Burgers get stacked a bit too high
We now have a possible explanation for the creepy, caped football-playing king who scores touchdowns and scares children in those disturbing Burger King commercials, which are obviously the handiwork of a dazed and hazy mind: marijuana burgers.
Two police officers recently sued Burger King Corp., claiming they were served hamburgers laced with marijuana at one of the chain’s restaurants in Los Lunas, N.M.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. Nov. 24, 2006 For The Record
Los Angeles Times Friday November 24, 2006 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 39 words Type of Material: Correction
Fast-food purchases: An item in Morning Briefing in Sports on Wednesday about food consumption habits said Americans annually buy 2.4 million Whoppers from Burger King, 536,000 Domino’s pepperoni pizzas and 500,000 Hostess Twinkies. Those figures are daily, not annual.
According to the lawsuit, Mark Landavazo and Henry Gabaldon were sold burgers sprinkled with marijuana when they went through the restaurant’s drive-thru lane in their squad car.
The officers ate about half the burgers before discovering the marijuana, the lawsuit said, and three Burger King employees were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and aggravated battery to a police officer, a felony.
In a related story, Indiana University scientists have discovered that one of the most effective ways for athletes to recover after exercise is to drink a glass of chocolate milk.
This was considered significant news by the NBA, whose players now have a nutritious way to wash down all those Whoppers.
Junk-food nation
According to a Time magazine survey, Americans buy 2.4 million Whoppers a year, with or without the cannabis filler. That easily outdistances the 536,000 Domino’s pepperoni pizzas and 500,000 Hostess Twinkies we buy each year, although the pizza and Twinkies totals soon could be boosted by an outbreak of post-marijuana-burger munchies.
The same survey reported that 37% of Americans believe places can be haunted. That number seems low, considering that more than four out of five Americans have heard of Wrigley Field.
Trivia time
Who is the last USC quarterback to have started at least 10 games and not won a Pac-10 championship during his Trojan career?
Very scary
Phoenix Coyotes center Jeremy Roenick will guest-star as a high school baseball coach in this Friday’s episode of the CBS drama “Ghost Whisperer.”
In the episode, Melinda (played by star Jennifer Love Hewitt) encounters the angry ghost of a former pro baseball player who died in a car accident. Roenick plays a coach preparing his team for a big game when the ghost tries to take over the body of high school pitcher Justin Cotter.
A news release for the TV show lists Roenick’s previous acting credits, including performances on the Disney Channel’s “The Jersey,” HBO’s “Arliss” (does that really count?) and the daytime drama “One Life To Live.”
Note of caution to CBS: Roenick appeared on “Arliss,” which was canceled. He played last season for the Kings, who missed the playoffs. He now plays for the Coyotes, who are in last place in the NHL’s Pacific Division.
“Ghost Whisperer,” beware the Curse of Roenick.
Trivia answer
Mike Van Raaphorst, who started 15 games for the Trojans from 1997-2000. USC’s best finish during those years was 8-5 and third place in 1998.
And finally
Emmitt Smith is enjoying one more round in the national spotlight after his “Dancing With The Stars” victory, but he notes that there is a big difference between bouncing through the samba and bouncing off the shoulder pads of Lawrence Taylor.
“I’m not going to Disneyland,” Smith told Newsweek. “I don’t think I’m going to be on the cover of a Wheaties box.”
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