Horoscopes at halftime

The Cosmos shifted last week with the discovery of a new zodiac sign. The new sign, Ophiuchus, threw many devout believers' astrological balances out of whack. What a way to start out 2011 - people acted as if the supposed end of the world in 2012 had come early (personally, 2012 is on my list of fears ... along with popping balloons).

With the new zodiac sign, several birthdays fall under the two systems. Zetus lapetus, Xenon! As if finding a new star isn't confusing enough for some people, now they might be caught between two of them.

Despite the fact that the new zodiac sign and your daily horoscope may predict something totally random compared to your old sign, the world will continue to function normally. But all this talk about Geminis being people-pleasers one minute and then cunning and inquisitive the next, or Scorpios becoming Libras, had me pondering how the astrological shift may affect all-star athletes.

Even if you think zodiac signs are a bunch of hocus pocus only for Miss Cleo's free phone readings, I think the astrological qualities help define and shape these famous players.

Think about it: Cincinatti Bengals wide receiver Terrell Owens, better known as T.O., is one of the most gregarious and flamboyant athletes in the world. His birthday is Dec. 7, falling under the traditional zodiac sign of Sagittarius.

According to the very reputable website, astrology-online.com, traits of Sagittariuses (or is it Sagittarii? Come on, Latin majors, help a puella out) include: honest and straightforward, intellectual and philosophical, as well as irresponsible, superficial, tactless and restless. These are qualities exhibited by T.O.'s knack for contemplative and outlandish Tweets, excessive touchdown celebrations and blatant honesty in interviews.

In the other kind of football, Landon Donovan (March 4) and Mia Hamm (March 17), prolific forwards for the United States National soccer teams, are both Pisces. It is only fitting for Donovan and Hamm that Pisces' characteristics are patience, generosity and acceptance of the people and circumstances around them.

Everyone knows that patience is indeed a virtue in soccer, when the one and only goal could come in the last few minutes of play (oh hey Spain vs. the Netherlands World Cup final). But just as important as that patient goal is the generosity from the assist. And accepting the situation around them on the pitch is just as characteristic of great soccer players.

Capricorns generally exhibit ambitious, disciplined, humorous and miserly qualities. Cut to LeBron "King" James, whose birthday is Dec. 30. After "The Decision" in July, the whole country and, quite specifically, many staunch Cleveland Cavaliers fans, found out just how miserly the King was. Trading in his hometown glory and support for a chance at a dynasty shows LeBron's ambitious nature. Yet his on- and off-court antics and humorous Tweets, along with his points per game average, keep the King on the throne of the NBA.

Serena Williams has created a racket in the tennis world since her professional debut at age 14. Serena is a Libra, a sign of people who are generally charming, sociable, changeable and self-indulgent. She charmed the world when she used to rock those beaded braids, and her fashionista sense of style is borderline self-indulgent. But at the end of the match, she is just a sociable player with an ever-changing style of play and of fashion.

Though he seems to be in Us Weekly more often than Sports Illustrated as of late, New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, otherwise known as A-Rod, has been living up to his Leo persona for his creative, enthusiastic, bossy and sometimes pompous attitudes.

A player has to have some level of enthusiasm and pomp to be the youngest player to hit 500 and then 600 home runs, even beating Babe Ruth's record by more than a year. A-Rod could exhibit an elevated, pompous attitude by breaking one of the Great Bambino's records. Instead, he chooses to have a creative love life filled with A-list movie stars, such as Kate Hudson and more recently, Cameron Diaz.

After covering the zodiac signs for some of the biggest names in sports, maybe you are now more knowledgeable about how their astrology meshes with their athleticism.

Or maybe you are now at peace to know that it wasn't the shifting astrological signs that caused Tom Brady and the Patriots to lose against the Jets (too soon, Pats fans?). Or maybe, just maybe, the new zodiac will bring much-needed good fortune to the Redskins for next season. ... That's probably as accurate as one of Miss Cleo's free readings. Call now for your favorite athlete's horoscope!