Tag:

NFL

[Spotlight] ‘A League of Their Own’ – A Look at the Relationship Between Sports & Comic Books

by Adrian Care February 16, 2019

written by Adrian Care

We’re in that awkward time of year where the Super Bowl has come and gone and the NBA season is in the grip of All-Star Weekend.

Larger than life characters, boastful rants, and feats of amazement. Hmmm, doesn’t sound too different from things you’d find in the pages of a comic book, does it?

Think the world of sports and the world of comics couldn’t be further apart? Think again. There is a firm relationship between both worlds, that invades many genres of book and just as many sporting codes.

Tom Brady may seem like he’s from Krypton, but former Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs is famously a huge comic book fan. Not in the sense that he knows who the Avengers are or has watched a Batman film. Briggs has an astonishingly large single-issue collection and allegedly has a Mark Waid-level brain for retaining facts about comic book first appearances and major events.

Lance Briggs attends the First Annual Lance Briggs’ Comic Book Weekend at the Comic Vault on December 11, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jeff Schear/WireImage)

Maybe Briggs is a fan of Booster Gold, who’s classic origin had him as a star quarterback for Gotham University in the 25^th century before coming to the present and taking up as a cornerstone of the Giffen/DeMatteis Justice League.

Booster faired better than the NFL SuperPro. Up there in ‘reverence’ with the likes of the New Universe and the DC implosion, the NFL SuperPro was a canceled-after-12-issues series of the early 90’s that featured an NFL player endowed with an indestructible football uniform who fought crime.

Speaking of the New Universe, Kickers, Inc. was another sports comics hybrid idea that only lasted 12 issues. Kind of like if the NFL SuperPro has some buddies and they decided to rip-off the heroes for hire, like most of the New Universe, Kickers, Inc was a shutout.

For a more successful take on football (or gridiron to the internationally inclined) the first word, when it comes to comics, is Jason Aaron and Jason Latour’s Southern Bastards. Like a blend of Friday Night Lights and 100 Bullets, this excellent series leans heavily on its sporting backdrop to the point where, just like the town of Craw County, you’ll believe the Runnin’ Rebs are the be all and end all of everything.

Todd McFarlane must have believed in baseball being the be all and end all of everything. In 1998, he paid 3 million dollars for the ball Mark McGwire hit to make his then record 70^th home run. He doubled down in 2003 paying $500,000 for Barry Bonds 73^rd home run ball.

McFarlane’s sports obsession also saw his white-hot McFarlane Toys company become the official licensee of action figures for the NHL, NBA, NFL and MLB. Turning out exquisite figures of the same quality as his movie and comic book licensed productions.

Comic book creators love for America’s favorite pastime has often spilled onto the comic page. As far back as the golden age Green Lantern having one of his main villains being the Sportsmaster, or Casey Jones from TMNT and Kevin Matchstick of Mage swinging for the fences. Green Lantern (vol. 3) #19, a key issue in fostering my love for GL, features baseball being central to the eventual return of Alan Scott to the Green Lantern mythos.

The X-men enjoy a long-standing tradition of having regular baseball games become a hallmark of any good X-men run. The tradition began in 1978’s The Uncanny X-men #110 and has endured all the way through to recent runs.

Ernest Thayer’s American classic poem Casey at the Bat has often been adapted into comic book form. Most prominently by Peter David and Gary Frank in The Incredible Hulk #435, and in Fables #92. But my personal favourite will always be the all baseball-centric The Young All-Stars #7 featuring a baseball game to support the war effort between the JSA and the Young-All Stars.

For less super heroics and more biographical comics about baseball, All Star by Jesse Lonergan and 21: The Story of Roberto Clemente by Wilfred Santiago are essential reads.

Unfortunately, basketball isn’t as well represented in comic books as some of the fondly respected material mentioned above. It’s a commonly known fact that Shaq has a deep affinity for the Superman symbol (not talking about the Steel movie here, move along). Also, there is the tenuous link that Dwight Howard enjoys carrying the nickname ‘Superman’.

Comics and Basketball are plagued by head shakers like the NBA’s own take on the NFL SuperPro, the BrooklynKnight and LeBron James: King of the Rings (please just stay out of the sports world, Marvel). 1992 saw Dark Horse extend the multimedia cross-over by publishing the comic of Charles Barkley vs Godzilla.

For something left of centre, check out Chopper: Song of the Surfer. A future-sports take on surfing featuring the Judge Dredd character, but an excellent look at competition by John Wagner and Colin McNeil, published in 1990. Or, in a similar vein, Mara from Image comics by Brian Wood and Ming Doyle that mixes volleyball, coming-of-age storytelling, and superpowers.

Going from sports to sports entertainment, let’s not forget the relationship between pro wrestling and comics. From Marvel’s WCW adaptation to Chaos! Comics Undertaker tales of the “Attitude Era,: wrestling comics have come a long way to get to the excellent Dennis Hopeless and Serg Acuna produced WWE from Boom! Studios. There have also been two excellent biographies in graphic novel form about Andre the Giant that are critically praised.

That’s not forgetting, either, that many of the athletes from the world of wrestling are proud comic book fans. Chris Jericho often states love for Wolfman and Perez’ New Teen Titans, stating that’s where he came up with the Jericho name. AJ Styles and Samoa Joe have professed love for comics in interviews. As has Cody Rhodes, who is also a big cosplayer. WWE superstar Alexa Bliss is renowned for appropriating cosplay into her ring gear, with obvious nods to the Riddler and Harley Quinn amongst her outfits. Finn Balor has built an alter-ego as the Demon by coming to the ring at times in a Venom inspired look. AJ Lee is a proud comic book geek, as well is her husband, CM Punk, who has even written for Marvel and DC.

Former UFC women’s champion Miesha Tate has been known to cosplay as Wonder Woman and Batman as well.

But no sport has been better represented in comic books as Boxing. The sport of kings, the sweet science has a far reaches in comic book lore. The Joe Palooka comic strip of 1930 had most recently been revived by IDW in 2012.

Paul Pope featured boxing as one of the central stories in the incredible 2002 Vertigo miniseries 100%.

Boxing is a key thread in the origin of Daredevil, most notably with the death of Matt Murdock’s father, boxer Battlin’ Jack Murdock. This sporting element has featured heavily in every call back to the beginnings of the “Man Without Fear.”

Golden Age hero Wildcat Ted Grant is the undisputed boxing legend of the DC Universe. Every iteration makes sure to play up the boxing element when featuring the much loved JSA stalwart.

But the greatest example of comic book and sporting worlds colliding? Every comic book fan worth their weight knows without a doubt it’s 1978’s pop-culture icon Superman vs. Muhammad Ali. A diamond in the jewel encrusted bibliography of Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams, it remains, fittingly, the last word on the weird and wonderful relationship between sports and comics.

February 16, 2019 0 comment

Comic Books independent Comic

[Interview] Shawn Pryor, B. Alex Thompson & Jay Reed of Action Lab’s New Sports-Drama Series FORCE

by Jason Bennett October 26, 2017

written by Jason Bennett

It’s time once again for another PopCultHQ Creator Spotlight!

Today, we put the spotlight on the creative team for the upcoming
sports-drama series from Action Lab Entertainment…FORCE!

~~~~~

Welcome to the world of FORCE (Football Operations Rated Championship Elite), created by Shawn Pryor, B. Alex Thompson, and Jay Reed, published by Action Lab Entertainment. FORCE opens a new era of sports-drama series to comics, blending the hyperactive action on the field with the personal drama that takes place behind the scenes.

~ MEET THE CREATORS ~

Shawn Pryor: Writer/Creator

Shawn Pryor is the creator and co-writer of the all-ages graphic novel mystery series CASH & CARRIE, writer of KENTUCKY KAIJU, and has written for Tor.com. He is one of the co-founders of Action Lab Entertainment and currently serves as their President of Creative Relations.

In his free time, he enjoys reading, cooking, listening to streaming music playlists, and talking about why Zack from the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is the greatest Black superhero of all-time.

B. Alex Thompson: Co-Writer/Co-Creator

Los Angeles born and Midwest raised, B. Alex Thompson is a comic book writer, screenwriter, letterer, and artist who has done work for Alias Enterprises, Approbation Comics, Arcana Studios, Lion Forge Comics, and Graphic Planet.

Jay Reed: Artist/Co-Creator

Raised in Southern California, Jay Reed studied graphic design at Santa Ana College and launched his design business StyleUniversal in 2002. Jay is also a freelance graphic designer and published the comic book series CONTENT WITH KAOS with Hound Comics in 2013.

FORCE #1

Writers: Shawn Pryor, B. Alex Thompson
Artist: Jay Reed
Cover Artist: Jay Reed

32 pgs./ T / FC
$3.99

Terrance Wright, the starting quarterback for the Tennessee Boxers, is at the tail end of his career. Hoping for one last big payday, he’s doing all he can to lead his team to victory at Supreme Bowl XXVII.

But events leading up to the big game could possibly alter Terrance’s future in professional football. Will dealing with shaky finances and physical health, his scheming and calculating agent, a rookie quarterback that’s on his heels, and a personal relationship with the team’s operations manager take him to his breaking point, regardless of the outcome on the gridiron?

PopCultHQ’s Creator Spotlight:

Shawn Pryor, B. Alex Thompson, and Jay Reed

PopCultHQ: Sports have had a difficult history of truly capturing and maintaining an audience in the comic book medium. After reading the mind-blowing advance review copy I received, you have seemed to find a winning combination in what it takes to make a sports-drama series work: a fresh, realistic look at the football scene on and off the field. Where did the idea of FORCE come from?

B. Alex Thompson: Thank you muchly for the well appreciated compliments! Shawn, Jay, and I are VERY proud of how that first issue came out and it’s been a pleasure seeing people respond to the finished result. We’re looking forward to see everyone snag copies of all three issues. As separate issues, we wanted to give certain perspectives and evoke particular emotions. But then re-reading all three issues together as a whole would hopefully provide a more in-depth and encompassing story.

As for where FORCE came from, it’s the initial brainchild of Shawn Pryor. He had a short script intended to become a live-action short, but wanted to expand the concept into a full comic mini-series. He presented the concept to Jay and I and we discussed possibilities and concepts until it finally evolved into the three-issue mini-series that’s coming your way in the next few months!

Shawn Pryor: The idea for FORCE was something that I’ve wanted to do for years. A lot of the inspiration for it came from reading sports-based manga like Eyeshield 21 and Slam Dunk. I’ve always felt that sports comics has an audience that’s not being reached in the United States, and the physical and mental toll of professional football makes for a compelling story on and off the field. A few years ago I had put together a short-film project based on a fictional football team and a quarterback facing a major career decision. Right before I was going to into production with it, the funding fell through. The project sat in limbo for a good period of time, but in my head I had built a story that took place before the events in the short film, and I thought that it would make for an fantastic comic book.

PopCultHQ: How did you come to align with this incredible creative team?

Shawn Pryor: I knew Jay from working with him when I did a Kickstarter for Cash & Carrie back in 2015. His style is so dynamic and fluid that I knew he’d be perfect for the book. We talked about pro sports over phone calls and texts all the time, so it only made sense for Jay to be a part of this.

For the additional dramatic touch in storytelling, I wanted to make sure that B. Alex Thompson was part of the team as well. A friend of mine introduced me to his independent work and from there I reached out to him to see if he would be interested in co-writing the comic.

The overall creative process in making this book has been fun, challenging and unorthodox, but since there’s more than one way to make a comic and tell a story we are able to still tell the best story possible.

Jay Reed: Shawn and I would talk about football just as friendly conversation at first. He proposed the idea of creating a sports based comic, specifically football one day. I was on board because I love the game and wanted to see if I could help bring something like that to life.

PopCultHQ: The series stays within the “all-ages” category yet deals with some adult issues found in many dramas like Ballers and The Game. What type of readers would you say is your target or prime audience?

Shawn Pryor: The target audience varies from those who read comics that don’t watch live sporting events but enjoy “30 for 30” sports documentaries, football fans, those who enjoy dramas you mentioned but also watched shows like “Survivor’s Remorse” or anyone that enjoys a compelling drama of any sort.

PopCultHQ: How “real” will this series get? Are there certain topics or social issues you’re planning to explore?

B. Alex Thompson: Oh, FORCE will get very “real.” With my involvement, you can’t expect anything less, lol. In my writing career, I’ve always loved bringing real life stories and subjects into my stories. Although I enjoy the spectacle of superhero fights or shocking horror, my biggest pleasure comes in with the drama portions where you get to know the characters. Once you know, understand, empathize, and care about the characters… it makes the action and spectacle that much more engrossing and enthralling.

So yeah, we’ll be keeping it “real.” But keepin’ it real won’t go too far (Dave Chappelle shout out) as that realness will be deliberately measured for our targeted audience. We really want FORCE to be for “All Ages” so everyone who wants to experience our sports drama can do so without any barriers. Most of my other work is in the 13+ realm, so I had to make a concentrated effort to either cut out certain “real” moments… or figure out a more “acceptable” way to present the subject matter. For the most part I was able to pull it off, but every once in a while Shawn would come back to me with something that seemed acceptable in my head, but wouldn’t fly in today’s environment.

PopCultHQ: Within this one issue, I get the sense that there’s a lot you’ll be exploring in this sports-drama series, not only on the field but off as well. How much will do you plan on creating with the Football Operations Rated Championship Elite league itself? Will we be introduced to the other teams? Even beyond that, will players from other teams have backstories or behind-the-scenes drama issues explored?

Shawn Pryor: The plan is to have backstory content in each issue, focusing on a certain character or team from the first volume of work we’re putting together. We would like to make additional volumes worth of FORCE stories of other teams and players in the future, but right now the goal is to complete the first volume.

PopCultHQ: One of the things that caught my eye immediately and had me sprung the entire issue was how accurate and realistic the football action was drawn. From the hits to the way legs get that awkward twist when quickly changing directions in running, you’ve truly captured the look and feel on the field. Do you reference actual football games for poses and moves? (Which if that’s the case, you must go through a TON of footage given and the football action in the issue)

Jay Reed: I have gone through a ton of still photo reference and look at video reference for certain movements. You know football is a read and reaction type of game so the movements have to reflect that action. Plus you have to find those moves from different angles so you can work them into the panels and have them flow nicely. It takes a ton of work but a lot of people have told me that it really feels like football on the page so that makes me feel like the goal was accomplished.

PopCultHQ: What do you enjoy most about illustrating FORCE?

Jay Reed: The challenge that comes along with it. You have to reference a lot of facial expressions and watch a ton of dialogue to get those scenes right. It has really helped me with finding new and interesting ways to make dialogue feel entertaining.

PopCultHQ: What makes FORCE different than what’s been done with sports in the comic book community?

B. Alex Thompson: Sports and the American comic market have had an interesting history. There has been some flirting here and there, but rarely has anyone gone all-in with the concept. Mostly wrestling is the only sport that gets much love in the American comics’ medium, mostly because wrestling shares a lot with superhero story structure and visual aesthetics. But for something like football, the biggest attempt that American comics made that most people remember is Marvel’s NFL SuperPro… which didn’t go over so well.

A lot of the previous attempts were trying to make football a part of a superhero’s backstory or trying to incorporate football into a superhero narrative. We’re not doing that with FORCE. With FORCE, we’re going for the comic book version of things like HBO’s Ballers, Hard Knocks, ESPN’s 30 for 30, and Playmakers. We’re bringing you the energy and action of an actual football game along with the actual gripping drama of the players’ lives off the field.

What we’re bringing to comic readers is an opportunity to see how comic books can show a broader spectrum of the human experience. Superheroes with super-powered fist fights are fun, but that shouldn’t be the ONLY part of your reading diet. Not when there’s a whole scope of fiction that can be experienced and delved into.

PopCultHQ: You’ve stated that FORCE is the first in a long line of creator-owned sports comic projects that your creative team have planned. Are you considering different sports? Would there be any interconnectivity between these other projects (crossovers, tie-ins, etc.)?

B. Alex Thompson: I don’t know what Shawn has planned, but if this first FORCE mini-series does well, we can surely do a lot more with the series. Maybe a longer mini-series showing the action/drama surrounding the smaller games leading up to the next Supreme Bowl. Maybe a side series from the POV from another team (like the Skyhawks) that could dovetail into a crossover event-style Supreme Bowl mini-series. Maybe one-shots that spotlight each of the FORCE teams. The possibilities are endless for FORCE alone.

Now I’m not personally much of a football guy… I’m one of those people we’re trying to target who can’t sit through a whole football game, but love stories about football players’ lives, challenges, and their industry. But I love basketball and would also be interested in seeing/reading/doing an NBA and or NCAA style comic series.

As I mentioned before, wrestling is an easier sport to translate into the comic medium. I had plans to do a series myself some years ago, but never got around to it. Baseball is “America’s Game,” so that could be another interesting possibility. Hockey is something I’ve been looking into as a spectator… I can’t really watch it on TV, but watching it live is pretty awesome. I love boxing and MMA… lots of drama and action to mine from those sports. We can’t forget about “the real football” that Americans call “soccer.” There’s TONS of worldwide love for that one. Jay could draw the hell outta any and all of these bad boys.

Spit-balling for the future is fun, but we can’t put the cart before the horse. All that future stuff depends on the sales and responses for FORCE today. Get those pre-orders in for all three issues and if you enjoy them, please tell people about it! Feel free to share your pictures and thoughts on the comics on social media. Tag Shawn, Jay, and I in them to make sure we see ’em!

Jay Reed: It would be awesome to expand this series to include more teams. It was fun to play in this world so hopefully we have get the chance to go through the ups and downs of an entire season.

Shawn Pryor: I would love to develop a comic that dives into the world of collegiate athletics, especially the collegiate sports that make massive revenue while keeping the athletes broke. There could be some interconnectivity, but I would only do that if it serves the story. There’s some other sports stories that I want to do, but I’m keeping those projects close to my vest.

PopCultHQ: What is your hope that people take away from FORCE #1 and the series as a whole?

Shawn Pryor: That sports comics can be a viable genre and have unlimited and untapped potential to bring in an additional audience to comics that is needed. The more readers, the better things are for business.

Jay Reed: I hope people learn that football isn’t just about hard hits and violence. There is a lot of emotion and passion that happens off the field with these players. These are people under those shoulder pads and helmets. They go through a lot behind the scenes and I hope that this story can help people see what goes on off the field is just as interesting as what happens on it.

B. Alex Thompson: Initially, I hope that people get caught up in the story and walk away fulfilled. I hope everyone enjoys the fully realized characters that they can relate to and care about. I hope everyone enjoys the action of the actual game and will marvel at the energy that Jay brings to every scene.

As a secondary reaction, I hope this expands some comic readers’ minds and inspires them to seek out independent comics dealing with genres and subjects outside of superheroes. I’m not saying to not read spandex/capes comics or avoid The Big Two. I’m saying that it’s okay to embrace a larger banquet of comics. While you’re picking up your Marvel and DC books, check out some Image, Dark Horse, Action Lab, Valiant, Black Mask, Approbation, etc. When going to conventions, don’t just visit the bigger booths… stroll through Artist Alley and the Small Press areas. Flip through the books and you might be surprised at some of the gems you never knew you needed.

~~~~~

A very special thanks to Shawn, B. Alex, and Jay for taking the time to be interviewed by PopCultHQ. We may just have to go take in a Kings or Sharks game and discuss what that could look like 😉

Be sure to pick up FORCE #1, arriving in comic book stores and digital comics outlets on November 1^st, 2017 from Action Lab Entertainment. And be sure to watch for PopCultHQ’s spoiler-free review of this powerful, action-packed series!

Follow FORCE at forcefootballleague.com for the latest news and updates about the series!

Writer – Shawn Pryor

Writer/Artist – B. Alex Thompson

Artist – Jay Reed

Follow FORCE Online!

Publisher – Action Lab Entertainment

October 26, 2017 2 comments

Games Sports

E3 2016: EA Presents “Madden ’17” and a $1 Million Tournament

by Andrew Smith June 12, 2016

written by Andrew Smith

EA knows that both American Football and Futbol are essentially money printers and they are looking to give back some of that money to those that are diehard Madden fans. As expected, EA Sports has revealed the new edition of the Madden NFL franchise.

EA has also laid out plans for Madden Tournaments with a prize pool of up to $1 Million USD. Whoever said playing games all day wouldn’t get us anywhere?

You can find the trailer below and to see more about all that money that is waiting to be won, you can watch the full presentation here!

June 12, 2016 0 comment

Comic Books Comic Previews Conventions independent Comic Pop Cult News Sports

NFL Star Israel Idonije Is Saving The World With “The Protectors”

by Jason Bennett March 18, 2016

written by Jason Bennett

The life of a sports star. Physically demanding, in the public’s eye, the stamina needed to endure and the rewards that follow. As glamorous or appealing a sports star’s life may be, with it comes a tremendous amount of responsibility. Conditioning yourself, training, not getting crazy in public for fans or paparazzi to witness. Now, as big as that responsibility may be, imagine you were blessed with superhuman abilities. Abilities bestowed upon you for the purpose of protecting humanity. How heavy would that burden be?

NFL defenseman Israel Idonije wondered that same thing. So what did he do? He took this idea, his love for the game, and his passion for comic books to acclaimed writer Ron Marz and artist Bart Sears and, along with Athlitacomics (the publishing company he created), the trio collaborated to produce “The Protectors.”

The former Chicago Bear is attending this year’s C2E2 (Booth 607) and PopCultHQ will be meeting with the gridiron great to discuss his creation “The Protectors” and his comic book publishing company Athlitacomics.

So who is Athlitacomics? The brainchild of Israel Idonije, Athlitacomics is a comic book publishing company created to unite, entertain, and engage both comic enthusiasts and sports fans. The are the premiere company offering a high-level blend of professional athletics and super-heroic mythology. They are dedicated to creating and developing unique comic content, properties, and merchandise in an amalgamation of sports and comics. Current titles on their roster include:

The Protectors is a comic book series about a chosen group of athletes who learn they are gifted with more than elite athletic ability. The Protectors are a chosen handful of professional athletes who learn they are blessed with more than elite athletic ability. Football superstar Isaac Chike seems to have the perfect life of success, wealth and fame. But this life is turned upside down when he discovers his true purpose. Isaac learns he is destined to be one of The Protectors, a small group of gifted heroes blessed with miraculous powers. Now Isaac and a handful of other star athletes (baseball’s Miguel Montiero, basketball’s Douglass Larter, soccer’s Danielle Peters and hockey’s Gerard Rioux) must choose between the lives they know and the greater good of protecting mankind from enemies intent on enslaving the world. It is an epic adventure perfectly uniting sports action with classic superhero excitement. The first story arc consists of issues #’s 1-5.

Sports Heroes showcase the extraordinary capabilities of top professional athletes through the platform of comic artistry. Sports Heroes capture the elite abilities that make our favorite athletes “larger than life” – their speed, strength, power, and acuity. Through comic artistry, Sports Heroes showcase the extraordinary capabilities of top athletes in a unique and impressive way, as they are now available on a wide variety of merchandise to give sports fans the opportunity to support their favorite players on a whole new category of wearable and collectible products. Be sure to check out the NFL Sports Heroes clothing line!

Digital downloads of The Protectors issues #0 and #1 are available for purchase on Groupees. They are also in all 80 locations of the Chicago Public Library.

The Protectors has gone mobile! You can access Season 1 of The Protectors on the free Madefire App, a comic and motion book app for Apple TV, phones, and tablets. How sweet is that!

Stay with PopCultHQ as we cover C2E2 and get an exclusive interview with NFL great and comic enthusiast Israel Idonije!

And be sure to follow Israel Idonije on Facebook and Twitter.

March 18, 2016 0 comment

Pop Cult News Right in the Feels Sports

Peyton Manning Announces His Retirement – Watch The Video Here

by Jason Bennett March 7, 2016

written by Jason Bennett

The following is the video from Peyton Manning announcing his retirement from the NFL today and the transcript follows:

“In my very first NFL game, I completed my first pass to Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk. I threw a touchdown in that same game to Marvin Harrison, who would be inducted into the Hall of Fame this August.

“The quarterback for our opponent, the Miami Dolphins, was, after my dad, my favorite player — Hall of Famer Dan Marino, who on the first third down of the game completed a 25-yard skinny post. And it was the damndest throw I’d ever seen.

“Later, I completed a pass to tight end Marcus Pollard down the middle and somebody hit me really hard and after I got up I told myself, ‘I know I can play in this league.’

“Later in that struggling season, we played in and lost to Baltimore. It was the first time that the Colts had returned to Baltimore since they had moved back in 1984. We didn’t exactly get a warm reception that day. The fans were screaming at me and I kept thinking, ‘Hey, I was only 8 years old then, get off of my back.’

“I had met him once before but when the game was over I had the chance to shake Johnny Unitas’ hand. He told me, ‘Peyton, you stay at it. I’m pulling for you.’

“Well, I have stayed at it. I’ve stayed at it for 18 years and I hope that old No. 19 is up there with his flat top and maybe his black high tops on and I hope he knows that I have stayed at it and maybe he’s even a little proud of me.

“There is just something about 18 years. Eighteen is a good number and today I retire from pro football.

“I want to thank the people of New Orleans and south Louisiana. New Orleans is my hometown and of course they support their own team, the Saints, but they also support their own and that city and state have backed me from the start.

“Almost 19 years ago to the day, I announced my decision to forgo the draft and stay at the University of Tennessee for my senior year. It was one of the smartest decisions I’ve ever made. I cherished my time in Knoxville, especially my senior year. And I want Vols fans everywhere to know the unique role that you’ve played in my life.

“Thank you to the Indianapolis Colts organization and all the fans across this country. You can’t fathom how much I enjoyed my 14 years there or the warmth that my family feels for you. I’d be wrong not to mention Jim Irsay, Bill Polian, some great coaches, support staff and a host of wonderful Colts teammates, many of whom will be lifelong friends.

“When I was drafted by the Colts, Indianapolis was a basketball and a car racing town but it didn’t take long for the Colts to convert the city and state of Indiana into football evangelists.

“We ended my rookie season 3-13 and in the process I set the NFL rookie record for interceptions, a record that I still hold today. Every year I pull for a rookie quarterback to break that record. Andrew Luck, Matthew Stafford, Eli Manning, Cam Newton. I still kid Eli that he would have broken it if he would have started all 16 games.

“In the beginning of my time in Indy, the team’s struggles were agonizing. My grandfather would call me weekly to ask if his favorite announcers, John Madden and Pat Summerall, would be broadcasting our game. ‘Paw Paw,’ I’d say, ‘we’re only 2-8 right now. We’re playing the 3-7 Bengals. Madden and Summerall don’t broadcast those kinds of games.’

“Fast-forward to my second year when we had gotten things going a little bit. We were playing the Dallas Cowboys and Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders. I called Paw Paw: ‘Guess what, Madden and Summerall are broadcasting the game.” He said, “I can’t believe it.’

“He was elated and he was very proud and we beat the Cowboys that week and we let the world know that the Colts had arrived. Make no mistake about it, we were coming and we went on to do some phenomenal things like winning at least 12 games seven years in a row and of course winning Super Bowl XLI. And I was truly honored and proud to be a part of it.

“There’s a saying that goes, treat a man as he is and he will remain as he is. Treat a man as he could be and he will become what he should be.

“When I visited Denver four years ago, if John Elway had sat me down and said, ‘Peyton, here’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to win over 50 games, win four straight division championships, lose only three division games in four years and none will be on the road, we’ll beat the Patriots in two championship games and you’re going to win NFL Comeback Player of the Year, another MVP, your offense will set single-season passing records, you’ll break a couple more all-time records, and we’ll go to a couple of Super Bowls.’ I think I would have taken that deal.

“John, you did tell me that, didn’t you?

“Grateful is the word that comes to my mind when thinking of the Denver Broncos. I want to thank Pat Bowlen and his family, Joe Ellis, John Elway, John Fox, Gary Kubiak and their staffs and all the support people in this great organization.

“To all of my Denver teammates, thank you for what you’ve done for this old quarterback. And of course my gratitude to the Broncos fans everywhere.

“Over my NFL career, I’ve had five head coaches who have helped me become better at my craft and have helped me become a better human being: Jim Mora, Tony Dungy, Jim Caldwell, John Fox, Gary Kubiak.

“While I’ve obviously changed teams, I’ve had the same football representation for almost two decades. I owe Tom Condon many thanks. He has represented me with class at every juncture and he’ll always be a great friend.

“I want to thank a tremendous group of friends who have supported my football career and been at my side at games from high school to Tennessee, Indy and through that incredible Broncos’ Super Bowl win last month. You know who you are and what you mean to me.

“There is no way to measure or properly express what a family like mine can mean. Mom, Dad, Cooper, Eli, extended family, you are the best. Ashley, your support is as potent a motivator as any man can have.

“Ashley’s and my kids, Marshall and Mosley, have only been around for a couple of years but they have changed my life forever. A week before the Super Bowl our daughter Mosley asked me, ‘Daddy, is this the last game?’

‘Yes, Mosley, it’s the last game of the season.’

‘I sure do want you to win that trophy.’

‘I do, too, Mosley. And that’s what we’re going to try to do.’

“Then she asked, ‘Daddy, is this the last game ever?’ And that’s just when I shook my head in amazement because I was thinking, ‘Mort and Adam Schefter had gotten to my 5-year-old daughter to cultivate a new source.’

“When someone thoroughly exhausts an experience they can’t help but revere it. I revere football. I love the game. So you don’t have to wonder if I’ll miss it. Absolutely. Absolutely I will. Our children are small now, but as they grow up, we’re going to teach them to enjoy the little things in life because one day they will look back and discover that those really were the big things.

“So here are the seemingly little things that when I look into my rearview mirror, have grown much bigger.

“I’m going to miss a steak dinner at St. Elmo’s in Indianapolis after a win. My battles with players named Lynch, Lewis, Thomas, Bruschi, Fletcher, Dawkins, Seau, Urlacher, Polamalu, Harrison, Woodson and Reed. And with coaches like Fisher, Ryan, Belichick, Kiffin, Phillips, Rivera, LeBeau, Crennel, Capers, Lewis, the late Jim Johnson, and so many more. I always felt like I was playing against that middle linebacker or that safety or that defensive coach.

“I’ll miss figuring out blitzes with Jeff Saturday. Reggie sitting on top of the bench next to me. Perfecting a fake handoff to Edgerrin James. I’ll miss Demaryius Thomas telling me that he loved me and thanking me for coming to Denver after every touchdown I threw to him.

“I’ll miss putting in a play with Tom Moore and Adam Gase that ends in a touchdown on Sunday. On Fridays I’ll miss picking out the game balls with my equipment guys. Talking football with the broadcast crews and afterwards I’ll miss recapping the game with my dad. And checking to see if the Giants won and calling Eli as we’re both on our team buses.

“I’ll miss that handshake with Tom Brady and I’ll miss the plane rides after a big win with 53 teammates standing in the aisles, laughing and celebrating during the whole flight. I’ll miss playing in front of so many great fans both at home and on the road. I’ll even miss the Patriots fans in Foxborough, and they should miss me because they sure did get a lot of wins off of me.

“And this is important, football fans everywhere need to know how much they mean to me over the years. Fans, you’re at the core of what makes this game remarkable. I’ve received more letters from you than I can count. Fan letters that have touched me, made me think, laugh and moved me to act.

“I’ve learned a lot through my mistakes, stumbles and losses in football. I’ve also learned this game is a mighty platform that has given me a voice that can echo well beyond the game. Football has taught me not to be led by obstructions and setbacks but instead to be led by dreams. Due to some good genes, I’m smart enough to know that those lessons can enrich who I am and where I go from here.

“I’m totally convinced that the end of my football career is just the beginning of something I haven’t even discovered yet. Life is not shrinking for me, it’s morphing into a whole new world of possibilities.

“Pundits will speculate that my effort and drive over the past 18 years were about mastery and working to master every aspect of the NFL game. Well, don’t believe them. Because every moment, every drop of sweat, every bleary-eyed night of preparation, every note I took and every frame of film I watched was about one thing, reverence for this game.

“When I look back on my NFL career, I’ll know without a doubt that I gave everything I had to help my teams walk away with a win. There were other players who were more talented but there was no one could out-prepare me and because of that I have no regrets.

“There’s a scripture reading, 2 Timothy 4:7: I have fought the good fight and I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.

“Well, I’ve fought a good fight. I’ve finished my football race and after 18 years, it’s time. God bless all of you and God bless football.”

March 7, 2016 0 comment

Movies / TV Music Pop Cult News

Can Justin Bieber Score a TD Dance vs Deion Sanders on Lip Sync Battle!

by Manny Popoca July 15, 2015

written by Manny Popoca

Lip Sync Battle, which was all new this week with two major celebrity names. The Super Bowl winning, football Hall of Fame player, former NFL star and current TV analyst, Deion “Prime Time” Sanders. Sander’s is going up against one of the biggest pop stars of all-time and he’s only 21 years old, Justin Bieber! What will go down with these two men that absolutely crave the spotlight and don’t mind letting it all out lose? Watch Lip Sync Battle provided below and find out!! Thursday at 10/9c only on Spike TV.

Justin Bieber vs. Deion Sanders! Justin starts us off with a tear-jerking performance of “Big Girls Don’t Cry” by Fergie. Deion follows up with the funk in his rendition of “Play That Funky Music” by Wild Cherry.

https://youtu.be/BqHfzfUm27s

Deion Sanders goes deep for his touching performance of “Like A Virgin” by Madonna. Justin Bieber hits him back with a shocking performance of “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne.

https://youtu.be/qrWLvgRS_-8

In a shocking upset the winner is………!

http://youtu.be/0YQLN2_pQcc

July 15, 2015 0 comment

Comic Books Pop Cult News

Olivia Munn is Showing Off Her X-Men Psylocke Moves with Boyfriend Aaron Rodgers

by Manny Popoca June 29, 2015

written by Manny Popoca

Olivia Munn is not wasting any time as the newest cast member of the X-Men family. As the former “Attack of the Show!” host-turned-actress Olivia Munn now takes on the role of mutant Betsy Braddock, AKA Psylocke, for the sequel. Now, to show off her preparation for the role, Munn has revealed a video on her Instagram of her skills with a katana, one of Psylocke’s signature weapons in the source material. Check it out in the player below as Munn trains with her boyfriend, NFL football superstar Aaron Rodgers (who looks to be goofing off more than anything)!

https://instagram.com/p/4fPS83MmZ-/?taken-by=oliviamunn

Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, and Nicholas Hoult are set to lead the cast of X-Men: Apocalypse as Magneto, Professor X, Mystique, and Beast respectively. The film will also see the return of Rose Byrne as Moira MacTaggert, Lucas Till as Havok, Evan Peters as Quicksilver and newcomers Alexandra Shipp as Storm, Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, Ben Hardy as Angel, Tye Sheridan as Cyclops, and Lana Condor as Jubilee. Oscar Isaac is starring as the film’s title antagonist, having confirmed that he will take on the multiple forms of the villain and will also assemble his horsemen. Writer/producer Simon Kinberg is scripting the film from a treatment he wrote with X2: X-Men United writers Mike Dougherty and Dan Harris.

Psylocke art by: J. Scott Campbell

Said to be the conclusion of a trilogy started with X-Men: First Class and continued with X-Men: Days of Future Past, the Bryan Singer directed X-Men: Apocalypse is set for release on May 27, 2016.

June 29, 2015 1 comment

Games Movies / TV Pop Cult News Sports

Football Player Marshawn Lynch Will Appear in Call of Duty: Black Ops III

by May June 10, 2015

written by May

A man of few words for the media is probably the best way to describe Marshawn Lynch. The Seattle Seahawks running back who recently is trying to trademark the words, “I’m just here so I don’t get fined” is reportedly a featured character in the new Call of Duty: Black Ops III game.

ESPN covered the news and released some behind the scenes footage showing Lynch in action as Treyarch turns this real life athlete into a soldier. Motion capture technology has made it possible for gaming developers to create characters based on the likeness of actors and in this case, an athlete. Check out this video of Lynch going into beast mode.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmhHV1w_YGk

Lynch has been known to be into video games. He appeared on Conan back in January on Conan’s Clueless Gamer segment where he, Conan O’Brien and Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots participated in a showdown over the highly anticipated Mortal Kombat X.

Call of Duty: Black Ops III will be set in the future where a new type of soldier has been developed using cybernetics and biotechnology. Using the Direct Neural Interface (DNI) technology, soldiers become more than just a soldier, but a lethal weapon. The game will feature a new way of campaign play by allowing gamers to co-op up to four players — this reinventing the multiplayer experience.

Call of Duty: Black Ops III is set to be released on November 6th this year.

Have more to add to the article? Let us know in the comments below!

June 10, 2015 0 comment

Pop Cult News

NFL Football Helmets in the Star Wars Universe #StarWars

by Jason Bennett May 4, 2015

written by Jason Bennett

American FootballLeague

National Football League

As a treat for Star Wars Day today, I present to you the 32 helmets of the NFL according to the Star Wars universe. Created and designed by Mexican artist John Raya, these helmets have been given the Star Wars touch and cover most of the well-known characters from the film franchise. Personally, I’d love to see the Raxus Prime Jawas on the gridiron. Enjoy and may the force be with you!