As I Promised

Here are a few pictures of my gorgeous, sweet French Bulldog. Her name is Cloi. She is named for the place that my family and I have been vacationing for years, and it is our favorite place. She's such a little diva, but my family and I love her to pieces!

My Life Lately...

          Excuse the fact that I have been majorly MIA since September. College is so time consuming, and I have to work to find time to keep up with my football! Well, that was a lie. Generally, I watch football every saturday from the first game at noon until I fall asleep that night. I completed my first semester of junior year back in the early part of December. I will be finished with school and have my Bachelor of Science with a degree in Kinesiology in May of 2014 from Anderson University. That would be Anderson University in South Carolina, not Indiana! I'm actually pretty scared whenever I think about it. Don't get me wrong, I'm ready to be done with school, just not the whole growing up part and being on my own.
          After I completed (and passed) all my exams, I visited my boyfriend for a week in The Badger State also known as "America's Dairyland." We spent many days visiting the tourist trap called Mall of America, we cooked (and ate) a lot, and visited a little famous store called Tiffany & Co. I had a great visit with him, then the two of us flew back home to the Palmetto State a couple of days before Christmas. We had a great time with both of our families, we especially had fun playing with my little French Bulldog (I will post a picture) and watching Duck Dynasty with my little brother, also known as Goliath. Will (my boyfriend) and I attended the Debutante Ball one evening. The ball and the ladies presented were all gorgeous. It was a relief to me being able to watch after being presented last year. I had a great two weeks with Will, but then I left for Tampa with my Dad.
          My Dad and I left for Tampa yesterday morning for the Outback Bowl. It was a rather long car ride once we realized there is nothing from Atlanta to Tampa, and that is about a seven hour trip. We had a great time talking about the most random things like we so often do. The Outback Bowl was definitely the most exciting and stressful game I have ever been to. I know I'm not that old, but I have been to a lot of football games in my life. The most exciting one up to this day would be when Alabama came to Columbia ranked number one in the nation, and the Gamecocks took them down. Also, at the age of twenty, I realized that young people can come close to having multiple heart attacks in a four hour time span. I loved seeing Ace Sanders score three touchdowns. The HUGE hit by Jadevon Clowney made me so happy I was wearing his jersey. Of course, the best part of the game would be the game-winning touchdown with 11 seconds left in the game by the Gamecocks.

           I have had a crazy last few months. I cannot wait to see what 2013 has in store for me. Happy New Year everyone! Everyone needs to remember to watch the National Championship on January 7 between The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame and The Crimson Tide of Alabama.

"LEATHERHEADS"

The first few football games I watched this week, the announcers discussed the new

rule concerning helmets. If a player has his helmet knocked off during a play, the player must leave the game for one play. Some people may disagree with this because it could potentially take a team's best player out for one play, or longer, if the player actually sustained a head injury during the process of his helmet being knocked off. 

          During the fall of my sophomore year, I took an injury prevention class. It was similar to an athletic training class. I learned how to correctly tape an ankle if an injury occurs, how to check different parts of the body to determine what a specific injury has occurred, and just an overall about how to prevent injuries. It was my favorite class to date. During the semester I had to pick articles on any type of sport and anything about the sport. Well, all my articles had to do with football. Shocker, I know. One article I found was very interesting. The article is titled "Why Leather Football Helmets Could Provide a Better Defense Against Concussion." I know what you are thinking. There is no way a leather football helmet can cause less concussions. Well, here is my review of the article, and I hope you can see why it might have been a mistake to change from "leatherheads" to the helmets we have today.

Carole Phillips

Article 4

November 13, 2011

Gregory, Sean. "Why Leather Football Helmets Could Provide a Better Defense Against Concussion." time N/A (2011): n. pag. www.healthland.time.com. Web. 11 Nov. 2013.

          I found this article on leather football helmets versus modern day football helmets. I never understood how football used to be played only wearing leather helmets. My grandfather could literally fold his football helmet up and put it in his pocket. That is insane compared to the football helmets we have today. While reading the article called ‘Why Leather Football Helmets Could Provide a Better Defense Against Concussion’, some very interesting points were discussed.

          One researcher stated “leaderheads” do a better job of reducing concussions from lower hits to the head. One reason behind this is the stiffness of today’s helmets. Our modern day helmets do not do as well of a job absorbing the energy from lower helmet hits. So, not absorbing this energy would move the head, skull, and brain any which direction causing concussions. The “leatherhead” helmets do a much better job absorbing this energy from the blow since they fit so tight on the head.

          Another aspect discussed was that back in the day when “leatherheads” were worn, using your head as a defensive weapon was not very common. Today, when making tackles most defensive players use their helmets first, instead of tackling the correct way. My dad and I counted in the Auburn versus Clemson game from 2010, there were eleven helmets knocked off due to helmet to helmet hits. “Leatherhead” players were forced to use their own body’s more then their heads. It seems today that using your own head to make a tackle is the new technique.

          This article might have been one of the most interesting ones I have read. I just always believed “leatherhead” players, played with the same force as football players do today. The article concluded by saying “leatherheads” will definitely not be used again because players would not adjust how they tackle, and many fatalities would happen. It would be interesting to see today how “leatherheads” would impact the game of football that we are all used to today. 

The First Week...

       
          Wednesday night I could hardly sleep, Thursday morning I could hardly focus in class, Thursday night my heart was racing....all because I could not stop thinking about the start of college football! Thinking about college football gives me goosebumps.
Here is my countdown of my top favorite games of the week:

5: University of South Carolina at Vanderbilt University
This game was exciting for multiple reasons. The obvious one being it was the return of Marcus Lattimore. Lattimore tore his ACL middle of last season, and ultimately sat out the rest of the season. I was interested to see how the South Carolina defense would step up, especially Jadeveon Clowney. What impressed me most about Vanderbilt was Jordan Rogers. Does the last name Rogers ring a bell in football? Well, Jordan is the younger brother of Aaron Rogers, ya know, the quarterback for the Packers. With the blood and sweat that South Carolina poured out, they were victorious over Vanderbilt.
FINAL SCORE: South Carolina-17 Vanderbilt-13

4: University of Notre Dame vs. United States Naval Academy
The only reason this game interested me was because it was played in IRELAND! All of the Irish really came out to support Notre Dame because they poured it on against the Midshipmen.
FINAL SCORE: Notre Dame-50 Navy-10

3: University of Tennessee vs. North Carolina State University
This game is a classic example of SEC vs. ACC. I didn't think this game would turn out like it did. I honestly had no idea who would win. In the off-season, the experts were predicting Tennessee to be much better. They have pretty much replaced all of their coaches, and man did that benefit them. From the way Tennessee executed most of their plays, Tennessee is one for the SEC to keep an eye out for.
FINAL SCORE: Tennessee-35 N.C. State-21
On a much sadder note, I would like everyone to keep the family of the young man who was killed at the Georgia Dome Friday night in their prayers.

2: University of Alabama vs. University of Michigan
Who isn't ever excited to watch Denard Robinson play? He is just like a little bolt of lightening. I also feel bit of a connection with him because his major is the same as mine, Kinesiology. This was the first time Alabama and Michigan had ever played in a regular season. Though I expected Alabama to get the W, I had no idea they would play the way they are now. Alabama was already ahead 21-0 after the first quarter. Although, the game is not over yet, Alabama is ahead 34-14.

1: University of Hawaii at University of Southern California
This is the first season for Southern Cal that they are off probation. They were ranked one in the preseason poll. I wanted to see if they really deserved to be ranked as the best team in the country. My verdict? Yes, they do deserved to be ranked that high. They steamrolled over Hawaii. "Fight On" Southern Cal! I hope to see Southern Cal and Alabama in the National Championship.
FINAL SCORE: Southern Cal-49 Hawaii-10

I can't wait for week two of college football!

The Biggest News In College Football

          The biggest news in college football the last few weeks has been the addition of the four-team playoff. I am personally thrilled with the addition of this new rule. I remember being a little girl and thinking, "Why is there not a playoff for the national championship in college football?" I have always thought it was unfair that the top two teams automatically play for the prestigious title of being the national champions. My only question now is, how will the playoff work? Will the top four teams play each other a certain number of times until two teams prove they have the championship factor to play each other for the crown and throne? Or will the playoff be set up like the NFL? Either way the playoff is set up, the college football world will be changed forever. For the first time in years, an SEC team might not be crowned the best team in college football.

          What are you most excited about with the upcoming college football playoff?

Isaiah Crowell Arrested!

Georgia Running Back, Isaiah Crowell.

          

University of Georgia Running Back Isaiah Crowell has been arrested on weapon charges. Crowell was arrested and charged early Friday morning with two felonies and one misdemeanor. He as arrested around 2:20 AM after being pulled over at a checkpoint near the Georgia campus and booked at 3:37 AM. His bond was set a $7,500. Under the University of Georgia Association policy, student-athletes who are charged with felonies are immediately suspended from the prospected team. Mark Richt was unavailable for a comment.

Updates to follow later.

My Life Lately...

         I realize that I have not posted ANYTHING since January! But, I thought I would give an update on what has been going on in my life lately. I will be finishing up my Sophomore year of college in less than THREE weeks! College is going by so fast, it is scaring me a little bit. I am currently pursuing a degree in Kinesiology. It IS the best! I seriously cannot get enough of the core classes for my major! The top questions people ask me all the time are: 1) What is Kinesiology? and 2) What are you planning to do with that degree? I decided I would take to my blog and answer these two questions. Kinesiology is defined as the study of human movement. This can be ANY human movement, it is not just related to sports. Once I graduate, I plan on continuing with school to receive my Physical Therapist Assistant degree. After completion of my assistant degree, I plan on working as an assistant while I (hopefully) work towards my Doctorate of Physical Therapy. 

          Of course, I cannot go without mentioning college football :) Which team are you most excited about watching this upcoming college football season? 

Admiration for Joe

          It's not hard to imagine what my post will be about on this day. Today in college football  we lost one of the greatest, if not the greatest, coach in college football. I have always been a fan of Joe Paterno and Penn State. He reminded me a lot of my Grandfather Pap. Joe Pa was a man of class, a man of intelligence, and a man of integrity. It broke my heart to have to watch everything this man was put through back in November. Everyone will always remember Joe Pa. I have just always thought he was an adorable man with his glasses, black cleats, rolled up kakis, and his Penn State windbreaker. Everyone please keep his wife, children, grandchildren, friends, and the rest of his family in your prayers. I thought I would end this post with some great pictures of Joe Pa.

I love this cartoon that my uncle showed me on Facebook.

R.I.P Joe Pa 1926-2012

Bowl Game Poll

Which Bowl Game Was The Best To Watch This Season?

• BCS National Championship
• Sugar Bowl
• Outback Bowl
• Capitol One Bowl
• Orange Bowl
• Fiesta Bowl
• Cotton Bowl

Acepolls

More polls: Hotel Las Vegas Best all inclusive High Level SEO

The Capitol One Bowl

          My dad and I headed out to Orlando on New Year's Day for the Capitol One Bowl. It was so much fun! I usually do not get into bowl week that much because most team's are playing a team that has no connection with them. I mean it is rare a team plays a team they hate. I have no hard feelings towards Nebraska at all. I honestly did not know what would happen. South Carolina and Nebraska's stats were almost equal. The game was a blast! I only took three pictures because I was having so much fun.

Trophy Presentation. Coach Spurrier said this was his favorite game since becoming the Coach at USC. I still believe the Alabama game from 2010 was the best game. But, Spurrier said this team has come so far from losing our Quarterback and losing Marcus Lattimore. History was made. This is the first time USC has had 11 wins in a season

Before the game

Scoreboard :)

The 34th Anderson Debutante Ball

          I have been majorly MIA for these last couple of weeks. But, everyone knows how it is around Christmas. All my family was in town, my boyfriend was in town, and I had my Debutante Ball four days after Christmas. The Debutante Ball was such a special night for my family and me. It was a night we will all never forget. That is what I wanted to dedicated this blog post to.

My family and Me

My cousin Andrew who was my Escort

Andrew and Me again

Andrew, My brother, Will, and Me at Rehearsal

Rehearsal again

I can't believe how big my baby bro is

Will and Me

Daddy and Me

Will, Dad, and Me

Dad and Me again

Dorothy and Me

Dot, Mom, and Me

My cousin, Elizabeth, Andrew, and Me

My Escort and Marshal were the best lookin'

:)

Mama and Me

I cut out a piece of my Grandfather's flannel shirt and sewed it into the train of my dress. My Grandfather, Pap, passed away almost 7 years ago, and I wanted to honor him on this night.

Willie and Me :)

He's Baaaaack....

         
          University of Southern California QB, Matt Barkley, announced earlier tonight that he will forego the NFL draft to return to USC for his senior season. He potentially gave up being drafted in the top-10. Was it a smart move? Well, you have to look at both perspectives.

          Let's say he chose to leave. What would he be giving up? Possibly going down in USC history as the best QB to ever wear the burgundy and yellow. Also, Barkley stated in his speech tonight that he wanted to lead Southern Cal to a national championship this year.

          But since he decided to stay, he has the opportunity to accomplish both of those goals.

          Throughout the 2012 college football season we will all be able to see if Matt Barley made the right decision. I wish him all the best.

THE SWAMP

          I mentioned in a previous post that I had an opportunity to visit Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at the University of Florida. I spent my last day of Spring Break during my senior year of High School in Gainesville. The main goal of visiting Gainesville was to visit the University of Florida campus. 


      My group and I started our day by eating lunch at a restaurant called "The Swamp." I highly recommend this restaurant if you are ever visiting Gainesville. It is right across the street from the stadium

Inside of The Swamp

My friends--Anna, Danielle, and Me at The Swamp

  After we finished eating, we headed over to Ben Hill Griffin. It was an amazing experience to be able to visit here. I thought I would post a few pictures of my experience.