PRO FOOTBALL SPOTLIGHT

NEXT, I’LL BLOCK THE SUN WITH MY HEAD

Keyshawn Johnson, who had talked all week about how he was the engine that drove the Jets and “if they don’t start me, something is wrong,” decided to take the low-key approach when he scored his first touchdown during the game against Indianapolis.

Johnson, who scored on an 11-yard pass into the corner of the end zone, took off his helmet. He stomped around. He rocked. He rolled. He strutted. He moved left. He moved right. He jumped. He skipped. He pointed. He shimmied. He shook. He square-danced. He built a small dollhouse using eight pieces of plywood, a hammer and some nails. He declared his candidacy for President of the United States.

Oops, sorry, got a little carried away.

The celebration was ended when Johnson’s teammates smothered him on the field. Whether it was out of joy or embarrassment is left to speculation.

ALL RIGHT, WHO INVITED CHARLTON HESTON?

Sunday’s 32-minute delay during the game between Indianapolis and the New York Jets was only the fourth time in NFL history that a regular-season game has been delayed because of bad weather.

Interestingly, an exhibition game this season was canceled due to lightning, making us wonder if a higher power is tired of hearing people talk about how their rotisserie football team is doing.

AND NOW LOOK AT HIM, ALL GROWN UP

Dallas Cowboy quarterback Troy Aikman reached two milestones in Sunday’s 27-0 victory over the Giants. He surpassed 20,000 yards passing for his career and threw his 100th touchdown pass. Aikman was 19 for 27 for 228 yards and three touchdowns, improving his eight-year totals to 20,027 yards and 101 touchdowns.

When asked about breaking the century mark for touchdown passes, Aikman joked: “Back in 1989, when I was 0-11 as a starter, I wondered if I’d ever get to 50.”

AND, HE’S SAYING ‘GET ME OUT OF HERE’

Jeff Jerome, curator of the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum, located in Baltimore, on the Baltimore team using the nickname “Ravens”, based on Poe’s famous poem:

“I’m sure he’s in his grave right now with his thumb up.”

--Compiled by HOUSTON MITCHELL