AJ Smith... -____-

As a San Diego Charger fan, I am happy for any former Charger players that find success with other teams.

With that said, I have to send a special congrats to Drew Brees passing Dan Marino's 1984 NFL single season passing record with a touchdown pass to Darren Sproles.

The irony of this is, most Charger fans can never understand why the upper management makes the decisions they do. i.e. trading off key players including 3 time pro-bowlers and firing successful coaches.

Truthfully, its a tough job and I wouldn't want to do it.

Furthermore, Charger Management should take notes from the New Orleans Saints.  And every other team should take notes from Charger Management for what NOT to do. 

I'm Just Saying.

Welcome to the Off-Season...

As I think back to a famous quote by Jay-Z and Too $hort, "It was all good just a week ago” I can’t help but think about how it’s that time again.

Every year after the championship game is played and a new team is crowned victorious, all the teams get right back down to business by drafting, releasing, trading and renewing players contracts, in a sense, herding them around like cattle.

In the off-season you tend to see it all, including players you would never think would leave a team, well...be gone. What's interesting is fans always talk about team loyalty, but do those same teams have fan/player loyalty? I don't think so. In reality, a professional sport is a business to owners, and entertainment for everyone else.

To go deeper about off-season woes, the speculation about what the San Diego Chargers would do with their star running back Ladainian Tomlinson has been floating around for months.

That dreaded day for Charger fans has come. As of yesterday, the Chargers released LT in order to pave way for their upcoming future. Looking on the bright side, the good thing about releasing him before March is that it allows LT to get an early start on finding a new team.

It also enables the Chargers to avoid having to pay him bonuses and other fees LT would be due to receive should he still be a member of the team come next month. I am sad to see LT go, but I also understand the business of football.

Looking at it from a business standpoint, LT's performance has decreased every year since 2006, and the payout plus bonuses would be enormous for a 30 year old running back, should they have decided to keep him. I definitely understand the sticky situation at hand.

Although he has been a hero and gracious leader in the community on and off the field, like I keep reiterating, pro sports is a business to owners and entertainment for everyone else.

What will definitely be interesting to see is how things play out. I have foreseen two possible outcomes for this new found situation.

One is the Indianapolis Colts were the last team to release their star running back Edgerin James in 2007. The Colts ended up winning the Superbowl that very next year, so that could very well happen to the Chargers.

The second is LT can go to a team that can use him accurately and then he can finally win a championship with that team...wow.

Wouldn't that be something? Either way, I do want to wish LT the best of success as well as to tell football fans all around the world, "Hey loyal team fans, hold your head up high, there is always next season."

*sidenote, I do have to ask, what about those people that migrate often or never really watched professional sports until they saw a certain player live?

People always crack on me for not actually having a Team (besides the Yankees, I don't care who plays for the Yanks...die hard for life) but even then, my loyalty was never to a specific team (cough besides Yankees), my loyalty was to a player that made me enjoy, scratch that.. LOVE the game.

Growing up, if it wasn't for Kevin Garnett in high school or Michael Jordan in the pros, I wouldn't have watched basketball.

If it wasn't for Randy Moss, I definitely wouldn't have watched football at all as an adult.

If it wasn't for...well, wanting to be a broadcaster and move to New York, I wouldn't have watched baseball or become a Yankees fan at all!! Yankees baseball is the epitome of the NYC lifestyle!

When I look back to 1998 and then look forward to two thousand beyond, I realize for me, 1998 was the year I really started watching SPORTS! What a great year...ha...

I also realize I am getting older which means so are my favorite players, whom will eventually retire and then what? I guess I need to start going to more pro games, huh?

Chargers Running Wild In Probowl...

Sunday's Probowl was definitely a good show between the best of the best in the NFL. As usual each year, A number of players didn't play for numerous reasons.

Obviously, Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints probowlers that were going to the Superbowl didn't play in order to keep from injuring themselves a week before the big game.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre and San Diego Charger Kicker Nate Kaeding didn't play because of injuries sustained before hand. Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers didn't play either because he and his wife just had their 5th child on Saturday.

Some other players didn't play for personal reasons. But I will say I was personally happy to see some of the stand out players on the AFC side that did play were Charger players. It was also pretty cool to see Charger head coach Norv Turner as head coach of the AFC.

Vincent Jackson, Antonio Gates and Kassim Osgood were definitely representing in Miami for the Pro Bowl, stating their claim that they definitely belonged there.

What people may not understand is playing in a probowl can become the defining moment in a player's career. It can build confidence for that player to go on and build an illustrious career by showing fans, coaches, peers and owners that they are indeed great "talents" and need to be taken seriously.

Vincent Jackson caught a 48 Yard touchdown, Kassim Osgood caught an 18 Yard Reception and Antonio Gates did as only he could, be the best tight end in the NFL, catching 3 receptions for 29 yards.

To be real, this is the probowl, so to catch anything and gain yardage should be considered an honor, seeing as you are on the field with 10 other "League's Best players" from all over the team's individual conference.

Hopefully, the Bolts can take alot from this Probowl AFC victory and build confidence and maybe even finally get over the superbowl hump.

Great job fellas!

The Perfect Definition...

In the last 24 hours I have to admit that there have been 2000 and "10" mixed emotions running through my mind simultaneously.

All of them have one thing in common dealing with the fact that I have been hoodwinked. I've been had. I've been took. I've been led astray, I've been run amuck. I have most definitely been BAMBOOZLED, but more so than all of that, I have been sold a dream.

For anyone that has EVER wondered what it means to "sell dreams", the 2009-10 San Diego Chargers season should sum everything up.

This super talented, super Charger team which arguably could have been the hottest team in the NFL (11 consecutive wins going into the playoffs) had the WHOLE country, (ME included) hyped up about finally being able to get over the hump to win a Superbowl and shut every 49Er's, Raiders, Jets, Steelers and Patriot fan up once and for all...

...choke, cough, cough, wait, not so fast, Not this year!

(coincidentally, these are the teams that OWN the Chargers time and time again by all holding something over the ailing team's head. Whether it be a championship ring or post season ending halt...yes, I SAID it, they OWN THE CHARGERS!! On a leash).

Now before I continue to dig deeper or poor salt on fresh wounds, I have a job to do which is report the events of popular culture including football woes.

Yes, its true, I am a Chargers fan, BECAUSE I moved to San Diego, so they became my new-found home team, and as I began establishing my photography career here, I met and worked with a lot of the players through events and charity work so it just became personal.

I also have close friends that are part of the organization, but like I said this is business. I love football first. I mean...I really love GOOD football. So excuse me for calling a spade a spade even it is throwing an SSD flag on a friend or my favorite football team.

I don't even know where to begin but for starters, can we say, Nate Kaeding chokes in the playoffs every SINGLE year. What I refuse to believe is how he was beaten by the Jets in the same fashion by single handedly missing clutch field goals in 2005 and again in 2010.

Of course there can be a lot of fingers to point and people to blame and I know fans, supporters and haters alike want to talk about bad coaching, players not performing and the offense/defense not being on point, but the end result is if you have an opportunity to be great and you choke, you will always be known as that. A Jo...ahem, Choke.

When the time comes, you have to step up and be great. No matter what the cost. I don't think anyone wants to be remembered as a Ray Finkle a.k.a Nate Kaeding. So you have to answer the call!

With that being said, my question to all of us trying to become somebody is, how do you want to be remembered? Like @iamdiddy says "Go be great!!!!".

Now that the season has come to a smashing halt, there are many questions that remain to be answered, including the infamous, "What's LT gonna do now" and of course "Is the championship contending run over?"

Also many of the Chargers star players become free agents this season so only time will tell.

I will say congrats to the Bolts for a great season and even though its cliche, there truly is always next season.

Chargers Love The Kids...

Big Brothers, Big Sisters of San Diego County held an ice skating event at the Gaslamp District's Ice Rink near Horton Plaza. The event paired big brothers/sisters with their "Littles" against other Bigs/littles in an Ice Skating competition.

Santa Claus along with San Diego Chargers Luis Castillo, Darren Sproles, Alfonso Boone and Brandon Siler came out to cheer on the BigBrother/Sister teams as well as took time out for photo-ops and autographs. The event was a great, positive way to pay back to the community, kids and fans.

Thanks to Samantha Lang of Big Brothers, Big Sisters for all your support.

*photos courtesy of ISH for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of San Diego County

50th Anniversary Charger Block Party

In honor of the San Diego Chargers 50th anniversary, the prestigious organization held a block party in the heart of the Gaslamp District to celebrate with fans and players alike.

Thanks to Eric Edwards, host of The A-List Televison show, I was granted VIP backstage credentials to photograph the VIP reception lounge.

Current Charger stars such as Antonio Gates, Shawne Merriman and LaDainian Tomlinson could be seen shaking hands and fraternizing with the Old School players such as Charlie Joiner, Dan Fouts and Kellen Winslow. The night was filled with high energy, catered food and stories of Charger player's memories to last a lifetime.

*Photos courtesy of ISH for A-List Televison

P Cubed...

Patience, Perseverance and Perseverance = P Cubed (P3). This is the equation for success and if you remember this, you will indeed achieve all of your goals.

What is sad is the media portrays people in the spotlight as if to say they became successful overnight. In reality the media/spotlight doesn't show all of the hard work that happens beforehand.

We see these images of celebs at their peak, but what we don't see are the beginning years and what it took for them to get to the top. After repeatedly hearing these "Cinderella" stories, if "the success" does not happen immediately, any particular person may become discouraged and give up right before the miracle happens.

My mom always used to say, "some jerk will take advantage of your hard work if you quit or don't keep working hard." That phrase sticks to my ribs and in my heart (Thanks Mom) so I keep striving, besides the fact that I was sold a dream on achieving my dreams, so I won't let all those teachers, friends and nay-sayers become liars.

Malcom Floyd, #80 San Diego Chargers wide receiver, is a perfect example of P Cubed. I remember meeting Floyd 4 years ago when I first moved to San Diego to pursue my dream of photography.

We were both "rookies" in our perspective fields, but it was something about Floyd that stood out to me. After meeting and working with many high-profile "celebrities", Floyd came across as very humble, very chill and always friendly person when we would cross paths.

After Chris Chambers was benched and eventually released due to his less than great performance, Floyd was given his opportunity and what an opportunity it was. By catching a 51 yard Bomb from Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, Floyd solidified his starting position.

I know for most people, as the economy has struggled, so have people's desires, dreams, "needs" and "wants". I can honestly say, even I was dealing with the everyday woes of owning a business, following your dreams and wondering if the journey is worth it, but after seeing Floyd work hard, keep positive and follow his dreams, I had to say to myself as well as to everyone else, don't give up because you are only a 51 yard catch, 1 song, 1 photograph or 1 opportunity away from your dreams!

So keep working hard and in the immortal words of Sean "Diddy" Combs, "Can't Stop, Won't Stop, Don't Stop!!! Un uh!"

Changing Of The Guard...

Over the years, I have found myself becoming a modern day captain obvious by realizing that in life, there are definitely no guarantees. And even when someone provides you with substantial evidence showing the later, I still am ready to blow a whistle and throw out the SSD flag!

The entire reason for this website is solely based off of the dedication to determining whether or not someone or something can guarantee the result it claims from the hype it has surrounding it. Since there are no guarantees, throughout my research of this journey called life, I have found that there are three things you can at least rest assured to be inevitable: times changing, paying bills and death.

The irony of this is the longer you live your life, you will continuously begin to notice the more things change, the more things tend to stay the same and as long as you are living you will eventually have to owe someone something i.e. paying a debt/bill, until you die and then in that case, something definitely would be different and so my theory would be true, but I guess we won't know until the day after, huh?

Without falling too far off from the subject matter, some people don't like change and some people welcome it with open arms.
I grew up like most people watching my favorite basketball players on my favorite team play basketball. At that time, I thought these certain marquee players would play on that same team forever. And then the unthinkable happened, In 1998, forever arrived and Michael Jordan retired on top of the world, as an NBA World Champion Chicago Bull.

Being from Chicagoland at that time was a detrimental time in life. Was this the death of sports as we knew it or the birth of a marketing big business corporation dragon that today commonly devours the love of the game that players have for their respective sport or team?

As you know, SSD is dedicated to erasing the hype to uncover the truth. Through my perspective, it seemed that although Michael Jordan retired, his love and passion for basketball along with the desire to come back and play was not strong enough to compete with the "BIG BUSINESS" moving on without him, leaving MJ to have no choice but to migrate to another team that would accept his talent.

Now I know that the marketing corporation monster has been around longer than before Michael Jordan's days, my point is that this situation is far too common with players in this new age. Teams are not loyal to players and players are not loyal to teams. Its all business and in my opinion players are starting to lose the love they have for the game and are playing just to show up to cash a check. Is it the players fault for this mentality or is it the organizations that treat players/talent like cattle by not nurturing their players the ones to be blamed?

I guess there are so many variables at this point in time, its almost impossible to point the finger now. Art vs. Commerce is a life long battle across the board when it comes to talent vs client(organization) relations no matter what type of talent it is. (example: Athlete, Actor, photographer, recording artist etc.)

I digress.

So my question is, why should I continue to be loyal to a team if neither the players, nor the organization are showing loyalty to me as a fan? We want to THESE players playing on OUR team. It seems as if someone has sold their soul to the devil or given Biff Tannen the sports almanac to give us this alternate football sports universe.

Let's break this 2009 sports-opera'd, pro-club, Sunday drama scenario down, shall we? What's interesting is, I'm not even talking about 3rd and 4Th string wannabes being shipped off, I am talking about marquee Probowl caliber players that become synonyms with specific team recognition being shipped off like sheep for whatever reason. Its very interesting to say the least. Like Bill Gates and Microsoft, these athletes were, if not THE franchise player, or at least a franchise player within the organization.

Let's start with former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss (the whole reason I even started watching football as adult). Moss was traded from the Vikings (NFC North) to the Oakland Raiders (AFC West) and then finally to the New England Patriots (AFC East). Next, former Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback Michael Vick had a run in with the law therefore forfeiting his NFL career only to be reinstated into the league and signed two years later with his former nemesis the Philadelphia Eagles (NFC East). I really wonder if birds of a feather...naaaah!

Brett Favre who was a Green Bay Packer fixture as well as the starting quarterback forever, retired and then after a stint with New Jersey Jets, decided to come back this season and is signed to the Vikings now (going from one NFC North to another NFC North team is the equivalent to the CEO of Samsung LCD Television screens throwing his 52" in the trash and picking up a Sony, you just don't see that every day). Then again, times change. The Vikings, (my former team) also had running back Michael Bennett during the Randy Moss hay day, but Bennett now plays with the Chargers.

I know all of these players were traded for various reasons, but for whatever the reasons, I'm merely stating that it seems odd to see these marquee players performing in different colored jerseys. I think back to my Bill Gates analogy and envision of Mr. Gates sitting down to an apple macbook pro doing some itunes and iphoto for his grand kids. Wait, Itunes is compatibale with windows. I guess times do change. HA!

Either way, 1998 my faith in sports for love, passion and entertainment was crushed but I learned that you can always enjoy sports, just to stay away from the business side as you will be let down every time if you get caught up in more than the entertainment aspect of sports.

Fast forward 11 years. It seems all the teams with marquee players have basically traded the players to the enemy. Literally. It's the Babe Ruth curse all over again.

With this knowledge, I chose my new football team based off of friends, business acquaintances and newly found home front ties. Being a professional photographer that living in San Diego, I have worked with The Chargers organization on nonprofit and profitable events not to mention becoming friends with some of the players so its only logical that I ride with my home team. I figure with the exception of a few lucky players, no one on a given sports team is actually from the city they play for.

This means the bandwagon threats can remain idle as long as you pick your team before the pre-season starts and the team has no previous championship at least 3 years before you picked them. Don't worry the football gods will grant you a change of team in that situation. Michael Bennett is with the chargers now, so as far as I'm concerned, I am atill routing for the home team.

Can't Stop Football Fans!

As I am sure you were, earlier today, I was super pumped to watch the starting kick-off of the 2009-10 football season until being hit by a super buzz kill finding out the game would not be televised due to local NFL guidelines blacking the game out. I know for me, finding out the Seahawks-Chargers first official preseason game being blacked out only in San Diego definitely put a damper on my "good ole fooozeball spirit" so I could imagine how any other football fanatic felt.

Apparently, the NFL has rules and guidelines to when it comes to airing games in the home game teams area based off of how many tickets the stadium sells and obviously the stadium didn't meet the qualifications, hence the game not being televised in the San Diego market.

Honestly, this is the pre-season so I can understand why people might hold off on paying full price tickets to see their favorite star players only get to play a few downs before sitting out the rest of the game to preserve star athletes from devastating injuries.

*Sidenote (what's ironic is, I don't see how the game should be blacked out even if it is the pre-season, because almost every Facebook update and twitter post shows pics of people being at the game...lol). Fortunately for us, we all know you can't keep a good football fan's perseverance and spirit down.

Whether you love, hate or don't care about a particular sports team, to not be able to watch any game is a football fans worst nightmare as well as an overall unjust travesty.

Without further delay...WATCH THE CHARGERS GAME SINCE ITS BLACKED OUT!!!!

*Thanks to my man Travis's and his facebook Page for sending us this link.