Baghdad is generally a real safe place to have fun and play sports.  Even the country of Iraq for the most part.  So, you’ll be very surprised to hear that an Iraqi soccer player was shot dead during an amateur match over this past weekend.

Police Maj. Muthanna Khalid says a striker from the Buhairat amateur team was facing only the goalie during a Sunday match in Hillah when a supporter of the rival Sinjar club shot him in the head in the final minute of play.

PHOTO CAPTION:  An Iraqi soccer player plays soccer in full uniform.

Sinjar was leading 1-0 when the shooting occurred. Khalid said a spectator was arrested.

This is nothing to joke about…

…but the Golden State Warriors are exploring this defensive tactic after giving up 154 points in regulation time to the Phoenix Suns last night.

It has been confirmed that the shooter was not football analyst Cris Carter and the player was not current Buffalo Bill Terrell Owens.