In a little over a months time, we will have reached the one-year anniversary of the opening ceremonies of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Summer Games. Authentic Seahawks Jerseys . Its incredible how fast the time has passed, and the memories that linger. On that hot summer night, our gracious Chinese hosts set up a huge, crystal clear, television in the cafeteria area of our residence at the media village, so we could all enjoy the pomp and circumstance that is the opening ceremony. Journalist from all over the world huddled as close as they could, waiting to cheer their respective countries as they made their way into the beautiful Birds Nest Stadium. Proudly wearing my Canadian colors, I too was waiting for the same thing. Suddenly and without warning, I saw the tall, lean figure of a man proudly carrying the flag of his country, and leading his team into the stadium to the polite roar of the crowd. I remember jumping to my feet and applauding vigorously while those around me looked somewhat perplexed, this wasnt the Canadian team they must have thought. This was the flag of Nicaragua, and I yelled out rather loudly, as if to announce to everyone that they were watching greatness before their very eyes, and didnt know it, "thats Alexis Arguello !!!" Reliving that moment now, gives me the same shivers as it did on that hot summer night eleven short months ago. I didnt really know why I reacted that way, until this week, when, like millions of others, I heard the tragic news of the passing of one of boxings greatest fighters ever. I realized at that moment, that Alexis Arguello had marked more than just my career, or my life, Arguello, had touched my soul. In this day and age of over-hyped, egotistical phonies so desperate to satisfy their narcissistic needs, Alexis Arguello was the complete opposite. A humble warrior, Arguello was to my generation, and to his people in Nicaragua, what Joe Louis was to Black America leading up to, and during the Second World War. While Arguello is undoubtedly one of the greatest fighters to ever don gloves, his in the ring accomplishments pale in comparison, to the class and humility exhibited both in and out of the ring. With modesty so desperately missing in todays athletes, Arguello took pride in his Nicaraguan heritage, and his humble beginnings. I am saddened as well for todays fans, fans who did not have the opportunity to witness such greatness in their lifetime, fans who cant understand what it meant to be a hero to your people. Fans who dont understand the quiet, humble, nationalistic pride, and the honor to be the chosen one to carry the hopes of millions. Alexis Arguello was that man. And now the hero of my youth has died, and a dark hole has now marked my soul. I will never forget you champion. Rest in Peace Marshawn Lynch Signed Jersey . -- Canadians Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford sit in second place after the pairs short program at Skate Canada International. Authentic Richard Sherman Jersey . Thatcher is 0-4 with a 3.42 earned run average in 40 appearances. The sore knee prevented him from pitching in Miami over the weekend. The Padres replaced him by calling up right-handed reliever Brad Boxberger from Triple-A Tucson before the opener of their series against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday. http://seahawksjerseys.ucigreeks.com/... . Arrieta pitched seven scoreless innings, Nick Markakis homered and drove in three runs, and the Orioles marked the 20th anniversary of the opening of Camden Yards by defeating the Minnesota Twins 4-2 Friday. [url=http://seahawksjerseys.ucigreeks.com/]Percy Harvin Autographed Jersey . earned his first career PGA Tour title on Sunday and that helped him soar in this weeks world rankings. Russell Wilson Jersey . The Nationals had exhausted their bullpen and had a starting pitcher warming up. CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Panthers receiver Steve Smith says he" lit into" Cam Newton about his actions on the sideline when the young quarterback was replaced late in the fourth quarter of Thursday nights 36-7 blowout loss to the New York Giants. Smith said he was upset when Newton sat sulking on the bench instead of getting up to watch backup Derek Anderson and trying to learn from his own mistakes. As a team captain and the elder statesman of the team, Smith felt something needed to be said to the 23-year old Newton about the importance of remaining positive and better handling adversity. "I dont want to be passive and not do it because if I dont do it, who will?" Smith said. "The same way with my son, I cant expect somebody else (to do that). So yeah, I lit into him because I thought it was an opportunity for him to see and understand what was going on. This is more than about playing football. Its about becoming a man and understanding what this is." Newton declined comment through the teams public relations staff. The team said he isnt speaking until next Wednesday. Players have the weekend off. Coach Ron Rivera lifted Newton in the fourth quarter against the Giants after his third interception with Carolina trailing by 26 points. Rivera said he took out Newton because the game was out of hand. After Newton was replaced by Anderson, Smith spoke to Newton on the bench because he felt he was sulking over the impending loss. "I said, Get up and learn from this," Smith said. "I watched DA (Anderson) and Jimmy (Clausen) observe from the sidelines the last 20-something games and try to get mental reps. This is an opportunity for you to get some mental reps. Dont just sit on the bench and sulk. I know you feel bad, but that isnt going to help us." Its the second straight year teammates have questioned Newtons demeanour on the sideline. Last year offensive linemen Ryan Kalil and Jordan Gross both spoke to Newton in private about tthe importance of not getting down during a game. Percy Harvin Signed Jersey. "Its about not missing an opportunity to give him some advice that maybe I didnt listen to (when I was young) or maybe nobody told me," said the 32-year-old Smith. Smith said former Panthers wide receiver Ricky Proehl "did it to me a few times and maybe he was more subtle than I was. But you know what, if I sit back and say, Oh look at Cam over there sulking, or look at this, or look at that thats not going to do anything. I told him this is an opportunity for you to learn from this." Rivera said hell probably have a talk with Newton but wouldnt discuss what the conversation will be about. Rivera knows Newton is an emotional player and said theres a "fine line" to walk between maintaining his burning desire to win and keeping his emotions in check. "You look at things like, well, if something positive happens do you want to hide the emotions? And if something negative happens do we want to hide the emotions?" Rivera said. Gross, a longtime teammate of Smiths at Utah and with the Panthers, said he doesnt have a problem with Newtons demeanour. And he didnt think anything needed to be said about Newton outside of the locker room. "Cam wears his heart on his sleeve and you know how hes feeling based on his actions," Gross said. "He wants to win as much as anybody, and when we dont he takes it to heart. I would like any of my teammates, if theyre upset about things, to talk it out with us in the locker room, and know that were all in it together." Smith knows he might take some criticism for calling out Newton, but doesnt care. Smith said he hopes the lesson will pay off for Newton down the road when hes retired and the quarterback is setting NFL records. "If this is something wrong for saying that, well, Id rather be wrong and one day during his long career he goes, Ah, I hated to hear that, but maybe thats what Smitty was talking about," Smith said. ' ' '