Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was slapped with a 6-game suspension today by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for dissin’ the league’s personal conduct policy.

Goodell also is requiring the star slinger to attend as the boss put it, “comprehensive behavioral evaluation by medical professionals.”

Like Michael Vick’s suspension after he came back into the league after serving jail time for dog-fighting charges, Roethslisberger’s penalty can be reduced to a lesser amount (4) games for good behavior.

Roethlisberger, who’s meat has dominated the news, is also banned from participating in any team off season drills or activities until he completes this evaluation.

Here’s what the boss had to say regarding the suspension:

“The Personal Conduct Policy makes clear that I may impose discipline ‘even where the conduct does not result in conviction of a crime’ as, for example, where the conduct ‘imposes inherent danger to the safety and well being of another person’,”

“As the District Attorney concluded, the extensive investigatory record shows that you contributed to the irresponsible consumption of alcohol by purchasing alcoholic beverages for underage college students, at least some of whom were likely already intoxicated. There is no question that the excessive consumption of alcohol that evening put the students and yourself at risk.”

“The Personal Conduct Policy also states that discipline is appropriate for conduct that ‘undermines or puts at risk the integrity and reputation of the NFL, NFL clubs, or NFL players.’ By any measure, your conduct satisfies that standard.”

Jason La Canfora of NFL.com reported that the Steelers have kicked up efforts to trade Big Ben.

Big Ben should draw some attention in the trade market, especially with two Super Bowl wins under his belt. You would have to assume he will straighten out knowing, like Vick, it’s shape up or ship out time.

According to La Canfora, the Steelers “had a brief conversation with the St. Louis Rams over the weekend, according to a league source, but the Rams weren’t interested in taking on Roethlisberger. The Steelers wanted to send Roethlisberger to the Rams as part of a package to move up to No. 1 overall in this week’s draft and select Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford.”

Other teams possibly showing interest are the Buffalo Bills and Oakland Raiders.

More Big Ben: Big Ben’s Meat Still in the News

Accuser: Roethlisberger ‘Came back with his penis out of his pants’

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax™

DENVER – The thin air in Colorado is said to create confusion but can’t be held responsible for the gaffe that occurred in last night’s Stanley Cup Playoff game between the San Jose Sharks and the Colorado Avalanche. Here’s the video of a man who probably didn’t sleep last night; don’t bother getting popcorn; it’s quick and it’s ugly:

After the Sharks fought hard to remain in a 0-0 game that was a battle of the goaltenders, defenseman Dan Boyle shot the puck into his own net as fans were still settling into their seats for overtime, ultimately handing the victory to the Avs and sending the shocked crowd at the Pepsi Center into a frenzy.

With this loss, the Sharks again are staring destiny in the face, a destiny that is leading them off another cliff.

Going into the playoffs owning one of the best regular season records in the league, the Sharks continue to find ways to lose once mid-April comes along.

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax™

DETROIT, Mich. – After Red Wing goalie Jimmy Howard gave up a goal to Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Sami Lepisto just 29 seconds into Game 3 on Sunday, the ice tilted with the Red Wings stealing the momentum and dominating the play the rest of the period.

At the first intermission with the score deadlocked at one, Hockeytown was confident the hometown guys in red had regrouped and were setting themselves up for another win. But only until the reality kicked in of what can happen when you play a rookie goaltender with no experience in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In this case it was a 4-2 loss on home ice.

Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard had a strong regular season ending 4th in the NHL in save percentage with .924 and 5th in GAA (2.26) but the during these playoffs, the youngster has looked lost several times with his back completely turned to the play. During that time he has given up 3, 4, and 4 goals in the first three games of the series and has his heavily-favored team in a hole.

In all, the 11 goals Howard has allowed to Phoenix in the first three games of the series marks only the fourth time in 45 series since the Wings playoff streak began in 1991 that a Wings goalie has allowed 11 goals in the first three games.

After Howard let in two softies in Sunday’s 4-2 loss to the Coyotes, he put the Red Wings dynasty in the challenging position of needing to win 3 out of the next 4 games to advance, and two of those games are on enemy ice.

While this rookie display of goaltending has been going on, a seasoned goaltender who has been through it all has been sitting on the Red Wing bench watching, occupying a spot he has grown way too familiar with this season.

Chris Osgood has his name engraved on hockey’s Holy Grail after winning several Stanley Cups and was actually a lot of people’s vote for the Conn Smythe MVP two years ago when the Red Wings beat the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Red Wings would be trying to 3-peat this year if they would have given Ozzie a little more offensive support going down the stretch in last year’s finals when they lost Game 7 to the Penguins, no fault of the goaltender’s.

So when does Mike Babcock hand the reins back to Ozzie?

Now!

Without another second ticking off the clock, let the veteran Osgood know to start emotionally preparing to step between the pipes when these two teams meet again on Tuesday night.

Coach Babcock received praise for a quick roster move after Game One of this series but it’s time for this more important move. If the Red Wings want any chance of gaining the three wins they need to advance and doing it with less bumps in the road before entering the next tougher series, Babcock needs to make that move now.

It isn’t time to panic because the Red Wings are the most disciplined team as far as sticking to a plan and getting the job done; as long as their goalie gives them a chance to win. But if they need to score 4 or 5 goals every night during these playoffs, they may as well start dusting off their golf clubs right now.

This wouldn’t be the first time Ozzie bailed out the Red Wings after being benched. In 2008 when the Nashville Predators battled back to tie the opening round series at two games apiece, Dominick Hasek was pulled during Game 4 in favor of Osgood and that was the turning point of the series and playoffs.

Osgood won that series and went on to lead his Red Wings to another Stanley Cup title. In those finals, Osgood started the series with spectacular back-to-back shutouts giving his team a 2-0 advantage, one Sidney Crosby and the Penguins could never overcome.

Howard is young and looks like he may possibly be the goalie of the future for the Red Wings but the rookie has put his team in the position where they would have needed 5 goals to win on Sunday. They actually needed that same number to take game two. In that game the Wings scored 7 so earned the victory but a pattern like this is one that will surely send any team to the golf course early in mid-April.

Osgood has made himself available to the rookie for guidance but the bottom line is winning. 

I can hear the chants echoing throughout The Joe already . . . Ozzie. Ozzie! Ozzie!!

MORE: Boyle scores into his own net to hand Avs 1-0 OT win (Video)

Hottest wife in the NHL in lingerie – Mandy Modano – Hottest Wives Gallery

Wings/Avs Famous Brawl and Probert Classic Fights – (Video)

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax™

Ubaldo Jimenez was handed the ball in this season’s opener for the Colorado Rockies and after his performance against the Atlanta Braves last night, it’s clear why.Jimenez no-hit the Braves in a 4-0 victory at Turner Field on a career-high 128-pitch performance. It was the first no-hitter in the history of the Colorado Rockies who’s starting pitching staff had only gotten into the 7th inning in a few previous attempts. 

What was impressive about this performance was the fact the radar gun at Turner was still showing 98 miles per hour in the ninth.

“He wasn’t tired, believe me,” Braves manager Bobby Cox said. “He could have thrown 150 pitches and he would have been throwing 98.”

The feat was far from over when Jimenez took the mound in the 9th with the heart of the order coming up for the Braves. Fueled by adrenaline, the fast-baller threw smoke and managed to get sluggers Chipper Jones and Brian McCann out then the celebration began.

“That’s an unbelievable feeling, having your teammates enjoying the time with you and just hugging you, admiring everything we did,” Jimenez said. “Not only I did it. It was the whole team. Every single guy was pulling for me. You can see it in their faces.”

One guy who was laying it all out was center fielder Dexter Fowler who made a diving backhanded snag of a line drive late in the game.

Jimenez from San Cristobal, Dominican Republic is the first pitcher to no-hit the Braves since Randy Johnson did the deed while pitching for the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 18, 2004. Johnson actually one-upped Jimenez, his was a perfect game.

Jimenez improved his season record to 3-0 and 1.29 ERA.

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax™

It’s Springtime. The flowers are blooming, the birds are flying and Tiger is chirping.

Milton Bradley of the Seattle Mariners started this Spring’s bird-fest when he saluted Texas Rangers fans with a middle finger early this MLB season.

Not to be outdone, Cincinnati Reds player, Jay Bruce, displayed double digits flipping off his dugout after breaking his 0-17 slump.

Possibly inspired by these famous athletes, a San Jose Sharks fan made their way onto the front page of Deadspin.com this morning after the Sharks lost with one minute left in their opening playoff game last night. In ‘Bruce’ fashion that fan is caught on camera throwing the classic double-digit flip in the direction of the celebrating Colorado Avs.

While the birds were flying, the Tiger was chirping. Woods has come under some scrutiny for his obscene-laced outbursts in the past and another blow-up during this year’s Masters.

With a record television crowd tuned into the event, Woods responded to a sliced shot with, well . . . a few choice words, take a look:

Americans aren’t the only ones showing passion for sign language. The people in Rotterdam, Netherlands have learned to be expressive at an early age like this soccer fan letting the opposing team have it.

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax™

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Chicago Bulls’ Derrick Rose netted 27 points and Joakim Noah added 21 points and 13 boards as the Bulls took a win in Charlotte 98-89 to secure the final No.8 seed in the NBA Playoffs.

The victory comes at the heels of severe internal conflicts that included a physical confrontation between head coach Vinny Del Negro and GM John Paxton. Throughout this, the Bulls were able to stay focused and end the season with a three-game win streak.

Here are all the Eastern Conference and Western Conference match-ups for the NBA Playoffs.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

No.1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No.8 Chicago Bulls

No. 2 Orlando Magic vs. No. 7 Charlotte Bobcats

No. 3 Atlanta Hawks vs. No. 6 Milwaukee Bucks

No. 4 Boston Celtics vs. No. 5 Miami Heat

WESTERN CONFERENCE

No. 1 LA Lakers vs. No. 8 Oklahoma City

No. 2 Dallas Mavericks vs. No. 7 San Antonio Spurs

No. 3 Phoenix Suns vs. No. 6 Portland Trailblazers

No. 4 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 5 Utah Jazz

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax™

Below is the press release by the Atlanta Thrashers explaining the restructuring of their front office that includes firing coach John Anderson and promoting Rick Dudley and Don Waddell.

ATLANTA, GA. – The Atlanta Thrashers have promoted Don Waddell to President and Rick Dudley to General Manager, according to Co-Owner Bruce Levenson. The team also announced that it will not retain Head Coach John Anderson and Assistant Coaches Randy Cunneyworth, Todd Nelson and Steve Weeks.

In his new role, Waddell will focus primarily on all business aspects of the organization, and as General Manager, Dudley will be responsible for hockey operations.

“My role within the company has evolved and grown the last few years, and the owners and I agree that it’s the appropriate time to have Rick assume all hockey-related responsibilities while I shift my primary focus to the business side of the Thrashers,” said Waddell.

“I will be less involved with the team on a daily basis, but will continue to make myself available to Rick and to lend my experience in any way that allows him to succeed and for us to build this club into a perennial contender.”

“Don has been an important part of this organization since its inception and will continue to play a vital role for our franchise as we transition primary control of our hockey operations to Rick, who has had an immediate impact during his first season with us,” said Levenson.

“Rick has played a key role in building highly successful hockey teams, including most recently the Chicago Blackhawks. He has nearly 40 years of experience and is very well-respected in the hockey community for his expertise in evaluating and developing talent. We are confident that he will do an outstanding job of guiding all hockey-related activities as we move forward and build on the young foundation we have in place. We also thank John, Randy, Todd and Steve for their dedication and contributions to the organization during their tenure.”

Dudley joined Atlanta on June 22, 2009 as associate general manger after five years with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he served as the team’s assistant general manager for his final two seasons. He originally joined the Blackhawks in 2004 as a consultant and was named director of player personnel prior to the 2005-06 season.

“We have a lot of important pieces in place, and I look forward to building this organization even further and working closely with Don, the owners and our staff towards achieving our goals,” said Dudley. “I’ve been in this situation before and we will accomplish our objectives. I appreciate Don and the owners giving me this opportunity to build on what has already been put in place.”

Before joining the Blackhawks, Dudley served as the general manager of the Florida Panthers for two seasons (2002-03 to 2003-04), spent two-and-a-half seasons as senior vice president and general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning (1999-00 to 2001-02) and was general manager of the Ottawa Senators for one year (1998-99).

He is credited with improving each organization he has managed, which includes playing a vital role in building the nucleus of the Lightning’s 2004 Stanley Cup Championship team.

Dudley, 61, was the general manager for the Detroit Vipers of the former International Hockey League for four seasons before joining the Senators. With the Vipers, Dudley led the team to a 200-92-35 record and the 1997 Turner Cup Championship. Overall, as a general manager he has led his teams to the league finals on eight occasions and captured four championships in the American Hockey League, the IHL and the ECHL.

Dudley also has a lengthy and successful record as a head coach in both the NHL and minor leagues, earning a lifetime record of 592-321-105. He spent two-and-a-half seasons as head coach of the Buffalo Sabres from 1989-90 to 1991-92, posting an 85-72-31 record while leading the team to the playoffs on two occasions. During the 2003-04 season, he spent 40 games behind the bench of the Florida Panthers, earning a 13-25-9-3 record.

He has also served as a head coach with the Detroit Vipers (1994-95 to 1995-96), the Phoenix Roadrunners (1993-94), the San Diego Gulls (1992-93) and the Flint Spirits (1986-87 to 1987-88) of the IHL and the New Haven Nighthawks (1988-89) of the AHL and the Carolina Thunderbirds (1982-83 to 1985-86) of the ECHL.

The Toronto, Ontario, native played seven NHL seasons with Buffalo and Winnipeg, recording 174 points (75 goals, 99 assists) in 309 games. He also appeared in 270 World Hockey Association games over four seasons with the Cincinnati Stingers, where he earned 277 points (131 goals, 146 assists) and tallied back-to-back 40-goal seasons from 1975-76 to 1976-77.

After retiring as a player, Dudley became the owner, general manager and head coach of the ECHL’s Carolina Thunderbirds. He also served as the league’s president from 1983-86. Prior to retiring, he was part owner and vice president of the Ontario Hockey League’s Belleville Bulls.

Waddell, 51, was originally named the Thrashers general manager in June 1998 and has become one of the league’s most experienced and respected executives over that time. With 30 years of professional hockey experience as a player, coach and manager, Waddell has guided the Thrashers since its inception and has established an organization that is primed for success now and in the long-term.

Anderson, who was named the team’s fourth head coach on June 20, 2008, earned a 70-75-19 record in 164 games with Atlanta over the last two seasons. During his 15-year head coaching career, Anderson has captured five league championships, most recently guiding the Chicago Wolves to the American Hockey League’s 2008 Calder Cup. He spent 11 seasons with the Wolves, the Thrashers primary minor-league affiliate, earning a 506-283-99 regular season record and a 105-60 post-season record.

The Toronto, Ontario, native played for 12 seasons in the NHL with Toronto, Quebec and Hartford, posting 631 points (282 goals, 349 assists) in 814 career games. He also notched 27 points (nine goals, 18 assists) in 37 career Stanley Cup Playoff games with Toronto and Hartford.

PITTSBURGH – Like a chapter out of the book of Tiger Woods apologies and premeditated, rehearsed statements, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger read his apology after the D.A. in Georgia announced he would bring no charges of sexual assault against the player.

Although appearance doesn’t mean everything, Ben could have at least shaved and dressed it up a little bit for the occasion. He may want to consider doing that later today when NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell meets with him to discuss this and other recent incidents that may lead to a suspension.

Below is a transcript of the apology and the video can be seen on ESPN here.

“I’d like to begin by expressing gratitude to the thorough investigation process in Georgia. The prosecutor’s decision not to bring charges, I know without a doubt, is the right conclusion. I don’t intend to discuss any details related to the events of Georgia. I’m happy to put this behind me and move forward.”

“I’m truly sorry for the disappointment and negative attention I brought to my family, my teammates, coaches, the Rooneys and the NFL.”

“I understand that the opportunities I have been blessed with are a privilege, and much is expected of me as the quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers. I absolutely want to be the leader this team deserves, valued in the community and a role model to kids. I have much work to do to earn this trust. And I’m committed to improving and showing everyone my true values.”

“I am excited to get back to work with my teammates, and I’m more determined than ever to have a great season. I intend to make my family, friends and Steeler nation proud on all fronts. Thank you. God bless.”

Oh and BTW, while this was going on another accusation arose from an attorney during an interview. 

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax™

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – District Attorney Fred Bright announced that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will not be charged of sexual assault in the case involving a college student at a nightclub last month saying the 20-year-old’s accusations could not be proven.

The accuser, a Georgia College & State University student, told police that the Steelers star sexually assaulted her at the Capital City night club on March 5th. Bright said the investigation revealed the woman was boozing it up heavily and what happened in the bathroom between the pair is unclear.

Medical personnel who examined her after the incident could not confirm she had been raped and there was not enough DNA to confirm who it belonged to.

“We are not condoning Mr. Roethlisberger’s actions that night,” Bright said. “But we do not prosecute morals. We prosecute crimes.”

The investigation lasted for weeks over which time the accuser urged prosecutors not to move forward any charges.

“I know when I have a case and I know when I don’t. I do not have enough evidence to convince 12 jurors beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Roethlisberger was guilty of rape,” said Bright.

“If this is sexual assault, it has to be proven that it happened without consent, and that’s difficult especially if both parties consumed alcohol,” added J. Tom Morgan, a former D.A.

Roethlisberger, who owns a home in Georgia, has not participated in recent offseason workouts with the Steelers.

With this ordeal over, Roethlisberger, currently playing under a $102 million contract, is expected to have a sit-down with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in the near future to discuss his many off-the-field issues.

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax™

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The New York Jets continue to add NFL players with questionable character.

Receiver Santonio Holmes was dumped by the Pittsburgh Steelers for the Jets 5th round draft pick but the player will not be on the field until Week 5 of the upcoming NFL season.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Holmes will be suspended for the first four games of the 2010 season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

Although Holmes has 235 career catches for 3,835 yards and 20 touchdowns, he brings a decent amount of baggage with him. In 2008, he was busted for possession of marijuana and prior to that was involved in a domestic violence incident in 2006.

Jets owner Woody Johnson seems headed down the same path that Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones took a few years ago when he gambled on Tank Williams and Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones, two other players with records.

That road hit a dead end for Dallas but time will tell if the same happens to the Jets.

In addition to Holmes, the Jets added disgruntled Cleveland Browns receiver Braylon Edwards last year, just two days after he was accused of punching someone at a downtown Cleveland nightclub and also obtained Antonio Cromartie last month from San Diego.

Cromartie has fathered seven children by six women in five states and is facing legal issues regarding some of those.

If that isn’t enough baggage to add to a locker room, the Jets also had an interest in former Giants receiver Plaxico Burress, who is currently behind bars for carrying a concealed weapon and shooting himself in the leg outside a New York nightclub during November 2008 and last month were said to be trying to obtain Brandon Marshall from the Denver Broncos, another player who appears to need an attitude adjustment.

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax™