Queen of Sports

Cam Newton Partners With Gatorade

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton just agreed to a multi-year partnership with Gatorade. The Heisman trophy-winning football player’s Gatorade gig will begin by working one-on-one with scientists from the Gatorade Sports Science Institute who will help him improve his on-field performance “through proper sports fueling and training.”

Newton will appear in future brand campaigns including television, print and digital advertising.

Photo: PR Newswire

Eli Manning’s Wax Statue Unveiled Ahead Of Super Bowl

Eli Manning became the first New York Giants player to have a wax likeness made for Madame Tussauds. Manning was on hand at the wax museum in New York City for the unveiling of the 6-foot-4 wax figure, stopping and posing next to it in a similar stance for photographers and fans.

Fans were then able to take photos with the figure. The figure is dressed in a Giants uniform which Manning donated. The figure took months to create. Each strand of hair was individually inserted after Manning spent over an hour as studio artists took photographs and measurements to prepare for the sculpting of the figure.

Photo: Laurence Agron / PR Photos

Tebow Cancels Talk At Controversial Televangelist Event

Tim Tebow canceled a speaking event that could have stirred up some bad publicity for himself.

The Christian football star was scheduled to speak at a three-day revival event organized by Ohio televangelist and preacher Rob Parsley in March. Parsley preaches that God wants the faithful to be rich and asks his followers to donate more than $1 million in order to stave off satanic attacks.

Tebow’s brother said in a phone interview with the Associated Press that Tebow’s people hadn’t researched the event and the pastor before scheduling it. The people organizing the event however say Tebow has a contract with event organizers and have asked him to reconsider his decision not to appear.

Sports Date Of The Week: Super Bowl Sunday

The big day for football is almost here! Get ready to watch some great commercials, catch some exciting on-field action, and eat some delicious food, after all isn’t that what Super Bowl Sunday is all about?

If you’re hosting a party, why not go with some themed dishes to represent each of the competing teams’ regional culinary specialties? Here are a couple recipes you can whip up for your guests or bring to a party:

New England Clam Chowder (via BrownEyedBaker.com)

Yield: 6 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes

4 slices center-cut, thick-cut bacon (about 4 ounces), cut into ¼-inch pieces
1 large Spanish onion, chopped
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cans (6½ ounces each) minced clams, drained and juice reserved
2 bottles (8 ounces each) clam juice
1 cup water
1½ pounds red potatoes (about 4 medium), scrubbed and cut into ½-inch dice
1 bay leaf
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves
Salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

1. Fry the bacon in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-low heat until the fat renders and the bacon crisps, 5 to 7 minutes.

2. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.

3. Add the flour and stir until lightly colored, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the reserved clam juice (from the cans), the bottled clam juice and the water.

4. Add the potatoes, bay leaf, and thyme and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes.

5. Add the clams, cream, parsley, salt and pepper to taste; bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat, discard the bay leaf, and serve immediately.

Buffalo Chicken Pizza (via TasteOfHome.com)

• Prep: 20 min. Bake: 20 min.
• Yield: 4 Servings

1 tube (13.8 ounces) refrigerated pizza crust
1 cup buffalo wing sauce, divided
1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
1/2 teaspoon each garlic salt, pepper and chili powder
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Celery sticks and blue cheese salad dressing

1. Unroll pizza crust into a lightly greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan; flatten dough and build up edges slightly. Bake at 400° for 7 minutes. Brush dough with 3 tablespoons buffalo wing sauce. Combine cheddar and mozzarella cheeses; sprinkle a third over the crust. Set aside.

2. In a large skillet, cook the chicken, garlic salt, pepper and chili powder in butter until chicken is no longer pink. Add the remaining wing sauce; cook and stir over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink. Spoon over cheese. Sprinkle with oregano and remaining cheese.

3. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted. Serve with celery and blue cheese dressing. Yield: 8 slices, 4 servings.

Enjoy!

The New York Giants take on the New England Patriots at 3:30 pm PST on NBC.

Audi Touches On Vampire Craze In Super Bowl Commercial

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Audi didn’t just release a teaser for their Super Bowl commercial this year, they had fans get involved via social media to “unlock” the full 60 second spot by piecing together a 60-piece puzzle. Now, the full spot has been posted on their YouTube channel.

The commercial, which is centered on the new 2013 Audi S7 and the brand’s signature LED headlight technology, jumps on the vampire bandwagon but adds a twist. Check out the commercial above.

Suzuki Previews “Sled” Super Bowl Commercial

Another automotive company has released a preview of its Super Bowl commercial. This time, Suzuki shows off their 2012 Kizashi sports sedan, a sequel from last year’s 2011 “Wicked Weather” commercial for the 2011 version of the sports sedan. This year’s commercial is much better, check it out:

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Photo: PRNewsFoto/American Suzuki Motor Corp.

Super Bowl 2012 Commercial Teasers

The big game is coming up on February 5. We now know that the New York Giants will take on the New England Patriots. The companies who have invested millions of dollars into getting their commercial aired on the one day people actually pay attention have released some teasers. Here is a collection of what has been released so far:

Lexus is airing their first Super Bowl commercial ever, featuring the GS. Here’s a 15-second sneak peek:

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It looks like Volkswagen will be sticking with the Star Wars-themed commercial again this year. A chorus of dogs dressed as Star Wars characters barks the Star Wars tune, but we’re a little confused how the commercial will relate to one of their cars. Volkswagen always knows what they’re doing with their advertisements, and promises, “Keep an eye out for our 2012 Game Day commercial—it will all make sense.”

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Here’s the lead-in to Samsung’s commercial, knocking the iPhone, featuring the Galaxy S II:

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Again, Doritos is letting the fans “Crash the Super Bowl” by voting on their favorite commercials. The winning commercial will air. For every 100,000 votes, Doritos will give away $10,000. Go here to see all the commercials and vote. Here’s one of our favorites:

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Also, John Stamos will appear in a commercial for Oikos Greek Yogurt, Danica Patrick and Jillian Michaels are hoping sex sells for GoDaddy, and the most anticipated commercial here at QoS: David Beckham modeling his underwear line for H&M.

Which commercial are you most excited to see?

Joe Paterno’s Services To Be Picketed By Baptist Church

As you’ve all probably heard, legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno passed away this past weekend. Paterno had been fighting lung cancer up until the time of his death, at age 85, at a Pennsylvania hospital.

His family released a statement saying, “He died as he lived. He fought hard until the end, stayed positive, thought only of others and constantly reminded everyone of how blessed his life had been.”

Paterno was forced to step down from his position as head coach following sexual abuse allegations brought on to former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. Paterno’s alleged knowledge of the abuse and unwillingness to inform police put a stain on his reputation.

Paterno will be honored with a public viewing today on the Penn State campus. Tomorrow, a private funeral will be held and Thursday, a memorial service. Officials at the Westboro Baptist Church have announced they intend to protest the ceremonies, bringing their anti-homosexuality messages to the Penn State community. The church is known for having protested ceremonies involving Michael Jackson, Steve Jobs, and military funerals.

Families and friends should be allowed to mourn the death of a loved one in peace, and it’s a shame the church seeks out funerals to attempt to push their beliefs on others.

Jay Cutler And Kristin Cavallari Are Expecting!

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and reality TV star Kristin Cavallari are expecting their first child together. The off-again, on-again couple announced the news via an interview with People Magazine. She said they were both “thrilled.”

No news on a due date yet, the pair became engaged last April but broke it off in July. Rumors circulated during the fall that they were reuniting and they officially announced getting back together in November.

Congrats to the happy couple!

Joe Flacco: Hot Or Not?

Joe Flacco, quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, will be leading his team into the conference playoffs this weekend. Since being drafted by the Ravens in 2008, Flacco has seen his team make it into the playoffs every season.

Flacco, who is 27 years old, signed a five-year contract with the Ravens in 2008 worth a maximum of $30 million and $8.75 million guaranteed. He was raised in New Jersey, attended the University of Delaware where he set 20 school records. In his rookie year in the NFL, Flacco threw 14 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He started every regular season game and became the eighth rookie quarterback in NFL history to start a playoff game. Flacco is ranked first all time in Ravens history for passing yards.

One of Flacco’s brothers is in the Minor Leagues of the MLB, and the other plays football for Stanford. Joe married his high school sweetheart this past summer and the couple is expecting their first child this coming summer.

So what do you all think of Joe Flacco? Is he hot, or not?

You can catch him on the field  this Sunday when the Ravens take on the New England Patriots  noon PST on CBS.

Catch him

Photo: Image of Sport / PR Photos