Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Unbalanced.
Nevermore? (AFC Week 17)
We are now down to the final two weeks of the NFL regular season. It's gut check time, folks! Week 17 was the final week until an 18th week became a permanent staple in 2021, but even so, it's still highly important. It can be a last chance for teams trying to get what they want, whether it's the #1 seed, a division title, or just getting into the dance. Also, Week 17 means the end in Fantasy Football, because it's championship time. I love the penultimate week, especially since 2010, when they made the final week all division games and they were scheduled right after the penultimate week's SNF game ended. The penultimate week set the stage for the final week, and it dictates what games go where, and what matchup will serve as the 272nd and final game of the season.
By Clyde E. Dawkins21 days ago in Unbalanced
Cristiano Ronaldo: From a Small Island to a Billion-Dollar Legacy
They say champions are born with talent—but legends are built with sacrifice. Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was not born into luxury, comfort, or certainty. He was born on February 5, 1985, on the small Portuguese island of Madeira, in a modest home where dreams were big but resources were small. His father worked as a gardener and part-time kit man at a local football club. His mother worked tirelessly to keep the family together. Money was tight, but hunger—hunger for something more—was everywhere. From the moment Ronaldo could walk, he chased a football. School never truly held his attention. Football did. Teachers complained that he cared more about the ball than books. Other kids teased him for his accent when he moved away from home. But Ronaldo never let embarrassment slow him down. Instead, it hardened him. At just 12 years old, he made a decision that would change his life forever—he left his family and moved to Lisbon to join Sporting CP’s academy. Alone, homesick, and surrounded by older, stronger boys, Ronaldo trained harder than anyone else. While others rested, he practiced. While others slept, he worked. Pain never stopped him. In fact, it fueled him. In 2003, a friendly match against Manchester United changed everything. Ronaldo’s pace, skill, and confidence stunned the English giants. Sir Alex Ferguson signed him almost immediately. At just 18, Ronaldo arrived at Manchester United, wearing the iconic number 7 shirt—a number heavy with history and expectation. The early years were tough. Critics called him selfish. Opponents targeted him. But Ronaldo responded the only way he knew how—by evolving. He built his body. He refined his finishing. He turned criticism into motivation. The results were extraordinary. With Manchester United, Ronaldo won multiple Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League, and his first Ballon d’Or. By the time he left England, he was no longer just a talented winger—he was a global superstar. In 2009, Ronaldo made a record-breaking move to Real Madrid. This is where he transformed from star to legend. Season after season, he shattered records. Goals came relentlessly. Trophies followed. He became Real Madrid’s all-time top scorer and won four Champions League titles with the club. But what made Ronaldo different wasn’t just his goals. It was discipline. No shortcuts. No excuses. A lifestyle built on training, recovery, and relentless self-belief. While others relied on talent, Ronaldo relied on work. In 2018, he moved to Juventus, proving he could dominate in another league. Then, later in his career, he shocked the football world again by moving to Saudi Arabia, helping elevate football beyond Europe and proving his influence extended far beyond the pitch. Off the field, Ronaldo built something just as powerful as his football legacy—his brand. The name CR7 became global. Through endorsements, sponsorships, and smart business ventures, Ronaldo turned himself into one of the most marketable athletes in history. His partnerships with major brands, combined with massive social-media influence, made him a financial giant. He invested in: Luxury hotels Fashion and fragrance lines Fitness brands Real estate Media and lifestyle ventures Today, Ronaldo’s net worth is estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars, with total career earnings crossing one billion dollars when salaries, endorsements, and business ventures are combined. He is widely regarded as one of the wealthiest athletes ever, and the first footballer to reach that financial level while still active. Yet, despite the wealth, fame, and success, Ronaldo often speaks about his roots. He remembers the island. The hunger. The sacrifices. He has donated millions to charity, supported hospitals, disaster relief, and children’s causes, often without publicity. Behind the image of confidence is a man who understands struggle. Cristiano Ronaldo’s story is not just about football. It is about obsession, resilience, and belief. From a small island to global stardom. From poverty to power. From a boy with a dream to a man with a billion-dollar legacy. And even now, with records broken and history written, Ronaldo still trains like he has something to prove. Because legends never stop chasing greatness.
By Mustafa21 days ago in Unbalanced
NFL Week 16 Recap: Stocking Stuffers
It's always fun when the NFL gets into holiday spirit. We already saw it in the Thursday and Saturday games from Week 16, with one team clinching, another winning their division, and a third moving closer. 12 games remained in the antepenultimate week, and the top game for me was Steelers/Lions, because it was possibly Aaron Rodgers' last visit to Ford Field in his career.
By Clyde E. Dawkins21 days ago in Unbalanced
Somers Opens Season with Milestone Victory
Please Scroll to end of article for the photos When Derek Kuchinsky’s pin put Somers up 26-9, the December 4 match versus John Jay seemed pretty well in hand. So an 8-1 deficit for Joe Simoncini didn’t appear all that urgent. The 157 pounder wasn’t scoreboard watching, though.
By Rich Monetti21 days ago in Unbalanced
San Francisco 49ers: A Franchise Built on Identity, Adaptation, and Expectation. AI-Generated.
Introduction: Why the 49ers Remain a National Focus The San Francisco 49ers continue to command attention across the NFL landscape, not because of constant headlines, but due to sustained relevance. Few franchises balance historical weight with modern competitiveness as effectively. Whether discussed in the context of playoff contention, roster construction, or organizational philosophy, the 49ers remain part of the national football conversation. Their presence reflects more than wins and losses; it reflects expectations shaped by decades of success and reinvention.
By Saad 22 days ago in Unbalanced
Fantasy Sports
Fourth quarter. Seven seconds left. A New Orleans Pelicans basketball player shuffles down the court. Outpcaing every Phoenix Sun defender, the Pelicans player prepares for take off. Jumping with two feet, the player contorts his body and cocks the basketball behind his head.
By DJ Nuclear Winter22 days ago in Unbalanced
Quadrilogy of Dominance
Christmas is closing in, but for myself and other Colorado Avalanche fans, it's been Christmas game in and game out! The Avalanche's strong season continued with three more games to the schedule, coming after a road trip that saw the Avs go 2-1-1.
By Clyde E. Dawkins23 days ago in Unbalanced
Life Lessons from the Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul Boxing Match 2025.
Some fights are loud. Others are quietly educational. The Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul boxing match gave us both. Beyond the punches and the knockout, it offered clear life lessons about the mind, patience, and knowing who you are when pressure is high.
By Cathy (Christine Acheini) Ben-Ameh.23 days ago in Unbalanced
Week 16 NFC Thursday & Saturday Recap: Shaping Up and Shipping Out
Week 16 begins that do-or-die period of the NFL season; the period where many teams are running out of time for the most important things. It's also the first taste of Saturday NFL action, but before we get to that, we have to start from the beginning of the week. Thursday Night Football was a battle in the NFC West between the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks, who entered the contest tied for not only first place in the division, but also first place in the conference.
By Clyde E. Dawkins23 days ago in Unbalanced
English Poetry Without an Audience: Is the Art Losing Its Voice or Finding a New One?. AI-Generated.
English poetry has always been a mirror of its time. From Shakespeare’s sonnets recited in crowded theatres to Romantic verses whispered in candlelit rooms, poetry once had a clear and eager audience. Today, however, a recurring concern echoes across literary circles: English poetry seems to exist without an audience. Book sales are modest, poetry readings are sparsely attended, and many poets feel as though they are speaking into a void. But is poetry truly unheard, or has its audience simply changed shape?
By Fiaz Ahmed 23 days ago in Unbalanced
EXCLUSIVE: Reason First- Drake Curse Strikes Again: Jake Paul Knocked Out By Anthony Joshua In High-Stakes Bout
Ms. Drizzy strikes again. His betting percentage must be hovering towards the negatives. He’s bet on Serena, the Toronto Blue Jays, the Golden State Warriors and yes Jake Paul.
By Skyler Saunders24 days ago in Unbalanced
