LITTLE ROCK — Bowden: Gators QB is no Ward
Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden has heaped praise on Florida quarterback Tim Tebow over the past two seasons.
He once said watching Tebow play is like seeing Bronco Nagurski at quarterback. And last season, he said Tebow was the best leader he had seen in college football.
But there apparently is one superlative Bowden is not ready to bestow - that of the greatest player in college football history.
When asked, Bowden said he would have a tough time listing Tebow over former Florida State quarterback Charlie Ward.
"People keep asking me about Tebow - you know, 'Is he the best ever?' " Bowden said. "I don't know if he's better than Charlie.
I don't think he runs better than Charlie. I don't think he throws better than Charlie. And Charlie only played quarterback two years for us."The ogre
"While the NCAA investigation into alleged improprieties committed by former Southern California stars Reggie Bush and O.J. Mayo drags on, the organization was quick to drop the hammer on the powerhouse men's basketball program at Southeast Missouri State," writes Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times.
"The Redhawks agreed to recruiting restrictions, a reduction in scholarships and had to forfeit all their victories from 2006-2008 for these 'infractions:'
"Coaches observed out-of-season pickup games."
"An assistant coach gave a player a ride part of the way home so that he could fly to another city to witness the birth of his child."
"Another player received a whopping $239 to cover unpaid institutional fees.
"Just when we were starting to wonder about the NCAA, it's nice to know such heinous acts won't be tolerated." That's fowl
Los Angeles Angels center fielder Torii Hunter of Pine Bluff bought the postgame spread while on a rehab assignment at Class A Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
That's normal. What happened next wasn't.
Every player who ate the chicken parmesan, including Hunter, came down with food poisoning.
"It's like Russian roulette - I shot myself," he said.
They said it
Dwight Perry of The SeattleTimes: "Among the Seattle Seahawks' off-season signings: offensive lineman Grey Ruegamer, renowned for once lining up a summer job neutering sheep - with his teeth. Added bonus: He can't wait to play against the Rams."
Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster, on senior tackle Cordarrow Thompson slimming down from 340 pounds to 301: "Gravy used to be a beverage for him."
Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson on boxing losing its luster: "There are no stars in the heavyweight division. [Vitali Klitschko] is a great fighter, but he's not exciting, he's no superstar.
You don't draw the people like that. When you're the heavyweight champ of the world, the whole world should know who you are."
Southern California Coach Pete Carroll on freshman quarterback Matt Barkley: "He comes in like a gifted kid comes into a classroom, like a piano player that has this natural talent for playing."
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Jason Bartlett, on Manager Joe Maddon, who dyed his normally gray hair jet black in preparation for the team's Johnny Cash-themed road trip: "I didn't recognize him. Twice."Quote of the day
"This is the SEC. Playing these teams is why I wanted to come to Arkansas." Arkansas tackle Ray Dominguez, on facing five SEC teams ranked in the AP preseason Top 25
Sports, Pages 24 on 08/23/2009