Social Media Round Table; Video Special

Today's blog post features me alongside fellow bloggers and friends Mark Hebert, Ivo Frankovich, Quinton Rossini, and a repeat appearance from Vincenzo Liburdi. In this special edition video post my peers and I discuss aspects of social media. Specifically highlighting Twitter and it's various features and ediquette/responsbibility that goes along with it. Enjoy our round table banter!

 

If you like what you hear from any of my special guests you can find thier blogs at theoepsteinforpresident.blogspot.com- Mark, theirateitalian.blogspot.com- Vince, frankovfootball.blogspot.com- Ivo, lightsouthockey.blogspot.com- Quinton.

Popculture Podcast ft. Vincenzo Liburdi

Hello bloggers! Welcome back to popculturesportsworld; today instead of a regular blog post, I have a podcast to share with you all.  For the purpose of this post I sat down and had a chat with the “Irate Italian” himself; Vincenzo Liburdi.  Together we went through each of my blog posts, and Vince gave me his own personal thoughts and opinions as well as a general male perspective.  Hope you enjoy this special post!

If you like what you hear here today, you can check out Vince’s blog at www.theirateitalian.blogspot.com

GIANT Embaressment for Gisele

This past weekend a record 111.3 million people tuned in to watch one of the biggest events of the year.  Fanatic fans and Super Bowl party goers alike watched as the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots 21-17.  There was a lot of hype surrounding both teams’ quarterbacks leading up to the big game; Tom Brady and Eli Manning.  But with the ‘W’ going to The Giants on Sunday’s game, it appears that Eli Manning came out on top, receiving MVP, not to mention a new Corvette. 

With another Super Bowl all wrapped up, Giants fans are free to celebrate and gloat for year, while Patriots fans are bummed, angry, or even play everyone’s favourite game; the blame game! And it appears that no one will play it better  this year than Tom Brady’s wife, Gisele Bundchen. 

After the game fans reportedly heckled the supermodel, crying out "Eli rules!" and "Eli owns your husband," Bundchen kept a tight smile on her face and kept walking (classy move I must say, unfortunately that class didn’t last too long). 

While waiting for the elevator, she let some of those pent up frustrations fly,

"You have to catch the ball when you're supposed to catch the ball," she said angrily to those around her.

"My husband cannot fucking throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time. I can't believe they dropped the ball so many times."

I’m all for showing support for your husband Gisele, and  to be honest, who hasn’t gone off on a bit of a tirade before, the only difference being when us less famous, non supermodel, people with non pro athletes spouses go on a tangent, there aren’t reporters and cameras around to capture our every word.  Sorry Gisele, but maybe next time when you want to give your opinion on the game, don’t chirp your husband’s own team, that doesn’t look good on anyone, especially you.

Heres a small clip of Gisele going off after being chirped by some Giant's fans...

Homerun Hitters

I spend most of my blogs discussing a variety of different athletes who lead successful careers and/or news worthy lives.  Today I’m going to dedicate a post to just two individuals/teammates that have had, and continue to have outstanding success on the baseball field, as well as off the field with some leading ladies (insert cliché’ homerun joke here).

Alex Rodriguez, or affectionately known by many as A-Rod, Yankees third baseman  is considered one of the best all around baseball players of all time.  He is the youngest player to ever hit 500 homeruns and the youngest to hit 600 homeruns! In December 2007, Rodriguez and the Yankees agreed to a 10 year, $275 million contract; the richest contract in baseball history!  Then of course there was that whole steroid allegations thing... but one thing at a time here.

Alright, so we know A-Rod is good, and has the stats and payroll to show for it, but his fame goes a bit further than this.  Rodriguez has been tied to celebs like Cameron Diaz (oh, of course! Who could forget that ‘romantic’ moment of Cameron feeding her beloved A-Rod popcorn at the super bowl).  Aside from Cameron D there has been Kate Hudson, Madonna, and most recently, WWE star and playboy bunny, Torrie Wilson. 

It's obvious Rodriguez has had his fair share of high profile relationships, but what about those more “brief encounters”, better known as the one night stand.  While Rodriguez aims to keep those discretions under wraps, his fellow Yankee, Derek Jeter could probably use some better PR and in my opinion manners, in that area. 

Jeter has also been tied to celebrity honeys like Tyra Banks, Vanessa Minillo,  Brazillian supermodel, Adrianna Lima and Minka Kelly.  However it was released recently, Jeter’s one night stand protocol; after doing the deed with his flavour of the night, he so generously sends them home in a car with gift baskets of autographed memorabilia.  Jeter’s ‘gentlemanly’ routine was leaked after he unknowingly hooked up with the same girl twice and followed up by re-giving his gift basket with signed Yankees and Jeter swag.  Way to keep it classy Jeter.  With that dish, there is no denying the guy can play on the field; ball field (clarification necessary in this case).  So here are some of Jeter’s accolades.   

A twelve-time All Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter has been a central figure of the Yankees during their success of the 1990s and 2000s due to his presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and base running. He is the Yankees' all-time career leader in hits (3,088), games played (2,426), stolen bases (329), and at bats  (9,868). His accomplishments include four Silver Slugger Awards and five Gold Glove awards.

Congrats to these two amigos for an outstanding baseball career, but must you be so crass with the ladies?

Jack of all Trades

Hello again bloggers, I hope I gave you enough time to collect yourselves after that steamy first post. This next blog will not show as much skin as my first post; however it will serve to be equally entertaining. I’m going to discuss a few athletes who have conquered their craft as professional athletes and also took the plunge into other careers. This is not a countdown list, just a collection of some big names that became newsworthy with new or supplement career choices. Enjoy!

Steve Yzerman
I’ve had numerous requests already for some coverage on Steve Yzerman, so at the risk of losing any followers, here he is!

Stevey Y is best known for his long career playing for the Detroit Redwings, although I’m not a Wings fan (go leafs go!) there is no denying the legendary status of this player. Yzerman won numerous awards during his career, including the Lester B. Pearson Award in 1989, the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 1998, the Selke Trophy as the league's best defensive forward in 2000, and the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for perseverance in 2003. He was a ten-time NHL All-Star, a First Team All-Star in 2000, and a member of the All-Rookie Team in 1984. In 2006, Yzerman officially retired, finishing his career ranked as the sixth all-time leading scorer in NHL history, having scored a career-high 155 points (65 goals/90 assists) in 1988–89 which has been topped only by Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. Yzerman's #19 jersey was officially retired on January 2, 2007 during a pre-game ceremony at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. In 2008, he was inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.

Since his successful hockey career has ended, he has been the executive director for the Canadian men’s hockey team at the 2010 Olympics, and he currently holds the position as the general manager for the Tampa Bay Lightening and has been nominated for the NHL general manager of the year award.
For all this terrific success during his professional hockey career and for making the transition to corporate positions look so easy, Steve Yzerman gets a huge shout out on my blog.

Lamar Odom
I will admit that I can sometimes be a sucker for a good reality show, especially if it involves the Kardashian calamity. But at risk of giving Kim K. and her now ex hubby Kris Humphries any more press for their short lived marriage, I’m going to give the recognition to Lamar Odom for his move to reality T.V. Lamar, affectionately known as “Lam Lam” by his wife and reality T.V. co-star Khloe Kardashian, plays for the Dallas Mavericks and has in past years played for Miami and Los Angeles.

Lamar has taken his turn on the big screen with appearances in T.V shows such as Entourage, Modern Family, and Minute to Win It, and most recently, his own reality T.V. show Khloe and Lamar. I’ve spent a few more hours than I’d like to admit watching their home life, but must acknowledge that he’s a great player on the court and a warm and quite funny individual at home.

Lance Armstrong
I began following the Tour de France a few years ago when my sister convinced me how exciting bike racing could be; and I must admit, it truly is! It was here that I first truly began to appreciate Lance Armstrong and then, Team Discovery for all their hard work and talents. Lance Armstrong has won seven consecutive Tour de France races. He battled and beat cancer and came back as an even stronger competitor before announcing his retirement in 2005.

Since then, Lance has founded the Lance Armstrong Foundation which supports people affected by cancer. This foundation has become one of the top ten funding cancer research groups; commonly recognized by the yellow Livestrong bracelets. Livestrong is now a large part of the athletic apparel industry and that is all thanks to Lance and his work and dedication to finding a cure of cancer. He currently works with a variety of different charities.  For this legendary cycling career and inspirational battle with cancer and now work with charity, Lance gets a spot on my list.

Anna Kornakova
Alright, so I promised bloggers in my previous post that Ana Kornakova would eventually earn a spot in this blog. So although I don’t quite particularly enjoy throwing her in with the likes of Lance Armstrong, this is a popular culture sports blog, and what is more pop culture than an appearance in an Enrique Iglasias video?!

Anna is Russian American retired professional tennis player. Her beauty and celebrity status made her one of the best known tennis stars worldwide, despite her never winning a WTA singles title. Although she never had too much success on the court, there are not many individuals who did not see her music video debut alongside Latino hottie Enrique Iglesias. At least she found success somewhere!

I am sure there are plenty more "jack of all trades" in the sport industry, so if your very rattled that I skipped your favourite awesome athlete whose done big things outside of thier sport, give me a post and I'll work in an honourable mention for him or her. Cheers!

Sarah Burke; a pioneer and inspiration to all

For those of you who have visited my blog, it is evident that I like to keep things exciting and light hearted.  However I would like to take today’s post to recognize the life and legacy of skier Sarah Burke. 

Sarah Burke (born in Barrie Ontario) was a Vancouver Freestyle skier, who has been acknowledged as a pioneer in the sport.  She was a four time X Games winner in women’s half pipe, and she achieved five wins on the World Cup circuit, as well as won the 2005 World Championship in Finland.  She worked very hard at her craft and is credited for having Freestyle sking added to the 2014 Winter Games in Russia. 

She was working toward the goal of competing in the 2014 Games in freestyle skiing where she was considered a favourite for the gold medal; this would be the first time it would ever be an official Olympic event thanks to her.  However, Sarah will not get the honour of competing in next Olympic Games.  After suffering a serious head injury during a training session last week, Sarah ruptured her vertebral artery which pushed her into cardiac arrest.  She remained in a coma until her death yesterday, Thursday January 19. 

Sarah was a trailblazer for women in sport and skiers in general.  She lived life the fullest and because of her passion for the sport and hard work, freestyle skiing is now an Olympic sport.  She will never be forgotten; a truly beautiful person inside and out.  Thank you for recognizing her with me today. 

Sarah Burke: September 3, 1982 – January 19, 2012

Top 5 Hottest Athletes in the Game

    Since this blog is based on the superficial (but amusing) aspects of sports, and society has taught us over the years that “sex sells”, what would be a better first post than a countdown of the hottest athletes in the game?!  These athletes spend their days working out and perfecting their craft, whether it is hockey, tennis, downhill solemn or swimming, these competitors reap the benefits of all their hard work in their sport, and now we will also get to reap these benefits ;)

#5 Michael Phelps

In my number five spot I’ve placed Olympic champion Michael Phelps.  He has won an outrageous 16 medals for his speed in the water, and he currently holds the record for the most gold medals won in a single Olympics! Phelps many titles have earned him the World Swimmer of the Year Award a six times and American Swimmer of the Year Award eight times!  Finally in 2008, what we were all waiting for, Phelps was featured in Sports Illustrated and awarded Sportsman of the Year.
With all his success I am willing to overlook the fact that he was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in 2004.  Everyone makes mistakes right?! For all the above reasons (excluding the drunk driving slip-up), and the picture to right, lands Michael Phelps in my number five spot for hottest athletes in the game.

 #4 Sean Avery

Alright, I may get some heat for my next pick, but how could I do this list without a self proclaimed “clotheshorse” who has expressed a dream to become a fashion editor after his days on the ice; in the number four spot, Sean Avery. In 2008, it was announced that Avery would be spending the off season interning at Vogue magazine! I should also note that he has been known to give girlfriends advice on how to dress...Not too sure how I feel about this one, but I suppose if he were giving me free clothes from Vogue along with this fashion advice I’d let it slide.  Avery also revealed on ESPN that as a child he would play with dolls that he would steal from his babysitter, I suppose that’s where his interest with women’s and men’s fashion sprouted. From this interest, he was able to produce a fashion line with Commonwealth Utilities for Fashion Week in New York City in 2009. 
With all this fashion effort and professional hockey playing, you’d think he wouldn’t have any extra time to stir up controversy in the NHL, but it is not so.  On December 2, 2008 prior to the Dallas Stars morning skate before their game against Calgary, Avery made quite the offside statement (pun intended), to a group of reporters. In reference to his ex girlfriend, Elisha Cuthbert and her new boyfriend Dion Phaneuf he said this,
“I'm just going to say one thing. I'm really happy to be back in Calgary; I love Canada. I just want to comment on how it's become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds. I don't know what that's about, but enjoy the game tonight”.
He was suspended indefinitely, and bashed by the league and fellow NHLers.  Maybe you should stick to what you know best Sean, fashion and hockey, in that order!

#3 Maria Sharapova

In my number three spot I’ve chosen Maria Sharapova, this may create some backlash with the gentlemen out there who feel that Ana Kornakova should absolutely be on this list, but don’t worry guys, she’ll make the cut for another blog post. 
Sharapova made her professional debut in 2001.  She was the youngest girl ever to reach the final of the Australian Open junior at 14 years old. She quickly climbed the ranks of professional tennis players, making the top 50 by the end of 2003.  In later seasons she triumphed beating a top-20 player for the first time and reaching her first semifinal at the WTA level. Then, as a wildcard at Wimbledon, she defeated an 11th place seed to reach the fourth round, where she lost in three sets. Not bad!

Sharapova is engaged to Slovenian professional basketball player Sasha Vujacic.  
In 2011, Sharapova was named in Forbes Celebrity 100 which lists her as one of the top 100 most powerful celebrities of the year.

For her hard work in tennis and not Enrique Iglesias vids like her fellow tennis athlete, and her stunning looks, she earns the number three spot.

#2 Lindsay Vonn

In the number two spot I’ve chosen American alpine ski racer, Lindsay Vonn. Lindsay became a household name at the 2010 Winter Olmypics where she won the gold medal (the first ever for an American woman). She has also won three consecutive World Cup and downhill championships and is one of give women to have won World Cup race in all give disciplines of alpine skiing; downhill, super g, giant slalom, slalom and super combined.  Vonn received the Laureus World Sports award Sportswomen of the years for 2010.
Lindsay made the controversial decision to appear in Sports Illustrated 2010 swimsuit edition and also made Maxim’s Hot 100 list, but I doubt too many could complain about the issue.
She married fellow U.S. ski team athletes Thomas Vonn (perhaps a powerhouse athlete couples blog is in order).   
It’s all this terrific success along with those racy photos and the guts she has for being on a snowy mountain in a bikini that has landed her the number two spot on my top five hottest athletes list.

 #1 David Beckham

Okay bloggers, time for my number one pick for hottest athletes!  Although it may be a slightly predictable choice, this list would be trash without him.  In the number one spot I’ve chosen the ever classy David Beckham! Aside from his success on the soccer pitch playing for teams such as Manchester Unites, Preson North End, Real Madrid, A.C Milan and Los Angeles Galaxy; Beckham remains extremely recognized as being a heart throb off the field. 

Although it broke many hearts, David Beckham started dating Victoria Adams (better known as Posh Spice to Spice Girls fans) in 1997, and there is no denying that this couple and now family is among the most famously adorable. 

This hot spot is not as long as the previous posts, but I’m relying on the saying that “a picture is worth a thousand words”, and in Beckham’s case, it most definitely is.

Whether he’s tearing it up on the field or posing for pictures with his wifey at the prestigious Royal Wedding of Kate and William, there is no denying he deserves the number one spot on this list.