THE REJECT SPEAKS

Michael Vick held a press conference today after entering his guilty pleas in Federal Court. In case you missed it…watch Michael Vick attempt to gain redemption and warn children to make “better choices”…I used very fiber in my body not to make comments during his statement, but unfortunately, when Vick announced that he had found “Jesus” you might hear me choke on my coffee…and no, he hasn’t even come close to redeeming himself in my book. A $140M loss and a prison sentence is what spurred Vick to make a public apology…sentencing is December 10th. Comments are open and I’m dying to hear what you all have to say…so hit me up- do you believe he’s sincere? Anyone feel that he’s redeemed himself? Anyone change their opinion after his speech? Talk to me!

PUERTA IN CRITICAL CONDITION
This really sucks…Sevilla defender Antonio Puerta remains in critical condition after he suffered TWO heart-attacks during his team’s 4-1 win over Getafe a day earlier. “He is in the intensive care unit where he has been given assisted ventilation and is experiencing hemodynamic instability. The prognosis is very serious,” a medical statement issued by the Virgen del Rocio hospital said.

The 22-year-old Spain defender fell to the ground after he made a goal Saturday in the 31st minute. He was able to walk off under his own strength minutes later after being treated by team doctors, but he again lost consciousness in the dressing room and was rushed to the hospital, where he was admitted to an intensive care unit. Monday’s medical report by Dr Francisco Murillo, head of the intensive care unit at the hospital, read: “Puerta still needs assisted ventilation and is sedated as a consequence of suffering from prolonged cardiac arrest. The cardiac arrest was caused by repetitive serious ventricular arrhythmias. After 36 hours, the patient’s prognosis is still critical following the cardiac arrest, which included brain suffering. When a patient is in a critical state there is always a risk. Also, after a cardiac arrest as prolonged as this it is too early to give a prognosis or to venture possible after-effects.” Like I said, this really sucks- 22 years old and a double-heart attack during a game with possible brain damage? I can’t think of anything worse except dog fighting. Best wishes to the young beast, my heart goes out to he and his family and we’ll be keeping an eye on his progress.

12TH HOLE
“Come say it to my face bud” Rory Sabbatini, addressing a spectator at the Barclays.

A priceless moment at the Barclays…final round, 12th hole, Rory Sabbatini going for Par, hits the ball, it spins around the lip of the cup, and karma spits it right back out onto the green. As Sabbatini was walking away, I don’t know who in the crowd said what, but Rory snapped “Come say it to my face bud”. Thanks to the fan that caused our Tiger-taunting egotistical Mensa reject to get his panties in a twist. “I put myself in good position on the front, then just started playing stupid golf and played my way out of the tournament,” the South African said.

Congratulations to Steve Striker for winning- the first time in 6 1/2 years and 146 tournaments. “I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time,” Stricker said. Love to our sex kittens Ian Poulter (T9), Adam Scott (T14) and Camilo Villegas (T21) for giving us a bit of weekend eye candy. (Yahoo sports)

MARC CUBAN DANCING WITH STARS

Brace yourselves: A source told SI.com that Mavericks Owner Marc Cuban will appear as a contestant on the next season of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars,” which debuts September 24…After I finished laughing my ass off, I checked his (yawn) blog for any hint of Cuban lacing up his dancing shoes, but twinkle-toes just seems pissed off at the Internet right now and not focused on dancing. If this isnt simply a really creative rumor, then god help us all.

SURFING BROUGHT TO A NEW LEVEL

Wanna surf with the Pros and not get wet? Boost Mobile Pro presented by Hurley is the only 2007 Foster’s ASP World Tour event on the U.S. Mainland, and thanks to some cool technology, the event can be watched from any sofa in the world. The live web cast via www.BoostMobilePro.com utilizes a state-of-the-art digital mobile production truck with built-in satellite facilities, six cameras, broadcast quality long lenses (the same ones used for football, baseball and basketball), a wireless water camera, a crew of 23 people, and the motivation to produce the best surfing or non-surfing web cast on the internet. “We wanted to approach the web cast with the same production quality as the best sports TV show,” said Mark Fewell of Boost Mobile. “Surfing is one of the most exciting visual sports in the world and we want to show it in the way it deserves.” The event runs September 9-15th. For more info: Surfline.com.

ROGER FEDERER COMPARES HIMSELF TO TIGER

Finally, the U.S. Open begins today at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York. Pa-leeze Rafa, pa-leeze, humble this egomaniac before his head explodes…Last Thursday, Vogue Editor Anna Wintour threw a dinner party for Roger Federer, who appeared on the cover of the May/June issue of Men’s Vogue. The Swiss-mister rubbed shoulders with designers Diane von Furstenberg, Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs and Oscar de la Renta, because of course, he now is into fashion. Federer: “I know Anna very well, and then meeting the designers — these people are a big inspiration. I’ve gotten into fashion the last few years, done my own fashion statements on center court at Wimbledon.” Huh? You mean THAT white jacket? You wore the white blazer with the “RF” crest on it-the same one you wore at Wimbledon? “Anna said that was fantastic,” Federer said, grinning. “I think she’s also excited about this outfit at the Open.” Kill me now because he’s getting even worse, even comparing himself Tiger Woods…“He does things a little bit similar to me,” Federer said. “Like on the golf course, you think he’s serious, so focused, concentrated guy. But then you get little hints of actually what personality he has off the golf course. When he gets a bit angry or laughs or does a joke with other golfers. Off the court, he’s so laid-back, it’s unbelievable.” Yes Roger, we know you and Tiger are friends. But the thing with Tiger is, he doesn’t go around doing his own PR. And when he does, its with class, not a holier-than-thou-attitude…perhaps R-Fed should try to be a bit more like his hero? (NY Times)

TIFFANY TENNIS

Tiffany & Co. is offering jewelry for men and women around the U.S. Open. The 18K gold and sterling silver jewelry features the Open logo on charms and pendants shaped as tennis balls and racquets. The jewelry is inscribed with terms such as “Tennis Anyone?” and “Game, Set, Match” and are priced around $50 and up. The only piece of jewelry they are missing-which I would have bought- is a platinum Nadal bicep charm…(Tiffany.com)

As always, thanks for reading. Delinda
delinda@athlebrities.