NFL takes step closer to world domination

By By Josh Taylor/sports writer
October 26, 2003
The National Football league recently announced its latest step towards world domination. Coming soon to a cable provider near you, the NFL Network. That's right, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year of football.
I have just one question for you. Is the NFL trying to end all marriages in the United States?
The new NFL TV Network is scheduled to launch on Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. with its signature show "NFL Total Access." Hosted by veteran sports anchor Rich Eisen, the show will give the viewer behind-the-scenes access to the NFL like never before.
After "Total Access" comes "NFL Films Presents." This is one of Steve Sabol's babies that we have seen before. The guys at NFL Films dig through their archives to show us historic aspects of the NFL. Think they will run out of footage? I doubt it. NFL Films proudly boasts a library with 100-million feet of film.
Another show slated for the new network is "NFL Playbook," a show focused on breaking down specific matchups within the NFL. Don't forget about "Football America," a show dealing with all levels of football
from Pop Warner to the World League. When the actual games are being played on Sundays, the NFL Network will be running a graphic screen with updated scores, stats, and news.
There are a dozen other shows in the lineup, all dealing with football.
You might be wondering who will be the network's field reporters. It probably won't surprise you to learn that the NFL Network has put together a bevy of current players and coaches including Doug Flutie, Wayne Gandy, Torry Holt, Jim Mora Jr., Hugh Douglas, and Tony Gonzalez.
Think of it as a retirement home for NFL players. This will soon become life after football for many players.
As if ESPN weren't enough, now we have the NFL Network. I'm not quite sure how to react to this new development. It sounds like a dream come true for a football nut like myself, but the dark side is out there. I can just see the average waist line grow as hordes of men become firmly entrenched in their couches.
All right, maybe I'm exaggerating a little bit. But just a word of advice, go ahead and get caught up on your honey-do list now while you still can.
What's in a name?
Have you ever wondered where the NFL teams got there names from. Well, your trusty NFL guru is here to help you out.
One of the most obvious ones is the San Francisco 49ers in reference to the California gold rush. Also, the Pittsburgh Steelers in honor of the Steel City.
Here's one that may surprise you. The New York Jets were originally the New York Titans. The name was later changed to the Jets because the stadium in which they played was close to the airport.
The Oakland Raiders' fans originally voted to name the team the Senors, but management stepped in and bestowed the Raider name.
The Buffalo Bills name refers to William F. Cody, better known as "Buffalo Bill." The interesting part is that the team came within a few fans votes of
becoming the Buffalo Nickels. And yes, that's the truth.
Ever heard of the Tampa Bay Mafia? That's another brilliant name that the fans voted on. Luckily, the majority of fans preferred the Buccaneers.
The oldest team in the NFL has had the same name since 1901. That would be the ever-impotent Arizona Cardinals. The team moved through to three different cities and never won much of anything. The team was originally named the Chicago Normals in 1898. This seems like a much more appropriate name for the Cardinals.
Most people know that the New Orleans Saints' name comes from the fact that the team was founded on All Saints Day, Nov. 1, 1966.
It may surprise you to learn that the main reason the Colts got their name was because it was easy to pronounce and it fit well into newspaper headlines.
Miami held a fan contest to name their new team in 1965. A total of 622 votes were submitted with the name Dolphins. The winner of the contest received Dolphins tickets for life. In order to designate a winner the Dolphins took picks on the 1965 Notre Dame vs. Miami game. The game ended in a scoreless tie and Mrs. Robert Swanson was named the winner.
So what would a pro football team in Meridian be named? The Wildcats or maybe the Brakemen?
Regrettably I don't think we'll ever have to answer that question.