Challenge the Stupid Sportswriter, Week 13
Given, I did watch some, but not all, of Sunday night's Saints-Cowboys game on NBC. Up until the Saints charged ahead 21-7.
Then, I fell asleep on the couch. Sitting up. Snoring loudly.
My wife can attest to it.
When I staggered back into the real world, Fred Roggin was already well into the weekly "Challenge" on Channel 4. I awoke to see him talking to USC basketball coach Tim Floyd, and wondering how I'd managed to miss yet another episode -- that's three weeks in a row.
It's just not on the radar anymore. Why?
Are we just inspired to lose this weekly game of trivial pursuit? Are we just demoralized by being so far down in the standings? Have we decided not to rally for a comeback in the final weeks, to at least save some face while others around us continue to cheat, lie and steal their way to the top?
We have no proof of the later. Only theories.
We TiVo'd it, ran it back, answered a few right, got a couple wrong, and, when all tallied, figured we'd have amassed about 235 points. Which woulda got me tied for 12th, but well behind the week's leader, Barry Lightner and Mike Rafferty, both of whom had 300.
Even farther behind the season leader, Sonia (Don't Call me Steve) DeSaegher (3,165 points). I'm stuck in a tie for 188th place overall, stuck on 1,425 points. Oh well.
That's life. And as Christmas nears, the time demands are greater.
We do what we can. And we sometimes fail.
At least we can provide the day's questions and answers:
Question 1: From 1964 to 1973, the UCLA Bruins won the national title (in basketball) every year except for 1966. Who won it that year?
a) Kentucky
b) North Carolina
c) Cincinnati
d) Texas Western
Question 2: Craig Conroy has twice been a finalist for the award given to the NHL's best defensive forward. What's the name of that award?
a) Selke Trophy
b) Norris Trophy
c) Hart Trophy
d) Calder Trophy
Question 3: How many officials are there on the field during an NFL game?
a) 6
b) 8
c) 7
d) 9
Question 4: Which Hall of Fame quarterback is singing this song ("Until You")?
a) Bart Starr
b) Bob Griese
c) Joe Namath
d) Terry Bradshaw
Question 5: Who is the only heavyweight champion never to lose a professional fight?
a) Muhammad Ali
b) Rocky Marciano
c) Jack Johnson
d) Gene Tunney
Question 6: What is the LPGA's version of the Ryder Cup called?
a) The Fed Cup
b) The Davis Cup
c) The President's Cup
d) The Soldheim Cup
Question 7: Gold medal winning figure skater Scott Hamilton was the U.S. flag bearer at which Winter Olympics?
a) 1980
b) 1984
c) 1988
d) 1992
Question 8: Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush was a high school teammate of which NFL quarterback?
a) Ben Roethlisberger
b) Charlie Frye
c) Alex Smith
d) Tony Romo
Question 9: Which of these players was not a No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft?
a) Joe Smith
b) Benoit Benjamin
c) Danny Manning
d) Pervis Ellison
Answers:
1. d) Texas Western, now known as UTEP. Watch the movie "Glory Road," OK? I had it. Woulda got 35 points.
2. a) Selke Trophy. I guessed wrong. Misread the question. 0 points.
3. c) 7. A referee, umpire, head linesman, line judge, side judge, field judge and back judge. Woulda got 30 points.
4. d) Bradshaw. Only knew it by process of elimination. Bradshaw did 4 albums, 2 best-selling gospel records. I'd have had 30 points.
5. b) Marciano. Went 49-0. Would had 35 points there.
6. d) Soldheim. Woulda got 35 points.
7. a) 1980. Guessed wrong. 0 points.
8. c) Smith. Wioulda got 35 points.
9. b) Benjamin. Woulda got 35 points.