Second thoughts

— At least terrorists didn’t win

The Grey Cup, which is awarded yearly to the CFL champion, has a rich and colorful history that includes being lost, forgotten, stolen, held for ransom, caught in a compromising position with exotic dancers and even coming under attack by the Taliban.

Yes, that Taliban ... twice.

The first time happened July 1, 2008, when Mark DeNobile, executive director of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, accompanied former CFL players Roger Aldag and Steve Mazurak, Ottawa comedian Mike MacDonald and the George Canyon band to the Canadian Forces base in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

“The Taliban launched three missiles into us and we were on the stage when it happened,” DeNobile said. “The air sirenswent off just like you hear it, you have to grab the ground for 90 seconds, they blow a whistle and you run into a cement bunker.

After all that, George Canyon went back on and played, but the Cup stayed on stage throughout the attack.

“Two years later, CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon and [league vice president] Doug Allison took it back there and had their own incident where something was bombed, so the Grey Cup is 2 for 2 in Kandahar.”

Talking good game

Former PGA champion Rich Beem failed to make it through the second stage of qualifying school last week, so instead he’ll spend his time commenting on PGA Tour events that are shown in Europe.

Even though his experience as a broadcaster is limited, Beem believes the job with Sky Sports will come naturally to him.

“I’ve got the gift of gab,” Beem said. “I am full of a lot of things.”Critical condition

Robert Griffin III is returning home to Texas for Thursday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys, and the Washington Redskins quarterback knows that will mean facing one of his worst critics - his dad.

“There are some games like the last one where you go 14 of 15 and he’s chewing you out and you’re like, ‘C’mon, Dad,’ ” Griffin said.

At least Robert Griffin Jr.

wasn’t complaining to his son about the one pass Griffin III didn’t complete. His criticisms centered on whether his son sufficiently protected himself from big hits against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

Griffin III took a few shots, but he said he felt fine and was physically ready for the quick turnaround - even if some of his older teammates aren’t.

“You can tell the young guys right away,” Coach Mike Shanahan said. “They’ve got a little hop in their step. When you’re 22 years old compared to a little bit older, I think the body recovers a lot quicker.

“You ask Robert that 10 years from now, and I think he might have a little difference in opinion.”Quote of the day

“And you know, you

look back on all the good times and the bad times and at the end of the day you just enjoy it all.” Arkansas senior defensive lineman Alfred Davis

Sports, Pages 20 on 11/21/2012

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