Paul Rees, the Unbiased Reporter

   Rugby has many journalist all over the world reporting on the best of the best and even the worst of the worst. There are reporters who cover tournaments like the ruby world cup, European rugby championships and many tournaments placed all over the globe. Paul Rees is a reporter I favor because he always has a unbiased viewpoint on the team or game at hand, and is full of knowledge about the actual game. He was born in Cardiff and has been a full-time writer on rugby union since 1986, first for the South Wales Echo, then Wales and Sunday, from 2001, the Guardian and the Observer, having contributed to the former on a freelance basis since 1988. He has covered every World Cup since 1991 and five Lions tours. When time allows, he also write on cricket, but mainly focuses on rugby. He reports on both the women and men leagues and has many articles informing people about the rugby league dedicated to gay players. His contributions to rugby have been seen and he is acknowledged as one of the most dedicated journalists of the sport. To this day he releases articles, his most recent being on the America USA 7's tournament that took place in the beginning of March at Las Vegas. He is planning on continuing his career until he no longer can travel all over the world. In his autobiography, which was released in 2009, he stated that rugby is not just a game but a life style. Paul Rees has had many articles about the rugby world cup that have gone viral on the web with his comments pertaining to the All Blacks. Unlike many reporters he believes the All Blacks have lost focus on the true spirit of the game and believes that it is suppose to be a purely gentlemen's game. He has declared his excitement for the upcoming Olympics with the reintroduction of rugby 7's, and fully intends to attend to report about the finalists. Paul Rees has dedicated the majority of his life to entertaining his followers and to rugby itself, in the eyes of many he is considered a legend.

Social Media's Effects on Sports and Safety

  On March 7, CHS had a presentation on technological safety and how people abuse social media. The presenter mentioned Curt Shillings and Yuri Wright and how social media affected their lives. People buy phones and new technology in hopes to instantly message, share or take photos of things they experience in their life. The mistake many people make is that they use the social sharing devices to attempt private communication. Apps like Snapchat promise the pictures and videos being shared are deleted within seconds, what people miss in the privacy agreement. The privacy agreement states the pictures and videos are not deleted but saved on digital hard-drives. In fact, your personal use of apps is not anonymous and most definitely traceable from the second you post or share. Curt Shillings proved this completely true when he was able to track down the people tweeting quite vulgar things about his daughter. He was able to obtain the personal identities of the aggressors and black balled them. One was fired from their job and another was even kicked out of college. They thought they would be safe anonymously tweeting such statements, but failed to read the privacy agreement where it clearly states that the user of the account can be traced and then subjected under the law for their actions. Yuri Wright found out the same thing when his immature tweets lost his scholarship, which was a full ride, to Michigan U. His numerous tweets talking about females and simply crude statements lost all chance at performing on a Division 1 field. He had warnings from many coaches and family members to just stay off twitter and to know that people are watching his account, but failed to stop tweeting. He thought his actions on social media would have no affect on his chance at playing football, but in the end he payed the ultimate price for now attending and playing at Colorado U. People don't realize how their actions online can so easily affect their lives in and out of the virtual world. Our upcoming generation will be the test dummies for future generations on how technology advancement and exposure at young ages can affect society. People are given technology with no safety labels or warnings on how social media or just any part of the internet can dramatically change your life by your actions when online. The key idea that people must remember is that whatever you say or do online is public and permanent.

Yuri Wright while playing in the all-american football game.

Tennessee Sexual Assault Cases

   Recently the college of Tennessee, where NFL quarterback Peyton Manning attended, has had many sexual assault cases arise. From Peyton Manning's very own court case being under review to many other athletes, like A.J. Johnson and Michael Williams, are being accused of sexually assaulting someone as recent as the 2015 season. Tennessee is known for their great football program, winning many conference and national championships in the past. The head football coach Butch Jones defends his program and the way he regulates his players on and off the field. He makes claims that seem very beneficial to the other students but has pinning allegations against him. For example, him telling a former Volunteers player that he "betrayed the team" by helping a woman who said she was sexually assaulted by two of his teammates. If this incident is proved true the coach clearly favors his players and solely cares about winning football games. His true intentions are not to control his players off the field, it is simply for them to run fast and hit hard on the actual field. If the university of Tennessee wants to see their program thrive for greater achievements they need to take control of their players and fire Butch Jones for not successfully protecting the universities very own image. The university of Tennessee has been in 51 bowl appearances and have a total of 28 bowl victories. Butch Jones will defame the university of Tennessee after the transpiring sexual assault cases are processed through court. This is another example of how rape culture has been turning into an epidemic across college universities. Athletes are raping other college students and are still being recognized, or even praised on the field. When the sexual assault cases arise after the athlete's great season, everyone assumes the victims are just trying to absorb the athletes attention. Let it be known that athletes can not be above the law and victims of sexual assault should be supported by the universities and cared for appropriately.

Sexual Allegations in Sports

   Many cases dealing with famous athletes and sexual assault are transpiring weekly. From the allegations dealing with Superbowl veteran Peyton Manning to the all-star Kobe Bryant all involve sexual assault. The many sexual assault charges going through court and the many rapists walking away as free men/ women are the circumstances creating rape culture. Rape culture is when sexual violence is commonly accepted and the victims are blamed for their own assault. Usually trials dealing with rape and famous people are settled out of court to protect self image and the actual facts of what happened. Many college universities and sport leagues cover up many rape or sexual assault cases to protect their reputation as well. 
   When Peyton Manning attended the University of Tennessee he allegedly sexually harassed a female track athlete. He claimed that it was old news, and a simple mooning to the track athlete; but was sever enough for her to immediately report the incident to the Sexual Assault Crisis Center in Knoxville. The lawsuit never went through do to the relentless effort and power executed by the University of Tennessee to protect pro-athlete Peyton Manning and the University's top notch football program. If this incident was not connected to the university or a pro-athlete the victim would have already been served their fair justice and the culprit would have served consequences. But do to the rape culture of america, where people accept rape and tell others to move on, Peyton Manning suffered no actual consequence. When big names in sports get tied into lawsuits about their behavior or actions many get a slap on the wrist and continue to play and make millions of dollars yearly. There is not much anyone can do to penetrate the shield that is put around these athletes do to their money and support of big colleges and national leagues. Rape culture is shameful and people who do not find it a big deal are blatantly ignorant and should try to understand the embarrassment and burden that a victim has upon themselves. Sports are a great way to achieve greatness, but does not mean you are above the law or greater then any other person around you.

Controversial Half-Time Show

   Beyoncé performed her new hit single Formation during the halftime show at  Superbowl 50. It was a combined event with Bruno Mars who performed the same song and similar routine during last years Superbowl halftime show. Beyoncé's song outlined many controversial topics dealing with the killing of young African-american children by police enforcement, and the generally embraced black culture. So the big question is, was it proper to use the Superbowl 50 halftime show as a political statement?
   Beyoncé's message that she was trying to send was about embracing and loving your heritage and your blackness. The song did not have any lyrics about hating white people or even hinted at it. People are getting so flustered at her message because they are stating that it was racist towards white people. The fact of the matter is that what she was conveying about the killing of young African-american children and the oppression that comes with being black in certain areas of America because it is existent. Our country was formed from slavery and through the complete abuse of African-americans as slaves; most people today feel no guilt or even acknowledge what we have done to their race. In all, the message that Beyoncé was sending out was relevant, but at an improper stage and moment in time. She abused the Superbowl for the millions of views to let her message be heard, and it is what lead to her performance to being now a controversial issue. This is not the first time televised sports have been used to portray a political issue, especially dealing with the embracing of black culture to Africans around the world. In the 1968 Olympics Tommie Smith and John Carlos standing on the podium, at Gold and Bronze placement for the 200 meter dash, bowed their heads and raised black-gloved fists during the national anthem. This sent millions of their fellow Americans into an outrage, while others from around the world admired their brave, courageous souls for standing up in front of the world for their cause. So Beyoncé was in the wrong for using the Superbowl as an outlet for her message, but it could be viewed as the only way to get the people's attention on the horrible things happening to the African-american community in our country. No matter the issue Beyoncé used the platform of the halftime show as a way to target police officers and issues of racial fairness, which is seen as inappropriate. Major sport events should be focused on the game at hand and not world controversies. In all, whether its football or rugby the many people directing the show should have a strict view upon the game.

Superbowl or Rugby World Cup

   The Superbowl is the biggest event in all sports in the USA. It is the final game of the NFL season, the 2015-2016 season was ended with a game against the North Carolina Panthers vs. the Denver Broncos. The Broncos had an unexpected win over the Panthers since the Panthers had one of the best season records in NFL history. Peyton Manning ended his career with a Superbowl win and the first player to win the Superbowl with two separate teams! This is was all great if you are interested in a sport nowadays mostly played for outrageous salaries.

   The Rugby World Cup is the biggest sport event in many countries, being aired in Africa, the Americas, Australia, Europe and parts of Asia. It is an event for both men and women leagues played in countries all over the world. To have the event held in your country is a huge honor and brings in a great amount of revenue (reaching up to a billion dollars). How the Rugby World Cup (RWC) works is the best 20 teams in the world, men and women leagues, are seeded into separate brackets where they face off son and death style. There is a tremendous amount of blood, sweat and tears broadcasted during this usual 2-3 day event. The most resent champions are the New Zealand All Blacks winning the 2015 season. The All Blacks are viewed as the main predator in all of rugby worldwide, having the most dedicated fans and ruthless players. New Zealand lives, breaths, and eats rugby since their men and women's team won the RWC last year and have the overall most wins in the RWC tournaments with 50+. Rugby is a sport played to prove a country's true strength and dedication to their country, and when compared to the Superbowl truly shows how little Americans care for such a great sport. We are separated by an ocean, but it should not mean that the sport should be cut off from the view of our people. Watch this upcoming season to see the U.S.A. Eagles on their rising to the elite eight and defending the Olympic gold medal. Maybe we will be fortunate enough to have the Rugby World Cup held in our country this year.

A filled rugby stadium in Australia, housing approximately 100,000 people.

A filled football stadium in Arizona, housing approximately 70,000 people.

Introduction.

   This is the spot to find anything you want to read, see or eat rugby. Rugby is the fastest growing international sport in the 21st century. With great teams rising in the U.S. like the USA Eagles and many college D1 schools showing great potential for the future of the sport. My personal favorite teams are Argentina, All Blacks, and Harlequins. Rugby is a sport that you can expectantly find near you, like I have. About a year ago I was told about the sport from some friends and they got me to go to tryouts for the South Jersey Devils club team and ever since my first day, I have been absolutely hooked! It is a complex sport that you really need to witness in person to understand how all the components of the game come into play. I have been playing for two years and I still learn new things about the sport from experienced players.

   This blog will cover many topics happening in rugby today. Things like US college rugby, national rugby teams and the Rugby World Cup will all be covered accordingly. People always talk about the best teams, ways to stretch calls with refs and the inside and outs on the way the game is played; which are things that I'm interested in covering. Get ready for big games, big hits and unstoppable trys! The most interesting thing happening currently is the reintroduction of 7's rugby into the upcoming Olympics. The best of the best will be competing to win the gold against the defending champions, USA (GO U.S.). Good luck to all ruggers starting their spring season, should be a great leap in national rugby upcoming this year!