With Oregon meeting Ohio State for college football's national championship Monday night, one city in Ohio decided to change it's identity.
The city of Oregon, Ohio, has a temporary name in the week leading up to the championship game.
Following a petition from two citizens, Mayor Michael Seferian issued a proclamation that his city will be temporarily known as "Oregon, Ohio Buckeyes on the Bay, City of Duck Hunters."
"Whereas, the City of Oregon officially adopted its name in 1838 as Oregon Township which happens to be 21 years before the State of Oregon received its statehood in 1859. And the City of Oregon has been petitioned by residents of the city to make it clear that we are not associated with Oregon University Ducks Football."
While the city of Oregon is pushing its support behind the Buckeyes, Seferian said the request, which was honored in a hurry, doesn't have unanimous support because of the presence of Michigan, Toledo and Notre Dame fans in the community.
Matt Squibb and Mark Rabbitt, two citizens of Oregon, put together the petition on change.org calling for the city to change its name and for Oregon Clay High School to change its school colors from green and gold for that day.
"I grew up in Oregon, Ohio, and love the city, but for the day of the 'Big Game,' I am asking the city council to make a proclamation to change the name of the city for one day," reads the petition. "Call it Buckeye Town, Ohio City, Brutusville, whatever, you get the point. Let's not leave anything to chance here! Change the name and support the Buckeyes!"
Conspiracy theory?
NFL head of officials Dean Blandino said Monday that the non-call on pass interference against Detroit Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens during Sunday's wild-card playoff game warranted a flag for defensive holding.
Blandino was also asked about his presence on a Cowboys party bus in August and perceptions that he is biased in favor of owner Jerry Jones.
Blandino said the bus incident is something that "happened," but it had nothing to do with how Sunday's game was officiated.
"People can believe what they want to believe, but one thing had nothing to do with the other," Blandino said.
Past, future, now
With the New York Knicks on an 11-game losing streak and having lost 21 of its past 22, Amare Stoudemire can't believe what they've seen under first-year coach Derek Fisher (UALR, Little Rock Parkview).
"It's beyond my imagination at this point," Stoudemire said Sunday before a 95-82 loss to Milwaukee. "I never thought I'd see this. ... This is definitely kind of mind-boggling.
When Stoudemire signed a five-year, $100-million contract in the summer of 2010, he said the Knicks would return to relevance. The Knicks made the playoffs in his first three seasons, but things have changed.
"When I first signed with New York, that wasn't the game plan," Stoudemire said. "But the past is not here, and neither is the future. So we've got to deal with the now, and I think we've just got to continue to try to get better and as players, try to keep improving."
The Knicks are 5-31, but at least they're not in last place in the Atlantic Division. That spot belongs to the Philadelphia 76ers, who are 4-28.
Sports quiz
Who leads the Oregon-Ohio State football series?
Answer
Ohio State, 8-0
Sports on 01/06/2015