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Can Denver fans handle "bad boys"?
There are plenty of nice guys -- some might even say too many -- playing for Denver's pro sports teams.
Look at the rosters. Where are the "villains" suiting up for the Denver Broncos, Colorado Avalanche or Colorado Rockies? The Denver Nuggets have the closest thing to a "bad boy" in forward Kenyon Martin, whose name has been soaked in controversy during the past week.
A lot of local fans have frowned upon the notion that the Broncos have interest in Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens, and that the Nuggets entertained the idea of trading for Ron Artest. Both are gifted players in their respective sports who happen to have less-than-favorable reputations because of selfish antics.
You can, however, point to some prominent bad boys on Denver's pro championship teams of the past -- Bill Romanowski with the Broncos and Claude Lemieux with the Avalanche come to mind.
Players with bad reputations who have come through Denver haven't stayed long. Maurice Clarett's career with the Broncos was a blur. So was Theo Fleury's career with the Avalanche. The Nuggets gave Dennis Rodman an oh-so-quick look-see.
Fans might not want to see controversial athletes the likes of Owens playing in Denver. But there is an old saying worth remembering.
Nice guys finish last.
NOTEWORTHY
Former Colorado State-Pueblo athlete Jamar Brown is averaging 13 points and nine rebounds per game playing for the Michigan Mayhem in the Continental Basketball Association. One of Brown's teammates on the Mayhem roster is 41-year old former NBA All-Star Roy Tarpley. And former University of Wyoming athlete Reggie Fox is the Mayhem's head coach. Former George Washington High athlete Patrick Simpson plays for the Dakota Wizards and is averaging eight points and four rebounds.His teammate, former University of Colorado athlete James "Mookie" Wright, is averaging eight points and three assists. Former Platte Canyon High athlete Joe Dabbert averages eight points and four rebounds for Sioux Falls Skyforce. Manual High athlete Micheal Ray Richardson
is coach of the Albany Patroons, who have a 13-25 record. And former Nuggets player Joe Wolf is 18-17 coaching the Idaho Stampede.