Author Archives: Sam Smith

Sam Smith

Sam Smith is a blogger, poet and marketing whore living in Denver, CO. Among other things he’s executive editor at ScholarsAndRogues.com and is the founder and owner of LullabyPit.com, one of the first 2,000 branded Web sites in the world.

He loves a wide variety of sports, including baseball, hoops, football and soccer. His favorite teams are Wake Forest University (Class of 1983), Iowa State (MA, 1989), the U of Colorado (PhD, 1999), the Denver Broncos (although this whole Tebow thing is making it hard), Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Boston Red Sox, and Chelsea FC.

More than anything, though he’s a student and critic of the runaway role of sport in American culture. So expect pontificating, on occasion…

One of the greatest games ever played in any sport?

By Sam Smith | Published: April 27, 2012
Today is one of those days when I feel sorry for those who aren’t soccer fans. Seriously. Because what happened earlier this afternoon in the Champions League semifinal at Camp Nou in Barcelona was one of the most exciting things I have ever witnessed in any sport. And I don’t do hyperbole. I mean this [...]
Posted in soccer | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 41 Comments

The R Word: Understanding the Seven Kinds of Rivalries in College Football

By Sam Smith | Published: September 17, 2011
Today is the day that my University of Colorado Buffaloes head down to Mile High to take on the Rams of Colorado State in the Rocky Mountain Showdown. I’m sure several dozen CSU fans will be breaking out their green and gold overalls and doing some tailgating, although I’m not sure how that’s going to [...]
Posted in football | 18 Comments

Time for some straight talk on the NFL’s top faith-based quarterback

By Sam Smith | Published: August 25, 2011
This just in: CBS Sports game analyst Randy Cross believes Tebow haters are bashing him for his outspoken Christian opinions. “People, especially the media, root against him because of what he stands for,” said Cross. The 3-time Super Bowl champ added: “My personal belief is there are people in the media, people in the stands, who are predisposed [...]
Posted in football | Tagged , , , , | 45 Comments

An open letter to LeBron James from America: let’s get back together

By Sam Smith | Published: June 17, 2011
Dear LeBron: The WWE, Hollywood, soap operas and the NBA front office have something in common: they all understand that a compelling narrative requires what the pro wrestling biz calls a “heel.” A bad guy. An anti-hero. A villain. A black hat. The only thing different about the NBA is that they won’t admit they’re in [...]
Posted in Basketball | 23 Comments

Panama 2, USA 1: ANALYSIS – is it time for Bradley to go?

By Sam Smith | Published: June 11, 2011
The US soccer team just dropped a 2-1 decision to Panama in the second group stage match of the 2011 Gold Cup. To say the game was frustrating to watch is to understate the case, and with some panache. Despite an appalling first half, the Americans certainly had their chances to draw even and win the [...]
Posted in soccer | 12 Comments

What if we hired a war criminal to “clean up” FIFA? Sepp Blatter has a plan

By Sam Smith | Published: June 3, 2011
Every once in awhile a story comes along where it’s impossible to fathom what the fuck somebody could possibly be thinking. Usually it’s something political, but today it’s sports. In case you haven’t been tracking along, FIFA, the governing body of world soccer, has been swamped with corruption allegations of late. It began with the decision [...]
Posted in soccer | 2 Comments

Tressel out at Ohio State: whatever happened to fair play in the USA?

By Sam Smith | Published: May 30, 2011
Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing. – Vince Lombardi I would prefer even to fail with honor than win by cheating. – Sophocles If you ain’t cheating, you ain’t trying. – Variously Attributed Ask yourself is it right or wrong and act accordingly. – Otto Graham There [...]
Posted in football | 37 Comments

Gays and professional sports: Charles Barkley stands up for what’s right. Again.

By Sam Smith | Published: May 18, 2011
A few days ago, Phoenix Suns president Rick Welts revealed that he is gay. And the whole sporting world exploded yawned. Okay, that’s not precisely true. There has been a bit of comment and analysis. But so far, no controversy. No homophobic ranting, no athletes stepping up to say that Jesus doesn’t approve, none of that. [...]
Posted in Basketball | 19 Comments

Is ref Danny Crawford biased against the Dallas Mavericks? And why isn’t the NBA smart enough to run basic statistical analyses?

By Sam Smith | Published: April 19, 2011
The NBA assigned referee Danny Crawford to work tonight’s Dallas Mavericks/Portland Trailblazers game, touching off a series of galloping hissy fits across Greater East Texas/Shreveport metropolitan area. The reason for the unhappiness can be found in this paragraph. See if you can spot it. The Mavs have a 2-16 record in playoff games officiated by Crawford, [...]
Posted in Basketball | 5 Comments

The UConn/Butler trainwreck proves it: we need to be done with one-and-done

By Sam Smith | Published: April 5, 2011
Last night’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship Game doesn’t get a recap. It gets a post-mortem. I won’t mince words – it was the worst championship game I can recall seeing in my lifetime. Hell, it was one of the worst college basketball games I’ve ever seen, period. That may be because when games get this [...]
Posted in Basketball | 2 Comments