But it’s doubtful that anybody saw this coming.

The students at Emerson College were presented with a challenge: make contact with one celebrity and get them to agree to come guest teach their class.

One group was assigned actor Mark Wahlberg while the other was assigned the Pats tight end. The Patriots tight end explained to the students that coming to visit during a busy football season would be tough, so he couldn’t make any promises.

Now  that he’s out 4-6 weeks recovering from his injury, Gronkowski decided that now was as good a time as ever to make his debut as a college professor.

Check out the video below to see Gronk spending some time with Emerson students.

If that alone was what determined the winner of the century-old rivalry game, Army would win the 2012 edition with ease.

The new uniforms, which were designed by Nike, feature the school’s colors along with a unique new feature never seen on a uniform before. The jersey, gloves and helmet are covered in historical maps that were used in World War II, an awesome new look for a school that takes pride in its rich history of military service.

The 113th Army-Navy game will take place on Dec. 8 at Lincoln Financial field in Pennsylvania.

Check out the photo below to see Army’s new look.

Photos via Facebook/Army Navy Game

Yankees fans woke up Friday morning to a horrifying sight: Derek Jeter significantly overweight on the back page of the New York Post. The Post’s report said Jeter had “turned to the fork” and lost control of his weight during rehab on his injured left ankle.

The report, however, appears to be false. Jeter looked much slimmer when he met with the MLB Network’s Harold Reynolds for lunch recently.

Jeter’s injury, which occurred during the Yankees’ 2012 playoff run, is expected to keep Jeter out for the early parts of the 2013 season. But fear not, New Yorkers — Jeter appears to have his weight in check. In fact, it looks like he could use a burger or two.

Photo Via Twitter/MLB Network

As the NHL lockout approaches the dreaded Dec. 15 deadline for a new CBA, players all over the world are looking for ways to spend their time. Penner, fresh off a Stanley Cup championship, decided to join up with TV personality Conan O’Brien, who created an unpaid internship position so Penner could gain some professional experience.

While the internship obviously wasn’t real, the clips from Penner’s day in the office cracked a couple of smiles on the faces of hockey fans who still don’t have much to be happy about. If the season is canceled, Penner may have to follow in the footsteps of Celtics star Rajon Rondo and start looking for a real internship.

Check out the video below to see Penner’s office antics.

Valentine, who was joining New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman for one of Cashman’s favorite hobbies, began his descent Friday morning from the top of the Landmark Square building in downtown Stamford, Conn., as a part of a holiday celebration.

The 200-foot descent was caught on camera by a local radio station that was promoting the event.

While it may seem like Valentine had every reason to change his colors after leaving the Red Sox, he actually took the invitiation from Cashman last winter, shortly after being chosen as Boston’s new manager.

And yes, both Connecticut natives made it safely to the bottom.

Click here to see more photos of Valentine’s latest adventure>>

Thumbnail via Facebook/95.9 THE FOX

An injustice? In a way, yes.

Urban Meyer‘s squad has been denied an opportunity to play for the team’s first national championship since 2002, as a result of the negligence and lack of control by former head coach Jim Tressel. Though Meyer, along with Buckeye nation, knew that there would be no postseason play this season — finishing perfect makes that pill a little bit harder to swallow.

There is no question that Ohio State would have been invited to play in the National Championship game over unbeaten Notre Dame — if they were able to win the Big-10 title game — but the “what if?” scenarios are seemingly all Ohio State fans can hold on to. Or are they?

Despite a postseason ban, the Buckeyes can still be ranked in The Associated Press poll, a poll which currently has them fourth in the nation behind Notre Dame, Alabama, and Georgia. But with Bama and Georgia squaring off this weekend, the Buckeyes would presumably jump the loser of the game, moving them to No. 3 in the rankings. There could be some hope left.

If Notre Dame were to fall to the SEC champion in the national championship game it would leave only one unbeaten team remaining, Ohio State. With only one team in the country holding a perfect record for the season, voters could favor perfection over perseverance in the final AP poll of 2012.

In theory, this chain of events could make Ohio State The AP national champions without ever playing a postseason game, a nifty loophole that could leave Buckeye Nation smiling from ear to ear until 2013.

Though that exact chain of events happening is a long shot, it should give Ohio State something to cheer for. The football team deserves to be recognized for its performance on the football field, despite irresponsible actions in the past which occurred off of it. This group of young men are worthy of a chance to play for the national championship, and with Meyer leading this program you can bet their time will come.

The 2012 season will always have an asterisk next to it in the Ohio State record books, as the year they’ll never know if they were good enough to win the BCS title, but were most certainly good enough to play for it.

Photo via Facebook/Ohio State University Football

Joseph will be in uniform for the Celtics after spending two games with the Maine Red Claws on assignment. During those games the 6-foot-7 forward averaged 25.5 points along with 7.5 rebounds.

Joseph, who made his debut with Boston in early November, is a much-needed body on a depleted Celtics roster. With the recent suspension handed down to Rajon Rondo after his fight with Kris Humphries, the Celts have just ten healthy players on their bench. Adding Joseph to the active roster will provide depth and flexibility, something Boston needs now more than ever.

The Celtics’ next game is Friday night at the TD Garden against the Portland Trailblazers.

Nicknamed the “Honey Badger” for his tenacious play and his never-quit attitude, Mathieu’s fall from grace has been one for the ages.

When LSU coach Les Miles removed Mathieu from the program prior to the start of the 2012 campaign, it was hoped that the electric player who was once considered a Heisman candidate would clean up his act. Once again, he didn’t.

Now out of the LSU picture, the former star has decided to move on with his football career. According to ESPN’s Joe Schad, Mathieu will declare for the 2013 NFL draft.

Former LSU defensive back Tyrann Mathieu plans to announce today he is entering the next NFL draft, a source said

—
Joe Schad (@schadjoe) November 29, 2012

While Mathieu’s talent has never been in doubt, his draft stock is very much a question mark. Whether a team decides to take a chance on the enigmatic defensive back is anyone’s guess, but if the Honey Badger can straighten his problems out, he could end up being a draft-day bargain for a team willing to take that risk.

Thumbnail photo via Facebook/Tyrann Mathieu

Tarin Moses, the girlfriend of Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel, took to Twitter in the week leading up to the sunshine showdown to express her disdain for the Seminoles. Moses was using the hashtag #FSUhateweek to label her tweets leading up to the big game, a game which Florida held on to win.

Delighted with the performance of her school and her QB boyfriend, Moses decided to rub some salt in the wound of Seminole fans with a picture she retweeted from a friend.

Check our Moses’ message to Florida State below:

Photo via Twitter/TarinMoses

Thumbnail via Facebook/Tarin Moses

Click here to check out photos of the Gators QB’s biggest fan>>

As the winter season is now upon us, the NFL has released its latest line of cold-weather apparel, which features some interesting hats. The knit sideline hats have been distributed to the players and are now for sale on the league’s website.

While the stripes have a definite old-school appeal, they’re also funny-looking enough that plenty of people will be thinking of Waldo when they scan the sidelines during games. And with a nice pom-pom atop the hats as well, it’s worth wondering whether NFL players will be feeling shy when it comes to keeping their ears warm.

That hasn’t stopped some players, though. Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers were just a couple of the NFL stars channeling Waldo this past week.

Click here to NFL stars rocking their “Where’s Waldo?” hats>>

The large majority of NFL players who are drafted don’t work out, but every once in a while, franchises hit the jackpot and select an individual who can make their team a contender.

While the quarterback spot is arguably the most important position in today’s NFL, it can also be the hardest position to draft well. Draft history is filled with stories of quarterbacks failing to follow through after being picked high, with passers like Ryan Leaf and JaMarcus Russell leaving franchises hesitant for years to come.

But the draft can also be a great place to make a steal. For every Ryan Leaf, there could be a Tom Brady waiting in the later rounds. Some of today’s best quarterbacks, in fact, were scooped up by teams well past the first round.

Monday night’s star, Colin Kaepernick, is no exception. He acted like he’s been under center all season in just his first start in place of the injured Alex Smith.

The draft has had plenty of treasures, and today’s NFL is full of quarterbacks who had to beat their way up the depth chart to get a starting spot.

Click here to see the Top 10 current quarterback draft steals>>

Enter Ronda Rousey.

Rousey has informally announced that she has signed with the UFC brand, making her the first woman to do so. The signing was later confirmed by UFC president Dana White.

Formally a champion in the Strikeforce women’s division, Rousey will be one of a group of women vying for a spot in UFC’s first female match.

Click here to see more photos of Ronda Rousey>>

The Great One expressed his displeasure in the ongoing labor negotiations, but believes there are reasons to remain hopeful that the season will not be cancelled.

“We want to see hockey. It’s frustrating,” Gretzky said in a radio interview Tuesday, according to Pro Hockey Talk. “My gut still tells me that over the next six weeks I think that they will get a deal done, and I think there’s too many people that want to play, and I still see hockey being played come January for a 40- or 50-game schedule. Let’s all try and stay positive.”

The NHL legend offers an interesting perspective on this topic as he played in the league, but was also a member of the Phoenix Coyotes ownership group before the team filed for bankruptcy in 2009.

Gretzky believes that the league will come to an agreement within the next four to six weeks. This coming after more negative news surrounding the latest work stoppage came on Wednesday.

The charity’s mission is to provide services for Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans who have been affected by combat stress and traumatic brain injuries.

The Run-Walk to Home Base is already responsible for raising more than $7 million since 2010, and plans to add to that number with next year’s event.

The fundraiser will take place at Fenway park on May 4, 2013, and all fundraising information is available at the charity’s official website.

Click here to view photos of the announcement at New Balance’s Copley Square location>>

A chance to finally speak out against the city and team that chased him out of a job.

A chance to speak his mind without any negative consequences from his former bosses.

A chance to get the last laugh.

But instead of doing what some people in his shoes would have done, the longtime coach handled things with class.

Valentine, who was joined by legendary baseball writer and NESN’s own Peter Gammons, was eager to meet with a panel of Bostons sports fans and media members in what was his first public appearance since being relieved of his duties as manager of the Sox. However, he was reluctant to speak about  his personal endeavors since his firing.

“This isn’t a press conference to discuss any of that,” he explained with a smile. “It’s none of [the public's] business.”

Valentine’s smile was contagious, and while some thought it would be a hostile evening, that thought was quickly eliminated when it became obvious that this was a man who had made peace with a bad situation. But that didn’t stop him from making some ill-advised jokes about players on his former team.

Bobby V joked that Daniel Bard‘s slow return from his meltdown was like “Chinese water torture.”

He also called third baseman Will Middlebrooks a “defensive liability.”

Valentine also offered his two cents on what he thought was wrong with the Red Sox’ system.

“There have been 44 presidents in the history of the United States, and I was the 45th manager of this team,” he explained. “That should say something about job security here. People think that they have to know everything in Boston. Information doesn’t filter down from the top, but attitude does.”

Valentine may no longer hold the Red Sox’ managerial position, but he still maintains a positive outlook.

“When I wake up, I think it’s going to be the best day of my life,” he said with a smile. “I did it today and I’ll do it tomorrow.”

Braun, the Milwaukee Brewers’ star outfielder and 2011 National League MVP, is now engaged to lingerie model Larisa Fraser.

Fraser leaked the news herself when she posted on her healthy living blog referring to Braun as her fiancee. She hails from Canada originally, but is currently working for major companies all across the United States.

Click here to see more photos of Larisa Fraser >>

Stewart attended the Champions League matchup between Celtic and European soccer powerhouse Barcelona to cheer on the Celts. The game — which also marked the 125th anniversary for Celtic — was expected to be dominated by Barcelona.

However, a resilient Celtic squad was able to pull of the upset and win what is considered by many to be the greatest victory in team history.

Stewart’s emotions got the best of him after the final whistle blew, and the legendary musician was moved to tears at the sight of his team’s triumph over one of Spain’s best clubs.

Check out the video below to see Stewart after Celtic’s victory.

As a Northern Michigan forward attempted to move the puck up-ice, Trouba came out of nowhere and delivered a punishing blind-side hit that appeared to have knocked his opponent out cold.

According to EliteProspects.com, Trouba is considered to be one of the more physical players in his draft class, and has had a tendency to rack up penalty minutes. In just six appearances with the Wolverines this season, Trouba has already spent 25 minutes in the sin bin, and if this style of play continues, he’ll likely be shown the door pretty often this season.

Check out the video below to see Trouba’s huge hit.

Thumbnail via Twitter/@JacobTrouba

Steele moved to New York City when she was 18 years old to try to jumpstart her career as a sports broadcaster. But instead of going into journalism, she immediately tried to work for the biggest name in sports TV: ESPN. Steele applied to become a waitress at the ESPN Zone in Times Square.

Steele thought that since the ESPN brand is promoted at the restaurant, employees would occasionally stroll through and present opportunities to establish connections.

Steele’s first try at working for ESPN was a swing and a miss, but it all worked out in the end. She has since become one of ESPN’s most recognizable young faces.

“It’s so crazy because people thought I was an idiot, which I was,” Steele said when asked about her master plan. “But apparently some part of that plan made sense.”

Click here to see photos of Samantha Steele>>

Photo via Twitter/@Samantha_Steele

Through 14 games with his club, EC Biel, Seguin has 22 points, including 10 goals. That includes his most impressive performance — a four-goal game just this week.

Seguin got one of those goals thanks to the newest addition to Biel, Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane, who fed him the assist.

To see Seguin’s five-point performance, check out the video below. Kane’s great assist is at the 2:24 mark.