (and it’s not like it needs much developing).

Video servicin’ by Jeff Poor.

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Gimel for President! The sights and sounds of Auburn’s signing day

Staff — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:53:08 +0000

A few of the faces were different inside the Auburn Athletic Complex, and the day may not have ended with the rankings of the previous two years, but the giddiness over young men making public professions of faith to Auburn remains about the same.

“You never know what you’re going to get,” Trooper Taylor told YouTube, “but you’re excited about the ones you got.” And about the donuts!

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An open letter to the Auburn University 2012 Recruiting Class

Kenny Smith — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:37:01 +0000

The pride of Sandy Creek High becometh the pride of Auburn.

Dear New Auburn Men,

War Eagle and congratulations on your decision to enroll at Auburn University.

Football is an important reason why you’re coming to Auburn. Football will occupy a lot of your time. It isn’t the most important reason you’re coming here.

As Gene Chizik says, this place was great long before any of us got here. Auburn is great because of the history and tradition within her buildings. For more than 150 years students have carried books over these grounds. This place is great because of the generations of Auburn men and women who have become overwhelmingly important to this region and the world.

You, too, can do great things. Your talents are giving you that opportunity. You must only work for it. Auburn men and women believe in work, hard work.

Think about these things, work and opportunity. We know those ideas become clearer with time and experience. We hope that you’ll honor those concepts because we know what they can do for you and our larger community.

Your athletic talents are impressive, but you’re also coming here because the coaches believe you have equal promise as an individual. We hope that you’ll honor the faith they are putting in you by choosing wisely in all things.

We want to celebrate the wise decisions you make with the opportunities before you. We cheer you on Saturdays because you represent a part of Auburn. We have the greatest hopes and expectations for you every day of the week because you ARE Auburn.

Auburn is about realizing potential. That is what we cheer for the most.

War Eagle and welcome home. Welcome to Auburn. Love it, and it will always love you.

Signed,

The Auburn Family

Photo via.

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Kenny graduated from Auburn at the turn of the century. He worked in newsrooms across the region and then earned a master’s degree at UAB. He met and married a Yankee, who declared her Auburn allegiance at her first home game. She’s now on the faculty at Auburn. He’s finishing his PhD at Alabama and teaches at Samford University. And he’s an assistant editor at The War Eagle Reader. See him online at www.kennysmith.org and @kennysmith.

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