Video Quick 6′er: The Rock, SI Swimsuit Issue & the Dunk Contest
Everyone makes some bold statements after they’ve had a six-pack. This is no different. The Quick 6 is a six-pack of thoughts followed by one bold prediction. So with that said what does the SI Swimsuit Issue, The Rock returning to WWE, a crazy Kobe Bryant fan, concussions and almost 10,000 miles worth of marathons have in common? Well… nothing really, but they’re all in this weeks Quick 6! Twist off that top and let’s get it started.
1. Want to go run a marathon… or 365?
Stefaan Engels a 49-year old asthmatic from Belgium, just completed a world-record for running 365 marathons. Crazy huh? But that’s not what the record is for. Guinness Book of World Records was interested because he accomplished all that in only 365 days. A-freaking-mazing. After logging almost 10,000 miles, Engels burned through 25 pairs of shoes and lost close to 26lbs despite eating as much of what he wanted every day. The most stunning feat was that he was able to stay healthy and injury free during this time. Many people’s bodies break down during just ONE marathon. The only thing his doctors are worried about now is depression since his body will no longer be pumping him full of endorphins 6 hours a day. Catch the full article here from Time. Stefaan, in honor of your world record this Guinness is for you… but now I think I need to switch to a light beer and start running.
2. Football and Concussions
With the new focus of the NFL and football entities on the impact of concussions and how to stop them someone should really take a look at the research the team at Intel is performing. In a partnership with Intel and Riddell researchers from Dartmouth, Wayne State University, University of Northern Colorado and my alma-mater Texas State University-San Marcos are trying to simulate impacts and model data from hits. Check out the full story on Smart Planet.
3. You throw a ball like a girl!
Awhile back I ran across this article from the homies over at Legend of Cecilio Guante about a teenage Japanese player signed signed in the U.S. But this wasn’t a story about the next Ichiro or Matsui it was about a 5’1″ teenage woman who was a sidearm knuckleballer. As the first woman to play in the men’s professional baseball league in Japan, and then she came stateside.
Yoshida made her professional debut in March of 2009. She appeared in 11 games for the Kobe 9 Cruise and moved on after the season to focus on advancing up the pro ranks. On April 8, 2010, she signed the contract with the Chico Outlaws and became the first female professional baseball player in the U.S. since the retirement of Ila Borders 10 years previously, and the first ever to play professionally in two countries. On Tuesday July 27, 2010, Yoshida made her first road start against the Victoria Seals of the independent Golden League in Victoria, British Columbia, making her the first woman in baseball history to pitch professionally in three different countries.
Girl power stand up. Check out the video below:
4. KCal9′s Lakers Fan Cam backfires
I know this is a spoof video, but it’s pretty funny. Jeremy Rowley is an internet sensation with some of the greatest spoofs out there. Here he’s spoofing the CBS affiliate in Los Angeles’ “Lakers Fan Cam.” Check his YouTube channel here.
5. Irina Shayk graces the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Edition.
SI’s Swimsuit edition is probably the only reason anyone even subscribes to that magazine anymore. As a matter of fact, ESPN’s The Magazine has copied this format and started including the annual “Bodies” issue. Though, the latter is more of an equal opportunity meat market objectification. But who am I kidding, this is really just an excuse to include this photo.
6. “And Finally The Rock has come back….”
This is what the WWE has been missing. The past seven years have allowed John Cena to take the reigns of the WWE and become the next big superstar in the sport. But something has been missing. Stone Cold Steve Austin may be credited with saving wrestling in the ’90′s but The Rock certainly help keep the momentum going. Below is the video of The Rock’s return to WWE during this Valentine’s Day Raw. Nobody is as good on the mic as The Rock and if you don’t believe me watch the full 23 minutes of his return. Nobody else could captivate that audience for that long to end the show. Nobody. Welcome back Rocky.
Bold Drunken Prediction: Griffin flames out in the Dunk Contest.
Blake Griffin is amazing. He’s a talent that the Dunk Contest has long needed. But can he live up to the hype? He’s been billed as the savior of the Dunk Contest, which has been in a terrible downward spiral since Vince Carter went off in 2000. I’m willing to bet that even if he wins the contest, we’ll view it as a disappointment the same way we viewed Dwight Howard’s “dunk” from the free throw line, that came up 3 feet short. He’ll win on name and expectations alone but it won’t live up to the hype. As much as I want him to save the Dunk Contest, I just don’t see it.
