Boxer Paul Williams' Career is Likely Over

Paul Williams, the former two-division world champion, is likely paralyzed from the waist down after a motorcycle accident Sunday near Atlanta, Augusta’s WRDW-TV reported on Monday. Williams’ manager George Peterson said the 30-year-old native of Augusta, Ga., will undergo surgery Wednesday to stablilize the healthy upper half of his spine by putting a protective wall around it.

A powerful 6-foot-1 southpaw, Williams had signed a contract last week to fight Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in a pay-per-view headliner on Sept. 15 in Las Vegas. Williams (41-2, 27 KOs), who spent more than two years in SI.com’s pound-for-pound top 10, is a former two-time welterweight titleholder and former interim junior middleweight titlist. He also won a majority decision over Sergio Martinez, who went on to win the middleweight championship, and owns victories over Winky Wright and a prime Antonio Margarito.

Dario Joins Elite Club

Dario Franchitti won his third Indianapolis 500 earlier today, joining a list that consists of 6 other drivers, plus AJ Foyt, Al Unser Jr., and Rick Mears, who have each won 4 times.

Franchitti and teammate Scott Dixon battled for the top spot for much of the day, and the pair lined up 1-2 heading into the final 2 laps when Takuma Sato made an aggressive move to pass Franchitti on the inside, resulting in Sato's car spinning out of control ... which meant the race would finish under caution, denying us a showdown between Franchitti and Dixon on the final lap. Notably, all three of Franchitti's victories have occurred under caution.

Not a bad year for wife Ashley Judd - her Kentucky Wildcats won the national championship, and her husband wins the Indianapolis 500. Her awful tv show got canned, apparently, but I think she'll be okay.

Unique, Bizarre, Scary, Odd, Brilliant

Take your pick to use an adjective to describe this piece of artwork, put together by Kentucky fan Danny Palmer, using only Kix and Reese's Puffs cereal:

To be fair ...

... the other day we showed you a picture of Peyton Manning throwing in a Broncos uniform; today, we try to make peace by providing a picture of his replacement getting some reps in his new Colts gear:

Seeing Double

For those of you who aren't recruiting junkies like the Editor of this blog, you may not have heard that two brothers from the class of 2013 are both in the nation's top 5 rankings. Here's the catch - Andrew and Aaron Harrison are identical twins. The twins from Texas are -- not surprisingly -- a package deal, and the school that lands them has an instant impact backcourt. Andrew (currently the #2 ranked prospect) is a point guard, while his brother Aaron (currently the #5 ranked prospect) is a shooting guard.

Currently, the twins list Maryland, Baylor, Kentucky, Texas, Villanova and Georgetown.

Remember When MJ Believed in Him?

Rivalry Brewing?

I didn't get a chance to watch the Heat-Pacers game last night -- and looking at the box score, perhaps that's not a bad thing -- but I read about Dexter Pittman's flagrant foul on Lance Stephenson, mostly because it almost caused Twitter to malfunction. Instantly, a couple of thoughts came to mind:

Dexter Pittman's in the game?!
Lance Stephenson has checked himself in?
Things must be getting ugly if those scrubs are on the floor.
Obviously Spoelstra was instructed to "send in the goon" John Chaeney style.
Vogel probably put Stephenson out there knowing he was going to get bitch-slapped in retaliation.

Yeah, so after seeing the video, I'm now certain that Pittman is going to get a heavy fine and suspension. If the play itself weren't bad enough, the wink to his teammates at the end of the clip pretty much guarantees at least a 5-game suspension, in my opinion. Isn't it just as bad, if not worse, than what Metta World Peace did to James Harden? Pittman is a young reserve, too, so he's not exactly bathing in benjamins these days. Next question: is Congress going to step in and order an investigation into whether someone ordered the hit on Stephenson?

It Feels Wrong

How many Colts fans are going to track Broncos games (notably, the QB's stats) this season? Yeah, my hand is somewhat raised, as I look around the room making sure I'm not the only one. A healthy Manning who performs well, especially from the get-go, will likely pour some gasoline on a smoldering flame of angry Colts fans.

Check This Out

By the Numbers

40 points, 18 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks

It's difficult to overshadow someone (D-Wade) going for 30pts 9rebs 6ast in a playoff game, but that's exactly what Lebron did today.

Most important statistic? "W" (Heat even series 2-2)

#GoldSwagger

Ready for another dose of it, Pacers fans?

Heat @ Pacers
Indianapolis, IN
Today, 3:30pm
Pacers lead, 2-1

Another, Indeed

Looks like we'll get a chance to see a Triple Crown winner this year, as I'll Have Another makes, ahem, another charge down the stretch to clip Bodemeister (poor guy was *this close* from winning both the Derby and the Preakness) for the second straight race.

We haven't had a Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978 (the year I was born). I'll be attending my fifth Belmont Stakes this year, and it'll be the first time a Triple Crown is in play since 2008, when Derby and Preakness champ Big Brown failed to even finish the race (I had forgotten that until this morning ... shows how memorable that day was).

Kerry Wood Calls it a Career

Clown

Compared to the collection of punks thugs questionable individuals from a few years ago, I like the "new" Pacers team, and feel they have the right mix of "character" guys with young talent ... minus one Lance Stephenson. How this guy is on this roster is beyond me. Can't he be shipped off to a place like Detroit or Portland? Here he is, keeping it classy, making an observation about Lebron missing a free throw last night:



Ironic, given Stephenson's career trajectory, from "Born Ready" - on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a prep baller, followed around by an entourage as early as middle school - talked about as the "next Lebron" ... to a bench-warmer who has been arrested a few times and is a complete after-thought as an NBA player.

Admit it ...

... you were thinking it, too.

#GoldSwagger

It's taking the nation by storm.

Speaking of Lawsuits

Now we get word that suspended Saints LB Jonathan Vilma is suing NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for defamation. We knew this whole bounty-gate ordeal was headed to court sooner or later, right? Consider this quite the counter-punch from Vilma to Goodell's initial uppercut in round 1.

Here's a copy of the complaint, which was filed earlier today.

Bernie Fine's Wife Sues ESPN for Libel

And here is the complaint.

Confession

I had a great time at Madison Square Garden for Game 2 between the NJ Devils and the NY Rangers. And I must admit, seeing a live hockey game, especially in the playoffs, is something I would do again ... even without being paid to go or forced to do so against my free will. I suppose sitting with a section of completely intoxicated, angry, sweating NY Rangers fans enhanced the "experience" (I wouldn't exactly call it a family friendly environment up in section 406, folks), but the non-stop action provided a completely difference perspective versus watching the games on television. The Devils won, 3-2 (after the Rangers posted a 2-1 lead), evening the series at 1-1. I'll say this - MSG nearly exploded whenever the Rangers scored. Impressive crowd that really gets behind its team. The crowd at MSG is always half the fun. And I was reminded that Billy Joel and Elton John are in the rafters (like retired jerseys) at the Garden. For some reason, I've always found that amusing. New York loves them some Billy Joel and Elton John.

Game On

Without Chris Bosh, the Miami Heat fell to the Indiana Pacers, 78-75, evening the series at 1-1. But, of course, the story of the night was Lebron James, and his, ahem, inability to close in the fourth quarter of an important game. For someone who put up 28pts 9rebs 5ast, James sure takes a lot of sh*t. But when you miss both FT's late in a 1-pt game, then pass up the potential game-tying shot at the end, collectively failing to take a shot in the final 2:33 of regulation, your play might warrant a few critics.

I know Old Man will be in attendance for Game 3, as will Pai Gow. Anyone else? At this point, without Bosh, it wouldn't shock me at all to see the Heat fall in 6 games to the Pacers. These days, the NBA requires more than a 2-man team to carry you through the Playoffs.

Ugh

Not exactly what I wanted to read to get today started off on the right foot:

Fashion Police?

Personally, I'm over this whole fake glasses (not only are they non-prescription, but they don't even have lenses) look, but if guys like Kevin Durant are doing it, it must be the cool thing to do - at least that's what I overheard some high school kids suggesting on the subway this morning. Durant and teammate Russell Westbrook showed up to last night's post-game press conference wearing what you see in the pic, above. At least Durant wore a suit; what the hell is Westbrook wearing? I suppose when you beat the LA Lakers by 30 points in the NBA Playoffs you can come out wearing whatever you want.

Feelings & Emotions

This story concerns me.

This story makes me happy.

This guy really pissed me off in 2009.

This result put a smile on my face.

This report makes me say, "I could not care less."

2012 ACC/Big Ten Challenge Pairings Set

College basketball is right around the corner ... isn't it? In any event, here are your match-ups for the 2012 ACC/Big Ten Challenge:

North Carolina @ Indiana
NC State @ Michigan
Minnesota @ Florida State
Maryland @ Northwestern
Iowa @ Virginia Tech
Ohio State @ Duke
Virginia @ Wisconsin
Michigan State @ Miami
Purdue @ Clemson
Georgia Tech @ Illinois
Boston College @ Penn State

Purely from a basketball standpoint, I'm most intrigued by NC State @ Michigan, and Ohio State @ Duke, given that all 4 of those teams will likely be ranked in the top 15 early in the season. North Carolina @ IU is obviously going to draw with it being a match-up of powerhouse programs, but the Tar Heels are somewhat in rebuild mode. IU will be pre-season top 3, without question, so it'll be one worth watching regardless of how the Heels struggle early on. Other than that, I think you'll likely be able to find better options on your cable line-up for November 27-28.

Anyone Else?

Eastern Conference Semi-Finals

What say you, Pacers fans? Can they pull off the stunning upset, knocking the Miami Heat out of the NBA Playoffs? Do they get swept in rather convincing fashion? Something in between? My prediction: Heat take the series in 5 games.