The “Sports Teams Being Nice To Kids” meme is moving forward nicely. First, a 7-year old with brain cancer got to run in a touchdown for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. He got his own card and even got to hang out with the President (and, I assume, grill him on his policies). East Carolina similarly honored a kid, and WWE Champion John Cena devoted a chunk of Raw to introducing three Make-A-Wish kids as new WWE Superstars.

Now it’s soccer’s turn. Yeah, I’m glad nobody threw firecrackers and beer bottles at this kid, too.

Here’s Atticus Lane-Dupre, an awesomely-named kid with cancer who got the chance to play in front of more than 3,000 Portland Timbers, score four goals and win the game for his ‘Green Machine.’ He got to exchange jerseys with team captain Will Johnson after the game and everything. At the end of the day, it’s just a video of a normal kid having a hell of a lot of fun playing soccer, and sometimes that’s worth celebrating, even without the inspirational story.

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There’s a lot to love with this new Portland Timbers franchise, the latest organization to take the field in MLS play. They have a brand-new soccer-specific stadium, a rabid fanbase, a solid history, and perhaps the world’s first mascot that genuinely inspires fear. I’m referring to “Timber Joey,” who’s an honest-to-goodness logger. Joey Webber celebrates each Timbers goal by slicing off a piece of a giant log, which is later delivered to the lucky goal scorer.

Webber was born and raised in the timber town of Philomath, Ore., where he attended the School of Forestry as a youth. He competed in state forestry and timber competitions and ranked in several events including, pole climbing, jack double bucking, fire hose relays, axe throwing, log rolling and hot saw operation.

Growing up, Webber was also a competitive rugby player and was a member of the U.S. National Rugby Team’s U-19 pool for two years (1996-97). He competed as a bare-back bronco rider in the Northwest Professional Rodeo Association from 1996-2000, and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in 2000.

[team site]

It is too early to call this guy the greatest mascot ever? Not sold yet? Here’s a nice promo video showcasing Joey and the Timbers’ “No Pity” motto. I wonder if that’s Timber Joey’s real truck. I’m sure there are a handful of jilted ladies in the greater Portland area that can help me out with that. Read the rest of this entry »