Tank McNamara by Bill Hinds for January 30, 2014

For 2013: A-Rod.

For the Past 40 years: Jimmy Connors.

For 2013: Dennis Rodman

Fot 2013: Dennis Rodman and his “Diplomacy”For the past 40 Years: The one and only (Thank God!) Howard Cosell

Cosell is uniquely qualified in that he looked like a Jerk in EVERY Sport there is.

And not just the “Rug,” but whenever he opened his mouth!

Compared to Rodman, Jimmy Connors was a prince!

Rodman gets the vote…

Oddly enough, I find him very entertaining, even though he wins the Jerk prize.

I would give it to NFL referees as a group. Or to Goodell for settling with their union without a way to fire the worthless among their ranks.

As a former athlete, I am not sure if Rodman is qualified to be considered for Sports Jerk for this year. Now he might be in the running for best (worst?) of the last forty years but since he is no longer an active athlete, I think he should not be eligible for the current year’s award.

I nominate Alex Rodriguez for 2013.

Of the last 40 years Barry Bonds.

Pickens ARod for 2013 and O.J. Simpson for the last 40 tears

Incognito for 2013 and it’s a toss up between Mike Tyson and Bud (the Bigot) Selig for the past 40 years

Past 40 years. Roger Clemens

As dedicated sports fans, I’m sure we were all offended by TONS of things in 2013!

Robert Irsay—40 years

I’m still thinking about the past forty years, but I’ve decided on a jerk for 2013: Luis Suarez (Liverpool and Uruguay). In January, he confessed to diving on a regular basis. In April, he drew a 10-match suspension for biting Branislav Ivanovic during a game — the second time in the past four years he’s bitten an opposing player. In August, he tried to get out of his contract by saying that Liverpool had to give him his release because it wasn’t among the top 4 teams in the EPL last season. It turns out Suarez was lying about the promise; within a week he said he wanted to stay with Liverpool all along.

Ian Ayre, Liverpool’s CEO, has described Suarez as a “street fighter” who’s damaged the value of the team’s brand. For his all-around behavior, Suarez gets my vote for 2013 Sports Jerk of the Year.

I don’t have a nomination to give this year. But for the 40 year thing…. what was the name of that tennis player that claimed men were better than women and lost to Billy Jean King?.One of the few times as a teen that I paid attention to any other sport than hockey. Knew she would win. Was happy she won. With his mouth – he needed to be put down several notches.. But I just can’t remember his name!