Totally Random

Mike Singletary’s unconventional motivational tactics showed dividends on two continents Sunday. On the same day his San Francisco 49ers defeated the St. Louis Rams for Singletary’s first victory as an NFL head coach, soccer players in Italy dropped their shorts in an effort to score goals.

Catania used the strategy to great effect Sunday against Torino. While taking a free kick, three Catania players lined up in a wall and dropped their shorts to their knees in an attempt to block the vision of Torino goalkeeper Giuseppe Mascara. The ploy worked to perfection, with Giuseppe Mascara scoring in Catania’s 3-2 victory.

Afterward, former referees coordinator Paolo Casarin called the move “a trick that should not be tolerated anymore by the referees.”

Pietro Lo Monaco, Catania chief executive, disagreed, telling RAI state radio: “A trick? I wouldn’t say so. It’s up to the referee to decide if it should be penalized, otherwise I don’t see where the problem is. . . . Good taste is relative.”

Trivia time

Catania is coached by Walter Zenga. What is Zenga famous for?

Heidi turns 40

Monday marked the 40th anniversary of the “Heidi Bowl,” the famed 1968 Oakland Raiders-New York Jets game that NBC interrupted prematurely to begin the movie “Heidi.” The Jets led, 32-29, with about a minute to play when the network broke away. The Raiders then scored twice for a 43-32 victory, enraging millions of fans who missed the turn of events.

Raiders quarterback Daryle Lamonica threw a touchdown pass for the go-ahead score, and special teamer Preston Ridlehuber scooped up a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and scored the clincher -- all while most of the nation was watching a film about a little orphan girl making her way in the Swiss Alps.

“I’ve got the game ball,” Ridlehuber told USA Today. It is the only game ball he won during a 22-game pro career.

“People say I should be in the Hall of Fame. I haven’t been to Canton to see.”

Special orders team

Special teams players come from all walks of life. Some walk in off the street. Other, such as Courtney Bryan, are recruited out of fast-food restaurants.

Bryan was re-signed by the Miami Dolphins last week to upgrade their kick coverage, ending his stint working the late shift at Arby’s. Bryan played 12 games with the Dolphins in 2007 but was cut this year at the end of training camp.

Bryan says he wasn’t working at Arby’s because he was broke; he was just bored.

“I just like to work,” he said. “I like to do something with my time.”
 
Trivia answer

He was a goalkeeper for the Italian national team in the 1990 World Cup. Italy placed third in that tournament.

What's my line?

Alabama guard Alonzo Gee to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette on the new three-point line in college basketball: “I just know to shoot behind the farthest line back there. It’s not that complicated.”

--Mike Penner

Photo: Catania forward Gianvito Plasmati, right, pulled his shorts down as teammate Giuseppe Mascara, not pictured, scored a goal during the Italian Serie A first division soccer match against Torino on Sunday. Credit: Francesco Pecoraro / Associated Press

Comments

[David Y]

What is Walter Zenga famous for? Wearing a spiderman hat/helmet when playing goal. (he played for MLS side New England Revolution)