Deadspin: ned

Up Close And Personal With Ned

Leitch — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 12:35:28 EDT

We're just about 27 hours away from the monstrous battle between Miami and Florida International, and the return of Ned.

On the FIU campus yesterday, they held some sort of pep rally for the Golden Panthers, and a Deadspin reader attended. Here's his report:

As a student of FIU, there is no game we looked forward to last year more than the UM game. It obviously didn't disappoint anyone in attendance last year. It was right up there with the Marlins World Series games as the greatest sports games I ever attended.

So this year obviously there was a big demand for tickets and once again a lot of hype surrounding the game. To try to get the FIU faithful ready and excited for this game, the FIU Football team decided to have an autograph signing in the bookstore, which had a number of players and coaches. Obviously when i heard about this I rushed to get into my FIU gear hoping to meet the school hero that is A'mod Ned. With nothing but hope on my side, I tried to get my crutches to fake an injury to try and get Ned to sign one if he was there. No dice: I couldn't find my crutches but put on my goldrush shirt to get in the mood.

He ended up being there along with some defensive players and the back up kicker, who, when we asked a bookstore employee why he was there, said he had heard about the signing and was hanging out there pathetically, and the coach felt bad, so told him to sign things.

Well, whatever ... look, there's Ned! We hope he runs for 300 yards and pulls off the upset.

It's on!

At Last, Ned Has His Opportunity At Revenge

Leitch — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 18:35:01 EDT

Sure, you can talk all you want about Michigan-Notre Dame — and the apparent curse of Bo Schembechler — but the real story this weekend is what's happening at the Orange Bowl on Saturday. That's right: It's the return of Ned!

Florida International faces The U on Saturday in a rematch of the famous "hell 2 da nah" brawl from last year. Lamar Thomas, having been fired for last year's debacle, sadly won't be there, but Ned will be ... he's actually the Golden Panthers' starting running back. (The crutches, sadly, are also gone.)

They say there's not going to be a fight this time. We can only hope and pray that they are wrong.

UM, FIU Coaches Step Up To Ensure Brawl Won't Occur Again [Orlando Sentinel]
Deadspin Hall Of Fame: Ned [Deadspin]

Look who made a breakthrough return from ...

Leitch — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 10:30:39 EDT

Look who made a breakthrough return from a week's suspension last week: Ned! You can't keep him down, but you knew this. [Miami Herald]

Hall Of Fame Inductee: Ned

Leitch — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 13:05:37 EDT

Presenting the lone member of the 2007 class of the Deadspin Hall Of Fame ...

Ned. Final tally: 77.9 percent.

The only guy to make it in this year — and we'll discuss that a bit more later — is a man who, without question, deserves it. And he'll be back on the field this year. We cannot wait.

(Plaque by the whirlpool of activity that is Jim Cooke)

FIU Must Protect This House!

Leitch — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 15:30:44 EDT

You might remember, during Miami announcer Lamar Thomas' insane rant during the Miami-Florida International fight last year, when he said something to the effect of, "you don't come into our house pulling that," or some similar nonsense. Well guess what, Lamar? Ned and his band of FIU faithful are actually going to close down your house. Literally.

Florida International is sharing the Orange Bowl with the Hurricanes this year — and would could possibly go wrong there? — and since this is the last year for the Orange Bowl (sorry, Winslow), that means FIU will be playing North Texas in the Orange Bowl's final game. So now, officially, Lamar, FIU owns your house. You'd know this if, you know, you hadn't have been fired.

FIU Will Come Into The Orange Bowl And Do Whatever They Want [Just Call Me Juice]

The Ned Campaign Pulls Out All the Stops

rickchand — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 11:40:08 EDT

We don't mean to influence the Deadspin Hall of Fame voting — we're impartial, totally — but how could we not point out what is surely the first commenter-produced campaign video in this site's history? The production value is excellent, the writing superb; it's like watching a Ken Burns special on PBS, only without so much Lincoln. Good job, Professor Jerkwheat. A grateful nation salutes you.

We of course will provide equal time to any don't-vote-for-Ned videos.

Ned Campaign Ad [Ned For Deadspin Hall Of Fame]

Deadspin HOF Nominee: Ned

Leitch — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 13:01:51 EDT

When Florida International and The U had their infamous brawl last October, the actions of Miami then-broadcaster Lamar Thomas were funny enough. ("I did say you cant come into our house and try to slap us and not get slapped back. which is true so.") But little did we know about the true hero that would emerge.

Yes, it was Ned's crutches of destruction that inspired us, his historic courage in the face of overwhelming odds serving as a reminder of humanity's true potential for strength and hope. Ned stood for so much, if you can consider a guy with crutches "standing."

But is he a Hall of Famer? Seventy five percent is the threshold for induction. Vote below: Polls will be open until next Monday morning.

Following College Football, One Stadium At A Time

Leitch — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 16:15:01 EDT

So here's a novel concept: Some 23-year-old kid named Dave has made it his life's goal to visit all 119 Division I-A college football stadiums before he turns 30. (It is important to aim high!) It's called Project 119, and he has of course set up a site to document his travels.

He doesn't have to watch an actual game there; he just has to "see the stadium enough to read some of the advertisements on the inside." (He wasn't able to get into Akron's stadium, for example, but it still counts.) We can't wait until he makes it to Florida International; we are fully expecting Ned to provide a guided tour, and then smack him over the head with his crutch.

Project 119
Project 119 Visits Columbus [The Wizard Of Odds]
The Legend Of Ned Grows [Deadspin]

Deadspin SHOTY Tournament: Harold Reynolds Vs. Ned

Leitch — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 14:00:25 EST

Ordinarily, the SHOTY tournament will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but this week, with that whole Thanksgiving business, we're going Monday-Tuesday this week. We hope your system can handle the shock.

Don't know if you've had a chance to look yet, but that Roethlisberger-Mikulik matchup? With more than 6,000 votes, Roethlisberger is up by four. That's four single votes. So if you haven't voted yet, go over there, because your vote will, in fact, count.

We've got another popular upset pick on the ballot today: ESPN outcast hugger Harold Reynolds takes on the legend that is Ned, the injured Florida International running back eager to hop on the field, crutches and all, and join the fight. It's a 5-12 battle, and we wouldn't be surprised if it's closer than you might think.

The tale ... of ... the tape!

No. 5 Seed: Harold Reynolds
2006 Highlights
Fired from ESPN for "undisclosed" reasons.
Hugged the wrong person at the wrong time.
Played awfully dumb.
Sued ESPN's ass.

No. 12 Seed: Ned
2006 Highlights
Had his teammates' back, totally.
Made it back out on the field.
Developed his own legend.

So, go vote: Who advances to the Elite Eight?

The Legend Of Ned Grows

rickchand — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 11:45:23 EST

What makes a hero? Is a man born to be remembered through the ages, or is greatness thrust upon him whether he desires it or not? History may little note nor long remember the fight between Florida International and the University of Miami. But we shall never forget the valiant sacrifices of Ned, who threw himself into the fray despite being hobbled by serious injury.

We mentioned it yesterday, but it bears repeating as Veterans Day draws ever closer ... no nation becomes great without individual great deeds. Let us never forget.

More tribute, after the jump.

The Return Of Ned [Deadspin]