espn.com Ali Contest
"I don't care who you're daddy is," barks Bear Bryant early in ESPN's "The Junction Boys." But Page 2's David Halberstam says Bryant did care that the daddies of his football players were white. So, forget about Bear denying his players water in 114-degree heat. Bryant's real sin was his failure to push for the integration of Southern football. HALBERSTAM: THE BEAR MINIMUM




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You can have your Michael Jordans, your Babe Ruths, your Muhammad Alis. As Page 2's Ralph Wiley sees it, there has never been an athlete as respected -- and feared -- by other superstars as Jim Brown, the legendary tailback for the Cleveland Browns. As HBO airs Spike Lee's documentary on Brown's life, Wiley explains why there has never been anything like him ... and there never will again.

Karaoke Party Jim Caple
The Page 2 Christmas party is always a wild affair ... but we turned it up this year by renting a karaoke machine and encouraging folks to make fools out of themselves. Michael Jordan, Chris Rix, Wayne Chrebet and others answered the challenge. Check out their tunes.
 If you think the holidays are bad at your house, Page 2's Jim Caple says to cheer up. Things could be a lot worse. Caple offers his list of the worst gifts, worst traditions, worst TV specials and worst songs for this Season of Cheer. It's a list that Hootie Johnson would be sure to love.

LOOK INSIDE LEBRON'S WORLD
The typical 17-year-old is concerned with his prom date and his X-box, but LeBron James ain't your typical 17-year-old. Page 2 cartoonist Kurt Snibbe offers a bird's eye view of LeBron's world and finds plenty of potential traitors lurking in King James' court.


Although it's the season of good cheer, it's also a time to reflect. And Page 2 is here to reflect on the 10 things that ticked off sports fans the most in 2002. Check out our list of grievances and then vote for the one that irked you the most.
10]  The Exploitation of LeBron James
Lots of folks are making money already off a kid who's only 17 years old. He might be wise beyond his years, he might have the best advisors, and he might end up OK in the long run. But we're still very concerned.
9]  Loooong games
When baseball fans, who tend to really appreciate the leisurely aspects of the sport, start to get fidgety, you know there's something seriously wrong.
8]  Figure skating scandal
As we saw at Salt Lake this year, the method of determining the winners depends on unreliable, corrupt judges and a scoring system that doesn't work. The pairs judging and the bumbling bureaucratic aftermath at the Winter Games was a disgrace.
7]  Baseball's new drug policy
Baseball's new labor agreement includes steroid testing -- with so many caveats and conditions that it's laughable.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NFL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Sunday Raiders 4 Broncos 47½
Sunday Packers 6½ Bills 42½
Sunday Patriots 4 Jets 41½
Monday Bucs 4½ Steelers 40½
COLLEGE FB FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Fiesta Bowl Miami 13 Ohio State 51
Orange Bowl USC 6 Iowa 57
Rose Bowl Oklahoma 6½ Wash. State NL
Sugar Bowl Georgia 3½ Florida State NL
All Times ET | Bold indicates home team
Complete line


 
Got a comment about something you've seen on Page 2? Here's your chance to sound off to the editors and columnists. Plus, if you'd like to send an e-mail to The Sports Guy, here's your direct link to Bill Simmons.


THE SPORTS GUY
Despite being busy in Hollywood, Page 2's Bill Simmons always has time to answer his mail. Especially when it's about Vegas.

FALLING STAR
Page 2's Eric Neel tries to figure out how Ken Griffey Jr. turned into the guy we currently see in Cincy ... and if he'll ever return.

NFL MAESTROS
Ralph Wiley goes inside the heads of NFL coaches and players for some more uncensored thoughts from the NFL, but he finds no masterminds.

TUESDAY MORNING QB
Ever the patriot, TMQ comes up with slogans for U.S. agencies and departments, just so those British don't get too full of themselves.

HIRE LEARNING
Something about UCLA's hiring of unproven Karl Dorrell as its new football coach doesn't sit well with Jason Whitlock.

THE HOT LIST
If you're wondering who's bringing the pre-Christmas heat in the sports world, all you need to do is check Page 2 trendmeister Dan Shanoff's list of What's Hot and What's Not.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's a couple of big men on campus: Miami QB Ken Dorsey, left, and Kansas senior guard Kirk Hinrich. Page 2 has received 76 requests for this match. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.


College football: Western Kentucky vs. McNeese State
6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Championship of Division I-AA, where they have a tournament.
 
Lakers at 76ers
8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Shaq, meet Mr. Brown, your 2004 Olympics coach. Deal with it.
 
Suns at Clippers
10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
L.A. tries to get in thick of West race.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Thurs., Dec. 19: Vegas, baby!
• Wed., Dec. 18: Who's Been Naughty?
• Tues., Dec. 17: In TMQ We Trust
• Mon., Dec. 16: Basketball Jones

Other featured content:
• What the Heck Are They Thinking?
• LeBron James gives up basketball
• 10 Burning Questions with Tom Berenger
• The List: 10 most hyped phenoms of all-time
• The List: 10 phenoms who flopped the most
Weekend Edition, Dec. 20-22, 2002
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