Athletes vs. the media, the saga continues

Kenny Rogers of the Texas Rangers, with his recent rampage against unsuspecting cameramen, prompted me to think about other athlete vs. media battle royales. \nThese clashes are often hilarious, and provide memories for a lifetime. So here goes with my Top 5 moments of athletes embarrassing themselves in front of the media:\n5. Allen Iverson's now infamous "Practice" tirade: During a press conference, AI went off on a question regarding his spotty attendance record for 76ers practices. Iverson seemed baffled at the question, repeating the word "Practice" an estimated 472 times, and the phrase, "We're talking about practice, not a game," at least 128 times. \n4. Joe Namath and Suzy Kolber: This is less an example of an outburst, and more an example of pure drunken buffoonery. Broadway Joe repeatedly asked ESPN sideline reporter Kolber if he could kiss her during halftime of a Jets game on Dec. 20, 2003. I think a sample of the dialogue works best here:\nKolber: Joe, it's been a tough season for Jets fans. What does it mean to you now that the team is struggling?\nNamath: I wanna kiss you. I couldn't care less about the team struggling. What we know is we can improve. Chad Pennington, our quarterback, missed the first part of the season, and we struggled. We're looking to next season, we're looking to make a noise now and ... I wanna kiss you!\n3. Jim Everett and Jim Rome: Former NFL quarterback and Purdue grad Jim Everett was the guest on notorious instigator Rome's first ESPN talk show. Rome had recently been publicly referring to Jim Everett as Chris Everett, the star women's tennis player. When Everett went on the show, he had some words for Rome. The following dialogue ensued:\nJim Rome: You may have even been Jim Everett back there (in 1989) but somewhere along the way Jim, you ceased being Jim and you became Chris. \nJim Everett: Well, let me tell you a little secret ... that, you know, we're sitting here right now, and if you guys want to take a station break, you can. But if you call me Chris Everett to my face one more time ... \nMinutes Later...\nJE: I think that you probably won't say it again. \nJR: I'll bet I do. \nJE: OK. (short pause) \nJR: Chris. (Everett tosses aside coffee table, pounces on Rome)\nA classic moment in television history.\n2. Tommy Lasorda and reporter Paul Olden: Lasorda had numerous run-ins with the Los Angeles media during his long stint as the Dodgers manager, but this profanity laced tirade regarding Mets slugger Dave "King Kong" Kingman's three home run performance against his team in 1976 is perhaps his finest work:\nOlden: What's your opinion of Kingman's performance? \nLasorda: What's my opinion of Kingman's performance!? What the BLEEP do you think is my opinion of it? I think it was BLEEPING BLEEP. Put that in, I don't give a BLEEP. Opinion of his performance!!? BLEEP, he beat us with three BLEEPING home runs! What the BLEEP do you mean, "What is my opinion of his performance?" How could you ask me a question like that? \nThe "BLEEPS" speak for themselves.\n1. Jim Mora's "Playoffs" press conference: Whenever I'm feeling down and out, I just think back to former Colts coach Mora's classic meltdown following the Colts 40-21 loss to San Francisco during the 2001 season. \nThe loss put the Colts at 4-6 on the season, and a reporter asked Mora about the Colts playoff chances. It's important to note that Mora's voice reached an impressive soprano-like pitch that has yet to be achieved by man, barring castratos, since. I still marvel at the epic crescendos that Mora achieved, particularly as he screamed "Playoffs!" repeatedly. So the next time you face tragedy, like the death of your dog or upon learning you have contracted an incurable STD, just picture Jim Mora crying, "Playoffs!", over and over again, and a smile will quickly return to your face.