More Assault On Athletes

Scary story out of Moscow today. 20 year old, #6 tennis player in the world Anna Chakvetadze was bound, along with her dad and a housekeeper, in her own home by 6 men who took off with over $300,000 worth of cash and jewelry.

Of course this brings to mind the Sean Taylor murder, but something doesn't sound quite right here. For starters, why do they have that much cash on hand, and who would know that? It makes me wonder if this wasn't some kind of revenge or set up to avoid another incident from occurring. I won't be surprised if that turns out to be the case. .

In the past, we might have told her that she needs to leave Moscow to avoid situations like this, but as we have seen recently, things like this can happen here, too. But once again, if this truly was a burglary, then just a few extra precautions go a very long way.

I hope this doesn't affect her too much, and at least she wasn't physically hurt like when Monica Seles was stabbed. She has studied psychology, which she credits with helping her break into the top 10, so maybe that study will benefit her here, too. Although it would be understandable if she takes time off, I do hope that the returns soon because she's a very talented player and tennis would be less well off if in her absence.

Hawks' Williams Carjacked Before Game

Atlanta Hawks forward Shelden Williams was carjacked this weekend in Atlanta in broad daylight. The teenagers who stole his car, both 18, banged it up in their later efforts to rob holiday shoppers.

I'm not trying to blame the victim, but this is another one of those things in which people with money (athletes or not) have to realize that you can't do everything that regular people do. I would be willing to bet the kids didn't know who he was and just decided to take his car because it was probably really nice. I just read today that Atlanta has the most bank robberies of any city in the country, and banks are only open during the day, so brazen crimes like this are occurring with some disturbing frequency.

Tty be aware of your surroundings and take the appropriate precautions, no matter who you are. Hopefully stories like these will remind people everywhere that it's a tough world these days, and anyone can be a target - unfortunately, especially at Christmastime - so take extra care as you go about your day.

Redskins Safety Taylor Shot in His Miami Home

Whether you love or hate the Washington Redskins (I'm talking to you, Dallas Cowboys fans), anyone who has a heart would not make jokes about this, but unfortunately I have seen a few. When a man clings to life, I fail to see the humor in that.

Redskins safety Sean Taylor has had his fair share of ups and downs in his four years in the league, but he's also good, and leads the league in interceptions even though he has missed the past two games. It appears that the only reason that he was at home in Miami at the time is because he wasn't traveling with the team due to injury.

His past doings may have suggested that he was in need of a few things (including guidance), but today, he just needs your prayers. It seems that an armed man (I can only assume it's a man) broke into Taylor's home and shot him in the leg. Taylor was at home with his girlfriend and young daughter at the time. The bullet hit an artery, causing him to lose a lot of blood and making this a life-threatening wound.

The phone lines to his house were also cut, which I assume was to turn off any alarm that might have been active at the home. Apparently, he had been having trouble with break-ins prior to this incident.

I'll let you read the other details here. I just hope he pulls through and that they can get to the bottom of this. I will keep you posted.