Christian Ponder Says Samantha Steele is not the Problem in Minnesota

Perhaps it has been best said through song—or in this case to be more precise a rap—but if you ask Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder "he's got 99 problems but a [that word for female dog that rhymes with itch] ain't  one." In fact, when it comes to the life of the young second year starter his personal life is the one thing that isn't a problem. He's been dating ESPN's blonde bombshell, Samantha Steelefor months.

If you ask some of the Vikings fan base (and Cowboys fans will back them up) they'll tell a different story; one that involves quarterbacks playing like crap after they start dating hot women and the Curse of the Hottie strikes!

Around mid-October rumors began to fly that Christian Ponder and ESPN sideline reporter Samantha Steele were dating. If you don't know who the lovely young lady is, she became the resident hottie after Erin Andrews jumped ship to go to FOX. About a month ago Ponder did what any heterosexual male would do when questioned about their supposed relationship-- he bragged his butt off!

"I'm proud of the relationship," Ponder said, smiling. "I can brag. I've got bragging rights, I believe."

Since then he has not played well and the Vikings appear to be falling apart after getting off to a 4-1 start. In the three games since the duo went public, his play has been less than stellar (8-17, 58 yards, 2 TD, I INT against Arizona; 19-35, 251 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT against Tampa Bay; 11-22, 63 yards, 1 INT against Seattle) and the Vikings have slipped to 5-4.

So of course it must be Samantha Steele's fault. She's bad luck. That's what hot chicks are; bad luck.

Believers in the Curse of the Hottie will be quick to point out the Tony Romo/Jessica Simpson fiasco. The two hooked up in November 2007. Come December Romo finished the season with three poor games prompting many to start blaming Simpson and calling her bad luck. Their fears were further validated when Romo stunk it up in a playoff loss to the Giants.

For some strange reason there are fans that have decided that it is bad luck for the single guys on their team to date hot chicks during the season. Are they crazy or just jealous? This is simply ridiculous. Part of the fun in being a NFL quarterback is taking advantage of the celebrity that comes with position.

Nothing against Ponder; in fact, all the power to him! You never know when the fame is going to go away so you might as well take advantage of it while you got it (don't lie; all of y'all would do the exact same thing).

As for the Curse—I'm sure Tampa Bay controlling the ball for nearly 40 minutes, Seattle's No. 4 defense, and the Vikings No. 26 rated offensive line had more to do with both losses than Samantha Steele did.

[Note to Pro Athletes: To avoid messes like this, if you are dating someone famous and hot just keep it to yourself until the season ends.]