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Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Sweetness And Light

Kickers Are Taking The Kick Out Of Football

Place kicker Matt Prater of the Denver Broncos kicks a second quarter field goal on a hold by Britton Colquitt against the Houston Texans at Sports Authority Field Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 23.

October 17, 2012 So far this year, NFL field goal kickers have made 88 percent of their attempts. They've even made two-thirds of their tries from more than 50 yards. When kickers are that good it hurts the game, says commentator Frank Deford.

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Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Sweetness And Light

It's Good To Root, Root, Root For The Home Team

Baltimore Orioles Nate McLouth (from left), J.J. Hardy, Robert Andino and Manny Machado high-five teammates after Game 2 of Major League Baseball's American League Division Series against the New York Yankees. Somewhere, commentator and Orioles fan Frank Deford is also giving high-fives.

October 10, 2012 In the world of sports — even if you move often — commentator Frank Deford says your loyalty should always be to your hometown team.

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Wednesday, October 03, 2012

Sweetness And Light

The NFL's Lesson: There's No Replacing Good Refs

Referee Walt Anderson makes a call in the Chicago Bears game against the Dallas Cowboys Monday, ending the NFL's first full slate of games with its regular officials.

October 3, 2012 Only two groups of people really matter in any game: the players and the officials. That's the lesson the NFL inadvertently taught football fans in the past four weeks, says Frank Deford. At many stadiums, the regular officials were greeted with loud ovations after their lockout ended.

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Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Sweetness And Light

RG3: A Game Changer For 'Thirds' Everywhere

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III watches from the sidelines. RG3 as he is known has a fan in other thirds like Frank Deford.

September 26, 2012 When sport and language intersect, they can help define how we speak and think — consider the "level playing field." And in Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, the sons of juniors, such as Benjamin Franklin Deford III, might have found a game changer.

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Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Sweetness And Light

The Big East Conference: What's In A Name?

Big East commissioner Mike Aresco answers questions from the media before an NCAA college football game. Aresco says there are no plans for the conference to change its name.

September 19, 2012 Athletic conferences don't make much sense anymore. Commentator Frank Deford remarks on how the Big East conference is no longer as big or as east as it used to be.

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Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Sweetness And Light

NFL's West Coast Teams Have An Edge: The Sandman

Quarterback Matt Stafford and the Detroit Lions will travel to San Francisco to play the 49ers Sunday night. Because their body clocks are set to the Eastern time zone, the Lions could be at a disadvantage.

September 12, 2012 When NFL teams from the East Coast play teams from the West Coast, the outcome might depend on what time of day the game starts. And if you're a gambler, the West Coast players could have enough of an edge to make you consider betting on them.

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Wednesday, September 05, 2012

Sweetness And Light

Southern Pride And The Southeastern Conference

Texas A&M Coach Kevin Sumlin speaks to reporters at the Southeastern Conference NCAA college football media day.

September 5, 2012 If your football team is a member of the SEC, you don't just root for your own team — you root for the whole division. Commentator Frank Deford takes a look at Southern pride.

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Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Sweetness And Light

Just Say No: Doping Diminishes All Athletes

San Francisco Giants' Melky Cabrera fouls off a pitch. Cabrera was suspended Aug 15 for 50 games without pay after testing positive for high levels of testosterone.

August 29, 2012 Athletes aren't always the best role models but, for commentator Frank Deford, the worst sin they can commit is doping.

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Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Sweetness And Light

Serena Williams Takes Tennis For A Ride

Serena Williams returns a shot during a match at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament in Mason, Ohio.

August 22, 2012 The U.S. Open tennis tournament starts next week and, as commentator Frank Deford points out, Serena Williams may be the best reason to watch.

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Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Sweetness And Light

Feeling Just Wild About Wild Cards

Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones is out at second against Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar. Despite less-than-stellar statistics, the Orioles are contenders in the American League wild-card race.

August 15, 2012 More wild-card teams in baseball? The more the merrier, says commentator Frank Deford, as it makes the playoffs that much more exciting.

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Wednesday, August 08, 2012

Sweetness And Light

How Can You Really Measure The Greatest Olympian?

Before U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps broke the record for the most medals, did anyone say the precious record-holder, gymnast Larisa Latynina, was the greatest Olympian?

August 8, 2012 Commentator Frank Deford says it's hard enough comparing teams and stars from different eras in the same sport, let alone across sports.

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Wednesday, August 01, 2012

Sweetness And Light

Four Sports Superstars, Four Years Later

Michael Phelps reacts after winning silver in the men's 200-meter butterfly final at the Aquatics Centre on Tuesday. South Africa's Chad le Clos took home the gold.

August 1, 2012 Commentator Frank Deford looks back at four of the greatest athletes of 2008 and where they are now.

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Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Sweetness And Light

From Obscurity To The Olympics Back To Obscurity

Know who this gymnast is? You will soon. Seventeen-year-old Jordyn Wieber will compete for the U.S. women's gymnastics team in the 2012 London Olympics.

July 25, 2012 It's time for the Olympics! Which means, at least for commentator Frank Deford, that it's time to cheer for obscure sports that we only watch every four years.

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Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Sweetness And Light

Doping In Baseball: The Needle And The Damage Done

Marathon medal winners listen to the anthem from the victory stand during the presentation ceremony at the XXI Summer Olympic Games in Montreal in 1976. From left, Frank Shorter, U.S.A., silver; Waldemar Cierpinski, East Germany, gold, Olympic record; and Karel Lismont, Belgium, bronze. Evidence of doping by the East Germans suggests that Shorter deserved the gold medal.

July 18, 2012 Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens are being considered for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Is it fair to other players if Clemens and Bonds receive the honor?

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Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Sweetness And Light

Going To The Game: The Price Is Wrong?

Andy Murray returns a shot during the men's final match at Wimbledon. A pair of tickets for the match went for £32,000 (about $50,000).

July 11, 2012 With tickets to games as expensive as they are, commentator Frank Deford wouldn't be surprised if a trip to a ballgame becomes a once-in-a-lifetime event, like visiting the Grand Canyon.

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