OK, we get it.
The SEC Network is a big deal. It will be a windfall for conference members, and it'll give SEC fans access to the league like never before.
Still, it's easy to understand why some are already fed up with all of the hubbub leading up to the SEC Network's launch Aug. 14.
"What's bigger: The first coming of the SEC Network or the second coming of Jesus Christ?" wrote Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel. "Musically speaking, leave it to the otherworldly Southeastern Conference to compare the unveiling of its new TV network to the return of the central figure of Christianity.
"At the SEC Network's presentation before the 1,300 media members at the league's annual media days this week, a new commercial promoting the network was presented on the big screen at the front of an expansive hotel ballroom. It showed Steve Spurrier, Nick Saban and the rest of the SEC coaches in action as the late, great Johnny Cash provided a musical backdrop with his religious anthem, The Man Comes Around.
'There's a man going around taking names
'And he decides who to free and who to blame
'Everybody won't be treated all the same
'There will be a golden ladder reaching down
'When the man comes around.'
"Johnny Cash, the devoutly spiritual Man in Black himself, once explained that he wrote the song about the return of Jesus as prophesied in the Bible's book of Revelation.
"I guess the SEC Network figures bringing Tim Tebow back into the league as a TV commentator is close enough."
All for Fallon
Never question Andy Milovich's devotion to his job, or his willingness to help.
Milovich, general manager of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the Class A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, has offered to undergo a prostate exam in front of fans while singing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" during the seventh inning stretch if a local 10-year-old who has brain cancer gets 10,000 likes on her Facebook page before the game.
"It's not like I would be getting it at home plate," Milovich said. "I'll likely do it from our radio booth and the fans will see me from the shoulder up."
The Pelicans are having prostate cancer awareness promotion during Thursday night's game, and Milovich was trying to drum up attention for the promotion when he was asked by a morning talk show host if he was willing to get a prostate exam at the game.
Milovich was game, and the team decided to tie the promotion to supporting the Facebook page of Fallon Emery, who has been battling brain cancer for the past seven months. The team had already planned to give out 1,000 foam fingers with blue ribbons on them to the first 1,000 men 18 and older. Now, if Emery's page gets 10,000 likes by 11 a.m. Central Thursday, Milovich will follow through on his end.
"If what we do saves a kid from having to lose his or her father because they get checked out, this will be worth it," Milovich said.
Emery's page had received 6,800 likes as of Sunday afternoon.
About those pants...
From Brad Dickson of the Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald: "This just in: The U.K. is threatening to withdraw from the United Nations if John Daly ever wears SpongeBob SquarePants slacks to the British Open again."
.
BY STEVE GOFF
Sports quiz
Name the five men's players who have won the career grand slam in golf in the Masters era.
Answer
Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Gene Sarazen and Tiger Woods.
Sports on 07/21/2014