Women love harder than Men

I've come to the conclusion that women love harder than men.

What I mean by that is: MOST Women will remain with a man through a lot more bullshhh than most men will tolerate.

Let me give an example. A lot of women have either been cheated on, or knows of someone that has. More times than not the woman or women that were cheated on took their significant others back.

I think it's deep and genuine love that probably pulls a lot of women back to their man when something like that happens. On the flip side, there's many men that have called it quits and never really opened that door again after his lady cheated on him. Some men might still have sex with their ex-lady after something like that occurred, but the trust and deep affections slowly slip away or get hidden.

My mother took my father back after he had a child outside of their marriage. I can't say that my dad would've done the same if my mother had flipped the situation. (Note: I'm glad my mother was strong enough to remain in the marriage.)

I can't even say that I would remain in a marriage if that had happened to me. But I know of many relationships and/ or marriages that have remained after incidents like that have occurred on the men's side.

I know there are a number of women that are quick to say they'll leave their man if he cheated or had a baby outside of a marriage or deep relationship. Some of those same women would be right back with him by the end of the week after he pleaded his case, and announced his stupidity. I'm not saying that's wrong. A lot of guys make mistakes in relationships. I'm included.

I'm simply saying that women seemingly put up with more. Maybe it's the idea of living a fairly tale life, or having that happy ending with a big, happy family.

I personally just believe that women love harder than men.

Roethlisberger in major trouble

Don't let the "side bar" (weak) coverage or short reports of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben "Big Ben" Roethlisberger being accused of raping a Nevada woman take away from the severity of the incident.

I've been watching the slow news coverage of this ordeal, and I'm wondering why it's just now being talked about freely. Roethlisberger supposedly raped a 31-year-old (a Lake Tahoe casino hostess) woman last year. She filed a civil lawsuit saying that the Steelers QB raped her in a hotel penthouse last year.

Roethlisberger held a press conference today (July 23) at the Steelers practice complex to announce his innocence. He called ole girl's allegations "reckless and false."

According to Associated Press reports, the woman was working as a VIP casino host at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe at the time, and claims in the lawsuit the rape took place in Roethlisberger’s room after he called her on a bogus complaint.

“Saturday was the first I heard of her accusations,” Roethlisberger told the Associated Press. “Her false and vicious allegations are an attack on my family and on me. I would never, ever force myself on a woman.”

Roethlisberger vowed to fight what he called “outrageous allegations.”

He said he would remain focused on the upcoming season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the defending Super Bowl champions. The Steelers open training camp on July 31.

WHAT ABOUT THE REAL ISSUE?

The real issue here is that Roethlisberger is getting wonderful treatment by the NFL commish and the mainstream media, because no one has hammered him yet.

Kobe Bryant was immediately dropped from numerous endorsements after he was ACCUSED of raping a young lady. Adam "Pacman" Jones was suspended from the NFL after being investigated for numerous crimes or incidents. Jones still has yet to be convicted of any crime. Here, Roethlisberger is being accused of raping a woman and he's still able to promote a reality TV show appearance he's making with Shaq. Isn't that some shhh?

There simply seems to be a lot of sypathy being shown for BENNIE. That's just wrong. This almost feels like it did when everyone was seeming doubting that Roger Clemens took steroids, but would bet their houses that Barry Bonds was guilty of cheating.

I'm not wishing any harm or hateful reports about Roethlisberger. I'm only saying that news coverage or bashing should be fair. This is no different than the Kobe incident. It's going to take quite a bit of luck and money to get Big Ben out of this one.

Forget what the news is talking 'bout. Big Ben is in trouble.

Throwback interview with my boy Chris Paul

Note: This was my first interview with NBA star Chris Paul. We've done numerous interviews and other things since then. But I thought I would post a real "throwback" interview. This is from Paul's senior year of high school. This was before the NBA Rookie of the Year and MVP runner-up honors. Take a look.

(From 2003) It seems like everyone across the country is talking about St. Vincent- St. Mary's phenomenal high school player, LeBron James. Well, West Forsyth has an incredible player of its own in senior guard Chris Paul.

Let's be honest. Chris is the man around here. And, every fan that has seen him play thinks he is one of the greatest high school players to perform in this state. He hit up an opponent for 61 points earlier this season, along with a stellar performance in the Frank Spencer a few weeks ago.

I caught up with Mr. Paul moments after he put on another impressive show in an 84-47 victory over South Rowan last Friday (Jan. 2003) night.

Anthony: What's going on Chris?

Chris: I'm all right. I'm just chillin'.

Anthony: Man, it looked like you simply exploded on those boys tonight. You must have been feeling it.

Chris: Well, South Rowan has always been a team in our conference that has played us real dirty by applying a lot of hard fouls. So, I was real pumped for this game.

Anthony: Speaking of hard fouls. I saw that guy come up under you before you "yoked" (dunked) on him. It looked as if you got a little mad and had a choice of words for him. What were you two jawing about?

Chris: I ain't say nothing. (Laughs.) It's just all in the game. I just want to win.

Anthony: What exactly did he do?

Chris: When I went up for the dunk he came up under and acted like he didn't do anything. I don't remember what I said. I don't even remember what he said. They were talking so much tonight.

Anthony: Man, it doesn't look like you even get tired out there. What kind of fuel are you running on?

Chris: You know what? I just wanna win so bad that I don't really get tired. That's just the emotions of basketball. This is what I do.

Anthony: Now, you scored 61 points on a team earlier this season. Is that the most you've ever scored in a single game.

Chris: Yeah. That was the most.

Anthony: What motivated you to score so many points?

Chris: My grandfather was murdered on Nov. 15. I signed to play with Wake on the 14th. My grandfather was my bestfriend and he was 61. After his funeral I felt like I was going to score those points for him. I had know idea I was actually going to score that many points though. Someone said something to me about it before the game. I just got on the court and started to do some things and then I felt like I could do it.

Anthony: Wow. That was truly amazing. Let me ask you this, Chris. You're one of the premier players in high school basketball. What made you commit to Wake so early?

Chris: I had offers from every team in the ACC and other teams that I liked. But, I knew where I wanted to play. I figured I wouldn't waste any other colleges time by recruiting me.

Anthony: You have a catalog of sick moves on the court. It looks like you've been watching a few "And 1 Mixtapes."

Chris: Yeah, I watch them. But, some of that stuff I wouldn't try in a game. I have full-court basketball court at my house and me and brother used to always play one on one everyday. I got most of those moves from him. He and my dad are definitely the reason I'm the player I am today. My dad used to make me and my brother put our right arms behind our backs so we would have to use our left hand to shoot.

Anthony: Let me ask you this: What are your interest outside of basketball? What are you going to pursue in college?

Chris: I'm going to Wake and I'm not really sure what I'm going to major in. I was thinking about computer science or something like that.

Anthony: Answer this for me. Which is better — a thunderous dunk or an embarrassing block?

Chris: Dunk. A "facial."

Anthony: What? But, you just started dunking this year.

Chris: True. I don't know. I guess I will say a good pass is the best feeling. (Both laugh.)

Anthony: Did you ever think about playing another sport? Or has basketball always been your main concentration?

Chris: I was the back-up quarterback for varsity my sophomore year. Everyone thought I was gonna drop basketball to play football.

Anthony: Really?

Chris: Yeah. I played football for 10 years.

Anthony: So what made you decide to play hoops?

Chris: (pause.). It was more fun to me. I started to think about which one I would rather do in college. So, I chose basketball.

Anthony: Let's switch this interview up a little bit. (Pause.) Did you have a favorite cartoon when you were growing up?

Chris: Woody Wood Pecker.

Anthony: (Both laugh.) Is there an athlete in which you've looked up to your entire life?

Chris: Oh yeah. Definitely, Michael Jordan. I used to watch him and see all the amazing things he's done throughout his career. So, I would say him.

Anthony: I'm sure that you have a lot more people claiming to be your friend now that you're getting all this media attention and praise. How rough is it having all kinds of strangers acting as if they know you?

Chris: It's rough, but I know who the people are that were with me from the beginning. Family comes first for me.

Anthony: Let's jump into something I like to call "free association." I say one word and you tell me the first thing that comes to mind.

Chris: All right.

Anthony: Josh Howard.

Chris: Incredible defense.

Anthony: R.J. Reynolds Demons.

Chris: (Pause.) Rivalry.

Anthony: Favorite class.

Chris: Math.

Anthony: Dream date.

Chris: Halle Berry. (Both laugh.)

Anthony: Kobe Bryant.

Chris: One of my favorites.

Anthony: One final question. What do you see yourself doing 10 years from now?

Chris: 10 years from now, HOPEFULLY I'LL BE IN THE NBA.

Anthony: Good luck with that, Chris.

Chris: Thanks a lot man.

So many distractions these days

I would love to be married someday. I envy my male friends that are HAPPILY married.

I also wonder how some of them remain totally honest with their wife. The same can be said about some of my female friends and family that are married. It seems there are so many distractions these days when it comes to marriage and relationships. I'm serious.

I'm not talking about glancing at a nice ass, face or body in the mall. I'm also not talking about wishing you could hook up with Gabrielle Union or Halle Berry after watching their latest movie. Those aren't really distractions for a relationship.

I'm not even talking about working in an office full of beautiful and smart women. That is a helluva distraction, though. Some of those honest lunch dates do tend to make co-workers a little closer than normal. But I'm not really talking about that either.

I'm talking about the reckless flirting, constant conversations and occassional lusting that goes on when using sites like facebook or myspace. I've lost a girlfriend over things she didn't like about my myspace page a few years back. I still can't help but shake my head at that. I will admit that I wasn't keeping it completely real with her. At the same time, I wasn't considering what I was doing as cheating either.

I was talking with a friend of mine about this the other day, and she said that she and her man would have a page together. That's cool, I guess. But what about when he or she misses having their own page? Then, they create another one under a fake name or whatever.

I don't want to go on and on about this. I'm just saying that there's a lot of new distractions these days that can end something special. A distraction is all it takes to end something good most of the time.

I want to have what my parents had. Real love that kept them together to this day. Something tells me those days are over... especially with technology of today.

P.S.: This blog is not directly talking about anyone or everyone. It's just a little something that was on my mind the other day.

Why is breaking up hard?

Breaking up is definitely a difficult thing to do.

Even relationships that aren't quite working out are hard to say goodbye to sometime. Maybe it's the fear that one might be making a mistake by letting the other person go. Or, maybe it's the fear of starting over or having to learn someone new that makes breaking up so hard.

And, why is it hard to see the person you broke with having a good time with somebody else even when you're the one that broke up with them? Another one of the crazy facts about most break-ups.

What's even harder is breaking up with someone for no apparent reason other than you've lost interest. We've all been in a relationship that we just weren't quite feeling anymore. You start to look at the other person and just make faces and think about how much you don't like him or her anymore. Then you start to look for reasons to break up.

You're like, "Why did you slam my door? See, that's why we can't be together. You don't respect my things." LOL. Or, you might say, "You don't give me enough space. This just isn't working." Seriously, you tend to look for the smallest things and make them out to be huge.

In an ideal situation, one simply explain to the other person that things aren't quite working out and they would understand. They might even hit you with a, "I'm glad you broke this off before we invested too much time. I respect that." Instead, it's usually, "So, who are you f'ing now or what did I do or what can I do to make things better?" At that point, you simply don't want things to get ugly.

I don't know. Why can't breaking up be easier? Better question: why is it so hard to meet someone that is really right for you? Sorry, I am simply rambling through this blog.

Note: Can you believe that Kelis wants fap star Nas to pay $80, 000 a month after their divorce is final. He only earns a little over a 100,000 a month reportedly. That's when it's CHEAPER TO KEEP HER. LOL.

Panthers' DeAngelo Williams chats

I may not have met a cooler pro football player than Carolina Panther running back DeAngelo Williams. He and I met during his first year with the Panthers.

Williams was drafted 27th (first round) by the Carolina Panthers in the 2006 NFL Draft after a stellar career at the University of Memphis. I was at the press conference to welcome Williams a couple days later. I instantly gravitated to the speedy running back. I think it was because how low key DeAngelo is most of the time. He's simply a funny and cool dude.

Williams also does cool things on the football field. He finished with his best statistics during the 2008 football season, where he rushed for 1,515 yards and 18 touchdowns. It seemed like just yesterday he and I were talking about how cool it was to be playing with and against guys he used to play with on video games and watch on television.

Take a look at some of the things DeAngelo and I discussed during a recent interview.

Anthony: What's good, Dee?

DeAngelo: I'm doing all right, man. I'm hanging in there.

Anthony: First, you did your thing last season.

DeAngelo: (Laughs.) I tried. Last year was a good one.

Anthony: (Smiles.) Let me ask you this. Is the league everything you expected it to be?

DeAngelo: Yeah, it's all right. You remember...coming in, I thought it was going to be extremely fast, the guys were going to be extremely big. I overemphasized the characteristics of the NFL so it wouldn't be as bad as it would've been if I had underemphasized it. It's just about how fast you make your decisions. Plus, speed kills in this game. But you still have to know a lot about what's going on on the field. There's more to this league than being fast.

Anthony: I remember you were almost shocked during your first preseason game a few years ago. (Smiles.) I think it was against Buffalo.

DeAngelo: (Laughs.) Yeah. You still remember that?

Anthony: (Smiles.) No doubt.

DeAngelo: I wasn't ready for it. I was like, "Wow." I even had to pinch myself a couple time on the sidelines to make sure it was real. I mean, those were the guys that I used to watch on TV for years. After the game, you walk to the middle of the field and see some of those guys and you realize they're celebrities. But it's nothing now.

Anthony: (Smiles.) I feel you.

DeAngelo: I'm going to tell you what got me. The fact that there were so many guys willing to help me when I first got into the league. I thought things were a lot rougher in the league. Even my coaches at Memphis told me not to make many friends, and that everyone is competiting. But everyone wants to win.

Anthony: No doubt. Did you feel like you were better than Reggie Bush? I mean, it seemed like he was the big talk coming out of college -- for obvious reasons.

DeAngelo: It's not even that, man. We're in two different offenses and we both do our thing for our teams. The same about when we were in college. I don't compare myself to him. I'm sure he doesn't compare himself with me.

Anthony: How much have you enjoyed living in Charlotte?

DeAngelo: It's been all right. It's different, man. I don't go out much. I'm not a go-out-much person. I like to sit at home, or go bowling. Or, I'll watch a movie.

Anthony: We'll need to get you to come bowl during Chris Paul's celebrity bowling event for charity.

DeAngelo: (Smiles.) Yeah. I'd love to come get down.

Anthony: What do you listen to before games?

DeAngelo: It's strange,but I don't even listen to music.

Anthony: Whatever.

DeAngelo: Honestly. I don't. When I'm in the car I'm usually on the phone. I'll hear something on the radio and be like, "That's hot." My girl will probably download it to my iPod, but I will probably only listen to it two or three times a month.

Anthony: Why did you keep No. 34? I thought you would go back to your college number (20).

DeAngelo: I like 34. I wore that number in high school.

Anthony: Oh, OK. I didn't know that. What's your favorite television show?

DeAngelo: (Smiles.) I like the Boondocks and The Family Guy. I've even got the Boondocks box set.

Anthony: How long do you see yourself playing in the league?

DeAngelo: I honestly don't know, man. I'm still excited. I have a strong passion burning inside of me for this sport. I don't know anyone that can foreshadow my career. I don't take that many hits. I get tackled. There's a difference between getting tackled and getting hit. My running style helps me. I think that will further my career in the league.

Anthony: Do you have any nicknames?

DeAngelo: When I first got into the league DeShaun (Foster) called me Dark Wing, Bojangles, Razzle-Dazzle. He told me that I'm not Bo Jackson. He said that I'm Bojangles. (Both laugh.) You know I've got a little shake to my game. DeShaun used to call me anything, though.

Anthony: (Laughs.) I see. Let's finish with free association. Just tell me the first thing that comes to mind.

DeAngelo: OK.

Anthony: Wynne, Arkansas (DeAngelo's hometown).

DeAngelo: (Laughs.) Next question.

Anthony: (Smiles.) Memphis.

DeAngelo: Beautiful. I love it.

Anthony: DeAngelo Williams.

DeAngelo: A sight to see.

Anthony: Carolina Panthers.

DeAngelo: A team to be reckoned with.

Anthony: T.O. (Terrell Owens).

DeAngelo: A beast.

Anthony: Steve Smith.

DeAngelo: Ultimate game breaker.

Anthony: I agree. Well, we're done. I will see you later on this summer. Good luck to you this upcoming year.

DeAngelo: All right, bruh. Thanks.

Football player dies at Western Carolina

Ja'Quayvin Smalls

Western Carolina reciever (freshman sensation) George Richardson called me on Wednesday evening to tell me the sad news. He told me that a freshmen cornerback had passed away after workouts on Wednesday.

But Western Carolina released a statement saying that junior football player Ja’Quayvin Smalls of Mount Pleasant, S.C., died unexpectedly Wednesday evening after collapsing during conditioning drills as a part of voluntary off-season workouts.

Smalls collapsed while running as a part of the evening workout session. Wednesday’s workouts were the first with the team for Smalls, who was enrolled in the second session of WCU’s summer school that began this week.

Observers on the scene say that Smalls was complaining about cramps during the beginning of sprint exercises and was removed from the lineup to be stretched. While being treated, Smalls quit breathing at which point athletic training personnel administered CPR until emergency medical personnel from WestCare arrived at the stadium. He was transported to Harris Hospital where he died at approximately 7:30 pm.

Members of the football coaching staff and the team traveled to the hospital to be at Smalls’ side, and university student affairs and counseling staff were on hand to provide support.

“Any loss of life is a tragedy, but it is especially tragic when someone is taken from us at such a young age," said Chip Smith, WCU director of athletics. “Our hearts and prayers are with the family and friends of Ja’Quayvin, and with his coaches and teammates."

Richardson added: "I feel really sad right now. I feel bad for his family. How's coach supposed to call his mom and tell her that her son is dead. We just got here on Monday. This is just really sad. This is the type of thing that could either ruin a season, or motivate you to do better. It's all about how guys take this. Right now it's just a shock."

Smalls, who transferred to WCU after two seasons at Georgia Military College, was a part of the Catamounts’ 2009 signing class.

"Girlfriend" kills McNair

Nashville police have confirmed that former NFL quarterback Steve McNair was killed by his alleged girlfriend Sahel Kazemi.

The bodies were discovered last Saturday afternoon by McNair's longtime friend Wayne Neeley, who rents the condo with McNair. Neeley told authorities he went into the condo, saw McNair on the sofa and Kazemi on the floor but walked first into the kitchen before going back into the living room, where he saw the blood. Police say that Kazemi shot McNair multiple times while he was asleep. Friend of Kazemi said that she may have been upset after hearing that McNair (who was married) supposedly had another relationship going on.

The entire situation is sad. I'm also sad at the way McNair has been portrayed through the media. All I keep reading and hearing about is how he cheated on his wife. What he reportedly did was not good by any means.

He definitely shouldn't have been cheating on his family with anyone, especially not some 20-year-old. He should've divorced his wife if he no longer wanted to continue that relationship. He shouldn't have been taking trips, buying whips and touching lips with some young, apparently crazy chick.

I feel so bad for his widow and kids. I really do. I know one thing. This should make people think harder about CHEATING. You can't play with a person's heart these days... apparently.

I also feel badly for Steve McNair. I definitely feel bad for him. No one should have to go out like that.

Still sad over loss of MJ

Just like most of you, I was very sad when I initially heard the news of Michael Jackson passing. I wanted to believe that he was going to make it through. Who would've thought that MJ was ever going to leave?

I was waiting on reports and newscast to calm all of the millions of fans that were in disbelief that he may be gone. Then, MJ was comfirmed gone. I felt like I had lost a family member. But I was seemingly better the next few days that followed.

But I felt all of my emotions rush to me once again after watching the commercial free funeral on television on July 7. It was held at the Staple Center in Los Angeles. Kobe and Magic even spoke at the funeral. Everyone was trying to call it a celebration. And, I wanted to believe it was just that. But I couldn't help but feel sad after hearing Stevie Wonder, Smokie Robinson and Rev. Al Sharpton speak. It was clearly a funeral to me after hearing them speak. I almost cried. I honestly wanted to cry. But I held it together somehow.

I can't express how much I'm going to miss the King. He's been the King for most of our lives. I can't wait for the tribute album. I hope Quincy Jones produces it, and puts the right people with the right songs. Can you imagine some of the singers and songs? It's most definitely going to be a classic.

I'm going to continue to jam off the oringal songs of the King until then. After all, his songs and legacy will last forever.

Hill helps newspaper win national awards

The Chronicle takes home five national awards

Paper faced much larger competitors

Chronicle Staff Report

Winston-Salem, NC -- The Chronicle received five awards for journalism excellence last week from the National Newspaper Publishers Association. The group held its annual Merit Award compeition during the convention in Minneapolis, Minn.

The Chronicle took home three first place awards in the Best Use of Photographs, Best Special Edition and Best Feature Story categories. The paper and former sports editor Anthony Hill also won a second-place honor in the Best Sports Section category and a third-place award for Best Business Section.

The Best Feature Story award went to Chronicle reporter Layla Farmer for her story on Chevara Orrin, a local woman who was molested as a child by her father, the noted Civil Rights leader James Bevel. The Best Special Edition award was for The Chronicle's tabloid and news coverage honoring Dr. Maya Angelou on her 80th birthday last year. Both Farmer's story and the Angelou special edition also won first place awards earlier this year from the North Carolina Press Association. The Best Sports Section went to Anthony Hill, The Chronicle's former sports editor.

"The Merit Awards are always a tough competition, especially for us because we are competiting with papers based in much larger markets like Los Angeles, Philadelphia, St. Louis and Chicago," said T. Kevin Walker, The Chronicle's managing editor. "When we put out the best product that we can each week, our goal is never to win awards, but it feels good to all of us to be recognized for our efforts."

Note: The following story appeared in The Chronicle on July 2, 2009.