To my readers who do not mind a column that's pretty unrelated to sports, but relative to the concept of America,

It began almost exactly four years ago, to the day. I had a good load of scruff, and struck up a conversation with a good friend in which we discussed the benefits, both physical and alliterative, of not shaving for the entire month of November.

Today, I bring this tradition, and discussion, to you.

Please, do not shave this November. My main reason is this... do you think the pilgrims shaved on their trip over to the New World? When they sat down to that first meal after a morning of playing Turkey Bowl football with their old high school buddies, do you think they had clean faces?

Rather, isn't it more likely they had icicles on their wonderful beards, with gravy grasping hold of those same follicles? In my opinion, and certainly 'Sheed's, it is.

So it is with great honor that invite all of you men, and however many of you women would like to find a way to contribute, to join in "No Shave November." There is a facebook group created by one of Dan Hager's pals -- the esteemed rugby player, Clarence Picard -- devoted to our month-long affair. Feel free to find it, and join.

The rules are as follows:

-- You may only trim your neckline and cheek bones, with a few exceptions:

A) You have a job interview and are not adept at trimming a nice beard

2) You're getting married

-- Don't shave.

I know this isn't sports-related, but Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year, and I think most people should celebrate it with a nice facial garden. Let's face it, once the pilgrims had that first meal and shaved, they turned into some pretty terrible characters.


If you love America, keep it growing,
Nicholas J. Mendola
Email: nick@wgr550.com