A Noble Heart- My newest LFL feature story!

This one is all about Linsey Noble, quarterback of the Omaha Heart! Check out the story today!

Here's the link: http://www.lfl360.com/lfl-north-america/usa/noble-heart-aaron-ware-lfl360-com/

Reason #1 Why It Would Suck If You Were Treated Like a Pro Athlete

The Media Would Cover Everything You Did Wrong- When an athlete breaks a rule, to put it lightly, it’s no secret. Every sports radio show, television show, blog and more is all over it. On top of that, every fan has something to say about it as well.

Now, just imagine if you were 10 minutes late for your job. While actions may be taken behind the scenes, only a few people would know what happened. But if you got the pro athlete treatment, it would go a little something like this.

News Anchor Rob Smith: We've got some news live from the Walmart in LaVale. Ted Cornish is there. What's going on Ted?

Ted: "Well Rob, according to numerous sources, John Walker, the 2nd year sales associate, was 10 minutes late for his shift this morning. While no word has come out yet on whether punishment will be handed down or not, many are speculating that he may be fined." 

But it does not stop there, you being late becomes a debate topic for PTI (Pardon the Interruption), First Take, and anyone else who wishes to take on the story.

Show Panelist #1- You have no reason to be late, you just don’t. There is no way this guy should avoid punishment. Suspend him!

SP#2- C’mon. We’ve all made mistakes. Was it wrong for him to be late? Heck yes. Does he deserve a suspension, I don’t think so. Id be okay with a fine, but a suspension is going too far.

SP#1- Let him off then, do it! But don’t be surprised when he’s late again. Lay down the hammer now and make it known that you won’t tolerate this on your team.

A Legends Summer!

When I first started writing for the LFL this summer, I had no idea what to expect. All I knew that it was an all women's league and that they had some, let's just say, unique, uniforms. 

The first thing I noticed, when I attended my first Baltimore Charm practice, was their passion. These young women are not out there to just look pretty. They love their football, they want to win every game and it shows! 

When I watched my first game action on YouTube, I didn't see anyone taking it easy. In that contest between the Las Vegas Sin and the Green Bay Chill, I saw all out effort, aggressiveness and skill. As Herm Edwards said, "You play to win the game!"

One player, in particular, stood out to me. She was loud, all over the field making plays, and more intense than many people I've seen on a football field. That player just happened to be LFL legend Danika Brace. That's how it knew I was going to enjoy watching the games. 

I really knew that I had gotten into something special when I started interviewing players for my articles. It was awesome to just hear the passion in their voices. This game means so much to them, and I wouldn't want it any other way. The trash talk between teams was also a welcome change from most of the interviews I conducted with other athletes!

This opportunity, while unexpected, has been awesome for me! From covering the Baltimore Charm at the start, to expanding to the rest of the league, It's been a blast of a ride! I'm super excited to see where this journey will take me.

College Football's Most Intriguing Storylines for 2014

Read my newest contribution to FootBasket.com today! Here, I talk about 5 storylines that all college football fans should be paying attention to this season.

Give it a read and tell me what you think!

http://footbasket.com/ncaaf/college-footballs-intriguing-storylines-2014-part-one/

A True Minnesota North Starr!

Starr prepares to reveal the identity of baby number two. 

     Being a mom is said to be the “most difficult job in the world.” Some women do it as their sole responsibility while others must perform the task of raising children and working outside of the home at the same time. This is the case for Danielle “Danni” Starr of The Kane Show.

     Every weekday morning between 6 AM and 10 AM, Starr can be heard doing a variety of things on the show. If it is a Thursday, chances are that Starr is playing one of her many roles on the show’s hit segment “War of The Roses.” Here, Starr along with Kane (the show’s host) and Intern John look to catch people who may be cheating on their partners. Other times, Starr is either giving listeners advice with her trademark saying 

“Girl, boo!,” or informing the masses with her daily “Reality Check.”

     When asked about how she got into the world of radio, Starr said, “Radio honestly happened by chance. I was at the right place at the right time. I had my heartbroken right before the summer of my sophomore year in college, during summer vacation.” It was at this point that Starr was introduced to what would become her career. “I ran into a local radio personality who told me I should do radio. I interned at the station that summer and realized I never wanted to do anything else. I changed colleges so I didn't have to go back to the heartbreak, and started my career in radio.”

     While Starr has gained the adoration of thousands in the D.C. area, she is not a local. She is originally from the Midwest, Minnesota to be specific. When Starr first moved to the area from her native Minnesota, it was not the simplest of times. “I was terrified! I had never lived anywhere besides Minnesota, I honestly thought I would never leave. I was a little homesick, and constantly lost.”

     Though those feelings lasted for a bit, things have changed for the better.  “The homesickness has subsided. I have made this my home, met some amazing people, cultivated some great friendships and have fallen in love the DMV.” While she loves the area, some problems navigating her way through it remain. “I pretty much am always still lost. Thank God for GPS!”

     Luckily, for the loyal listeners, Starr is able to find her way to the studio in Rockville each morning to do the show. For Starr, the listeners are the most fun part of what she does. “I am always so humbled and overwhelmed when I get emails from listeners. I'm not trying to impress people, I just speak my mind, and hold strong to my beliefs, it's very cool that some people find that inspiring. It's even cooler that they take the time out of their day to reach out to me.”

    Not all of the feedback Starr gets for what she says and does are of the positive nature.  This is was one of the tough parts of working in radio for her starting out. “In the beginning it was the criticism. It's a job that you really have to put yourself out there for. I share so much of my life and people can be amazing, but some people can be very mean. When I first started I didn't think I would be able to do this forever, it was too difficult dealing with negativity. I've grown up a lot though and I no longer seek approval, now I just stay true to myself and hope that even if people don't like me or what I have to say, they keep their negativity to themselves. If they don't, I try my best to shake it off.”

    Another part of the job that can be tough for Starr is the 3:30 AM wakeup. “That is something that I think my body will never get used to. Even after almost a decade of early morning wakeup calls, it's still a little tough. I take a lot of naps though to help balance it out.”

     If Starr’s name sounds familiar, but not because she’s on the radio, it may be because of her time on WE TV’s Bridezillas and Marriage Bootcamp. According to Starr, people recognize her from these shows “more than I ever could have imagined.” She said of her time spent in this realm of reality TV “I had no idea what I was getting myself into. By now I feel like most people get that Bridezillas was satirical, but there's still a few that always tell me how cool it is that I've changed.”

    When it came to her actual wedding she said “I was never really a Bridezilla, I had a private wedding in St. Lucia with zero stress, drama, or video cameras. Not everything on TV is real.”

     Despite this, Starr still appreciates her time spent on “Marriage Bootcamp” and what it did for her. “Marriage Bootcamp was an awesome experience, it really helped me grow as a person. Even though I knew Bridezillas wasn't real, it helped me redeem myself to the people who were not aware of that. I don't mind being recognized for either, sometimes it leads to really cool conversations with strangers.”

     In her spare time, Starr can most certainly be found working out somewhere. “I am a gym rat for sure! I love working out, it keeps me sane and healthy and I try to stay as active as possible.” Being active is not something that just started when she hit adult life though. Before she chose to lend her voice to the airways, Starr was very much an athlete. “I played basketball and softball growing up, but competitive cheerleading was my life for a very long time.”

     There are some who debate whether competitive cheerleading is a sport, but to Starr, this is not a question. “For the record I would just like to state that competitive cheerleading IS a sport!” she said. As many athletes who grow to love their sports do, Starr decided to pass on her knowledge and experience in competitive cheerleading to others who enjoyed her passion. “After I didn't compete anymore, I became a coach. It will probably always be a part of who I am.”

     With one daughter, named MJ, another on the way and a husband, Starr has to do her best to make sure that she is taking care of business at home and on the job. These circumstances make each week a bit different for Starr. “There really isn't a typical week. When you're a mom something always pops up. Work, and working out stay pretty consistent, but parenting is the ultimate curve ball. There never really is a schedule when it comes to dealing with my family.”

      Some would say that she has balance these areas of her life, but not Starr. Laughing, she stated “I don't.” She continued, “Balance is still something that I am trying to master. I work hard. I am the best mom and wife that I can possibly be, but sometimes I feel like I don't have it all together.”

      It is during those times that she leans on her husband Slim for support. “My husband is an excellent teammate. He is a phenomenal father, which allows me to focus on my job when I need to and he keeps me balanced. I love my job and family so I try my best not to neglect either. Ultimately though, it's family first and I am blessed enough to work for people who understand that.”

      In addition to her family, Starr also has friends that have supported here through her journey. In fact, one of her friends, Claire, is actually her biggest influence in life. “My best friend Claire is a phenomenal human being. She's one of those people who people just feel good being around. She cares about society, kids, social change and awareness and she's always been way ahead of her time. We met when I was 12 and she was 13. Even though we are close in age, she's always been someone I looked to for advice and guidance. She doesn't have a self-centered bone in her body and that's commendable."

      The road to success usually comes with great advice. While Starr has had plenty of advice and direction leading up to and during her career, the best piece of advice came from her mother. “My mom once told me that if I was going to be my biggest critic, I also needed to be my own biggest fan. That has helped me through many situations.” This reminds Starr to look at positives in addition to things she needs to work on. “I used to focus on everything I was doing wrong, hadn't accomplished yet, just negative. Now I take the time to realize how far I've come. Even if there is a ways to go, it's important to recognize the hard work it took to get here.”

      For the many women and men who want to be doing what Starr does one day, she recommended the following, “Work hard! Putting in the work is imperative. If it was easy, it for sure wouldn't be as rewarding.” When things go awry, Starr advised against panicking or quitting. “Setbacks are normal, giving up is a choice. Work hard!”

     If you do not already, be sure to follow Starr on Twitter at @iamdannistarr. Also, be sure to Like her page on Facebook and listen to her weekday mornings from 6-10 on The Kane Show !

Follow My LFL Writing Career!

This summer has been amazing! I am currently in my third month as a writer for the awesome Legends Football League. 

Sports are my passion, and nothing makes me more excited than working with those who share that passion and excitement. Though my time with these women has been short, I can safely say that they have a strong and enduring love for the game of football!

If you want to read my articles, just go to lfl360.com and type in Aaron Ware! To learn more about LFL football, log on to lflus.com!

Stars Shine Bright at Gallery Place by Aaron Ware

"Shining Lights" Photo by Taylor Ware

"Your Author and Denyce Lawtown" Photo by Taylor Ware

Last night, the bulbs were flashing, the film was rolling and the crowd was dying laughing at the pre-screening of the summer blockbuster "Think Like A Man Too." The event took place at Washington D.C.'s famed Gallery Place, next door to the Verizon Center.


Upon arrival, VIP guests were able to mix and mingle from 5:00-7:00pm duriip and Social. During this time, guests could talk to actors Gary Owen and Denyce Lawton.

Your Author and Gary Owen" Photo by Taylor Ware

Funny man Owen, and the films other cast members, have been traveling country-wide to host pre-screenings. After the movie concluded, Owen took a chance to answer questions from the audience. During this time, he was asked whether a third "Think Like a Man" was in the works. Owen answered "It depends on if we make number one again." He continued explaining that, because some of the relationships still had stories to be played out and questions answered, "It's open for a three."

"Gary Owen" Photo by Taylor Ware

Owen also jokingly said that co-star Michael Ealy was "not funny at all,"  and that Sam Kennison was his favoite comedian growing up. When talking about his career in stand up, Owen said, to the surprise of some in attendance that a certain Philadelphia comedian, and TLAM co-star, used to open for him. "Kevin Hart (then Li'l Kev) opened for me a few times. I don't think that's going to happen again."

"Denyce Lawton" Photo By Taylor Ware

Lawton, 36, was there for a number of reasons. For one, she is a D.C. area native. Attending and pushing  events like this in the region is something that she is "excited" to be able to do. Secondly, she wanted to show her support for Owen. The two were actually cast members on the hit comedy series "Tyler Perry's House of Payne." Lastly, she knows films like this are a rarity. "Black films don't always get sequels" Lawton stated. Knowing that, she was not going to miss the chance to celebrate the film's debut.

"Think Like a Man Too" open's in theatres tonight! I loved at and I hope you take a chance to go see it as well. Per Owen's instructions, tweet, facebook and instagaram #ThinkLikeaManToo

Finally, before the film, Lawton said that she thought it was going to be "like TLAM one with a 'Hangover effect.'" As I do not want to spoil the film, I would like you to comment on this post and tell my what you think of the movie when you see it!

Tips From the A Man! Part 1

I feel that, since I enjoyed my time in College so much, it is only proper for me to pass on the experience! I want others to have the same amount of fun and excitement that I did. So, as I take a break from applying to jobs, here is my first tip:

GET YOUR REAR IN GEAR AND INVOLVE YOURSELF-

So many students, especially at small schools or schools that are on the remote side, consistently complain to their friends about boredom. I don't know how many times I've overheard someone people say: "It's sooooo boring here!" or "There is literally nothing to do here." And these people are usually correct. If you simply go from class, to food, to room each day, boredom will ensue and stay. Well, there is a way to combat this, getting involved on your campus!

There are more than enough groups and organizations for any person to take a look at. Just as there differences in what people are interested in, so are the variety in types of groups. If you are all about the enviornment, you can mingle with the Sierra Club! If sports are your fancy, but you don't want to go Varsity, intramurals and club teams can help you score some goals! Some people just want to maintain and grow in their spirituality. Well, there are even groups for them. Christian, Catholic, Muslim, Jewish, and Alternative belief groups are available on the large majority of college campuses. Last, but certainly not least, you can even become a brother or a sister and Go Greek!

Personally, I was in three different organizations. I joined United Campus Ministries as a freshman in order to grow in my faith. Junior year, I showed of my writing skills with the best college newspaper ever, The Bottom Line! In my final semester, I became a politician and joined the Student Government Association as a On-Campus Senator.

Outside of those organizations, I had the pleasure of calling a basketball + soccer game and doing a little show entitled "The Bobcast."

While these groups and activities were very different from each other, the experiences were no less awesome for me! In these groups I:
                         1.) Made new, life-long friends.
                         2.) Put on and participated in some pretty unique and even life changing events.
                         3.) Did many things that I would have never dreamed of doing as a shy Freshman.
                         4.) Special to The Bottom Line and SGA, I experienced the wonderful, and........interesting                                world of "Girl Talk."

So, if you really want to enjoy your four years at (Name Your School Here), take my first piece of advice and get involved. You never know who you may end up encountering once you do!

Stay Tuned for Tip 2!

Controlling One's Fandom!

Some sports fans just need to be reminded that, while sports are fun to watch, they are not your whole life. It's simply a game. Unless you work for the team or get paid to be a sports writer, what happens on the field, court or ice has no effect on your life. Does that mean don't be emotional, no! Feel the fire, be passionate! But know at what point when that part of you needs to be shut off.

There is no, I repeat, no place in the sports world for death threats. "Oh, he dropped a pass that would have taken us to the Super Bowl! I'm gonna tweet out that if I see him on my town, I'll kill him!" What is your malfunction? Should he have caught that ball, probably so. Does he deserve to die because he didn't, heck no. Flip the script, how would you feel if you made a crucial mistake on a school assignment and went home to an inbox or news feed full of people saying "I'll kill you" or "You should go somewhere and die!" Would that many sense to you in that situation?

I'll reiterate, it's just a game folks! I've been upset many times watching the game. As a Redskin's fan, this is something I have to deal with often. As unhappy as I may be with RG3 or the defense, I know to leave it at that. No reason to overreact over something that will have no bearing on how I live my life.

Don't let your fandom drive you to acing outside of yourself and here's to sports!