Athletes can be brash. Athletes can be funny. Athletes can even answer a question from a reporter with remarkable honesty.
Of course, it doesn't always happen. But when it does, we should celebrate it. Henceforth, we bring you the first installment of "Props," our new series those moments in sports that go counter to the accepted norm of not doing anything that may wind up on the proverbial bulletin board of an opponent's locker room.
Props to Hope Solo, the U.S. women's soccer goalkeeper who was benched for the World Cup semifinals in favor of former champion Brianna Scurry. After Scurry gave up four goals in a 4-0 loss to Brazil, Solo hammered her coach, Greg Ryan, and Scurry. Among her quotes: "It was the wrong decision" and "The fact of the matter is, it's not 2004 anymore." Good for her. Speak your mind, Hope!
Props to U.S. women's soccer coach Greg Ryan who had the guts to basically say, "Oh yeah, Hope, you wanna hammer me? OK, you're off the team for the consolation game." Granted, it was only the third-place game, which is more of a waste of time and television space than the NFL Pro Bowl, but still. An impressive move. First Amendment and free speech be damned!
Props to Jimmy Rollins, the Philadelphia shortstop who during spring training claimed his Phillies were the team to beat in the National League East. It may have taken all 162 games to prove it, but the Phillies proved it. And Rollins is the leading candidate for NL MVP. Gotta admire the testicular fortitude.
Props to Oakland Raiders quarterback Daunte Culpepper. He returned to Miami to play the Dolphins, the team that screwed with him last year and then traded him this year in favor of Trent Green. He stuck it to Miami on Sunday by throwing two touchdowns and running for three scores in a 35-17 win. After one of those touchdown runs, he looked at the Miami sideline, pointed to his surgically repaired knee a few times and gave the "OK" signal with his hand. It's bad enough for the Dolphins that he smoked them for five touchdowns, but then to rub it in that his knee -- the reason the Dolphins traded him -- is fine. Ouch. The Raiders are 2-2. The Dolphins are 0-4. Ouch, ouch.
Props to Tony Romo, the Dallas Cowboys quarterback who after a bad snap that went over his head, bumbled the initial scoop-up, kicked it back another 15 yards, then picked it up, ran it 33 yards back to the line of scrimmage and then another 4 yards to pick up the first down on third-and-3 (Watch the play). Great play in the final minute of the first half in a 7-7 game that ended up 35-7, but that's not why we salute him today. In the post-game, Romo joked (give or take a word), "That play is the reason why we won the game." Humor goes a long way in sports press conferences.