Vorstellungsforum » p their game. But off the field he was

Each week, The Reporters put their thumbs out to the good and the bad in the world of sports. This week they discuss Toronto mayor Rob Ford, the new Hockey Hall of Fame class, the success of Manny Malhotra, and Adam Pardys helmet in Chicago. Bruce Arthur, National Post: My thumb is down to Rob Ford, though not for all his various misdeeds, specifically. No, it is because he has ballooned into a globally famous Hindenburg of a mayor and he had dragged this citys sports along with him. When he threatened a Toronto Star reporter near his house he met the press in an Argonauts shirt. The first time he was photographed with accused extortionist and drug trafficker Sandro Lisi was at a Leafs game in a Leafs jersey. After the chief of police announced that yes, a crack tape did exist, Ford responded wearing his Raptors tie. And when he finally admitted to crack cocaine use, Ford - a longtime proponent of Torontos chase for an NFL team - wore an old NFL tie. Lets be honest, the citys sports scene is used to indignity but it is not used to it being inflicted by someone else. Steve Simmons, Sun Media: My thumb is up to the Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2013 but in particular to the long overdue induction of the late Freddie Shero in the builders category. And build and leave an imprint is what Shero did. He last coached in the NHL 33 years ago but hardly a day goes by that we dont reference something he said or did. He was the first to use assistant coaches in hockey and the first to implement a variety of systems and breakouts, depending on game circumstances. He wrote on the board to his Philadelphia Flyers "Win today, and we walk together forever." From the championship teams in Philadelphia, he joins the owner, the general manager, the captain and the goaltender in the Hall of Fame, together forever. Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated: My thumb is up to Manny Malhotra who had the breakaway winner for Carolina last Tuesday against the Flyers. This represented not just a triumph for the Hurricanes, but a victory of the human spirit. Malhotra, of course, suffered what would, and probably should, have been a career-ending eye injury in 2012. Certainly Vancouver, his former team, thought he should have retired for his own safety. The Canucks pleas stemmed from the same genuine health concerns fans have when they see athletes like oft-concussed B.C. Lions quarterback Buck Pierce soldiering on. But it is never our call, is it? These men know the risk and Malhotra reaped the reward. We can only applaud. Dave Hodge, TSN: My thumb is up to the hockey moment that managed to somehow fit right in with all of the news coming out of the mayors office in Toronto. I neednt spell out the comparisons, but first, there needs to be a video that everyone wants to see. In this case it is Adam Pardy of the Jets going into the boards and through the glass whereupon he lost his helmet to a...how would you describe the guy? In this context, that would be dangerous, but Im safe in saying that the beer poured over Pardys head seems to fit. And the two fans were quickly removed from their seats and escorted out of Chicagos United Center, easier to do in some places than others. Anthony Hitchens Chiefs Jersey . -- The Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets will forever be tied together for making the same spectacular misjudgment on budding NBA sensation Jeremy Lin. Breeland Speaks Jersey . Hes still nowhere close to throwing yet. The four-time MVP was in good spirits when he made his first public appearance on the field since having neck surgery Sept. http://www.chiefsauthenticofficialstore.com/. -- Arizona coach Bruce Arians says there "were obviously very, very many problems" with the officiating in the Cardinals 24-21 loss at Philadelphia. Sammy Watkins Jersey . Nix is a career .218 hitter in 425 games over six seasons. The 31-year-old right-handed hitter batted .270 with a homer this spring for Tampa Bay. Demarcus Robinson Jersey . Jeff Carter had two goals and an assist as the Kings stretched their streak to seven wins in a row with a 4-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday. CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Steve Smith era in Carolina is over. The Panthers released their all-time leading receiver on Thursday after 13 seasons. Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman said it "was not an easy decision" in a press release. "Steve has been one of the NFLs finest receivers for over a decade and has been the face of the franchise for a large part of the teams history," Gettleman said. "As a team, we made a step forward last year; however we are also a team in transition, which is a part of the NFL." Smith said on radio Thursday hes not angry about the decision. "Its devastating to hear that you are getting fired, but its also exciting because that frees me up to be pursued by other teams," Smith told Taylor Zarzour of SiriusXMs Bleacher Report Radio." I have never become a free agent before so I will get a few free dinners out of it at some nice expensive restaurants. I want to enjoy the experience that, frankly, I will never experience again." Smith reiterated he wants to play in the NFL and that being released "awoke a sleeping giant" inside of him. The decision comes one day after Smiths agent, Derrick Fox, told The Associated Press that the 13-year NFL veteran "is not going to play for the Panthers next year, I know that." Fox said the Panthers never asked Smith, who turns 35 in May, to restructure his current contract. The Panthers were unable to trade Smith, who was set to cost $7 million under this years salary cap. The Panthers still owe Smith $3 million this season. The decision has not been a popular one among Carolina fans. Gettleman addressed that in his press release. "When I took this position I knew that difficult decisions would have to be made along the way," Gettleman said. "To move on from a storied veteran player is probably the most difficult of all. A decision not to be taken lightly. However, after much thought I feel very strongly its the right one." "As Ive stated many times, all decisions I make will be in the long-term best interest of the Carolina Panthers. Decisions, either popular or unpopular, have to be made for the greater good and it is imperative to take an unemotional global view. Sometimes it may appear that short term interests will suffer, and I can assure you we have no interest in taking a step back from our 2013 accomplishments." The Panthers also lost wide receivers Domenik Hixon and Ted Ginn Jr. to free agency on Thursday. Hixon signed with the Chicago Bears and Ginn with the Arizona Cardinals. Panthers cornerback Captain Munnerlyn told The Associated Press he has signed with the Minnesota Vikings for a deal that could pay him $15 million over three years with incentives.dddddddddddd One possible replacement at wide receiver is free agent Hakeem Nicks, a Charlotte native who played for New York Giants. The Smith move marks the end of an era for the Panthers. Smith joined the team as a third-round draft pick out of Utah in 2001. He made an immediate impact in the NFL, returning the opening kickoff of the season for a touchdown against the Vikings. He became the first Panthers rookie selected to the Pro Bowl, earning that honour as a return specialist. Known for his feisty behaviour on the field, Smith became a dominant receiver over the next 12 seasons. He is Carolinas all-time leader with 75 total touchdowns and has 836 receptions for 12,197 yards. "On the football field Steve had a competitive arrogance that (was) second to none -- second to none," said former Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme in a telephone interview. "That helped him be as good as he was. He made other guys step up their game. But off the field he was totally different. He loves his wife and his family. Hes a genuinely good person with a great heart." Panthers coach Ron Rivera said in the release: "He is a great competitor with Hall of Fame-worthy statistics and has made a great contribution to our community." Fox said Smith would have welcomed a chance to move inside to slot receiver, but the team never offered him that opportunity. As productive as Smith was, his fiery personality often rubbed people the wrong way, and some viewed him as a distraction in the locker room. Smith had run-ins with teammates on at least two occasions. He punched out fellow wide receiver Anthony Bright in a film room fight and later socked cornerback Ken Lucas on the field during a practice at training camp in Spartanburg, S.C. On both occasions, Smith was suspended by the team. Delhomme said that was a "humbling experience" for Smith, who apologized to Lucas and the teams fans after the incident. Despite the two incidents, Smith was immensely popular with the fan base, in large part due to his production on the field. He also worked hard to change his public image over the last several years and has been an active member of the Charlotte community. When asked if he was surprised Smith was released, Delhomme said, "It does surprise, but thats the NFL. I mean, look, Peyton Manning plays for the Denver Broncos -- that the way it goes." NOTES: Panthers backup quarterback Derek Anderson announced Thursday on Twitter he has re-signed with Carolina for a fourth season. Anderson tweeted: "Happy to be coming back to Charlotte next season!" 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