Tuff Calls Media

The Right Call in Sports Media. Check out our website for the latest podcasts and articles!

[Tuff Calls Media @TuffCallsMedia]

Sunnis, Shias, and Kurds were killing each other in Baghdad in 2007.

The same three groups were on Iraq's Asian Cup roster.

When Younis Mahmoud headed that ball in off a corner from Hawar Mulla Mohammed, none of that mattered for one night.

https://t.co/t1m7pbC49H

[Tuff Calls Media @TuffCallsMedia]

The 2007 Iraq Asian Cup squad had no home country to train in, no coach until 2 months before the tournament, and players who had lost relatives to the war while competing.

They beat Australia, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia.

The greatest underdog run in sports history.

https://t.co/pfmKycJyyi

[Tuff Calls Media @TuffCallsMedia]

On July 29, 2007, gunshots rang through the streets of Baghdad.

They weren't aimed at anyone.

For one night, in the middle of a civil war that was killing 100 people a day, Iraq won the Asian Cup. And a broken country remembered it was still one.

The full story:
https://t.co/pfmKycJyyi

[Tuff Calls Media @TuffCallsMedia]

The Iraqi team almost didn't play the final.

After their semi-final win, two bombs killed 50 people celebrating in Baghdad's streets.

Then a grieving mother went on TV and said she wouldn't bury her son until Iraq won the title.

They played. They won.

https://t.co/t1m7pbCBZf

[Tuff Calls Media @TuffCallsMedia]

@ritchey_charles @bobpockrass He is running almost every weekend. Why does it matter if it’s just one series. I’d argue that being in 3 series while also being a full time simulator guy is far better for development than just having him dominate trucks all season again

[Tuff Calls Media @TuffCallsMedia]

@TipsyCentaur @AVFCMarkM If it’s really about the hydration breaks, don’t play the ads. That simple

[Tuff Calls Media @TuffCallsMedia]

Honest question — if the NBA itself is telling youth players to stop specializing before age 14 and take real time off…

Why is youth basketball still built around playing 5 games a weekend with no offseason?

Wrote about this:
https://t.co/obg5tUrNuj

[Tuff Calls Media @TuffCallsMedia]

International players aren't better because they're from Europe.

They're better because they grew up in systems that actually prioritized practice over tournaments.

America has the athletes. We're just not developing them right.

https://t.co/obg5tUsljR

[Tuff Calls Media @TuffCallsMedia]

70% of AAU players aged 13-18 have one month of offseason or less.

Then we wonder why NBA players can't stay healthy.

The system is broken. New piece on why Europe figured out what we haven't:
https://t.co/obg5tUsljR

[Tuff Calls Media @TuffCallsMedia]

@idontgetball @RevGrahamHess Brother. Ben Simmons is a multi time all star.. what are we talking about

[Tuff Calls Media @TuffCallsMedia]

@ExcellentWill @dabfordale You should not be surprised one bit lol

[Tuff Calls Media @TuffCallsMedia]

The American youth basketball system has a problem. And it's not that AAU exists. It's what the system rewards. 🧵

1/ Highlight plays get attention. The right pass doesn't. Kids figure that out fast.

2/ 70% of AAU players 13-18 have one month of offseason or less. These are still growing kids.

3/ The international model isn't perfect, but it's built around practice first. The American model is built around exposure first.

Full piece here 👇
https://t.co/IO1XYLoc8N

[Tuff Calls Media @TuffCallsMedia]

The Cleetus McFarland / RCR deal has NASCAR Twitter divided. Here's my honest take 🧵

1/ Yes, six combined starts before landing an O'Reilly Series ride is a short resume. That's fair criticism.

2/ But this isn't a one-off appearance. It's a two-year development deal with a championship-winning team.

3/ He's in the simulator. He's running ARCA. He's buying a late model. He's doing the work.

4/ And frankly, he brings 4.6 million fans with him. NASCAR needs that more than it needs another pay driver nobody has heard of.

Full piece 👇
https://t.co/IwPk42pSk1

[Tuff Calls Media @TuffCallsMedia]

Nightmare fuel

[Skip Bayless @RealSkipBayless]

Ernestine and I share our thoughts on the war on Iran

[Tuff Calls Media @TuffCallsMedia]

“Trash series.” “Stupid redneck.” New unsealed texts show what NASCAR’s leadership really thinks about teams, SRX, and fans. Here’s why it matters for the 23XI/FRM lawsuit. https://t.co/tegOpw4Xx3

[Tuff Calls Media @TuffCallsMedia]

The Bubba Wallace Penalty is Everything Wrong With Nascar in 2024... https://t.co/5mKKJrmSA6

[Tuff Calls Media @TuffCallsMedia]

I was right. It just took a while

[Tuff Calls Media @TuffCallsMedia]

It’s not looking good Vikings fans

[Tuff Calls Media @TuffCallsMedia]

@NBA MINNESOTA!