Queen of Sports

Nike Unveils New 2012 NFL Uniforms

After several years of partnering with Reebok for its uniforms, shoes, and merchandise, the NFL has switched over to sports apparel giant Nike. Last night in New York, the NFL and Nike unveiled the new 2012 uniforms that will be worn throughout the league, with 32 NFL athletes modeling the new gear.

While most uniforms haven’t changed drastically, Nike gave them an overall sleeker look. Nike has made some major changes to uniforms in the NCAA football arena, and the Oregon-based company seemed to be inspired by their uniforms for the Oregon Ducks when re-designing the Seattle Seahawks’ new look. The Seattle uniforms, which have seen the biggest change-up, feature dark navy with neon yellow accents. Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor modeled the new look.

While rules within the league that only allow teams to change up their uniforms every five years may have restricted some creativity, Nike got creative with their accessories. The brand added some special touches like some interesting gloves modeled by Kansas City Chiefs player Mike Leach.

What do you think of the new uniforms and accessories?

Photo: Bernadette Giacomazzo/PR Photos

New Orleans Saints’ Head Coach Suspended For Bounty Program

The NFL is looking to make an example of the New Orleans Saints, and they’ve done so in a major way.

It was unveiled earlier this month that the NFL had been doing an investigation into the team’s alleged “bounty program” since 2010. We’re not talking about Dogg the Bounty Hunter type bounties here, but the defensive kind. The team had reportedly been awarding players who hurt and knocked opponents out of the game with cash prizes.

The team’s former defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams, who allegedly ran the program, has been suspended indefinitely. He left the Saints after last season to join the St. Louis Rams. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis has been suspended for eight games. Most damaging to the team’s morale and chance at a successful next season is the suspension of head coach Sean Peyton. He has been suspended for a season without pay. The organization was also fined $500,000 and forced to forfeit their second-round draft selections for 2012 and 2013.

The story has gained such media attention, it’s earned itself a “gate” title. “Bountygate 2012″ will go down in history as the harshest punishment the NFL has handed out to a head coach. No head coach in the NFL has ever been suspended.

Tebowmania Headed To The Home Of Linsanity

The New York Jets have acquired quarterback Tim Tebow, a day after the Broncos made the player obsolete with their signing of veteran QB Peyton Manning.

The news has been confirmed on the team’s website, but the terms of the deal have not yet been revealed. We do hear the team obtained Tebow in exchange for the Broncos’ seventh-round pick for a fourth- and sixth-round choice.

Tebow will likely be coming off the bench for Mark Sanchez, who just signed a three-year extension with the team.

We can’t help but wonder how Tebow, a devout Christian, will feel about all the foul language coach Rex Ryan likely uses in the locker room and on the field.

In other New York sports news: Linsanity is heating back up. The Knicks are putting together a run for the playoffs under new coach Mike Woodson. The team has won four straight games under the new leader.

Shoutout to TerezOwens who provided the “first look at Tebow in a Jets uniform.” He’s also already spotted some Tebow fans in New York!

Photo: TerezOwens.com

Tim Tebow Offered Spot In Minor Leagues

With Peyton Manning in as the new quarterback for the Broncos, Tim Tebow‘s time in Denver is drawing to a close. While some reports say he’s being courted in his home state by the Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins, other reports allege he could be headed to Green Bay or New York.

In case none of those plans pan out, Tebow has another option: baseball. The California League Champions Lake Elsinore Storm, a minor league baseball team, want to make the Broncos a trade offer for Tebow. An explanation of the trade was laid out by the team’s general manager Chris Jones, “We know that Tim was the cause for late-game comebacks in Denver and we have our own leader of rallies, the Rally Cop. We would like to offer the Broncos the Rally Cop as well as the Grounds Crew Gorilla, winner of an MiLB Golden Bobble head last season, in exchange for Tebow.”

The team has started a grassroots campaign, complete with the hashtag #TebowToTheStorm.

Photo: MiLB.com

Broncos Protected With Injury Waivers In Peyton Manning’s $96M Contract

Peyton Manning held up his new orange No. 18 jersey yesterday during a press conference announcing the agreement made between the quarterback and the Denver Broncos.

The five-year contract worth about $96 million has fans in Denver excited, but with Manning out last season from the Indianapolis Colts following a neck injury, the question of the 35-year-old’s health is a topic of interest. The Broncos considered this when drafting their contract. Reportedly, the five-year contract is really just a series of one-year deals. Manning is guaranteed $18 million upon signing, but must pass a physical before each season, beginning in 2013.

During yesterday’s press conference, former Broncos quarterback and current vice president John Elway said, “I don’t consider it much of a risk, knowing Peyton Manning. I asked him, ‘Is there any doubt in your mind that you can’t get back to the Peyton Manning we know of?’ And he said, ‘There’s no doubt in my mind.’”

The No. 18 jersey Manning will be wearing was taken out of retirement. It was worn last by the team’s first quarterback, Frank Tripucka, who was pleased to pass on his number to Manning.

Photo: NFL.com

Chad Ochocinco And Evelyn Lozada’s Wedding To Be Aired As VH1 Series

New England Patriots wide receiver Chad Ochocinco and “Basketball Wife” star Evelyn Lozada will appear on a reality series on VH1 together. The eight-part series will chronicle the planning, details, scheduling, and drama that leads up to their wedding day. “Ev and Ocho” will premiere in September of 2012, and will culminate in a two-episode finale featuring their wedding.

The network scored its best ratings ever last fall when people tuned in to watch the trainwreck that became the 72-day marriage of Kim Kardashian to Kris Humphries.

Andrew Luck Joins The Nike Team

Former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck is expected to be the top pick by the Indianapolis Colts in this year’s NFL draft. Luck could be joining the team  after the Colts released Peyton Manning earlier this month.

Nike offered the two-time Heisman trophy runner-up an endorsement contract after Heisman trophy winner and expected No. 2 draft pick Robert Griffin III signed a deal with Adidas last month. Luck said in a news release issued by Nike, “I’m excited to be part of the Nike team. And I look forward to pursuing the next chapter of my career with such an innovative company supporting me.”

Nike is taking over this year as the NFL’s official onfield outfitter, a title previously held by Reebok.

Check out Andrew Luck in his first Nike spot:

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Photo: PRK / PR Photos

Deion Sanders’ Wife Suing Him For $200M

Hall of Fame ex-Dallas Cowboys star Deion Sanders is in the midst of a nasty divorce from his wife Pilar. The two filed papers in December, but since that time things have gone from bad to worse.

Now, Pilar is suing Deion for $200 million damages in two suits. She is seeking damages for libelous and slanderous comments posted online, alleging her husband and others including Deion’s daughter from a previous marriage, are responsible for emotional and physical abuse, financial loss, and public humiliation.

The physical abuse stems from an alleged assault that occurred last month at the couples’ home. Pilar is also seeking damages for statements Deions’ daughter, Deiondra, made via Twitter calling her step-mom the “number one gold digger of the year.”

Photo: from Prime Time Love via Oxygen

NY Giants At Super Bowl XLVI Video Premiere

Super Bowl XLVI Champions, the New York Giants, hit the “blue carpet” for the premiere of the team’s championship video at a Regal theater in Manhattan last night. Eli Manning and Mario Manningham looked sharp promoting the video together.

Manningham is up for free agency next week, but has expressed his desire to remain a Giant.

Also in attendance at the event: Hakeen Nicks, Antrel Rolle, and Jason Pierre Paul.

The DVD is now available for sale and digital download.

Photo: Delaney/Wenn.com

Tim Tebow Dating Taylor Swift?

Sources spotted pop starlet Taylor Swift and Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow chatting it up at a pre-Oscars bash on Friday night before dining together. The two were seen arriving together at Toscanova Italian restaurant in the Century City mall. After dinner, Tebow then walked her out before heading back into the restaurant.

While the meeting could have been strictly platonic, for business, or otherwise, TerezOwens.com reports his sources have confirmed that the two are actually dating.

We think they’d make a great couple! The 22-year old Swift would be dating more in her age range. Tebow is 24 years old. Swift previously dated 31-year-old Jake Gyllenhaal and 34-year-old John Mayer.

What do you think of these two as a potential couple?

Photos: Glenn Harris / PR Photos and Jockey.com