Ray Guy was once suspected of using a banned substance. So dastardly were his punts, so staggering was the hang time, that an opposing coach figured the Raiders’ punter was getting help from the needle — and injecting helium into the ball. Houston Oilers coach Bum Phillips, the accuser, even snatched a ball away for evidence and had it whisked off for testing at Rice University. The result? Scientists concluded that there was no helium. It was Phillips who was full of hot air. “If you see Bum Phillips, tell him to send my ball back,” Guy says now, still laughing.
Big Blue fans go for green
Some New York Giants fans would rather make a quick buck than watch in person as the New England Patriots try to complete a perfect season. They are selling their tickets to Patriots fans who want to see Tom Brady and his teammates go for a 16-0 record in the regular-season finale Saturday night at Giants Stadium. Internet auction sites that allow customers to buy and sell sports tickets have seen a surge in ticket sales for the game by Giants fans. “It looks like it’s on pace to be one of our top 25 events for all time. It’s definitely one of our hot sellers,” said Joellen Ferrer, a spokesman for Internet auction site StubHub. Tickets on StubHub have gone for as much as $1,600 apiece, Ferrer said.
