July 4th Hot Clicks: Athletes with the American flag

Athletes With The American FlagHappy July 4th. I really hope you're reading this from your home instead of from cubicle wondering why you're stuck at work on

Athletes With The American Flag

Athletes With The American Flag

J.J. Watt :: Getty Images

Jonny Gomes :: Getty Images

Dwyane Wade :: Getty Images

Eddie George :: Getty Images

Cal Ripken Jr. :: Getty Images

Santonio Holmes :: Getty Images

Derrick Thomas :: AP

Adam Dunn, Dmitri Young and Sean Casey :: Getty Images

LaDainian Tomlinson :: AP

Jim McMahon :: AP

London Fletcher :: Getty Images

Nick Mangold :: Getty Images

Happy July 4th. I really hope you're reading this from your home instead of from cubicle wondering why you're stuck at work on the Fourth of July. Luckily -- in either case -- I am here with a special Independence Day edition of Hot Clicks, leading with this gallery of athletes with the American flag.

More American Goodness

Athlon Sports presents the most patriotic helmets in college football ... This guy waved the American flag in all 50 states and made this great video montage of his journey ... The most awkward American family photos ever taken ... How well do you know "The Star-Spangled Banner?" Take this quiz and find out ... Altering famous movie quotes to sound more American ... The 15 most patriotic item you can buy on eBay ... A look at patriotism in video games.

Manager of the Year

The Rays have the fourth-worst record in baseball, but Joe Maddon deserves AL Manager of the Year consideration for going with the Tommy Tutone lineup (867-5309) during Thursday night's 8-1 loss to the Tigers. This comes a few days after Maddon decided to use Grant Balfour as his closer because he saw Balfour walking through a hotel lobby with his grandmother.

Lovely Lady of the Day

How does a California girl born on the Fourth of July sound for today's LLOD? It turns out Alyssa Miller meets that criteria perfectly ... This gallery shows beautiful women wearing the American flag ... Same with this one.

Know Your Audience

The MLS All-Star Game is in Portand this year and the Galaxy made their push for votes by dressing as hipsters. Of course, nothing will ever beat Chris Bosh's epic video begging to be included in the 2008 NBA All-Star Game.

T-Shirt I Must Have

Tetris turned 30 last month and this guy celebrated by creating a playable t-shirt of the game. Just to be clear, you can actually play Tetris on this shirt.

From the SI Vault

On this day in 1939, Lou Gehrig delivered his famous retirement speech to a packed crowd at Yankee Stadium. The first baseman, who played in a record 2,130 consecutive games, had recently been diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), which is now known as Lou Gehrig's disease. He died two years later. For more classic sports photos, visit the SI Vault on Twitter.

Odds and Ends

Scenes from Mark Emmert Appreciation Night, one of the most clever minor league promotions of the year so far ... All 16 of Tim Howard's saves against Belgium in one handy graphic ... Brian Vickers is now driving this Florida State-inspired race car ... Vincent Jackson wrote a children's book to help families deal with military deployment ... Great read on marijuana use in major league baseball ... Tigers hurler Rick Porcello became the first pitcher in 25 years to throw a complete game without either a walk or a strikeout ... Nick Newell is one of the emerging stars in MMA, which is especially impressive considering he only has one arm ... Peter Gammons makes an excellent point about the incongruity of the Yankees not playing at home on the 75th anniversary of Lou Gehrig's famous speech.

Speech of the Day

Speaking of Gehrig, here are a bunch of today's top players reciting his farewell speech.

Most Patriotic Moments In Sports History

Chatsports compiled the five most patriotic moments in American sports history, including this video of the Philadelphia crowd erupting into a U-S-A! chant upon hearing the news that Osama Bin Laden had been killed.

Most Patriotic Moment in Movie History

"A few cheers now for Rocky Balboa..."

A British View of July 4th

Stephen Merchant adds some levity to the American holiday by looking at how things would be different if the Brits had won the Revolutionary War.