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By MICK ELLIOTT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 30, 2007

Updated: 12/29/2007 07:22 pm

Thinking back on 2007 until it started to hurt ...

After being called things that included "liar, quitter, raging fraud and weasel" back in Miami after walking out as Dolphins head coach, Nick Saban requested a separate, private meeting with the South Florida media who traveled to Alabama for the coach's introduction. During that meeting, Saban proclaimed he was being mischaracterized and apologized to weasels everywhere. ...

In one of the greatest college football finishes of all time, Boise State running back Ian Johnson scored a Fiesta Bowl-winning 2-point conversion against Oklahoma, dropped to one knee and proposed to his girlfriend, Broncos cheerleader Chrissy Popadics. Geez, all of a sudden that really creative skywriting idea seems a little lame. ...

After renting his 9,000-square-foot Palm Beach mansion to Joel Glazer for $60,000 a month, the owner of the $8.5 million home in January said the Bucs vice president not only moved out owing $300,000 in unpaid rent, but he also left damages so severe it looked like a rock 'n' roll band had lived there. Homeowner Guy Henderson claimed in court that he was forced to spend more than $100,000 to repair the home and two weeks to clean it after Joel and Angela Glazer vacated the property. When reached for comment, Glazer blamed Rich McKay. ...

Super Bowl MVP quarterback Peyton Manning hosted NBC's "Saturday Night Live," making it the first time in history the long-running comedy show was nothing but commercials. ...

The University of Illinois' Chief Illiniwek was phased out by school officials, who retired the Indian mascot's name, regalia and image. Illinois' sports program now is symbolized by a guy who jumps around wildly on the sidelines while flapping his arms. You know, Ron Zook. ...

St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa was arrested in Jupiter during spring training after police found him asleep at the wheel of his SUV that was in drive and running with his foot on the brake at an intersection. Couldn't La Russa be like the rest of us and catch up on sleep during the games? ...

NASCAR's Dale Earnhardt Jr. was docked 100 points and his crew chief was fined $100,000 and suspended six races for illegal modifications made to the rear wing on the driver's Car of Tomorrow. Apparently, strapping stepmother Teresa Earnhardt to the rear spoiler was a real no-no. ...

Bank of America withdrew its longtime support of Tampa's Gasparilla Distance Classic as a title sponsor. Officials say they simply could not run the numbers. ...

LaRussa, the Cardinals manager, admitted, in hindsight, he made a mistake leaving slugger Albert Pujols on the bench during MLB's All-Star Game. Of course, it was not the first time this year La Russa fell asleep at the wheel. ...

President Bush called Barry Bonds to congratulate the slugger on breaking Hank Aaron's career home run record. And then urged him to publicly support the Democratic Party. ...

Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox got himself tossed arguing a called third strike on Chipper Jones, the 132nd ejection of his career and a major-league record. Frightening: One day later, the umpire's thumb showed up on eBay. ...

Beginning his first golf course design project outside Asheville, N.C., Tiger Woods promised to let the scenic land dictate the layout - except at No. 18, where golfers can win a free round by hitting through Rory Sabbatini's open mouth. ...

Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens was fined $7,500 early in the season by the NFL after poking fun at the New England Patriots' spying scandal during his team's win against Miami. Following a touchdown, Owens peeked out from behind a goal post and pretended to use the football as a video camera. The picture was a little grainy, but on the audio, O.J. can clearly be heard saying, "Of course I did it." ...

Before being sentenced to prison, embattled quarterback Michael Vick was said to be attentive and inquisitive while attending an eight-hour class in empathy and animal protection at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals headquarters. I believe he graduated Magna Cum Sit and Stay. ...

After admitting she used performance-enhancing drugs before winning five Olympic medals during the 2000 Summer Games, Marion Jones was sentenced to jail and banished from track and field. She can, however, one day return to pursue her dream of playing left field for the San Francisco Giants. ...

On the same "Dancing With the Stars" episode that Marie Osmond fainted on stage, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was voted off with the night's lowest score. Kind of reminiscent of Dallas' postseasons: Flamboyant owner always upstaged by a collapse.

Seven-time Cy Young winner Roger Clemens reacted strongly to the Mitchell Report that links the pitcher to steroid use, calling it an increasingly desperate effort by the Hillary Clinton campaign to reverse her slow slide in the polls.

After more than one million votes were cast, AskMen.com reports soccer star David Beckham is the world's Manliest Man of 2007. Mild surprise at No. 2: Any guy willing to go hunting with Bobby Knight.

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