NFL Blitz: South Park mocks Washington and Dan Snyder, Rice jerseys exchanged, massive celebration fails

WASHINGTON has been under the pump about changing the team’s name. Now South Park has chimed in on the debate. And the result is wonderful.

ANOTHER huge week in the NFL. As commissioner Roger Goodell holds onto his job by the skin of his teeth despite scandals piling up around him, we look at the lighter side of what went down in week three.

WASHINGTON GETS SERVED BY SOUTH PARK

You know you’ve made it when South Park starts taking the mickey. The problem for Washington owner Dan Snyder is that it’s for the worst reasons possible.

The controversial team name “Redskins” has put Snyder under a tonne of heat to change the name because it has been described as derogatory and offensive by Native Americans groups.

South Park satirised the issue in expert fashion in an ad for the new season of the wildly popular animated series.

Even better, the promo was aired on television in Washington DC only, and during the Phialdelphia v Washington game. It’s brilliant. Trust us.

AUSSIES IN ACTION

Melburnian punter Brad Wing continues to impress for the Steelers. He averaged 46 yards from three punts in Pittsburgh’s win over Carolina this week.

A long punt deep into Panthers territory also led to a fumble which was collected by the Steelers special teams for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

It’s basically an assist.

What a fantastic team win! God is great. Go Steelers!

— Brad Wing (@bwing38) September 22, 2014

NOBODY WANTS THEIR RAY RICE JERSEY ANYMORE

Ravens fans stand in line to exchange the jersey of former running back Ray Rice.

The former Baltimore Ravens running back’s name has been tarnished since a domestic violence scandal rocked the NFL. In a welcome development, fans clearly have had enough and the franchise has taken notice, allowing supporters to swap their old official Ravens merchandise bearing Ray Rice’s name for different jerseys.

@charliecash1126 here's the paper they handed out pic.twitter.com/fvREjcaUeI

— Michelle (@StrGazer79) September 19, 2014

The line for the jersey exchange was huge and demand was so high they ran out of inventory.

The move reportedly cost the Ravens six figures, and they made nothing back.

The returned Rice jerseys were donated to a scrap material company.

MARKY MARK LEAVES KRAFT HANGING

Hollywood celebrity and Boston native Mark Wahlberg secured a seat right next to New England owner Robert Kraft at the team’s first home game of the season against Oakland this week.

But when the Patriots scored a touchdown the former Funky Bunch frontman made a cardinal sin — he left a bro hanging.

Kraft, a billionaire businessman and one of the most influential figures in American sports, was looking to cement his joy over the touchdown by slapping his clammy hand with Wahlberg’s clammy hand in a showing of mutual satisfaction.

He was denied, Wahlberg clearly not even noticing the Patriots owner.

Cold, Marky Mark. Cold.

CELEBRATION FAILS

There’s a lot of bravado on a football field. From the staff to the players, the egos are huge, showmanship is encouraged.

Some might see it as unsportsmanlike, but it’s a staple in the NFL. However, if you’re going to celebrate a play, don’t embarrass yourself.

Take note Detroit Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch who was humiliated when a celebration after an excellent defensive play led to him sidelined with a serious ACL injury. The dance move in question was an ill-fated hip thrust. Too much thrust proving to be Tulloch’s downfall.

Then there was Pittsburgh defensive assistant coach Joey Porter. Maybe don’t run up to towering 1.96m defensive end Cameron Heyward in his helmet and pads and chest bump him? It won’t go well, buddy. Porter did. Just as fast as he went up for it, he came crashing back down to earth.

Oh the shame.

FANTASY WATCH

St. Louis has a new quarterback in town.

Austin Davis — Fifty per cent of fantasy football is opportunity, the other 50 is talent and the third-string quarterback from St Louis looks to have both. This is an ultimate sleeper. With 327 yards and three touchdowns this week, Davis has his shot with Bradford and Hill suffering injuries and is on track to make the most of it.

Julio Jones — Stud.

Kelvin Benjamin — Emerging stud.

Matt Asiata has big shoes to fill for Minnesota.

Matt Asiata — Adrian Peterson’s back-up running back has been thrust into the starting line-up and is worth a look-in on your fantasy team. While he’s not as explosive as AP, he’s still churning out solid figures in a team which is expected to continue to rely on the ground game as rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater finds his feet in the NFL.

Martellus Bennett — Known as the ‘Black Unicorn’, the brother of Super Bowl defensive lineman Michael Bennett has quietly been thenumber two tightend in fantasy football, relishing his role as Jay Cutler’s security blanket with the Chicago offense hampered by injuries.

Miami Defence — They play Oakland.

Tight end Martellus Bennett #83 of the Chicago Bears.

VINCE LOMBARDI QUOTE OF THE WEEK

The great man back in the day.

This one is for Tom Brady. In week three we saw the Patriots quarterback reveal his old resume which was an eye-opener to what his life would have been like without football. But after his team’s win against the Raiders, Brady became just the third quarterback to win 150 games, next to Peyton Manning and Brett Favre.

“A man can be as great as he wants to be. If you believe in yourself and have the courage, the determination, the dedication, the competitive drive, and if you are willing to sacrifice the little things in life and pay the price for the things that are worthwhile, it can be done.”

Originally published as NFL Blitz: South Park mocks Washington and Dan Snyder, Rice jerseys exchanged, massive celebration fails