The Blue Lightning are the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' cheerleading squad, and today we get photos of them at play in and out of uniform.  Below are a few of the uniform-related ones; Don Chavez (of course) has a full gallery that reaches into what appear to be non-team-related events.

Notably, the wild-eyed and -haired blonde above is none other than their "highly affable" coach, Dena Clark.  Her profile on the Blue Bombers' website includes an uplifting mission statement for her team:

“This is such a wonderful group of women,” Clark proudly stated when asked about her decision to return as coach for her third season… “I get to lead a group of young women on a path of positive thinking, healthy living, and athletic training. I am also in a position to help redefine the stereotype that is currently out there about cheerleaders… I take my job very seriously and look forward to the challenge of helping the general public see these women as the multi-talented group they are instead of a series of body parts on display”.

In that regard, candids of them reading to underprivileged kids might have been better than thong-grabbing and ass-smacking.  Not that I'm complaining.

OK, Tom Porras never made it to the NFL, but he did play in every other professional football league — the CFL, AFL, and USFL.  Well, now Mr. Porras is in it a bit of trouble:

Scottsdale Unified School District officials said police were investigating alleged improper off-campus conduct between Tom Porras and a 17-year-old Saguaro High student at Porras' home Wednesday.  Porras, 49, made admissions to the sexual abuse incident while being interviewed, police said.

Apparently, those other professional leagues don't pay as well as the NFL because Porras is now a substitute teacher at Saguaro High.  There are other CFL star QBs at the school, but they're full-timers.  For instance, Porras subs for Doug Flutie in Physics class where the curriculum largely consists of the speed of gravity's effect on the bomb to Phelan, and for Warren Moon's English class where the pupils craft apology letters to their future spouses.  As usual, the next door neighbor was shocked:

"I think it's hard to imagine that somebody would bring somebody home, especially a girl that age."

Really?  I can imagine it.  Not that I have imagined it before now.  I mean you're forced to imagine it when somebody challenges you not to imagine it.  Right?  Oh man, my confessor is not going to like this. -KD 

Despite recent events that suggest Ricky Williams is a little pissed off and tired of being in Canada, his agent Leigh Steinberg assured Fox Sports Radio otherwise:

Oh he is absolutely in the best spirits. He found something to substitute for substance abuse which is a philosophy of yoga and sort of eastern philosophy and he meditates and it gives him tremendous peace.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiight. "Hey Ricky, put the bong down and try this Downward Dog. It's so fucking peaceful it will blow your mind."

I don't buy it. There just isn't a physical activity out there that's a legitimate substitute for substance abuse. This one girl tried to get me to put a beer down so I could dance with her, and I pushed her down a flight of stairs.

UPDATE: For intelligent discourse on this subject, check out Dave's Football Blog.