John Kerry says Dennis Rodman is no diplomat

Former Detroit Pistons star, Dennis Rodman recently made a trip to North Korea and took in an exhibition basketball game with dictator Kim Jong Un.

No matter what Rodman says, that trip was far from a political junket even though he spent time with the reclusive leader,something not many get to .

United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, didn't seem to thrilled with the trip and didn't give Rodman any credit for his so called breakthrough.

Kerry said today that the former Bad Boy “was a great basketball player, and as a diplomat, he was a great basketball player.”

“That’s where we’ll leave it,” he told NBC News in an interview in Qatar.  

I know our government is at odds with North Korea, but Kerry should loosen up a little.

Verlander says he would accept a gay teammate

During an interview with CNN's Carol Costello, Detroit Tigers pitcher, Justin Verlander, said that he would "absolutely" accept an openly gay player on his team.

"I wouldn't mind it," Verlander added.

While some players in the major professional sports have reservations about having a gay teammate, it's almost a breath of fresh air to hear one of baseball's big names to say he'd welcome a gay teammate. I still don't think anyone is ready to face it head on no matter how they speak on the subject.

Verlander went on to say that he's "pretty sure" that there are gay players currently playing in the majors and that the Tigers are equipped to have a gay player in the clubhouse.

"I'm sure there are," Verlander said when asked if there are currently gay MLB players. "I think as with any sport, a gay player would be hesitant to come out, but the sheer number says there absolutely is."

"Yeah, I don't see why not, given the right situation, and a team that's a family atmosphere, and I feel like we have that atmosphere here. I don't think one of our players would be scared to come out. We got 25 guys, it's a family, and our goal is to win a World Series. What your sexual orientation is, I don't see how that affects the ultimate goal of our family.

I agree with what he's saying but he doesn't speak for the rest of his teammates who might feel differently about it. It really shouldn't matter as long as he would be helping your team compete an win championships while performing at a high level. Right now it won't be accepted and I'm pretty sure we're a long way off from seeing a player come out.

"It" girl of the week: Amber Priddy

The "It Girl" of the week is Amber Priddy

Von Miller says Broncos will win the Super Bowl

The NFL Draft  and free agency hasn't even kicked in and Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller is already talking about winning the Super Bowl.

Not do much of him being cocky, but it's more of a dedication to his cousin who was in a car accident according to the Denver Post's Mark Kiszla.

“I fully believe in the Broncos winning the Super Bowl and am fully committed to it,” Miller said Tuesday, during a telephone interview. That was the whole feeling behind this guarantee. It wasn't because I felt all cocky," Miller continued. "This is bigger than me. This is all about my little cousin coming back from a serious accident."

Miller is dedicating the 2013 season to his 6 year old cousin, Jeremiah, who was involved in a car accident and just awoke from a coma.

1. Von Miller ‏@MillerLite40

   You can post this where ever.. Denver broncos will win the Super Bowl 2013 #4UJEREMIAH #IGUARANTEEIT58 if you are with us Retweet

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2. 19 hrsVon Miller ‏@MillerLite40

   This is why we win the Super Bowl 2013. My little cousin Jeremiah came out of a coma frm a car wreck In west Tx I ❤ U

Some might call it cocky or boasting but this guarantee is pure emotion. He' fired up for his little cousin and wants to win one for him.

Family of Tigers' Brayan Villarreal escapes armed kidnapping

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Brayan Villareal is breathing a bit easier today after his family was unharmed after an armed kidnapping attempt in his native Venezuela.


The Tigers confirmed Sunday that the family of relief pitcher Brayan Villarreal was the target of an unsuccessful armed kidnapping on Friday night in Venezuela.

No members of Villarreal's family were harmed, however, and the incident won't require him to leave spring training.

Villarreal was not with the team on Sunday when it played the Braves. His next scheduled appearance is for Monday's game in Lakeland against the Braves.

Tom Gage of the Detroit News also confirmed that there was gunfire involved in the attempt.

It's not uncommon for players and their families from Latin and South America to become targets for financial gain. Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos was kidnapped and freed less than two years ago.

Hopefully the Tigers will help Villarreal get his family out of there so they'll never have to live through something like that again.

Florida Panthers have their goaltending coach in uniform

It's been quite a while since we've seen a player/coach in any sport. Today that came to an end.

With a little misfortune the Florida Panthers had no choice but to suit up their goaltending coach, Rob Tallas.

How did this happen? On Saturday, Jose Theodore tore his groin against the Carolina Hurricanes. So the next option was to call up minor league netminder, Jacob Markstrom, from their San Antonio affiliate. Problem solved. Not so fast. Markstrom made it to Florida for the game but his equipment didn't. It was lost with the other luggage at United Airlines. So that left Tallas as their lone option as the back up to Scott Clemmensen. So they signed the 39 year old coach to a one day contract until Markstrom's equipment arrived.

Tallas played 99 games in his NHL career, most recently in 2000-01 with the Chicago Blackhawks. He posted a career save percentage of .891 with the Hawks and Boston Bruins compiling a 28-42-10 record. So for those keeping score at home, that's 12 years in between games wearing a team sweater and gear for Tallas. (CBSSports.com)

Good thing that he didn't have to hit the ice. It might've turned out bad for the Panthers but good for anyone intrigued by seeing a coach actually playing and knocking off some rust in the process.

Grambling State completes a winless regular season

You gotta have a soft spot for the Grambling State Tigers basketball team. After getting losing once again, this time to Alcorn State (again), the Tigers managed to complete a winless regular season going 0-27.

Through 27 games you have to figure the law of averages would've kicked in by now. You have to win at least one game. Besides they play in the SWAC not the ACC. Not exactly known as a powerhouse conference. I know the chances are very slim but they do get a chance to make it to the NCAA tournament.

I doubt it happens, since they lost very game by double figures. Their closest loss was a 10 point loss to Prairie View A&M. They've lost by 40 points four times and by 50 to Auburn. Not exactly the Dukes and Kentuckys of the world.

The Tigers do have a chance for one win and a little March magic when the SWAC tournament starts. They'll be facing Alabama A&M on March 13. We'll see if the Tigers can get their one shining moment before their season officially comes to a close.

You have to feel for the kids that had to go through one of the worse seasons in college basketball history. But there is some upside since the only way you can go is up.