• Bummer. Just as soon as it appeared Adam "Pacman" Jones was given another shot at redemption, the poopypantsed ninnies of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers decided they are not offering the former Cowboy/Titan/strip club enthusiast a contract. Blue Bombers coach Mike Kelly got all smug about it: "We will pursue athletes that we believe will contribute to our organization on and off the field."

• Oh, and what about Charles Rogers, you say? Yeah, he can't play in Canada either. Back to the vaporizer for you, Chuck.

• Once again, a former struggling ace pitcher proves that sometimes the best way to rejuvenate a season is just to get the hell out of Boston. Brad Penny made his Giant debut last night and shut down the WFC with ease.

• Roger Federer did his Roger Federer thing at the U.S. Open. Serena did her Serena thing. Venus did her Venus thing. Simon Greul did his Simon Greul thing.

• Oh, and it appears Green Bay linebacker Nick Barnett had sex with his wife last night using some new gadgetry:

And just to clarify for the Twitterverse....

Thanks, Nick!

[The Damn! Show]

We've pulled just a small teaser sample, but you should really go their website and see the whole thing. (Multimedia people!) It's rated NSFW for language and very brief partial nudity. If you need something more censored, there's some footage at ESPN.

The video shot by an unknown "guest" on February 19, 2007, shows Jones with his magical money backpack and GIANT stacks of one dollar bills. He makes it rain all right. About 50 strippers completely cover the dance floor, filling a bucket with the discarded singles. At one point, the music stops and producer Jermaine Dupri gets on the DJ mic to scold the dancers because they've stopped dancing in order to collect the loot. Then at the very end, the rapper Nelly appears, also playing rainmaker, realizes that he would prefer not be filmed and the cameraman stops rolling. It was shortly after this that the infamous brawl started.

So there you go. Real actual of footage of strip club rain. It does exist in nature.

Adam 'Pacman' Jones and the Minxx [Las Vegas Review Journal]
New video surfaces in Pacman case [ESPN]
Earlier: The "Pacman" Jones Strip Club Shooting Gets Its Warren Report [Deadspin]

It's been more than two years since the brawl and later shooting at the Minxx Strip Club during the NBA All-Star Weekend 2007. How time flies, right? The Review-Journal has done a through re-investigation (the Sun has a nice package on it too) of the whole matter and while parts two and three are not yet online, it's a fun trip down memory lane. While mostly a recap and clarification of all the conflicting reports, the story does have "interactive multimedia timelines" and they did add this charming picture of the famous "making it rain" incident that started the whole thing. (Was it really Pacman who popularized that lovely phrase or do I just wish it was?)

Some other highlights from the Iliad-like retelling:

Jones, dressed in a white jersey-style shirt and wearing a large gold chain supporting a medallion depicting the "Pacman" video game character, had walked into the club with about $100,000 in cash inside a Louis Vuitton backpack. He exchanged $40,000 of that with a club manager for singles. This was in preparation for the celebrities gathering on stage to toss money into the air and in the general direction of dancers — a practice in the nightclub world known as "making it rain."

OK, I'm going to stop you right there. $40,000 in singles? Try to imagine that for a second. Then remember that after throwing the money at strippers, Jones and Jermaine Dupri were annoyed that women actually tried to pick the cash up off the dance floor. So classless! That led to the brawl (Jones allegedly punched a dancer) and we move on....

[Aaron] Cudworth, a 265-pound bouncer, muscled his way through the crowd toward Jones, only to find himself face to face with Jones' bodyguard, Reid, who weighed 400 pounds.

Club manager George Petraski later told police: "The bodyguard, I don't know what the hell he was doing. He was holding Pacman like somebody was trying to assassinate him."

As Cudworth wrestled with Reid, Jones bit him in the ankle. A woman in Zab Judah's group then smashed a glass bottle over Cudworth's head.

In his fury, Cudworth started calling Jones a racial epithet, according to Jones and others who were with him.

"Once we got outside, he started running his mouth and saying, 'I'm going to shoot you. I'm going to shoot you,'" Cudworth told police. "He kept putting his hands in his pants pocket or up front down by his pants. ... I could distinctly say Pacman was the one who threatened to kill me."

So you're saying things got out of hand after the racial slurs? Odd. However, the trial of the alleged shooter, Arvin Kenti Edwards, was set to begin this week—hence the refresher course; I'm sure there will be more about him in parts two and three—but has been delayed until next year. In addition to three counts of attempted murder, Edwards is accused of trying to extort Jones to keep quiet about the shooting after the fact. Of course, that does not explain what allegedly transpired between the two men just before the shooting or why Jones just can't break his addiction to strip club violence. Or how this doesn't involve Vegas' notoriously corrupt strip club-based government.

"I think he doesn't make the best decisions at times," Horvath said. "I can tell the difference between somebody who's had a father figure in their life all the time and somebody who hasn't. And I don't know, man. I wish he would have had one."

A bad night at the Minxx during NBA weekends [Las Vegas Review Journal; parts II and III later this week]
Trial delayed for alleged gunman in 'Pacman' case - Las Vegas Sun [Las Vegas Sun]
NEWSPAPER UNCOVERS PICTURES OF PACMAN MAKING IT RAIN IN VEGAS STRIP CLUB THE NIGHT OF SHOOTING [The Sports Pig's Blog]
Also Helpful: Pacman Jones History [Esquire]

Glazer has a talent for befriending players and getting them to reveal intimate details about their lives that are off-limits to other reporters. No, Arash Markazi can't ask Jones about his legal situation, but Glazer can. And Jones couldn't resist Glazer's eyelash-batting charm, so he kicked some existential wisdom about his newly acquired perspective. He also said that Pacman's punchiness was all part of the script and, even thought a source close to Pros Vs. Joes says otherwise, there was no Pacman entourage any time on the set.

But this quote, pulled by Chris Mottram this afternoon, shows us why Pacman used to like-a the strip clubs so much :

"At the end of the day I can't keep looking at the past from two years or three years back. Hey, I used to love the strip clubs. I was 21, 22, 23 years old. Every gentleman, if you're normal, you love the strip clubs, too. Nice girls, young, nude ... All part of having fun when you're growing up."

So young Deadspin gentlemen, keep that in mind. If you don't like strip clubs and young nude girls, you are clearly destined to be a social pariah for the rest of your life. Or you could end up like the lonely gentleman sitting by himself on the couch.

Pacman: True Gentlemen Enjoy Strip Clubs [The Sporting Blog]

LA Times sports writer Sam Farmer stopped by the set to casually observe a bunch of young never-weres compete against numerous pro athletes on the downside of their career. One confrontation occurred between Jones and former Holy Cross linebacker Dan Adams:

Anyway, Adams stuck Jones at the goal line, jarring loose the football. It was pretty funny, because Jones had been talking trash to that point, referring to Adams as "Waterboy." A few minutes after the hit, the two exchanged punches and had to be separated.

"He hit me 10 yards out of bounds, kind of a cheap shot," Adams said. "I couldn't sit there and not retaliate. You've got to have some pride and dignity."

As for the oft-suspended Jones, released by the Dallas Cowboys after the season, he didn't seem too concerned about how he came off on camera.

"I guess that's the person he wants to be," Adams said. "But I guess in his defense, people kind of get caught up in the heat of the moment."

Of course. He was caught up in the moment. But one person close to the show said that Pacman's been ornery from the start of taping:

"His crew of thugs were scarier than him...but he did bring it for the show...and he was serious about kickin these guys' asses."

Let's put the "Pros Vs. Joes" production team's Pacman readiness at Defcon 3. Sad part is, it might actually better for his long-term career right now to actually get thrown off this show. Look what happened to that New York lady from "Flavor Of Love."

More Fisticuffs For Pacman Jones [LAT Blog]
Pacman Gets Into A Pros Vs. Joes Fight [PFT]

ESPN reporter John Barr laid out a pretty exhaustive—and exhausting—case against Jones. It's a lot of coincidental, circumstantial evidence that involves a lot of testimony from known criminals, but it certainly won't help Pacman's image in the eyes of the public or Roger Goodell. Then when it came time for Jones to have his say, the network brought out its biggest, most hard-hitting gun—Mr. Stephen A. Smith.

The crux of the story is this: "Slugga" Morris, an Atlanta gangster currently in jail, says that he and Jones are buddies. Jones said that Morris tried to extort him after the first Vegas strip clubs shooting. Witnesses say that Morris was at the second strip club shooting with Jones, which makes the extortion claim laughable and makes it appear that Morris is his gun for hire. So someone is lying, but the only thing Jones has to defend himself is his word, which is probably not worth much in the eyes of the NFL (or most fans.)

The Atlanta investigation is unsolved, but "inactive." You can see more of the interview and the report here.

Outside The Lines [ESPN]

Jones is vigorously denying the latest charge that he ordered a parking lot assassination way back in 2007 and it's interesting that his lawyer is working so hard to get out in front of the ESPN report. (Airing on "Outside The Lines" tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. Set your DVR!) Jones doesn't make for the most compelling witness on his own behalf, but his lawyer joined him in very high-exposure interview on NFL Today and promised that new details will emerge exonerating his client.

Meanwhile, Jones expressed his interest in playing for the Cowboys next season and explained that he is beyond his previous alcohol troubles and is staying on the straight and narrow. There is another vice, however, that he seems to have particular difficulties giving up, as you can see in this answer to James Brown's most pertinent and vital question.

When the news broke late yesterday, it seemed like the Cowboys' decision to cut "Pacman" Jones was a sudden, but inevitable conclusion to his time in Dallas. Even though owner Jerry Jones had defended him multiple times and insisted he wasn't going anywhere, no one could be that shocked by their decision to cut ties. (Especially after a season with zero interceptions and a fight with his own bodyguard.) But then ESPN started bragging about their role in uncovering a new, much more serious accusation and was more than happy to take credit for the move.

Reporter John Barr was preparing a story for Sunday's edition of "Outside the Lines," alleging that Adam was under investigation for "ordering" the shooting of three men, following an altercation at a strip club. This happened in June 2007, after he had already been suspended a full year for a completely separate strip club shooting incident. Barr waited until Wednesday to call the NFL, the Cowboys, and Jones' agent for comment, and claims that they knew about the investigation, but that he provided them new details that they were not aware of. Hours later, Jones was gone.

ESPN is still being coy until the full report airs on Sunday, but they are perfectly happy to talk about their role in uncovering the story. As for Jones? He had no comment beyond threatening a lawsuit against ESPN yesterday. But ... I don't see how Roger Goodell ever lets him play in the NFL again. Even if he's not charged by police—which is likely since evidence is scant and no one was hurt—simply being mentioned in a situation like that after already being suspended for a similar incident probably does not jibe well with whatever conduct of code he was living under.

Pacman out as 2007 shooting surfaces [ESPN]
Adam Jones - ex-Dallas Cowboy - wasn't worth the trouble [Dallas Morning News]

In the video below we see the retired boxer slinging about $30,000 into the crowd at an Atlanta night club. And he supposedly made it rain with another 50 grand at another Atlanta club the next night. At least, that's what a couple of sites claimed over the weekend. But the site Sandra Rose came back on Tuesday and said that some or all of the money was fake.

My photographer Freddy O was almost arrested at a gas station this morning after trying to pay for gas with one of the counterfeit $100 bills that boxer Floyd Mayweather tossed in the air at Club PURE last night. According to Fred (and several others in attendance) Mayweather’s “boys” were handing him the stacks of hundreds.

There is speculation that one of his “boys” switched out the real hundreds for the counterfeit hundreds and kept the real cash for himself. I would be inclined to believe that maybe Floyd didn’t know what his boys were doing, except that this has happened before!

It happened at Deamz Nightclub in Atlanta (damn, must have been right after I left with my hos), and Mayweather supposedly made another cash airlift with Lil' Jermaine Dupri the next night at Pure. I have no idea why any of this happened. Here is one of the fake Benjamins, in case you got one and are planning on spending it.

It's also apparently not the first time he's done this.

Floyd Mayweather Jr.: A Step Above Pacman Jones [Deuce Of Davenport]
Proof That Floyd Mayweather Is Trifling [Sandra Rose]
Pacman Would Never Stoop This Low [FanIQ]

• Just Call Him Hanging Chad. The Cincinnati Bengals deactivated receiver Chad Ocho Cinco for tonight's game against the Steelers, so adjust your fantasy rosters accordingly. The reason: Violating a team rule. That takes in a LOT of territory, especially when you're talking about Ocho. But that's all the team's saying. T.J. Houshmandzadeh will get even more catches, I suppose. [NBCSports]

• Oh Sweet Merciful Baby Jesus, Make It Stop. Speculation has resumed about Brett Favre's retirement plans, according to the New York Post, which writes: "This offseason figures to contain plenty of drama surrounding Favre's future." For his part, Favre says he "has absolutely no idea" if he's coming back. [New York Post]

• Role Model, Indeed. Spotting a homeless man outside of a Cinemark Theatre in Dallas, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo paid for the guy to come inside and sit with him and a friend for the movie. The featured selection? Role Model. Bonus quote: Romo, who confirmed the story but didn't want to elaborate, waved Doc over to sit by him and his friend. Doc sheepishly mentioned that he hadn't showered in a few days. "Don't worry about that," Romo said. "I'm used to locker rooms." [Dallas Morning News]

• X-box, Here I Come. Terrell Owens reports flu-like symptoms, Dallas Cowboys excuse him from practice on Wednesday. This can't be considered bad news for the 49ers, who play the Cowboys on Sunday. [Star Telegram]

• Driver's Father In Trouble. The father of Green Bay Packers receiver Donald Driver was involved in an altercation with Houston police on Wednesday and is in the hospital, family members said. Police said Driver was arrested for outstanding traffic warrants and was found to be "unresponsive" upon his arrival at jail. Paramedics transported him to the hospital, they said. Key graph from story: As they beat him and forced him to swallow something, the officers told Marvin Driver Jr. he was "going to see Jesus," according to relatives and community activist Quanell Evans, who identified himself as Quanell X.

On Thursday ESPN had reported that Jerry Jones was "furious" that Pacman couldn't stay out of trouble. Seems not to be the case. The jury's still out with the NFL, however.

"I don't think there's any misunderstanding about the position that Adam has put himself in with respect to all of his behavior," Goodell said on ESPN radio Thursday. "I have been very clear with him on how his behavior cannot reflect poorly on himself, the team, or the NFL. I guess I would tell you that I'm disappointed that we're even discussing this at this point in time. We will have to wait for the facts, and understand exactly what happened before making any determinations."

Body guard Tommy Jones did not press charges following the fight at the Joule Hotel. Wonder what that giant wheel is for?

Meanwhile, Uwe Blog is trying to help Pacman with some Helpful Hints to Keeping Out of Trouble, among which are yardwork, and porn.

Cowboys Won't Suspend Pacman; NFL Mum On Discipline [USA Today]

"It feels good man, you know, to get a second chance and I just have to take advantage of it," said Jones. "First and foremost, I don't want to let myself down, definitely my little girl down. I'm thankful for Jerry [Jones], the fans in Dallas and my teammates for believing in me. I need to keep doing what I've been doing to get reinstated, staying with myself and my teammates and staying away from those knuckleheads and just stay focused."

We can all agree that Jones is an idiot, but he still received a harsher punishment for an off-field act than any player in league history. And he's still only plead guilty to a single obstruction of justice felony. And that was after the suspension ws levied. Meanwhile the NFL, public relations masters that they are, planned on dropping this news on the Friday before Labor Day figuring that the attention would be muted over the long weekend. Until then, let it rain.
NFL fully reinstates Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam Jones [Dallas Morning-News]
Pacman was at Hooters when he got the news [Pro Football Talk]

BetUS explains that they're acting because of all the interest from fans:

"The NFL is part of the fabric of the lives of fans in America and their interest in their teams and players goes far beyond the field," said BetUS.com spokesman Reed Richards. "This is illustrated by the number of fans who come to us looking for analysis and predictive information regarding which star or team will be in hot water next."

Unfortunately, you can't bet on individual players.

Bet on NFL Arrests [Bet on Sports]
Kellen Winslow: First Player Arrested? [Waiting for Next Year]

I think I speak for everyone when I say, "This is Adam Jones; formerly Pacman. I've learned how tough it is to get a second chance," is the most persuasive opening to a commercial in the history of television. Particularly with the 1970's r&b background music.

How much money did this company have to pay Deion and the former Pacman to shill for them? Can leasing cars to people without credit really be that profitable?

Anyway, nice wardrobe choice on the orange jersey; formerly prison jumpsuit.

Formerly Pacman; Currently Used Car Salesman [The Big Lead]

He did end up losing his job over it and it was mostly do to the perception that his commentary on the Rutgers' women's basketball team was more racist than comical. So, once again, Don Imus has seemingly thrust himself upon the frontline of that losing battle after he made this remark about Adam "Don't Call me Pacman" Jones this morning.

Newsreader Warner Wolf: ...[H]e's been arrested six times since being drafted by Tennesse in 2005...

IMUS: What color is he?

Warner Wolf: ...He's African-American

IMUS: Well. There you go. Now we know.

When you listen to the full audio, you can hear Warner Wolf (This was originally attributed to Charles McCord plenty of readers pointed out that it was actually Mr. Wolf. Thanks for that. Warner Wolf most likely does not.)hesitation, knowing where Imus was headed, then after it, almost give an audible sigh that indicates, "Shit...here we go again."

We'll see how this one plays out.

When hearing that Pacman Jones has been arrested 6 times, Imus asks 'What Color Is He?' [PoliJam]
Don Imus On Adam "Pacman" Jones [Red Lasso]

• NHL.com wises up, hires former Texans cheerleader to...something something cheerleader. [Japers' Rink]
  
• There once were some limericks about the SEC... [3rd Saturday in Blogtober]
  
• Pacman Jones joins the racing circuit. What could possibly go wrong? [Black Flagged Online]
  
• Melt Your Face Off doing a live blog of tonight's Stanley Cup Finals Game 4. [MYFO]
  
• Hank Steinbrenner pinning fuel crisis on the Red Sox [eTrueSports.com]
  
• Video of 'Sheed's towel tantrum last night [SportsbyBrooks]
  
• Lakers and Celtics - actually no great shakes. [Me And Pedro Down By The Ballpark]