I was going to do as many of the NFL players are doing and look at something other than football, today. The problem is, this is a football blog, so I'll just follow the players in their non-football pursuits.
1) Randy Moss bought into a Nascar truck racing franchise a couple years back. Randy Moss Motorsports has grown from a one vehicle outfit to a two truck operation.
Veteran driver Mike Skinner helped Moss’ program make a solid splash that year with three victories and a third-place finish in the championship standings.
Randy says, "To be point-blank, NASCAR is a country, redneck sport. And you know, that’s where I’m from. That’s me. These are my people." Says driver Travis Kvapil, an avid Green Bay Packers fan, "He’s got that gearhead side of him. It definitely was a surprise." Randy's attended races in Daytona and Darlington and plans to attend truck races at Martinsville and Nashville next month.
2) Chad Johnson is trying out for Sporting Kansas City of Major League Soccer. He'll be given a four day tryout which can be extended if he is, you know, any good.
"We’re always searching for players who can help our team and bringing in new talent," Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes said. "We know that Chad is an exceptional athlete and that he loves the sport of soccer, and he did play a lot when he was younger. We’re excited to see how his skills will translate once he arrives next week and begins training with our team."
The receiver formerly know as Ochocinco said, "Due to the NFL lockout, I’m excited to be able to follow my childhood dream of playing for a Major League Soccer team."
3) Some players incorporate boxing as part of their training regimine. Baltimore Ravens safety Tommy Zbikowski is making it sort of a second career.
Fighting for the second time as a pro, Zbikowski barely broke a sweat Saturday night in stopping Richard Bryant at 1:45 of the first round of a scheduled four-round fight on the undercard of the Miguel Cotto-Ricardo Mayorga 154-pound title fight.
When asked about the fight the safety turned boxer said. "Right now this isn’t a second career for me. It’s a first career."
In other news, Zbikowski has challenged Chad Johnson to a charity fight, after Chad dissed him on twitter.
4) Titans running back Chris Johnson has said that he will join the US track team if there is a lockout. While I don't know if you can actually just show up and join, Chris may actually have a shot. His time in the 40 was actually faster than Usain Bolt's first 40 in his world record 100 performance. There has been talk of them doing a foot race from time to time. Chris Johnson and DeSean Jackson were also participants in a relay race on Shaq's TV show.
5) Not every player is looking for other employment. Some, like Steelers receiver Hines Ward, are just exploring other artistic outlets. Hines is a current participant in Dancing With the Stars.
Steelers receiver Hines Ward has said he’s been "really depressed" since losing the Super Bowl. He’s still trying to get over that depression. "You’ve got to keep active," Ward said. "For me, doing Dancing With the Stars, that’s the best way to get over it, move on and reflect."
Mr. Ward is setting a good example by drowning his sorrows with a jig instead of gin.