ESPN liked our name so much, they named a segment after it!

We know that we’ve got readers in high places.  Our readership is a diverse, highly intelligent and well-placed bunch.  But we never expected to get a shout out on Monday Night Football this early in our blogging careers.

Notice what Chris Berman – Fairfield County, CT born and bred – had to say at halftime of tonight’s Colts/Dolphins game on ESPN:

They re-visited the name later on during the halftime show with a full segment entitled “Read & React” (see banner pic), which can only be interpreted as the highest form of flattery from our peers at ESPN.  Nevermind the fact that this segment has apparently been a part of MNF since September of 2008, and we just went live in March of this year … ummm … what was I saying?

Mad respect to all our boys in Bristol, and thanks for the endorsement, Boom!  Nutmeg State roots run deep.

(also note that Tom Jackson did not participate nor condone in any way)

Wow. Dude floated.

The Washington Post reports on what made Eloi decide to attempt such a stunt:

But desperation can make a young athlete do a lot of mindless things in the name of getting noticed and after a San Jose State defensive tackle named Jarron Gilbert gained instant fame before this spring’s draft by posting a video of himself leaping from a swimming pool, the players working out with Eloi suggested he do something to show off his vertical leap, which has been measured at 44 inches….

He has been told that Redskins owner Daniel Snyder and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Vinny Cerrato had seen the YouTube video, though he has no idea if it made an impression on them. All he knows is that on the morning of the final minicamp practice, as he walked between fields, Cerrato pulled him aside and said, “We really like what we’ve seen of you, and we’re going to sign you this week.”

I don’t know.  Clearly, I would hurt myself just trying to clear the bumper on that truck, but for my money, the Gilbert pool jump is a bit more impressive. I’m not sure, but I think the physics involved of jumping out of water make it more difficult.  That, and he’s just a much bigger guy.  This seems like a case for Sportscience!

AFTER THE JUMP, VIEW THE JARRON GILBERT POOL JUMP

Enjoy (song by Ryan Parker):

A few more totally awesome links we found this morning:

• SI.com has an interview with our favorite NFL H-back/Blogger, Chris Cooley, which reveals that the NFL made him undergo psychiatric evaluation after he accidentally exposed himself in a photo on his blog.
• The National Football Post has a great piece on rookie salaries in the NFL, and whether or not they’re ruining the integrity of the game.
• The Big Lead speculates that the Tennessee Titans may have signed Arkansas QB Alex Mortensen (Chris Mortensen’s son) to try and gain favorable coverage  from ESPN
• And who would have guessed that Chris Berman would be the winner of the annual Charlotte Pro-Am Golf Swampass Challenge (With Leather)

Chris Berman is a unpaid endorser of "Oops! I Crapped My Pants"