Colts Beware

LeBron James man crushes on Arian Foster: Calls Texan NFL's best as othersobsess over Luck

Arian Foster's rise is one of the great stories in modern sports.
Photo by Michelle Watson/CultureMapSnap
Consider LeBron James a huge fan of Arian Foster.

Let the masses go gaga over Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. And the Next Hot Thing crowd is welcome to swoon over Robert Griffin III and even Andrew Luck if they must.

The best basketball player on the planet prefers a different football star.

LeBron James digs watching Arian Foster.

"I love Arian Foster, from the Houston Texans," James tells the world in the Sports Illustrated that declares him 2012's Sportsman of the Year, "because he didn't get drafted, he played on the practice squad, and now he's probably the best running back in the NFL."

If Foster's amazing journey pumps up LeBron, the 26-year-old Texan has the chance to add another big chapter on Sunday.

If Foster's amazing journey pumps up LeBron, the 26-year-old Texan has the chance to add another big chapter on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. Foster typical feasts against the horseshoes. He announced himself to the NFL by gashing the Colts for 234 rushing yards in the first game of the 2010 season and he hasn't slowed down much against them since.

Foster's last two games against Indy? That'd be 167 and 174 total yards respectively.

This is one of those Sundays when LeBron might want to tune in. Foster hasn't been quite as highlight friendly in 2012 as he had been the last two seasons. He's been more workmanlike, leading the NFL in both carries (298) and rushing touchdowns (14). But he's still just a few monster games away from challenging for his second 1,500-yard rushing season in the last three years.

"Arian can do things that almost no one else in football can do," Texans center Chris Myers says. "It's an honor to block for him."

LeBron loves Foster because he is such an underdog made good. And there's no doubt that Foster has made it like no one but him could have imagined. In many ways, this season is about his adjusting to life as a bona fide, established superstar though.

Absolutely nothing has come easy for Arian Foster this season. His offensive line is remade and in a pretty constant state of flux. Adrian Peterson's amazing comeback story grabs much of the running headlines and new names like Tampa Bay's Doug Martin are getting plenty of play. And yet, Foster is still a few big games away from completely commanding the NFL stage and making LeBron's words ring true.

Best running back in the NFL.

unspecified

chill out

Houston Astros ballpark gets cool new name for the next 15 years

Courtesy of the Houston Astros

The Astros' stadium will have a new name in 2025.

The Houston Astros are about to have the coolest ballpark in Major League Baseball. The team announced on Monday, November 18 that its has reached a naming rights agreement HVAC manufacturer Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc.

Beginning on January 1, 2025, the stadium will be known as Daikin Park (die-kin). Scheduled to run through the 2039 season, the new name replaces Minute Maid Park, which has been the stadium’s name since 2002. It opened in 1999 as Enron Field.

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Astros fans online are already calling the new stadium “The Ice Box,” replacing its informal “The Juice Box” moniker. That name feels likely to stick.

Japan-based Daikin Industries is a leading manufacturer of HVAC systems. It sells air conditioning units and other products under brand names such as Daikin, Goodman, Amana® and Quietflex. Critically, it operates Daikin Texas Technology Park in nearby Waller, which is the largest HVAC manufacturing facility in North America. The company employs approximately 10,000 people in Greater Houston, according to a release.

“We are excited to be partnering with Daikin for our ballpark’s naming rights,” Astros owner Jim said. “Daikin is an international company that proudly calls the Greater Houston area its North American home. The Houston Astros and Daikin share the same values, a commitment to excellence and a desire to give back to our local community. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of this ballpark in 2025, I am proud to have Daikin alongside us to create even more special memories for our fans now and in the future.”

The Astros will use the revenue for new stadium amenities and other upgrades. It will also continue the team’s various community initiatives. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. the Houston Chronicle notes that naming rights deals may be worth anywhere from $3.5 million per year (T-Mobile park in Seattle) to $11 million per year for the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field.

The team’s first game in Daikin Park will take place on Monday, March 24, which it plays an exhibition against its Triple-A affiliate, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. It will open the regular season on Thursday, March 27 against the New York Mets.

“Daikin fit all of the criteria we set out to find in a naming rights partner,” Astros senior vice president Matt Brand added. “Their name and reputation fit our iconic downtown Houston home, and their values mesh perfectly with those of the Astros. We are grateful to partner with the entire Daikin team and to help them succeed in their business goals. Daikin Park will be a special place for our fans for many years to come.”

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