The Journey of Adrian Awasom

To most athletes the goal is to make it to the professional level. This is a dream unseen by many as their careers end after college. Adrian Awasom is an exception to that, and has played for several big name teams. If his name didnt sound familiar to you before, hopefully Im about to change that. Born in Cameroon, Adrian moved to the United States at an early child. When he hit high school age he was busy playing football, basketball and track for Stafford High in Texas near Houston. There he was a two time AllDistrict tight end and a two time All-State basketball player and track performer.These accomplishments eventually led him to North Texas on the defensive line. He would finish with 147 tackles and four Sun Belt Conference titles and his sophmore year was the very first Division 1 bowl win for the University. When asked if he wouldve liked to continued playing another sport he chose basketball, saying I always loved basketball as a sport and sort of an art but my body kept getting wider and wider so I guess football kind of chose me. After a notable college career his journey through the pro circuit began, all starting when he was nabbed as and undrafted free agent in 2005 by the New York Giants. There he registered ten games at defensive end with one sack. He was released before the start of the 2008 season. In 2009 he was a first round draft pick by the UFLs Las Vegas Locomotives. With the Locos he rose to the occasion and put up 20 tackles and three sacks in a season that ended with a championship. Flash forward two years to 2011 and he was called back up to the NFL, this time with the Vikings. Though productive he found himself released that September where he wound up in the AFL on the Predators only to be placed on the injured list and to be cut again. He returned to the Locomotives one more time winning the short season 2012 UFL championship. He was signed by recent CFL champs, the Toronto Argonauts on December 14, 2012. Knowing more about his travels its time to know a little about the man. When asked about inspirational figures he warmly responded, I have only had two heroes in sports, which are Hakeem Olajuwon because he is also an African individual who came to the United States and dominated in his sport. Not only that but did it in a classy

and respectful manner. Second was Barry Sanders who played running back for the Detroit Lions. I liked him not only because he was exciting but in the middle of the age of individualism in sports, he chose to stay true to his modest nature and would always praise team over himself. I like both of these guys because they are fun to watch but I look them as idol because of their modesty and their class. Like many sports figures, they all have some darker moments and Adrian was not an exception. In 2008 he was arrested in Arizona under suspison of driving while intoxicated. This, combined with a neck issue, caused the Giants to cut him. When asked about regrets he was very open about the situation that I planned on not even talking about. He responded candidly, I am really not someone who focuses on regret because I truly believe all I did shaped the person that I am today but if I did have one regret then it would be my arrest when I was with the New York Giants during the Super Bowl. It was an unfortunate situation because the image of me that was publicized was that of someone who was highly intoxicated when in reality I had been drinking but rolled through a No Turn On Red sign. After that incident, I was released by the New York Giants but I understood their perspective on the situation. I was not playing that year because of a broken neck injury I received earlier in the year. I embarrassed myself and a great organization like the New York Giants that not only brought me down to the Super Bowl to be a part of the festivities, but also gave me my first opportunity out of college to play in the NFL. Looking back at it, it is definitely a learning experience, but a regret nonetheless. He hopes to see himself in New York again one day to improve his image. As a message to young players, Enjoy the game to its fullest extent. Once business gets involved, it stops being the game you know and love. Opportunity comes scarcely, so stay ready so you never have to get ready. Adrian who always tries to be helpful in charity and community, also has S.T.A.T.A. (Stop Talking And Take Action), a non-profit organization that he runs that he hopes to reach a national audience soon. Expect a link to be available on the RGEposts Facebook page soon.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL 2013 PREVIEW

Do you feel that? In the air something is building. No its not Republican frustration (though thats there too), its almost time for another long season of Major League Baseball. And with that also comes a bunch of bold, half-brained predictions from writers making fools of themselves, but dont worry, I will not be the one to let your dreams end. I will join that clan. Stats, transactions and injuries calculatedI think Im ready.

National League Predicted Finishes

NL EAST 1. Washington Nationals 2. Atlanta Braves 3. Philadelphia Phillies 4. New York Mets 5. Miami Marlins NL CENTRAL St. Louis Cardinals Cincinnati Reds* Pittsburgh Pirates Milwaukee Brewers Chicago Cubs NL WEST LA Dodgers San Francisco Giants* San Diego Padres Arizona Diamondbacks Houston Astros

NL Award Predictions
MVP- Joey Votto (Reds) CY YOUNG- Cliff Lee (Phillies) COMEBACK PLAYER- Carl Crawford (Dodgers) ROOKIE OF THE YEAR- Kolten Wong (Cards) MANAGER OF THE YEAR- Clint Hurdle (Pirates)
*Wild Card Prediction

American League Predicted Finishes

AL EAST 1. Toronto Blue Jays 2. New York Yankees* 3. Tampa Bay Rays 4. Baltimore Oriels 5. Boston Red Sox AL CENTRAL Detroit Tigers Chicago White Sox Kansas City Royals Cleveland Indians Minnesota Twins AL WEST LA Angels of Anaheim Texas Rangers* Oakland As Seattle Mariners Houston Astros

AL Award Predictions
MVP- Mike Trout (Angels) CY YOUNG- Justin Verlander (Tigers) ROOKIE OF THE YEAR- Wil Myers (Royals) MANAGER OF THE YEAR- Jim Leyland (Tigers)
*Wild Card Prediction

WORLD SERIES PREDICTION Nationals vs. Tigers (Tigers win in 6)

Modern War Games a versus article

War games are more mainstream than ever now, heck the latest Call of Duty sold millions of copies. But as many things nowadays, selling millions doesn't make you the best. In this Versus article we pit the current generation system war games against each other. The game series candidates are Ghost Recon, Call of Duty, Battlefield, Medal of Honor, and Rainbow Six. . The participants will only be judged on their releases on ps3 and xbox 360. Socom has been left out because only there are only two releases (one being online play only) but Rainbow Six will be included since the two Vegas games happened to be full games. Call of Duty will be split into World War II, Modern Warfare, and Black Ops groupings. Games will be graded overall, not just based on online play, because for the price they should be good all around, and they should be graded as such. Feel free to disagree.Scores averaged from several review sites (this article will not feature my own scores).

A Hero A Fake
Nowadays the music industry is littered with wash-ups and crap that makes you wonder, Whos even listening to this filth?, and the heavy scene is no exception. Luckily for us, the listener, every once and a while someone will break through the wall of garbage and make us take notice. A Hero A Fake is one such band. As with any new band, it can be hard to figure out a starting place. AHAF is not one to let you down though, and when asked a good song to begin with the response was The song Dead and Done in particular is probably the most accurate representation of the band to date. If you like what you hear and want to venture through the AHAF time machine, we have some different and intriguing material ranging all the way back 5-6 years now. The band got their start in 2004, got signed in 2008 by Victory Records, and has never looked back, always looking to make progressions on their craft. The band consists of Justin Brown on vocals, Eric Morgan and Patrick Jeffers on guitar, Chris Rosser on bass, and Evan Kirkley on drums. When asked about main influences and musical heroes Between the Buried and Me were praised as a key aspect to the AHAF playing style, I have huge respect for them and their material is very inspirational to me. Like any band, their material and style changes from album to album. It just keeps getting better to me, I hope to see/hear them still slaying 20 years from now. But make no mistake, the love of BTBAM, while obvious, in no way means they are a copycat band. AHAF is simply a refreshing addition to the world of metalcore. Three full length albums in, most recently The Future Again, and you would assume that the touring stories are piled as high as Cartmans dinner plate, but when asked to indulge in said tales of the road I was met with a surprising response, What happens on tour stays on tour. But really the experience of tour is unlike any other. There is ALWAYS some awesome off the wall stories when we come home. Stop me in person and I could tell some good ones. Good times. The response, while surprising, was understandable; some stories you either need to be there for or at least hear them in person. Hopefully the tour stories and life experiences continue for AHAF for many years. Every band has dreams. For AHAF its to make it over to the other side of the world and, if given the chance of a lifetime, record an intro song for the Rattlesnake himself, Stone Cold Steve Austin, , we wouldn't rest until we created the most southern metal masterpiece man has ever seen. For any band currently trying to make a name A Hero A Fake has a message for you, Good luck to you, its a fun and exciting road. Just be ready to work hard and know the music industry is probably a bit different than what you think. Another important message was also given, this one for all the haters, stop dwelling in negativity and hatred. If you really knew or cared about a music scene you would know that these are the very things that kill a music scene. Come together, enjoy the tunes and have a good time. That is what its about. If you don't like a band or song, don't worry there will be another that maybe you do like. Keep it to yourself, ain't nobody got time fo dat', well said AHAF, well said. Look forward to new music from A Hero A Fake and expect some tour dates in the coming spring, and dont forget to buy The Future Again.

ETC. ARTICLES
Bite sized articles to sink your teeth into

Tresciento FC
Down in Argentina is soccer team on their way up fueled by passion and dreaming of the day they officially go international. That team is Tresciento Fc, or 300 fc. Established in April 10, 2010, 300 features three levels of teams; Mens, Girls and Donna(Ladies). They are run by a very friendly 27 year old man named Ignacio Torres. Tresciento Men won the Cup challenge last December and have high hopes of one day becoming a professional club. When asked who their best players are per team Ignacio responded, "Leandro Torres [300fc], Jimena Rodriguez[300 Girls], and the duo of Solange Ortubia and Luciana Olgun[Donna]". If you have any interest in promoting this club or starting your own club branch please contact them at http://www.facebook.com/tresciento.fcoficial.

WWE Frustrations
Am I the only one who thinks that WWE letting The Rock take the title from CM Punk a horrible choice? The Rock showed us all that he cannot keep a main event pace anymore at Elimination Chamber. It's a gimmick to attract viewers for Wrestlemania, but as usual a spit in the face of the loyal watcher.

Heisman Pressures
Johnny Football is taking online only classes this semester. Don't blame him though. Im just surprised he wasn't mauled on campus last semester, and that was BEFORE the Heisman came back home to Aggieland.

Yankee Pride
Last night I noticed something that I already knew, but was still a little surprised to see. I was very well aware the Yankees had been to the World Series 40 times, twenty-nine more times than Boston, but to realize that the Bombers have LOST more times at the big stage than Boston has even been is still a nice stat to read, at least for anyone whos not a Red Sox fan. Yankee World Series Record: 27-13 Red Sox World Series Record: 7-4

Bixler Racing
If youre ever crazing California racing, look no further than Bixler Racing. Chris Bixler and his team consisting of his father Greg, Uncle Gary, and promoter Hannah Beth race at Thunderhill Raceway in Willows, Ca. With only eight trips out the team has already qualified for the SuperAM tandem finals and is quoted saying, I really am amazed that with what little bit we have done to the car I'm able to compete and keep up somewhat with much higher powered competitors running sr20's. (Turbo charged 4 cylinders) as well as a few guys with v8's with our little home built and slightly modified 240sx. So next time youre in the mood for some good ole racing and happen to be be in the area, stop on in and maybe even buy a shirt, Im sure theyll appreciate it.

1991 Nissan 240sx s13 hatchback. Lowered on coil overs, welded differential. Completely gutted. The body is stitch welded to give it more rigidity. Running a stock ka24de street motor with a header and straight out 3" stainless cat back exhaust.

RANKINGS ROUNDUP

All ranks in the Rankings Roundup by RGEposts

COMING SOON