Star Wars and Mad Magazine’s Mort Drucker by Todd King – MousePlanet
Posted: April 16, 2020 at 8:47 pm
Mort Drucker, Madly Prolific
For over 55 years, Mort Drucker drew caricatures of people, actors, creatures, public figures, historic personalities, and politicians for cartoon stories and spoofs in Mad magazine. His extraordinary talent has been beloved by millions of the magazine's fansas well as by other artists, and even by the stars he was often parodying.
Beyond Mad, Drucker worked on movie posters, Time magazine covers, music album covers and sleeves, comic strips, children's books, coloring books, and other works of satire and humor. Out of his prolific work, some of his pieces, like his covers for Time, have been included in the U.S. National Portrait Gallery in D.C. At the age of 91, he passed away last Thursday, April 9th, 2020.
Like many of us, during this time of the ongoing global pandemic, I found myself at home so much that I started going through things in the house and in closets and storage shelves just to pass some time and maybe organize a few things. I pulled out my collection of Mad and Cracked magazines that feature Star Wars parodies and couldn't resist thumbing through the old pages to relive some of the spoofs they drew up from back in the day. Some jokes were downright hilarious, some jokes fell flat, some were dated and perhaps a bit offensive to today's tastesbut what remained enjoyable the most was the artwork. I loved the caricatures of Han, Leia, Luke, and others with their exaggerated expressions and often clueless faces that could tell their own story even without the speech bubbles. Thinking these would make for great content on my next article here on MousePlanet, I began compiling some images when the news hit that Mort Drucker had passed away. Looking back through some of the scanned pictures I was pulling together I saw that the great majority of them were drawn by Drucker himself. I decided to modify my goal a bit and turn this month's article into atribute to Mort Drucker's Star Wars parodies from Mad.
I thought this image of Lando Calrissian and Mickey Mouse would fit the theme of this article perfectly. Illustration by Mort Drucker.
In the December 1978 issue of Mad, the writer's put together a musical revue by changing the words of popular songs into the context of the galaxy far, far away. This resulted in "The Mad Star Wars Musical," that began with one of Drucker's famous opening spreads shown here in its reprinted colorized version.
If a musical spoof of Star Wars were made today, Mad Magazine had it beat by a few decades. Here Drucker provides a cavalcade of characters from the first movie. Illustration by Mort Drucker.
He often added visual gags that weren't park of the dialog, like the presence of the random Lucy mixed in with the Jawas (where one Jawa appears to be looking at her like, "What are you doing here?") or the spaceship with a dopey bird's beak or giving Darth Vader googly eyes.
Speaking of music parodies, this practice continued even into the 90s where we find a fantastic 2-page spread of our Star Wars folks cutting a rug to the "Macarena," complete with George Lucas commentary and lyrics. (1999 "Star Wars Spectacular" issue, note Harrison Ford's other alter ego)
Mad specialized in combining pop culture ideas into their spoofs. Drucker includes many visual gags with the Star Wars characters to the tune of the Macarena. Illustration by Mort Drucker.
Mocking popular TV shows and movies was Mad's specialty, and Star Wars was no exception. The writers and artist took to Star Wars in some of the earliest parodies of the franchise. When it came to the second film, The Empire Stikes Back, Mad didn't hold back, and Drucker was there to bring the comedy to life. It was common practice for the magazine to begin its story with a full-page spread of gags like this one.
Mad's spoof of The Empire Strikes Back began with this set of gags including Spock at his terminal and a literal price on Han's head. Illustration by Mort Drucker.
These spreads often held hidden jokes, like the easy-to-miss snowball fight in the foreground.
As important as his faces, Drucker had stated that his character's hands also told much of their story and were just as expressive as eyes and mouths. There are many examples one could point to in order to exemplify that, and I think this one of Han and Leia (and Luke) are both subtle and revealing.
Drucker's caricatures always served the spoof's story, including this comical stare by Princess Leia and Han's sarcastic reaction. Illustration by Mort Drucker.
Still, the faces were so good and make me laugh every time.
Drucker's drawings were madcap even in contrast with the serious portrayal of other characters. Illustration by Mort Drucker.
As I enjoyed looking through these strips it was quickly evident that Mort Drucker always tried to outdo himself and never settled on using the same portrayal frame after frame. Even in later issues he'd go for different proportions or exaggerations to great effect.
It seemed that Drucker never repeated any poses of his characters, and had fun stretching their proportions. Illustration by Mort Drucker.
I love the subtlety of many of his pictures. The ugnaught in the background is trying to point out Lando's mistake while bearing an expression of, "Hey stupid, look over there."
Drucker was masterful in setting a scene that was both silly and true to the look of the original like this one from the freezing chamber in Empire. Illustration by Mort Drucker.
It's great when he allows the characters we're familiar with to take on silly postures and actions that are a delight to see. For insance, Vader isn't immune to wackiness in the pages of Mad.
Even a villain as stiff as Vader can't escape a goofy fencing pose by Drucker. Illustration by Mort Drucker.
Sometimes without the word balloons, his drawings could be stirring like the melancholy ending of Empire Strikes Back shown below without any faces as, with them, we look over their shoulder to the outer space scene ... and then we spot the wind-up key of the Millennium Falcon.
Drucker often drew many images that were poignant even when the text was still humorous like this one spoofing Empire's final shot. Illustration by Mort Drucker.
In a case funnier than parody, Lucasfilm's legal department almost sued Mort Drucker for his spoof of Empire Strikes Back. The parody, called "The Empire Srikes Out," somehow got the lawyers in a tizzy where they composed a cease-and-desist letter to the artist to stop and recall the whole thing. Unbeknownst to Lucasfilm's legal team, George Lucas absolutely loved the parody (and had liked the parody from Mad on the first film) and had even written the magazine praising them and Drucker for the piece, and going so far as to request a copy of the original artwork for himself. The letter famously included Lucas's acclaim, "Special Oscars should be awarded to Drucker and DeBartolo, the George Bernard Shaw and Leonardo da Vinci of comic satire. Their sequel to my sequel was sheer galactic madnessKeep up the good Farce!" (Source) Needless to say, that put an end to any thoughts of a lawsuit from Lucasfilm ever again.
Lucasfilm's legal beagles must have forgotten that George Lucas's film, American Graffiti had its poster created by none other than the mad artist himself.
American Graffiti's movie poster illustrated by Mort Drucker. Lucasfilm.
Drucker's work on the original trilogy continued into Return of the Jedi with even more hilarity and of course, beginning with a full-page drawing.
Mad often began their stories with a wild "pile up" of characters like this one at the start of their spoof of Return of the Jedi. Illustration by Mort Drucker.
In Star Wars, creatures were as much the stars as the humans, and Drucker could bring out the silliness of them, too.
Drucker often threw in characters from anywhere and everywhere to add to the absurdity of such scenes as this one of Jabba and his cast of monsters. Illustration by Mort Drucker.
As noted earlier, he often changed up his caricature's looks, like this new take on Yoda.
A different, but no less silly look for Yoda, in his 'cough' death scene with Luke. Illustration by Mort Drucker.
I just can't get over Luke's nonplussed expression in this next drawing. It looks like he's desperately trying to be serious but just doesn't know how stupid he looks.
Both of these caricatures of Luke and Leia are so funny, not because they're simply drawn funny, but because their expressions are serious bringing the perfect irony. Illustration by Mort Drucker.
He was very much like a movie director in his comic stips, where would vary his shots, not always rely on close-ups, and depict action to underscore the humor.
Drucker is able to depict a quick-action gag when Vader "mistakenly" throws the Emperor to his death. Illustration by Mort Drucker.
But when it's time for close-ups and gags, he's your artist especially in this joke which is mostly visual anyway.
When needed, Drucker would also go full-on ridiculous for comedic effect, like this face of the unmasked Vader. Illustration by Mort Drucker.
Even without faces and cariciatures, Drucker could spice up the stories and spoof the style of the original concept like in the picture below of a sweeping action sequence of a war in the stars.
Drucker's talent went even beyond caricatures and into scenery like this space battle, with the kitchen sink gag not looking out of place. Illustration by Mort Drucker.
He would sometimes take his queues from the writers, who would sometimes add scenes not from the source material but from inferred actions and their own imaginations. Drucker could accommodate those acts of whimsy and set the scene just right.
Not a scene from the movie, but one left to our imagination. With Drucker's imagination, we get this hilarious image of what surely would have been a weird-looking wedding. Illustration by Mort Drucker.
Maybe his visual gag of, "May Divorce be with You," could be seen as prophetic, since later films show Han and Leia separatedbut perhaps it was just his play on words from the strangeness of all things in Star Wars.
I hope this does well to honor the memory of Mort Drucker, especially for his parodies of Star Wars characters from Mad. He and the magazine blazed many trails in the world of spoofs, that so many have been inspired by their workthat countless farces and mockeries have come and gone from many different mediums up to this day.
I see things like Drucker's work and Mad's writing to be among the best of parodies, and also some of the earliest ones of the franchise. It reminds us all to not take it all too seriously, to remember to laugh at silliness (how could we forget?), to see things in different ways, to find humor in the world and in ourselves, and to appreciate art in its many forms. As a Star Wars fan, I thank him for his comedy. As a person who needs levity in these trying times, I cherish him for his art.
Mort Drucker produced many covers for Mad including this cute Star Wars title from the Summer 1999 issue. Illustration by Mort Drucker.
Thank you, Mr. Drucker.
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Star Wars and Mad Magazine's Mort Drucker by Todd King - MousePlanet
Latest Manchester United FIFA 20 update released with Rashford, Wan-Bissaka and Greenwood upgraded – Manchester Evening News
Posted: at 8:47 pm
Just five days after the previous FIFA 20 database update, EA SPORTS have confirmed their latest database update, with a number of Manchester United players upgraded, but there are also a few downgrades.
In the previous database update only two United players were changed, with Bruno Fernandes upgraded and Brandon Williams downgraded, but the latest update sees 11 United players have their attributes or details changed on the game.
Marcus Rashford, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Mason Greenwood and Scott McTominay have all been upgraded, but there are also a few downgrades.
Here is how the United squad has been affected in the latest FIFA 20 database update, as of April 15, 2020.
Despite being out for a few months through injury, FIFA 20 have given Rashford a big upgrade on the game.
The striker's crossing (74-75), long passing (66-67) and reactions (84-85) have all been increased. This has led to Rashford's overall rating going up from 83 to 84, with his potential also being increased from 88 to 89.
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Martial has been given a downgrade overall, with the Frenchman's heading accuracy (69-71) upgraded, but his short passing (79-78) and shot power (84-83) have been reduced.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka - Upgrade
Wan-Bissaka has seen his overall rating upgraded from 81 to 82, following individual attribute upgrades like dribbling (81-82), curve (59-62), reactions (78-80) and strength (70-71).
Luke Shaw - Upgrade
Although Shaw's penalties (53-44), agility (75-73) and FK accuracy (58-54) attributes have both been downgraded, he's been given an upgrade overall, with the full-back's stamina (74-76), interceptions (77-78) and marking (80-81) seeing an increase.
This means that Shaw's overall rating has gone up from 79 to 80, with his potential also being increased from 81 to 82.
McTominay has been given an overall upgrade in the latest update, with the Scottish midfielder's overall rating going up from 78 to 79, with his potential also being increased from 85 to 86.
In terms of specific attributes, McTominay's interceptions (77-79), standing tackle (78-81) and sliding tackle (71-72) have all been increased.
Due to his impressive performances, Greenwood's FIFA attributes have slowly been increased over the course of the campaign, with the striker given another boost this time.
The youngster's long shots (71-72), vision (68-69), penalties (60-64) and marking (30-35) have all been upgraded.
But, Lingard's attributes have been decreasing over the last few months, and there's been another downgrade in the latest update.
Lingard's overall rating has been reduced from 79 to 78, as too as his potential, with his dribbling (79-78), vision (78-77) and composure (78-77) also being downgraded.
Gomes' crossing (61-63), curve (65-67) and long passing (65-67) have all been upgrade, but his stamina has taken a slight hit (57-55).
Garner is obviously growing as a player, both figuratively and literally according to FIFA 20, with Garner's weight being increased from 165lbs to 176lbs on the game.
But Bernard has had his height being reduced from 6ft 3in to 6ft 2in.
Dylan Levitt - Upgrade
Levitt has been given a big upgrade in the latest FIFA 20 update, with the young midfielder's long passing (63-64), reactions (63-64), shot power (58-60), long shots (58-60), interceptions (54-56), vision (64-66) and composure (67-69) all being increased.
This has led to an overall rating upgrade, up from 63 to 64.
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Latest Manchester United FIFA 20 update released with Rashford, Wan-Bissaka and Greenwood upgraded - Manchester Evening News
Struggling with motivation to exercise? Try using a fitness app to reach your workout goals – USA TODAY
Posted: at 6:52 am
Sports Pulse: Easy exercises for when you dont feel like working out USA TODAY
Editor's note: Part 12of USA TODAY'sWorking Out From Home(#WOFH) seriesfocuses on staying motivated while exercisingat home.Sign up forGood Sports, our weekly newsletterthat will bring you more home workout tips and the stories of goodthroughout the world of sports:
In a new environment where gyms are closed, outdoor activities are canceled and social distancing is the new normal, it isnt easy to stay in good physical shape.
Working out at home is possible, but many people find it difficult to stay motivated when there is no specific end date in sight. Thats one area where a fitness app can help.
With over a million active users each month, the FitOn app is one of the more popular ones offering a wide variety of workouts for all skill levels. For free. With no need for additional equipment.
Bree Koegel is one of the many trainers who are leading classes on the app. An aspiring dancer from as far back as she can remember, she achieved a lifelong dream of making it to Broadway. But while touring with a Broadway show, she badly injured her hip and needed surgery to repair a torn labrum.
My recovery wasnt great, she tells USA TODAY Sports, and I lost a lot of range of motion permanently.
What she didnt lose was her desire to perform, even though the injury sapped much of her strength and confidence. Thats when she turned to fitness training full-time, eventually joining up with FitOn for its 2019 launch.
STAY ACTIVE: More tips & ideas to exercise while social distancing
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Bree Koegel works as a trainer for the FitOn app, which gives its users free personal workouts they can do at home.(Photo: FitOn)
Koegels upbeat personality instantly makes you want to join her for a workout on the app: Its everything I love about dance, performance, fitness, connection all wrapped up into one.
She says the app helps keep users engaged in a variety of ways, especially those who want to stay active, but dont quite know where to start.
If youre in the beginning parts of your workout journey, its actually a good thing to be stuck at home figuring it out, she says. Theres no outside pressure, no judgment. Its just what feels good, what doesnt feel good and why.
Finding the time to work out at home can be difficult, but Koegel suggests that everything doesnt have to be done all at once.
Theres a pressure of time often where we feel like if we dont work out for a whole hour it doesnt count. That couldnt be further from the truth, she says. You can break that up during the day. Ten minutes here, 15 minutes there. Thats just as effective too.
The FitOn app can be downloaded on a personal computer or from various mobile formats' app stores.(Photo: FitOn app)
The app has workouts some of them as short as five minutes that target different body parts, offer varying levels of intensity and even some that feature celebrity trainers such as Gabrielle Union (Bring it On) and Jonathan Van Ness (Queer Eye).
In the wake of many states enacting shutdown orders due to the coronavirus outbreak, FitOn says it has seen a 260% increase in workouts and over 200% growth in new users signing up for the app, which can be downloaded for free on a personal computer, from the App Store or on Google Play.(In addition, there'sa premium version, FitOn PRO, with customized meal plans, recipes and music options currently available for $19.99/year.)
The app also has a scheduling feature where friends can sign up for a class together. In Koegels case, its helped fill an unexpected role. Her husband has been in quarantine due to the outbreak, leaving her alone in her New York apartment at a time when shes seven months pregnant.
She says shell often Face Time her husband when its time to exercise. We get to bond in a way where quarantine was holding us back, she says.
For Koegel, the best part is the apps simplicity which can help turn working out at home from a negative into a positive.
What Ive found is by knowing all I have to do is just press play, I dont have to put on a great outfit, I dont have to do anything because Im in my home.
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Julian Alaphilippe: It’s a big motivation to have a date for the Tour de France – Cyclingnews.com
Posted: at 6:52 am
ASOs announcement that the postponed 2020 Tour de France has been rescheduled for August 29-September 20 was a carefully choreographed affair. France Tlvisions, domestic broadcasting partner for ASO events, led with the news on its Journal des 13 heures bulletin, where an interview with Tour director Christian Prudhomme was followed immediately by reaction from the man who wore the maillot jaune for fourteen days, won two stages and placed 5th overall on last years Tour, Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-QuickStep).
Its super news. I heard yesterday evening that the Tour de France would still go ahead and it was a great joy because I had started to lose hope a little bit in the current climate, Alaphilippe told France Tlvisions via Skype from his residence in Andorra.
Its a boost to the motivation now that we have a date, and I think thats also going to bring a lot of joy to the French people. It will mean that the health situation will have evolved a lot by then I hope so, in any case and thats a great thing.
France has reported more than 15,000 COVID-19 deaths and is currently in a state of lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier this week, President Emmanuel Macron extended the current period of confinement until May 11 and announced that all public gatherings were suspended until at least the middle of July.
On Tuesday, ASO acknowledged that the Tour could no longer take place on its originally scheduled dates of June 27-July 19 before formally announcing its intention to hold the race in Autumn for the first time in its history.
The latest ever Tour Grand Dparts were in 1908 and 1998, when the race began on July 13. The latest finish was in 1908, when Lucien Petit-Breton claimed his second victory in Paris on August 9.
Traditionally a summer festival centred around the French holiday season, which begins in earnest ahead of the Bastille Day celebrations on July 14, the 2020 Tour if it does indeed take place will be more autumnal in feel and will certainly have fewer fans on the roadside, even before social distancing measures are taken into consideration.
The rescheduled 2020 Tour would start in Nice on August 29 and finish on the Champs-lyses on September 20.
Its just part of the consequences of the long confinement that were experiencing right now, but it would simply be a good thing that the Tour de France was taking place, Alaphilippe said.
The children will be back at school so there might be fewer spectators on the road and on television but there will be a lot of joy all the same. The Tour de France is part of France and it will be a big party because everybody will be happy that the Tour de France is taking place.
Alaphilippe last raced at Paris-Nice in March, when he placed 16th overall in the final WorldTour event to take place before the coronavirus pandemic saw the cycling season suspended.
The UCI announced on Wednesday that all competition is now suspended until at least July 1, but Alaphilippe expressed hope that he might return to action before the end of the year.
The Frenchman is resident in Andorra, which has imposed lockdown restrictions similar to those in place in France, meaning that he is unable to train outdoors and has instead been compelled to ride on his home trainer.
Im respecting the lockdown, which means Im training indoors and thats starting to get a bit long, Alaphilippe said. Im looking forward to getting back to riding outside and starting normal life again.
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Julian Alaphilippe: It's a big motivation to have a date for the Tour de France - Cyclingnews.com
Julia Simic: Part-time work, motivation and keeping fit – West Ham United F.C.
Posted: at 6:52 am
For thousands of people across the world, keeping busy and mentally stimulated has been a crucial aspect of the daily battle against coronavirus (COVID-19).
As a professional footballer, Julia Simic is used to a physically and mentally challenging day-to-day routine. With the global situation forcing her as well as every West Ham United player to train at home, the German has found an outlet to keep herself driven.
It comes with the added bonus of helping people in her home of Nrnberg, Germany.
I want to work, and I want to help people. I am going to work for five or six hours a day and Im really looking forward to it
Julia Simic
From next Monday, Im going to start working in an organic vegetable shop near me, the No10 revealed to whufc.com. Ive done it to give myself a bit of routine during the day and give each day a purpose.
I wanted to help people get through as well. I sent out a few CVs to different companies that needed workers during these tough times. Some are missing employees because they are at a higher risk from the coronavirus, or have family members that are higher risk, so there are gaps and people need help.
For me personally, the biggest struggle is not being busy. Im waking up, doing my training programme, but then thats it. This is my only motivation to get up at the moment, so Im looking forward to getting back to a normal, day-to-day routine, and I think working and assisting people is going to give me that.
I want to work, and I want to help people. I am going to work for five or six hours a day and Im really looking forward to it.
Simics desire to help those in her local community is matched only by her drive to remain match-fit and ready for when the Barclays FA Womens Super League campaign returns.
The playmaker says each West Ham player is helping to keep each other motivated while they work and train at home, with the group conversing daily in a WhatsApp chat group.
Simic continued: West Ham has been really kind. I dont have anything in terms of machines or weights that I can work with in Germany, so the Club helped me get some stuff to do my home training.
I have my programme that I do out in the garden every day, and my Dad does it with me too!
It can be a little difficult to do it on your own day-to-day, but we have a big group chat where, every day, everyone is posting their pictures from their runs or work-outs. That can give you that little bit of extra motivation to get out, get it done, and be ready for when we get back to training.
Having endured a difficult and, at times, seemingly unending 12 months on the sidelines due to injury, Simic returned to action at the end of 2019 for the Irons.
The midfielder had subsequentlyfeatured in seven matches in all competitions for Matt Beards side, beforethe suspension of all professional football leagues at the end of March.
I was having a really good period, personally, Simic continued. I had just got back to playing and I was starting games, so it was tough in that regard.
But everyone just wants to get back to training and then, when we can, get back to playing. Here in Germany, some teams are starting to get back to training in little groups and theyre really optimistic about finishing the season. Obviously, were not quite there yet in England. We just need to keep ourselves fit and ready to go.
First though, Simic knows the importance of continuing to follow the government-imposed guidelines. Only through continuing to practice social distancing, and self-isolation, can things return to normal sooner rather than later.
She added. Its so important to follow these rules. I go out to get my daily exercise, and walk Coco, but sometimes youll see people breaking those rules. But there are people suffering because of coronavirus, in so many ways.
People are losing their lives and family members. Everyone just needs to remember to be sensible and stay in. Hopefully, by doing it for this short time, everyone can return to their normal lives sooner rather than later. Its about awareness and taking care of everyone, not just ourselves.
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Julia Simic: Part-time work, motivation and keeping fit - West Ham United F.C.
Rudys The Name, Motivation Still His Game – 247Sports
Posted: at 6:52 am
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With four months of speaking engagements lined up in Las Vegas, Phoenix, New York and various spots in California, Daniel Rudy Ruettiger and his representatives had no choice but to cancel them as the coronavirus pandemic reached the United States.
Adversity strikes again. Few are more prepared when life throws him a curveball than the unstoppable force that is Ruettiger. In baseball vernacular, when you have two strikes against you, just choke up and punch it to the opposite field.
My speaking business is no more, at least for now, which is fine, said Ruettiger, 71, who turned his Notre Dame football walk-on story into the wildly successful movie Rudy by TriStar Pictures back in 1993.
It gives me time to reevaluate everything Im doing on the new road I must take. Its like preventive medicine. You knew the good was here for now, but what are you going to do when the bad gets here? Are you going to sit around and feel sorry for yourself? No, you create other opportunities for yourself.
Ruettigers podcast Rise Above With Rudy on Spotify continues the universal message of perseverance, belief and the relentless pursuit of the previously unthinkable, unattainable goal. Hes joined each week by Joe Garner, a six-time New York Times bestselling author of numerous books, including Echoes of Notre Dame Football.
Ive been through tough times and have experienced success, Ruettiger said. I told Joe, Lets talk to the people I know and Ive been around. Lets talk to regular people going through tough times and how theyre getting through it.
Ruettigers message continues to resonate, perhaps even more so in these uncertain times throughout the world. Its a message that has reached former Irish football players such as Kyle Rudolph, Rick Mirer and Jaylon Smith, among many others, as well as baseball greats Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera and former New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi.
Even the late great Kobe Bryant found himself a bit star struck nine years ago when Ruettiger was in the Staples Center before a L.A. Lakers-Sacramento Kings game where Ruettigers daughter Jessica Noel Ruettiger, an aspiring singer/actress was about to offer her rendition of the national anthem.
My daughter, who Im proud to say graduated from the Berkeley School of Music and the Boston Conservatory of Arts in two weeks, was preparing to sing three or four hours before the game, and Kobe comes out and starts shooting around, Ruettiger said. I watched him for about an hour. I thought to myself, How long is he going to shoot? I asked a guy, Does he do this before every game? And he said hes out here two hours before every game.
So I said Id like to meet him and shake his hand, maybe get a picture with him and an autograph. The guy said, You dont disturb Kobe when hes getting ready for the game. And I said, I totally get that.
Then Bryant looked in Ruettigers direction.
He says, Rudy? Are you Rudy Ruettiger? Ruettiger recalled. I said, Yeah. He said, Are you the real Rudy? And I said, Yeah. And he got really emotional. Tears were rolling down his cheeks. He was serious.
He says to my son (Daniel), Your dad is my hero. When I was 16-years-old, my father showed me your dads movie when I was in Italy. The only reason Im out here is because of your dad. It reminds me of my talent and that I cant take it for granted.
Such is the universal and long-lasting appeal of Ruettiger, who spoke to a gathering of businessmen at the World Trade Center two months before a terrorist attack brought both skyscrapers down. Bryants message to Ruettiger resonated back on him and his experience of getting accepted to Notre Dame, playing in the 1975 Georgia Tech game, and sacking Yellow Jackets quarterback Rudy Allen.
It was the philosophy of the movie he picked up on, said Ruettiger of Bryant. He said, I have a tremendous amount of talent, but I also had my pity parties. I said, We all have done that, havent we? He said, Yeah, but what that movie taught me was that if you work hard and I work to get better every day, where will I be 20 years from now?
I said, Thats how I looked at Notre Dame football. I wasnt any good, but if I worked hard, what if I got a chance to play? Would I be ready? Same philosophy.
He said, I swear I watched that movie a hundred times. Weve all made our mistakes, but we learn not to live in our mistakes. Thats the other lesson you taught me, Rudy.
Speaking of indomitable spirits, Ruettiger once found himself at the same event as Major League Baseballs all-time hit leader Pete Rose. Rose wasnt quite as impressed with Ruettigers story as the masses who have gravitated to it.
Pete Rose kept saying, 4,292 hits. 4,292 hits, 4,292 hits, Ruettiger recalled. He kept repeating it. And then he says, One tackle! Way to go, Rudy!
Ruettiger hopes his message via the Rise Above With Rudy podcast will be beneficial during these trying times. The message in good times or bad carries the same weight.
There are way better stories than mine, Ruettiger said. I get that. But anyone who has been through tough times and has remained positive and believed and persevered can relate to it. The message is universal and we want to share that message through our podcast.
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How to find motivation in the quarantine – UNCW Seahawk
Posted: at 6:52 am
Dreamstime photos sent for a sleeping better slideshow.
Cierra Noffke, Staff Writer April 15, 2020
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The waves of the coronavirus have left most of us deserted in our homes, dwindling beneath our desire to go back to sleep or to go out into a functioning society once again. I have found, with the progression of these past few weeks, that mustering up the will to finish my homework, to attend live classes, and funnel valuable energy into upcoming projects takes a special streak of motivation.
Thus, I have compiled a list of methods to help anyone struggling with productivity. There is no secret to these suggestions. If you want to achieve something, you actually have to go and do it. Sometimes, though, we need a little help getting out of our beds and our pajamas.
My number one suggestion isnt on the list because it is something Ive tucked away into every morsel of advice: be kind to yourself. Quarantining and isolating is rough. Looking at the news for too long brings waves of anxiety.
If youve managed to accomplish something, anything, be it putting on a new pair of pajamas or making something special for lunchcongratulations! You have done something and I have full faith that you have done it well.
If youre still in bed, thats okay too. Maybe this list will give you something new to think about.
Roll your eyes if you want, at this one. Drinking water purifies your body. Your cells are craving it from the second your eyes open from your first (or third) slumber. A large portion of your body is composed of water and if you dont replenish yourself enough times in a day you will become dehydrated and tired. Drink some water. If you dont like water try squeezing in some lemon, slicing fruit into your glass or using one of the helpful tips from this health system website.
Make yourself some tea or coffee
For this bit, I will share some coveted and secret barista advice from a retired barista herself. We all have different susceptibilities to the taste of tannins (the stuff that makes coffee bitter), so some of us will like it and some of us wontand thats okay! Making a cup of coffee (or tea if you dont like the coffee so much) gives your cells a little jolt of caffeine.
Attempt some exercise
Get moving! Exercising releases a wealth of endorphins, oxygen and other nutrients to your body. Sometimes, exercising rewards you with extra energy for the dayand helps you sleep better at night. Stretch on the ground in your jammies, sprint down the street or go for a walk in the woodswhatever you choose. Anything you do counts, just as long as you try.
Go outside
Go out and breathe some fresh air into your lungs. You need it, similar to the way you need water. This article published by Harvard Medical school supplies several interesting facts, linked to studies, about rejuvenation, joy, and energy sparked from wandering in the great out of doors. Sunlight is, truly, healing (just dont forget sunscreen). If its possible, try moving your work outside. If its nice, go for a nature walk. If its not so nice, stare moodily out the window whilst listening to Mozarts Requiem. It does wonders for the soul.
Treat yourself
This one I will leave up to you, although I do have an article of quarantine recipes here if the notion strikes you. If you are so inclined, put a facemask on, take a bath, watch your favorite movie with your favorite blanket. Add whipped cream to your coffee as a delightful surprise. Bake something warm and sweet. Whatever you choose to do, put all the extra love you have inside it and I promise itll be rewarding.
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How to find motivation in the quarantine - UNCW Seahawk
Gonalo Cardoso: I take motivation from Cristiano Ronaldo’s incredible work ethic and attidude – West Ham United F.C.
Posted: at 6:52 am
For every burgeoning young footballer, it isimportant to keep in mind your idols your standard-bearers, your icons, the model professionals tohave trodden the path you see before you.
For every burgeoning young Portuguese footballer, there is one immediately obvious candidate.
Despite being a central defender, 19-year-old Portugal youth international Gonalo Cardoso will never forget the time he met Cristiano Ronaldo.
The summer 2019 signing from Boavista, who was West Hams youngest recruit of the off-season, has played a pivotal role at the heart of Dmitri Halajkos U23sso far this campaign.
Blessed with a superb natural reading of the game, the Marco de Canaveses-born defender has made 18 appearances in all competitions, helping his side to seven clean sheets on the way to being named in his first Premier League matchday squads in January.
Cristiano Ronaldodoesnt play my position, but he is a hero of mine. His motivation and how he works its incredible
Gonalo Cardoso
Such form has also translated to the international stage, with Cardoso joining West Ham having represented Portugal at last summers UEFA European U19 Championship finals, before captaining the U20s for the first time against England in November.
It was in training with his country, however, where Cardoso enjoyed an encounter with the five-time Ballon dOr winner and it was one he could scarcely fathom.
As a Portuguese centre-back, I really liked watching Ricardo Carvalho and Pepe, he told whufc.com. Then there are internationals like Virgil van Dijk and Sergio Ramos, who are unbelievable.
As an idol, I really like Cristiano Ronaldo not for his position, but for the way he works, the way hes got the way he is now.
I met him with the national team last summer. We were preparing for the European U19Championship finals in Armenia. We were in the gym in Portugal doing some exercises and he walked in like nothing.
We looked around at each other and asked What is he doing? What was crazy, but it shows how he works, was that he joined in during his holidays, on a Sunday!
"He was in Lisbon with his family on holiday, and hed decided to come to the training ground to train. On his holidays, he was there.
Look at his story. He started from nothing but he started growing, working hard, and he has been at the top for so many years, which gives you motivation as a player.
He doesnt play my position, but he is a hero of mine. His motivation and how he works its incredible.
Having grown up in the comparatively modest surroundings of Marco de Canaveses there are only 10,000 people, Cardoso laughed and grafted his way into the Premier League, it would surprise few should the centre-backs grounded mentality helped him to similarlyshine under the bright lights of London Stadium.
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Gonalo Cardoso: I take motivation from Cristiano Ronaldo's incredible work ethic and attidude - West Ham United F.C.
Ilkley Town manager wants to use voided season as motivation – Bradford Telegraph and Argus
Posted: at 6:52 am
ILKLEY Town manager, Simon Armstrong, believes his side can use the Football Association's decision to void the season as a tool of encouragement for next season.
Last week, despite over 100 clubs appealing their conclusion, the FA confirmed that they would ratify their choice to null the 2019-20 campaign for steps 3-7.
Town were one of the clubs to send a letter of disagreement to the governing body after recording their best season to date.
The West Yorkshire League Premier Division side were flying high in second on the cusp of promotion to step six, while on the cup front they were in the final four of the West Yorkshire League Cup and the Wharfedale & District FA Cup, and the last eight of the West Yorkshire League Cup.
Although Armstrong is discontent, he believes the best thing his club can do now is use this to go again even stronger when football does return.
The Town boss said: "I thought it was a longshot that we were going to overturn the decision anyway. It was important that we demonstrated that we didnt agree with it.
"It just leaves a sour taste for a lot of people because it is 80% complete. To turn around and say it doesnt matter, it isnt the right thing to do.
"A lot of the work, effort and time was not taken into consideration. It was disappointing. We wanted to voice our opinion along with all the other clubs.
. "Ultimately there is a lot of people passionate about football. When you feel like you have been treated unjustly, it is natural that the passion comes through and you want to oppose it."
Armstrong added: "As soon as it we as ratified we all made a conscious decision that they are not going to overturn so the focus is on the new season.
"We have already talked to our players and thankfully 95%, if not more, have committed to the new season. A lot of them feel that we have got unfinished business.
"It has to be the motivation. We proved this season that we can compete with anybody at this level. We were in two semis and a quarter final so we had a chance of winning some silverware.
"We wanted the opportunity to see it through but I think we can use that in a positive way to inspire us."
At the summit of the league stood Beeston St Anthony who were having an extraordinary campaign. The Bees were unbeaten in 19, Ilkley being the only team to take points off them with the pair drawing twice.
Armstrong feels sorry for their title rivals and would have been willing to force through their promotion if it had come to it.
He added: "We played Beeston in the last game before it got stopped. It is an injustice that they wont be handed a league title and an unbeaten season at this level.
"They deserved it. Whatever happened they would have had our backing if they could have had the title awarded.
"They were 15 points ahead. It was highly unlikely that we are going to catch them given the relentless season they were having."
Original post:
Ilkley Town manager wants to use voided season as motivation - Bradford Telegraph and Argus
Iowa City West creates virtual meet to motivate track and field athletes – KCRG
Posted: at 6:52 am
IOWA CITY, Iowa. (KCRG) - On an average Tuesday, Iowa City West sophomore Alex McKane would be running laps around the track on campus, but with all spring activities suspended until May 1, his runs are now around the neighborhood.
Ive adapted to it and trying to listen to podcasts and just keep my mind occupied and just make it part of my routine of just gotta get out there and I know I have to put in the work," McKane said,
McKane is not alone. Thousands of spring-sport athletes are training wherever they can find the space, with home workout plans provided by their coaches.
Whether the workouts are that quality or not, it's just a piece of their day and some routine and some schedule through these unprecedented times, Josh Kidman, Iowa City West cross country coach, said.
Kidman, along with the Trojans' track coach Travis Craig, wanted to take things to a new level. They created a group on the run-tracking application Strava. Athletes from across the state can input their distances and times after their runs so instead of having someone in lane five pushing you towards your limit, the motivation can be found online.
Meets for track and field people are places to prove that what youre doing is working, and we want to provide an opportunity," Craig said. "Using Strava or even using the GoogleDoc were saying you know what, you might not be running races but the things you are doing whether they are normal or not, the things you are doing are actually helping you get better.
That's the coaches' ultimate goaL: Having the athletes take matters into their own hands, to be ready to compete, whenever that time comes
"You sort of see who you are in a time like this when there's no coaches, nobody riding next to you pushing you, and its all that individual time trial and all that individual motivation to get you out their and train," Craig said.
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Iowa City West creates virtual meet to motivate track and field athletes - KCRG