Byline: Bill Fleischman
PHILADELPHIA _ It's time to give the annual Willies awards to people in sports television. A collection of the bizarre and semi-insane events of the year:
QUITTER OF THE YEAR: Rush Limbaugh. After offering the ludicrous suggestion that Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb gets a free ride in the NFL because he is an African-American, Limbaugh bailed from ESPN's 'Sunday NFL Countdown' instead of giving panelists Tom Jackson, Michael Irvin, Chris Mortensen and Chris Berman an opportunity to debate him.
BAD TIMING AWARD: FOX's decision to put Keyshawn Johnson on 'FOX NFL Sunday' after he was told to get lost by the Tampa Bay Bucs. At least Terry Bradshaw told Johnson that he should be 'embarrassed' about being deactivated by the Bucs.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Frank Caliendo, on 'FOX NFL Sunday.' Admittedly, I haven't seen every show. But on those I have seen, Caliendo just wasn't that funny. I never thought I'd write this, but I miss Jimmy Kimmel. A little.
SIDELINE SUFFERING: Before Lisa Guerrero began her rookie season as a 'Monday Night Football' sideline reporter, she said her first year would be a learning experience. Guerrero has improved, but this late in the season she still shouldn't be caught on camera looking at her notes.
CELL-PHONE FOOL: Joe Horn, the New Orleans Saints receiver who retrieved a hidden cell phone in the padding of a goal post and pretended to make a call after scoring a touchdown. Yo, Joe, was the stunt worth the $30,000 fine? First, Terrell Owens with the Sharpie, now Horn and the cell phone. We shudder to think what's next.
POSTGAME PANELIST OF THE YEAR: Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, on Eagles Postgame Live on Comcast SportsNet. He even appeared in the early mornings after Monday night games. Talk about dedication. Either that or he's an insomniac.
WELCOME BACK: Doug Collins, as an NBA analyst on TNT. Collins is as good as it gets as a hoops analyst on television. If he ever thinks about coaching again in the NBA, he should be locked in a room with Rasheed Wallace.
WELCOME ABOARD, Part I: Heather Mitts, as a local television sports reporter. Nothing more need be said, right guys?
WELCOME ABOARD, Part II: the NFL Network and CSTV (College Sports Television). Right now though, relatively few viewers can see either network.
SCARIEST PERSONALITY: Nancy Grace, a legal expert on Court TV and a frequent guest on 'Larry King Live.' With her pit-bull TV persona, I wouldn't want her mad at me.
BEST RESCUE: Portland Trail Blazers coach Maurice Cheeks, helping a young singer finish the national anthem before a game. Absolute class.
EVENT OF THE YEAR: Annika Sorenstam, playing in the Colonial, on the PGA Tour. She handled the high-profile experience with grace while showing everyone how well she can play.
BEST COLLEGE PREGAME SHOW: ESPN's 'College GameDay.' Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit and Chris Fowler provide information while having fun.
FOOTBALL ANALYST ON THE RISE: Todd Blackledge, CBS. For his first few seasons on the air, Blackledge was bland. Now, the former Penn State quarterback is insightful and humorous. While the game officials huddled during a game, Blackledge observed, 'Do you think the referees are instructed to put their arms around each other's waists like that?'
BEST CONTINUING STUDIO SHOW: TNT's NBA show, with Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson.
POETRY IN MOTION AWARD: NBC's Pat Haden, after noting that Notre Dame linebacker Brandon Hoyte had done a poetry reading on campus: 'He tackles in iambic pentameter.'
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