Eli Manning: Out of the Shadow

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Sirelle Carter

The infamous cliche “sometimes your best just isn’t good enough” has long been reserved for scenarios associated with failure. Although even after once achieving the highest pinnacle of success in his profession, the stigma remained for New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning — until last night.

Manning has been casted in the shadows of his dynastic family since he can remember. The shadow of his father Archie — who was an iconic quarterback for Ole Miss and the New Orleans Saints — to Cooper, the eldest of the Manning boys, who set the standard for following in dads’ footsteps. And finally, the shadow that casted the darkest, plaguing much of his professional career: being Peyton Manning’s little brother.

The youngest Manning captured his first Super Bowl in 2008, but it still wasn’t enough. He didn’t garner the respect. He wasn’t mentioned with Brady, Rodgers, Brees, and big brother. He wasn’t ‘elite’. But as the world discovered last night in Super Bowl XLVI, “you can’t spell ‘elite’ without Eli.”

By definition, they say a shadow is the shaded part of a picture, the theme of Eli’s career prior to last night’s game. Though undoubtedly, with his second Super Bowl championship in four years, Manning has catapulted into the ranks of the elite. Tied with Ben Roethlisberger (2), he now trails only Tom Brady (3) in Super Bowl championships among active quarterbacks.

Manning rose to the occasion poised with grit, composure, and elusiveness leading the Giants to victory; capturing his second Super Bowl MVP award along the way. He finished just shy of 300 yards, completed 30 of his 40 pass attempts and threw a first-quarter touchdown to wide receiver Victor Cruz. And now with one more ring than golden boy big brother Peyton, Eli has not only stepped out of the shadow, he’s casted one of his own.

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GQ Recap: February 2012

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Sirelle Carter

In direct contrast of its’ cover, this issue served to be quite modest. Though Academy Award nominee Michelle Williams graces the cover, for her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in My Week With Marilyn, Williams seems to be the co-focal point. Former Pro Bowl wide receiver, Terrell Owens, is also highlighted in an extensive editorial documenting the sluggardly 180 his life has taken of late.

Fascinating as always was The Punch List, in which the staff lobbies that ‘There Should Be a Trophy for Best Sports Trophy’. GQ ranks the Stanley Cup as most iconic.

In noting a few women to keep an eye out for in 2012, the issue presents The Lust List. A few of the highlighted were Joan Smalls, Victoria’s Secret Angel Candice Swanepoel, and Liu Wen, a noted Louboutin addict.

The issue — which is already available on newsstands — rounded out selecting the 50 Most Powerful People in Washington. Eric Cantor was tabbed #1.

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VOGUE Recap: February 2012

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Sirelle Carter

Aside from the biblical-like September issue, it is the March issues of American Vogue that many fashion adorners look forward to annually. However, over the last two years (2010, 2011) it has been the February issues that have generated buzz. 2012 has been no different.

The cover strikes you almost immediately. Taylor Swift? Though the country-pop superstar has covered Teen Vogue on a couple occasions, one hadn’t quite thought she would graduate to the alpha just yet. But upon reading Anna Wintour’s Letter From The Editor: Leap Of Faith, the conundrum ceases. Wintour details Vogue‘s objective of dedicating their February issue to America’s ‘bright and new talents’. (Jessica Biel in 2010 & Kristen Stewart in 2011).

The ads are magnificent as well. From the gritty, yet chic Marc Jacobs ad featuring Xiao Wen, to the classical Dolce & Gabbana ad, portraying the traditional Italian family, they definitely capture the attention of the consumer. And after a quick highlight in last month’s issue, Abbey Lee Kershaw is back! Being tabbed as February’s It Girl.

In a Marc Jacobs ad, Xiao photographed by Juergen Teller.

Actor Aaron Eckhart makes his way into the issue aside model Lara Stone, as he portrays her cowboy beau in the spread, Love In The Afternoon.

The February issue is wrapped up by the spread, Starlight Express, in which classic silhouettes meet futuristic sparkles. Alexa Chung is also featured in the issue.

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Joe Paterno: Legends Never Die

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Sirelle Carter

It’s difficult to say what hasn’t already been said about Joe Paterno. Though I can attest what he meant to me. I didn’t attend Penn State, nor was I recruited by him. But for as long as I can remember, outside of Alabama football, Joe Paterno was the reason I longed for Saturday afternoons.

The grit, the passion, and the prestige, Joe had it all — and he handled every bit of it with class. That’s what made him the man he was; as charismatic as they came. Possessing that Brooklyn spunk, he could chew you up and spit you out one second, and love on you the next.

Not too many things in existence can be represented by one single individual. But in terms of college football, JoePa broke the mold. He embodied it.

In anything, it’s awe-inspiring (and rare) to see someone give so much of themselves for the overall greater good of any particular group. But that’s what Joe did for college football. What he did for Penn State.

As evidence of the past couple of months, many can’t fathom how one football coach could be idolized by an entire region. But it’s just that, Joe Paterno was so much more. JoePa moonlighted as a football coach. He was a teacher, a humanitarian, an ambassador and he practiced what he preached.

Though Western Pennsylvania and the State College community have lost their figurative patriarch, his spirit of class, grace, and selflessness will live on. And regardless of what some individuals dispute, JoePa positively impacted more individuals than most his critics will ever imagine. If they were ever to accomplish even a tenth of what he did, they would be beyond fortunate.

Joseph Vincent Paterno was a class individual. He was not perfect, but he was unmistakably better than most. For as long as I walk the Earth I will remember him for the stellar human being that he was, without asterisk. God Bless Joe Paterno, and may he forever rest in eternal peace.

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Case of the Mondays 1.23.12

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Sirelle Carter

One would gather that after transitioning into a functioning society as a productive individual, that Monday mornings would eventually be clockwork. Though for many it’s the most unproductive period of the week, outside of the moments leading up to Happy Hour on Fridays.


So in working on a project in the bitter cold this morning, I thought of an old quote by Dag Hammarskjold that says, “a task becomes a duty from the moment you suspect it to be an essential part of that integrity which alone entitles a man to assume responsibility.”

We all possess the desire to be successful, or else we wouldn’t be doing whatever it is that we do. But a critical key to that success is also possessing the ability to focus on the task at hand.

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Ray.

Posted on January 15, 2012 by Sirelle Carter

Murmur what you may about the man’s past, though he is the finest competitor of my lifetime. I consciously refrain from referring to him as one of my favorite athletes, instead as one of my favorite human beings. He is 100 miles an hour, 100 percent of the time. Playing the game as it is intended to be played, with a passion unmatched. He is the ultimate warrior. He is longevity in the flesh. He is Ray Lewis.

What time is it? Gametime.

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Marty, For Old Times Sake

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Sirelle Carter

Being the football junkie that I am, I have a high gluttony for all things pigskin. So when a name like Marty Schottenheimer is thrown around, I get pretty amped.

Many were outraged when the Hall of Fame coach was abruptly dismissed as the head man of the San Diego Chargers in 2007. Granted his termination resulted from a disappointing playoff loss, Schottenheimer had just coached his ball club to a 14-2 regular season record.

Though after recently coaching the UFL’s Virginia Destroyers to a UFL Championship (his first ever championship as a head coach) his name is buzzing through the rumor mill. Recently interviewing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vacant coaching spot, it’s now also being reported that the Miami Dolphins are eyeing him. Personally, I have no personal preference in where Schottenheimer lands, although I do believe that the NFL is a better place with him apart of it.

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VOGUE Recap: January 2012

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Sirelle Carter

Kicking off the new year, Anna & Co. released a simplistic, yet buzzing, January issue. The issue dons iconic actress Meryl Streep on the cover, and inside highlights her feat of portraying former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the film, The Iron Lady. The film was released in late December.

Spreads such as Vice Versa and Dare to Flare, which illustrate the seasons’ intrigue on ‘bold’ tops that bring fixation to the waist, are both engaging and informative.

The issue rounds out with a editorial feature on Louis Vuitton head, Marc Jacobs. Tabbing him as ‘A Man For All Seasons’, Vogue highlights some of the designer’s best pieces over much of the last decade.

The January 2012 issue is currently available.

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Roll [DAMN] Tide

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Sirelle Carter

They say one should refrain from writing when emotional. So in attempting to abide by the unwritten rule, I did just that. Allowing 24 hours to elapse before expressing my jubilation, I wondered if it would make a difference. It didn’t.

Vigorously pondering, I don’t know if there’s one word to illustrate what I felt as I observed last night’s BCS National Championship Game. At times, there was that I told you so attitude, in terms of my infamous Twitter rants exhaustingly praising my beloved Crimson Tide of Alabama. However, there was also that sheer awe, that amazement factor that not even I, nor perhaps even Harvey Updyke could fathom what was transpiring.

As I did back on November 5th, I believed with every fiber of my being that Alabama would be triumphant in the end. Although to say I envisioned 21-0, not even allowing LSU to score a field goal, would be a stretch. Prior to kickoff I entertained the notion that Alabama could very well run away with a victory, but holding them scoreless, I didn’t dare.

Make no mistake that the Crimson Tide defense deserves every molecule of appreciation that they’ve received for their gritty performance. However, an emphatic “ROLL TIDE” is due to the entire team. It was a sound, overly convincing victory displayed by all three units (offense, defense, special teams); and the superb job by the Alabama coaching staff cannot be overstated.

It was a Bear-esque performance by the Crimson Tide. One that the gridiron icon would’ve been proud of. Undoubtedly, Bama’s pluck and grit have writ her name in crimson flame!

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Tim Tebow: Angelic Rebellion

Posted on January 9, 2012 by Sirelle Carter

“He did it again.”

When the mission seemed impossible, and when many were going against him — he did it again. Trucking through adversity, Tim Tebow defied his critics (and all odds) by winning his debut playoff game. The victory came against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who statistically ranked first overall in defense, making the feat more symbolic.

One could argue it was the most superb performance of the young Denver Bronco quarterbacks’ professional career. They said he would never excel in the NFL as a quarterback, he couldn’t throw. And as he has at every level, on the biggest stages, he defied the odds.

Rebelling in almost an angelic-like way, Tim Tebow threw for 316 yards. For 60 minutes and 11 seconds, he consistently slashed the Steelers secondary. The icing on the cake came when Tebow hit receiver Demaryius Thomas on a 17-yard post route, that Thomas then turned into an 80-yard touchdown to win the game on the first play of overtime.

Along with his teammates, Tebow did what the experts said he wouldn’t. Excelling via the method they said he couldn’t. On several occasions he demonstrated exceptional pocket presence, looking off safeties and accurately reading his progressions.

Keeping it in perspective, it was one game. But it was one playoff game, eliminating the defending AFC Champions and league’s best statistical defense. He rebelled against the naysayers as he always has and executed the task at hand when his team needed him most. It’s what he did at Nease High School. What he did at Florida. In essence, it’s simply what he does.

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