I Don't Work For The Man. I am The Man

The life and times of Ben Berry

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Officially A Dilemma

As you may now know, the NFL and the NFL's officials are still on opposing ends of their CBA agreement. Which means the Ed Hochuli gun show, and the other referees have not been the ones making calls so far this preseason.

You may think "How much do  officials matter anyway?" Well if you have watch the first week of preseason games, you would know that the regular NFL officials and the replacements are a world apart.

We've seen downed punts called as touch-backs, ball carriers get called for holding, and even teams who are not playing be called for penalties.

Well after some research, I have found out where some of these officials have come from.

Craig Ochoa is an experienced referee... in the Lingerie Football League

Mike Shepherd is a Division III referee

Shannon Eastin has a background in the World Series of Poker

No need to go on, I believe you get my point. Former V.P. of Officiating Mike Pereira (the guy you see on Fox when an a coach challenges a call, and tells you what he believes the right call is) thinks it will undermine the integrity of the game.

As of now we know the NFL will use replacement officials through week 3 of the preseason. The regular season starts Wednesday, September 5th on NBC, I sure hope we have the regular officials back by then.

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You're Giving Me A Promotion? But I Hate This Place!

You know you hate your job when they offer you a promotion and you are upset

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USA vs Canada

I don't know if you have been watching the Olympics or not, but if you have not, you are missing out on some amazing events. Misty May-Treanor & Kerri Walsh-Jennings, Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte, Lolo Jones, USA Basketball, and the many other American Olympians have been fantastic. 

No for those who have not watched and do not intend on watching any of the Olympic games, we may have a problem. This is directly to anyone who calls American home. If you are a red blooded American you MUST watch the Women's Eight Rowing.

You must watch because it is against our northern rival. Yes, Canada! Of course other teams will be competing, but only one thing matters: DO NOT LOSE TO THE CANADIANS! USA has a real chance to win gold, but if they lose, guess who wins? Canada. 

So although I love my Canadian friends (hey Rochele, Rob, Liberty University's Hockey Team) we cannot lost to them. 

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Sports: My Love, My Dream, My Passion.

Sports is a metaphor for life. Everything is black and white on the surface. You win, you lose, you laugh, you cry, you cheer, you boo, and most of all, you care. Lurking underneath that surface, that's where all the good stuff is — the memories, the connections, the love, the fans, the layers that make sports what they are. It's not about watching your team win the Super Bowl as much as that moment when you wake up thinking, In 12 hours, I might watch my team win the Super Bowl. It's about sitting in the same chair for Game 5 because that chair worked for you in Game 3 and Game 4, and somehow, this has to mean something. It's about using a urinal between periods, realizing that you're peeing on a Giants card, then eventually realizing that some evil genius placed Giants cards in every single urinal. It's about leaning out of a window to yell at people wearing the same jersey as you, and it's about noticing an airport security guy staring at your Phillies jersey and knowing he'll say, "You think they win tonight?" before he does. It's about being an NBA fan but avoiding this year's Eastern Conference finals because you still can't believe they ripped your team away, and it's about crying after that same series because you can't believe your little unassuming city might win the title. It's about posing for pictures before a Stanley Cup clincher, then regretting after the fact that you did. It's about two strangers watching you cry at a stoplight. It's black and white, but it's not. 

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Was Justice Really Served?

After a day to think about the hammer the NCAA dropped on Penn State yesterday, I would like to say it is absurd. Before you jumped down my throat, here is why:  1) I don't think victim 1-11 cares about a $60 million fine that they will not receive a cut of, the 111 vacated wins, lost scholarships or bowl ban. 2) I know no one that covered it up (President, Vice President, AD, Sandusky, and board members at that time) cares. They do not work at PSU any more and I'm sure they are more worried about jail time. 3) The loss of scholarships is harming young men who were not even teens when a lot of this happened. The players that are there can transfer, where are they going to transfer with less than two weeks until training camp? 4) The "NCAA did this to discourage other programs from covering crimes up" argument. If jail time doesn't keep people from doing this I highly doubt anything mention in my first point will.

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First Phillies Game In A Decade

Last night I went to my first Phillies game since 2002. That's a full decade without going to the park. Let me put that into perspective for you:

Citizens Bank Park was built

2008 World Series Champions

1st team in any major American sport to lose 10,000 games

That's just with the Phillies. Things to happen around the globe:

Saddam Hussein & Osama Bin Laden were killed

Hurricane Katrina

Earthquake in Hati

OJ Simpson went to jail (not for murder but he went to jail nonetheless)

Kobe Bryant was accused of the trinity

Facebook & YouTube have blown up

Malice at the Palace

Lebron James enter the league

George Bush dodged a shoe

Lady Gaga, Nikki Minaj, and LMFAO all happened

Barak Obama became President.

Think of everything I didn't list

Yup it's been a while since I was at a Phillies game

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Miami's Big 3

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Is It Over?

As of now we will not see any of this,

but we will see a lot of this,

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James Harden's Future

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10 Things I Will Teach My (Future) Daughters

Being a father is a beautiful thing. Fatherhood is a big responsibility. Sharing experiences, life lessons, special moments, and emotions are what being responsible fatherhood is all about... Ok I don't really know if that is true but it must be since everyone says it. I am not a father. I'm barely a good uncle. I have never changed a diaper, fed a baby, or burped a baby. I have never watched my nephew, niece, or any of my friends kids. Nor am I in any rush.

I was thinking, with but with Father's day on Sunday, what are 10 things I would teach my (future) daughter(s) about life. 

Stay off the Pole

Never date a Philadelphia Eagles fan

Never (under any circumstances) send anyone naked pictures of yourself.

You are only allowed to be a fan of one (1) team per sport.

Never do anything in life where a guy can say "Oh, yeah I know her"

Competition is not about being friends, it's about dominating your opponent

If a guy ever proposes to you on the jumbo tron say "no"

They are wearing jerseys, not wearing costumes, 

The only thing that matters on Thanksgiving is whether the Dallas Cowboys are playing on Fox or CBS at 4:15

When all else fails.... blame someone else. It's the American way.

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LeBron James & His Critics

Although LeBron James lead the Miami Heat to a 4-3 Series win over the Boston Celtics, Saturday night, his critics will say it doesn't matter until he wins a championship. 

Can we take baby steps?

It was only a year ago when he didn't show up in big games and the fourth quarter. James just conquered one hurdle, so before we begin to pile on him *pause* can we just look at his execution in games 6 & 7 against the Celtics.

LeBron scored 45 from 19 of 26 shooting with 15 rebounds and 5 assist on Thursday night. He followed that on Saturday with 31 points and 12 boards. That is 76 points, 27 rebounds and 7 assist in 2 games.

Two games they had to win. Two games he played lights out. 

So, for now at least, can we (ESPN, FirstTake) lay off the over analysis of LeBron James.

[imbenberry-blog]

The Phillies' Season So Far

After last night's 2-1 lost against the LA Dodgers, this picture perfectly summarizes the Philadelphia Phillies' season. 

Cliff Lee had a shut out going in the top of the eigth, when Elian Herrera hit a fly ball to center field (that should have been caught). The hit brought Bobby Abreu and Dee Gordon home. 

The Phillies cannot continue to lose 1-0 and 2-1 games. The offense has to start scoring some points. The pitcher cannot continue to be the fall guy. 

Cliff lee has a 2.92 ERA and is win less throughout his first nine outings. 

[imbenberry-blog]

My Favorite Philadelphia Sports Moments

Growing up and living in the greatest city in the world (suck New York) I have witness some amazing things live and on TV. For those of you who are not from Philadelphia you may have missed out on a lot in life. You do not have to necessarily be a fan of sports to admire these things, you just have to enjoy the comedic results of Sports + alcohol + stupidity. 

With that being said, here are my favorites moments (in no specific order) in Philadelphia Sports:

Phillies fan hit by beer bottle

Domi works a fan

The guy who fell off the top of a cab

Of course the Phillies fan who ran onto the field and was tased

My Personal favorite: The Step

We are world champions! BLEEPING WORLD CHAMPIONS

Too many Flyers brawls to pick one

And to cap it all off "we talking about practice"

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The Week That Was

This past week I competed in a contest to win a job at 94 WIP. In case you don't know 94 WIP is a CBS affiliate that covers Philadelphia sports 24/7.

Well I did good in the competition. Heck, I did pretty fantastic. My only slip up was the last day where the last of my competitors, a young lady named Megan apparently blew me out of the water. I did not hear her 1 minute show intro but a guy at work just confirmed it for me (Thanks John!). 

I sit here several days later still angry about Rhea Hughes decision. Rhea was the judge all week, and Angelo Cataldi who is the host told me everyday how I was the star and I could be working in radio now. Angelo was actually shocked that I did not have a job in sports broadcasting in some fashion.

However, after all the compliments they still picked someone else. This left me at a lost for words. Driving home I was angry, point blank, period. I felt that I had let the opportunity for me to get my foot into the door of sports broadcasting slip through my fingers. I was down and out.

I will continue to work hard. I will not back down, I will down give up. This is not the end but just the beginning. America, you will be hearing from me again real soon.

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The Road To Glory

I tweeted the following Saturday morning:

"The last two years of my life have been a struggle. You can only be turned down so many times. College does not prepare students for this.

I have been one of the best if not the best at every job I have interviewed for. So in response to getting passed over on jobs the last 2 years, "F-U" (when you're winning and you rub it in)

This will be a big "F-U" to every company that passed on me and person who got a job. On a mission to destroy my competition and embarrass the people who made the decision. Think the New England Patriots '07 season or Jordan in the '98 Finals. Destroying and embarrassing everything & everyone in my way

When I'm done everyone will regret their decision and want a redo. People who haven't heard of me are going to wonder how I was unemployed

That's my declaration. That's my promise to everyone who supports me and the company execs who make decision. You have been put on notice"

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The Celtics celebrated the front office's last good move … here's what transpired

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An Apology to Jeremy Lin

Over the weekend, a racial slur was used to describe Jeremy Lin's bad game on ESPN's mobile website. As someone who aspires to be an on-screen-talent it made me wonder how do I constantly get passed up on for these jobs. As a everyday human being the comments just made me sick.

Kids are taught that racial prejudice is in the past, that it is no longer a problem. Well maybe not to the extremes it was during the Civil Rights Movement, but it still exist today. Hate like this may always exist somewhere in the world, however it hate no place on a major television network or website.

Yes, ESPN did issue an apology and I whole-heatedly accept it (although I am not Jeremy Lin nor am I an Asian American). Jeremy Lin took the high road by saying that he didn't think the write knew of his meaning and was really sorry for the situation.