Baylor Rape Scandal

Why, oh why, do our football fellas have to taint the entire system? Why can't we just have clean games, clean recruiting, and behave like the gentlemen your mama's thought they were raising? Does anybody out there have a brain?

Of course, these "hostess" girls are chosen for their looks, personality, and wooing skills! So who I ask, is really at fault here?

Many of these boys are away from home for the first time in their lives visiting college campuses with out a parent around. What do you, Mister Head Coach expect?
 It's really a no brainier.

Folks, if you send your son on a recruiting trip, I can assure you he is not always chaperoned 24 hrs a day. In fact, they are usually teamed up with a kid (program's team member) who may have the same position, or come from the same state, or with some other common interest as your son, with the soul purpose of getting him interested enough in the extra curricular activities to commit on the spot. The team members are assigned to show recruits the city sights, given pocket change to boot, and return to campus or the hotel just in time for Sunday's fireside chat with the head coach.

Hey, Mister Head Coach, if ya don't want sexual stuff like rape to happen on your watch, then create a more upright atmosphere! Honestly, my youngest son was honey-dripped-on more than my oldest son was. Simply I believe, because of timing issues. Heck when Bryson visited Tulane the trips were purdy much done. He slipped in on the very last weekend. But, I also believe these days, the honey-dos are most predominantly in programs that are in acute need of talent. They are leveraging any and all assets to get recruits to sign.

What a shame. And shame on you, Mister Head Coaches!! Shame on you for trying to cover it up. Rape is NOT okay! Never.  

 
  

Let’s Redefine a Win?

Because sometime, you’re gonna lose at something~

I pounded the integrity drum loudly, lately. Scandals in college and NFL took center stage. Players behaving more like thugs then men of honor—much less, those guys in question outta be more thankful than a pig in sunshine, blessed with talent and health to play beyond high school is a privilege!

Programs crumble brick by brick, because various accusations surface like sharks searching for their next meal. Cheating violations continue plaguing programs, which then leads to sanctions. Even worse, programs covering for coaches that should have been banned from being around any boys at any time. Black eyes of all kinds brought-on from top executives down to water boys have tinged our most beloved game of football. Is it any wonder why I am so passionate to keep the sport pure as possible?

Football in its purest sense is about teamwork, discipline, self-sacrifice, hard work, and sportsmanship. By definition, the game is supposed to teach a boy how to become a man. However, the reverse is oftentimes too true. Football can also morph a man back into an immature, juvenile boy who makes bad choices. That my friends, is sad!

Sad or not, the good news is, we can champion winners! Now, the above paragraph does not mention any scoreboard stats. No win columns or digit markers. Maybe a win is simply showing up. Maybe a win is gauged by ones character. Maybe a win is baking cookies and sharing them with a neighbor. Maybe a win has more to do with what is on the inside of a person than what is recorded for all to see and admire.

I believe at the core of every person lays a barometer, the measure of ones thoughts and actions. Often egocentricity is at the heart of ones infractions. Oh, that ego fella is one bad boy! Pride runs a close second. Certainly most sports, football or otherwise, could never teach or coach selfishness, their scoreboards would most surely reflect losses. When did our culture become so self-centered? Yet, we see it time after time, and especially in sports. What’s up with that? I guess because the media picks up on almost every move a team makes and the players who make wrong choices. The juicier the better.

Here’s an interesting story. One reflecting the purest sense of what it means to be an unselfish coach. For the record, I haven’t the foggiest clue about the game of lacrosse, but I can spot a guy that we can all learn from who possesses exceptional standards. This man holds more moral heart than anyone I’ve met or read about in recent years. His loyalties, honesty, honor, and by golly, his integrity reaches new heights. Or, maybe I should say, are at his core.         

Ex-Duke lacrosse coach Mike Pressler on rape scandal, resignation

Mike Pressler redefined a win. His integrity tools put him back on top and he continues to turn down zillions of bucks to stay right where he is. How many coaches across this great land of ours can say that?? It all goes back to doing the right thing even when no one else is.

I hope Coach Pressler’s story spreads new hope to all coaches who may have to take a good look inside. Checking the ego-dip-stick may open old wounds, but better to make some character adjustments and tap your gauge now, instead of waiting for when your own feet hit the fire. I hope all those involved with sports will take a deep heart-check and redefine their own wins. I sure am.

Look, no one wins every time. However, what you do or don’t do, and how you react to certain situations should be a predetermined decision in your life. It’s what you do during the feet-fires that set the true winners apart. I may need a good foot-washin’ myself.

Redefining a win isn’t always easy. Sometimes, it involves the smallest of things, checking the ego-dip-stick occasionally, and making appropriate adjustments. We can all Champion Winners right where we are. Embrace the small stuff, God is watching. We really do reap what we sow.    

Lessons Learned from Football Transcend other Traditional Education except, an audible from your mama!

If the NFL had the oversight of the NCAA,

the New England Patriots wouldn't be in the pickle they are in right now. The NCAA can spot a cheater from three footballs fields away! They are sticklers for clean games. I am beginning to believe the movie, “The Longest Yard” is more or less the truer way of how the NFL-ers conduct business.

The real sadness of the situation is the kids. The youth players who look up to these guys with such admiration, that it’s rather sickening the way these guys have so carelessly handled the hero-status to their young fans. Honestly, that’s the real tragedy. Too many NFL-ers are on to their houses, cars, model girlfriends or the next form of material possession and forget they previously had dreams of making it on Sundays and what that felt like. No doubt, the players of today once held their NFL heroes as high as the Georgia pines ever grow around here! However, that appears faded from so many players memory.

There are a few guys who really care about the character they put out there and do an awfully lot of good things for lot of folks. They contribute in their communities and help others unselfishly and it is so refreshing to see or hear about. Thanks guys. Big thanks to those NFL-ers!

Is the lesson of doing the right thing even when no one is looking ever going to get through? In the end, it always comes out and its worse than had the incident not been committed in the first place! Thing with the Patriot’s however, is all the previously poisoned apples. When your barrel has some stinky apples in it, and you've been accused of cheating before, it doesn't make your case of innocence's very convincing. Even the hint of cheating on plays in games or other issues with this team puts them in a precarious position.

The NFL has taken big hits this year, black eyes everywhere, take that however you want. My question is this; are ya ever goin’ to get it guys? Can anyone learn a lesson from other mistakes? Good heavens. This is not rocket science!

   

Looking for Leadership

Leadership is always king in football, and it doesn't take genius to figure out what teams are blessed with true leadership coaches and those who are not. It's evident the minute the team steps onto the field, if you know what to look for, that is. Dave Ramsey sums-up leadership lessons based on some purdy famous football coaches in his blog. This is worth a look-see.

http://www.daveramsey.com/blog/5-leadership-lessons-from-football-coaches

Ramsey lays it out with a little history from these winning coaches and it's all good stuff. I've experienced football as a fan and a mom, obliviously not as a player or a coach, but if you are a mom/parent then you have a special position all your own. Like it or not, you are coaching your own team and it is up to you to lead the way.

For insistence, in my last post, "Raising Jocks or Men of Honor" I rather scolded the grown fellers/players in to acting like somebody and stop all this craziness of ill behavior. I also strongly encouraged them to get in church.

Here is what I used to tell my own two when they were in high school, played football, could drive and make choices as to who they hung out with and so on.

1. You choose your friends, don't let your friends chose you.
2. Nothing good ever happens after midnight.
3. You can stay out as long as you want on Saturday nights, but your butt will be up for church and Sunday school the next morning.

They knew what to expect and how it would go down. We had a game-plan and it was up to them to execute. It was up to me to hold them accountable. Very simple.

Of course there were times of drama, times when I wanted to pinch their little cheeks red, times when holding it together I grabbed the glue and times I simply cried out to the Lord. The key is consistency. Like football, the players who are there time and time again, executing their assignments, making a way to make the play, are well coached with leadership at the helm, those are the teams who most likely win games, seasons, and championships.

I believe there is no other game like the game of football to teach life lessons and the gift of leadership. As I've said many times, football is so much more than what happens on the hundred yard expanse. I am always looking for those moms/parents with the gift of leadership. If you look real hard within your heart and seek The King of All Kings, you'll find your own gift of leadership. Kids really want moms/parents of leadership. Heck, they have enough peers.

   

Are we raising jocks or men of honor?

Gretchen Carlson just aired the 911 tape of a couple who were terrified by an apparent road-raged Rob Bironas just moments before crashing his car and consequently losing his life.   

Terry Bradshaw misses Fox's NFL coverage after death of son-in-law Rob Bironas

Football used to be the game of champions, true champions, loaded with men of character and integrity. Football, the game, is supposed to teach a boy how to become a man. A man who just might think of his teammates before himself, translated--a man of honor in life off the field. Once were teams formed consisting of young fellas/men who would form camaraderie among each other and steer a teammate on the path of righteous before it was too late. Granted, at the end of the day, there are tons of choices.

As of late however, with all the discrepancies, even starting a few years back with perhaps the biggest, blackest eye in all of college football, the Penn State scandals, I am losing hope. Hope in even the most innocents of my beloved game. The  All American game--Football. There is no other game on God's green earth like football, there just isn't.    

Am I dreaming? Did all this shady stuff exist years ago? And guys, especially you NFL-ers and college players, listen to your mama, the low-rent actions some of you are publicly demonstrating "IS" Shady with a capital S! Oh come on, you know better! I don't give a hoot-n-holler how you were raised, you really do know better no matter what or where you came from!! Stop taking the purest of sports into the gutter with all your nonsense and shenanigans!! Straighten up, y'all and fly right! 

The first thing you could do if you were a young fella/man of character is go to church and stop whining about it! Get your tail up and take your family or a buddy to church. The worst that could happen is God will forgive you. He is all about new beginnings and He'll meet you right where you are.

You can call me the church lady if you want too, but I speak truth and from my heart. Guys, get after it, and get on with it, righteous living, that is. We remember the inspirational stories off the field so much more than who won the super bowl in 1972. Put hope back in America and back in the most wonderful game on earth called, football!  

So, it’s okay to hit women?

After all, you’re a big time college football player. You have your fellow student body bowing at your feet in adoration, you can do anything you want and get by with it. Right? Sad, but true on so many levels.

I would like to think that back in the day when Johnny Unitas and Jim Brown were synonymous with the NFL and Bear Bryant was a rising star college coach, this stuff wasn’t happing. Even so, I cannot say that for a fact. A lot things were hidden and hush-hush with media as only a fly on the wall in a few locker rooms, quickly to be swatted and squashed if the reporting wasn’t to the liking of team mangers.

Football back then however, was a gentlemen’s game. Oh I’d say the game it’s self was tougher, sure it was! They weren’t worried about concussions or broken bones and relied on pure guts and grit on the gridiron. I mean the guys of the game had character off the field. They displayed a sense of responsibility to put forth good examples for the up and comers—the young fellas who looked-up to these guys. Our culture was certainly less violent.

So much for all the equality for woman. I’m not too sure poor Gloria Steinem, did anything to help the girls! Women are so much more exploited now a days than ever before. Sex trafficking, sensual ads, babies born before marriage, or no marriage or no daddy’s present and so on. We raise funds for battered woman’s shelters, implement 800 hot line numbers and the leading cause of injury to woman is domestic violence. Do we really consider this equality for women?

Obliviously, the recent news of UGA defensive lineman player, Jonathan Taylor prompted this post with several other college players throughout the nation on the line for such behavior as well. Come on guys, seriously? Aren’t you football guys getting enough hits on the field? What the heck are you doing?

Coaches, maybe you should take a good hard look at your recruiting methods. Wouldn’t you rather have maybe a 3 star player who will give you everything he’s got, including his off the field character? Instead of maybe the 4 star recruit, who can outplay the 3 star, but questionable off the field? You are not stupid; this stuff shows up long before signing day. Is it worth a scholarship to take a chance on his maybe not so great nature that in the end, will cost you?

This particular kid had been jailed before without repercussions from the Georgia coaching staff. He still played last year. Tell me that was a bright move. Now UGA is out a D-lineman and in a much tougher spot than if this had been dealt with last year.

Coaches, we all know who the player’s daddies are. YOU! Step up, make the hard choices, lower the boom, and be that dad who instructs his kids leading them to a life of Character. Someday, Football will be over for every player. Then what?       

Players Needs or unNecessary Roughness?

 

Northwestern University and the NCAA must prove that football players are NOT “employees” as per the latest ruling by the National Labor Relations Board in Chicago.

 Regional director Peter S. Ohr ruled that players do get “a substantial economic benefit for playing football” including scholarships, room and board, books, fees, stipends, etc. that can reach a sum total of as much as $76,000 in one year for a single player. This, Ohr says, qualifies the players as employees who can vote in union elections and Northwestern failed to prove otherwise.

http://www.nlrb.gov/news-outreach/news-story/nlrb-director-region-13-issues-decision-northwestern-university-athletes

 When I first heard this story I thought, Oh nooo! What the heck are these players doing!? Then I thought again. This football mama’s theory is not pretty, but it is largely the reason this could, and I say could with great caution, be necessary roughness on behalf of the players.

 The movie, The Blind Side hit many folks straight through the heart. Not necessarily due to the theme—wealthy family picks up homeless kid, but because of the deplorable living conditions, the child suffered through. It’s a crisis throughout this country with thousands of children in heart wrenching circumstances, and that was just one child’s story. Multiply it by infinity.

 Survival skills that are almost forced on high-risk youth who end up following the same path as generations before them include; either sell drugs, become a pimp/prostitute, or turn to sports. For some kids the only way out of a life of jeopardy is sports. Otherwise, more than likely, they will continue on the path and vanish into oblivion on the streets.

 Many do their best to escape this living style, yet the strongholds are nearly insurmountable. They see a sports future as climbing out. By signing a letter of intent to play college ball—provided they are blessed with enough talent to do so, is for some kids, their only hope of securing mama’s future. Viewing themselves playing on Saturday’s opens the Golden Gate pathway to the NFL. Sadly, many have no real intentions of graduating with a college degree.

 The peril these kids are in is not hearsay—it’s personal testimony. I’m married to someone who’s spent a lifetime advocating on behalf of children in our foster care systems.

 I saw it for myself when I moved my own guys onto college campuses. Many players across the country report to begin their collegiate career as a football player, without so much as a tooth brush. It is honestly, one of the saddest occurrences I’ve ever witnessed in my life.

 While moving each one of my guys into two different college dorms, I saw several players move in with nothing. No mama present—trucking up flights of stairs arms caring a laundry basket full of clothes, scrubbing commodes, making up beds, securing snacks, wishing them well with last minute prayers and hugs. No, they arrive alone and empty-handed.  

 It takes sheets to cover mattresses, towels and soap, laundry detergent, razor, shaving cream, deodorant, all items not provided by the University of Red Roof. These kids are seriously at the mercy of a few folks who may or may not pay attention to these needs—their new coaches. I saw it time and time again and it still haunts me even today, that I didn’t do more to help.

 I did what we could for those whose living quarters were close to my guys, either pod roommates, roommates or those that played on the OL. I always tried to make sure, when I bought groceries that I purchased a little extra. Things like snacks, juices, fruit, sundries and anything else that I got for one of my own, I tried to get enough for the buddies as well. However, we had a limited income, a budget that soon sunk like a stone. Just traveling to see these games nearly buried us in debt. Somehow, God always provided.

 Even so, I couldn’t bear the thought of turning away any fella that I knew had it a little rougher than my own two. After home games, you would find us taking kids out for dinner or for breakfast the next day, whomever my guys showed up with, we always tried to include them, too.

 It is no wonder that this has now become an issue with college players, extra money that is. Perhaps by forming a “union” is the only way for the players to get a little side cash. It takes guts to stand up to business as usual, much less the NCAA. Then again, it could open up a whole new can of worms with regulating that cash. If you grow up not knowing how to save or spend money wisely, than who’s to say this will solve a dad-burn thing.

 Yes, I know the NCAA has axed any and all monetary fund’s going straight to individual players. And, when money is involved it can really get messy really easily. Betting sharks buying outcomes on games, booster giving certain players cash or, even buying cars as once practiced, any privileged perks for players these days have been gutted straight-out by the NCAA. Rightly so, in the past it has all been done underhanded and under no regulation or fairness for all players. 

 I always wished there was a way to set-up some sort of program to help these kids, I wanted to do something. I’ve heard it said—if you see a need, fill it. Don’t wait on someone else to do something YOU do something! Even trying to live by that premise, I sadly, have fallen way short putting my heart into action.

 Maybe it will be the glory of the Northwestern Wildcats to put this need into action and set the stage for other players to follow. Maybe it’s genius. Maybe by sounding the alarm to boosters, football fans and us parents of college players, either past or present, who have seen this need and done nothing, we can finally come together and do something!   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tackling a Touchy Topic - gay in football?

 

Michael Sam wants us to look at him as a football player, not a gay football player. If that’s true then why did he feel the need to divulge his sexual orientation? He opened the worm can the minute he opened his mouth.

 Personally, I don’t want to know anyone’s anythingie when it comes to such private matters. There are certain things that should remain private regardless of gender choice. But gee, let’s shout it from the microphone and get football even more tainted. Come on man, football is the purest of the purely manly sports. Seriously?

 It would be like a girls basketball team having one of the boys on the boys’ basketball team shower in the all-girls locker room. It just smears the whole shebang to shreds and mess things up! As a mama, I would not want one of my sons showering with a gay guy. Period. End of story.

 Now do not miss-interrupt my stance here. We all know someone who is gay, who has a gay child, or a gay family member, or a gay friend and we’ve all been touched in some form or fashion by this subject matter. I am not saying God does not love these folks. Or, that I think of them as subhuman, far from it!

 What I am saying is—this is not the way God intended for the human race to live. I’m going to have to stick to His word. Something that is hardly ever done these days, sticking to God’s word, that is. Although the Duck Dynasty guy stuck to God’s word. Kudos to him, even though that brought on some crazy consequences, however, when you speak God’s truth, in the end His Truth always wins. And, because of their willingness to speak God’s truth, the double D’s are definitely winning these days!  

Look, I do believe He loves the person, just not the sin. As in the rest of us, we’ve all sinned and fallen short. We all have. I sure have. He loves us, not our sin. John 8:7 NKJ “… He who is without sin among you let him throw a stone at her first.” I don’t want to throw stones. I just want to throw footballs.

 The sportscasters say that it took a lot of guts to “come out.” Really? That’s how you see it? I believe it would take more guts to suck it up and stay quiet. So what did coming out do? If you look real close, maybe it just relieved his own conscious and hey, the dude is getting more publicity than ever. Interesting, the timing of it all. Right before the NFL draft? Come on you great thinkers out there, what purpose did it really do? It served no one but Mister Sam, himself.

 Oh, and for those of you who don’t know God’s word on this, there are several scriptures throughout the bible on the subject. One begins in Leviticus 18:22 NKJ “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman, it is an abomination.” I don’t know, that sounds purdy plain to me. Then again, I just want to throw footballs.

 

 

Ol’ Saint Nick ~ Not so Quick!!!

 

Nick Sabin is the best college coach in all of college football. Just mark it down y’all, he really is. Whether you’re an Alabama fan or you cringe at the word “Tide” and can’t even bring yourself to use the laundry detergent, one cannot deny his record! Anyone in his or her right mind would be hard pressed to dispute a record like Sabin’s. Period. Take LSU for example, he resurrected their program from the dead, “who” by the way, is still going strong.

This Football Mama is never without a theory. I believe the success of Coach Sabin is mostly because Sabin himself just won’t tolerate monkey business. If a player gets caught with his pants down—meaning in trouble for under-age drinking, drunkenness, rowdiness, scrapes with law-dogs or shady behavior, or maybe literally with his pants down in the wrong place, he’s outta his program. Coach Sabin simply will not give his players any room for screw-ups.

Then again, his players are disciplined to the crux. They eat, sleep, live by the Sabin rules. Even snafus on the field are not stomached by Sabin & Company. Ouch. That’s purdy hard-core for college boys.

Still the record stands and this year was no different, the Tide lost 2 key players and then more to the NFL and yet he pulls off a winning record? Not too shabby!

So, let’s take Georgia for insistence. Why don’t the Dawgs win more? Bring home more championships? Win a national title? Heck, anybody seen one national title in the last ten years under the Richt tutelage? Georgia can compete with Alabama on any given day as far as recruiting, facilities, education, player amenities you name it there is no reason why Georgia cannot compete! You want the real truth? Can you handle the truth?? Answer: Mark Richt coddles his players. Yep, I know, y’all gonna hate me, but the simple truth is, he does. He loves his players and is a stand-up guy for doing so, setting a Christian atmosphere is not a bad thing at all, y’all. It’s quite a great thing if you ask me. But, Georgia has had its chance, and if you really see it from an unbiased perspective, you’ll find that Richt’s players are really not all that well disciplined. Just sayin’. Let’s give ‘em the hurrah however, for winning over Tech in double overtime last night. Yet again, they should’ve eaten Tech alive. Poor Tech.

My real complaint however, stops at Sabin’s throne. Admit it y’all, there was a tinge in those of us who are not die-hard Bama fans who wanted the King’s crown rolled off his head, even if, ever so slightly. Then it happened. Not that Auburn won over Alabama in such a freakish way but in the after game interview with Sabin. To me, it spoke volumes. I do so wish he had had the moral fortitude to give the Tigers the recognition they so deserved instead of recapping what went wrong with Alabama. As if Alabama were the Untouchables!? Helloooo!

Sorry Mister Sabin, that was not your most shining moment. It really comes down to how you conduct yourself after a loss. After adversity. With class? Without class? He should have given Auburn credit, he’d have come off looking like the champion king he really is.

And, Georgia? I’m not advocating that it’s either a Christian atmosphere or not. Remember a guy by the name of Tony Dungy?? You can have both. A winning program and Christian influence. Here’s to all the hard working, saintly coaches who do both!       

 

Game on!     

 As you head to the ballpark this year to watch, coach, cheer for your favorite team, including those precious peewee fellers, remember they are just boys, young fellas, not-quite-grown men vying for a piece of the action. Granted, I’m talking mostly about those who are not NFL-ers. This doesn’t necessarily apply to those who get paid to play the greatest game on earth!

 However, I wonder, I wonder if we as spectators would shout to the death from the stands if we knew that the next play could end-up costing a child his life. I wonder this? Would we still shout to the top of our lungs, “fight, fight, fight” if we knew that a simple play-in-action would be the last play of a kids life?

 The death of De’Antre Turman, age 16 from a simple, routine tackle at Creekside High School in Atlanta last week, has caused me to pause and ponder this thought. What if? What if we knew that a tackle, a field goal, an audible from a quarterback, a touchdown from a wide receiver, what if that play was the last play a player would ever play? Would we still be so hell bent on shouting absurdities and singling out a player for a mistake? Injuries are one thing—death is something altogether different.  

 There are apparently 76 biblical references to “our days being numbered,” but Psalm 90:12 caught my heart while writing this piece. “So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.” NKJ

 A heart of wisdom. Again, I wonder, are we seeking The King of Kings, The Most High God, our Lord and Savior, Jesus to impart His Wisdom upon us? Or, are we just plain busy, keeping our minds busy, ourselves busy, just busy, busy shallow, empty, hollow busy? Do we seek His direction, His will, His WISDOM for our lives? Or, are we the hamster on a wheel?

 De’Antre or Tre Tre as was his nickname, family says he loved football. Thrived on it. I say, what an example that child was to all of us! Find our God-given abilities, our passion and live what we love. Maybe even die for what we love. Our military sure has. Died that is. For the Country they love so dear.

 Are you living your passion? Do you know what your God-given talents are? Are you seeking God’s Wisdom? I have a long way to go, but I do see the goal posts and I’m running. Who’s with me? Game on!

                                                                                                    

Did everybody in America get their Pick?

 

I dare say—most likely not! At least not on the side of the players who were left out of any NFL deal. Even those who were drafted, or signed as free agents, most likely didn’t end up on the NFL team they’d dreamed about all their lives as kids. Maybe some did. But the stats tell another story of mostly did not’s. Still, what an honor to be part of the NFL regardless of what team!


So, just for the sake of the underdogs, let’s hear three cheers for them! You know, the kids who didn’t make it. (Sorry, any male specie who is under the age of thirty is still a kid to me!) Okay, players, young fellers if you will, who didn’t get the call for the draft or didn’t sign a free agent contract, what about them? They may either try out for arena football, possibly pro wrestling, or make the proverbial career move into the painful world of gainful employment.

To a true football player, yes—a job, coupled with the rejection of the NFL can be the most painful experience going. The end of playing football for these guys is suddenly wide spread and narrows employment options drastically. Their new career options and the potential for gainful employment that produces a similar income appears bleak.



Photo courtesy of Safire Productions

Some of those players are the sons of families who’ve hung the last hope of getting out of generational poverty onto the backs of these kids. So much weight rides on the shoulders of such young fellas and now they feel like failures without even the slightest glimmer of hope to help their families soar above the substandard norm. That’s a lot for a kid to live with.

Don’t you know they feel crushed? Heart sickened with penetrating disappointment while their padres who made it to the NFL party and celebrate like crazy. Well, celebrate yes—not taking anything away from them. Let’s just hope they don’t let it go to their craniums too fast… which often times, sadly it does. Their attitudes rapidly rise, then reek with the overinflated ego stench. The cure for the cranium high is a good dose of humility. An adjustment which also sadly, will come sooner or later.  

What happens to the has been college football players? Perhaps they’re back home or looking for a roommate and a place to live. It’s these guys—yes hello, these fellas are who really earn my admiration. I believe they are the ones who will rise to the top! Yep, that’s right. They’ll rise like never before. Extenuating circumstances can launch the human spirit into overdrive! 

Most of these young fellas do have mamas in their corner who care. I kinda believe us mamas are born with a cheerleader’s heart. For those who don’t have mamas they can depend on, perhaps a special coach, another close family member or someone they feel comfortable with that they can go to for emotional support and guidance. Mamas, I trust you are that cheerleader and champion your son with your unconditional love tucked in your hearts.

God cares immensely about the has been player and their lives whether those fellas know it or not. My prayer is that one day they will know it fully—if not today, one day for sure!

 

 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NKJ

Hope! How sweet the word, hope. I honestly believe, I hope, for the ones who didn’t make it to the next level last week, or who may get cut before too long, (after all—Tim Tebow recently got cut from the New York Jets) that someday day, this very somber moment in time will be one of the best, most teachable moments they’ll ever experience in a lifetime. I pray it’s a life changer for God’s glory & good.

Yes, I believe the underdogs, former players, will look back on this time, and see God’s great big hand in it all. How He protected them from perhaps going down a rabbit hole that would lead a young fella to destruction in no time flat. Maybe even, saving their life in more ways than one—could be His greatest purpose.

Now, these has been’s are free to DREAM as big as they want without the green, 100-yard box, boxing them in. God can take the failures, the flubs, the setbacks and roll them all together, creating new goals within the hearts of these former players and send them soaring to even greater heights. It’s not as painful as rehab and they are used to hard work heck; they trained for it! They are natural competitors! How many companies or employers wouldn’t want such fine young fellas on their team? Are you kidding me? They’d be nuts!

So what, if it’s not on the gridiron with the fans cheering their paycheck. How many NFL-ers are really that wealthy? Not as many as you may think. America needs young men, (there, I said it!) with the talent and the character only football teaches. Their heart for hard work is unprecedented.

I pick the underdogs!

Super Bowl Twist

Atlanta advanced to the final rounds for Super Bowl 1998, and as a football family from Georgia, we were purdy pumped! Thing is, that same year was the season Brandon would advance from high school to college. In other words, he’d graduate spring of ’99. And, just as the Falcons were in the midst of capturing the NFC Championship—we were hopping from one college campus to another for Brandon’s official visits. College football recruiting season was wide open!

We often missed the NFL Sunday games leading-up to the Super Bowl, either from driving or flying back to Georgia. But the weekend the Super Bowl played, our schedule slapped us smack-dab in New Orleans for the Tulane University visit. After all, his brother Bryson was already there playing for the Green Wave, why not take the little bro too? But by the time Brandon’s recruiting season began, Tommy Bowden’s season at Tulane, was over.

Bryson signs autograph for young Tulane fan

Clemson made Bowden an offer he couldn’t refuse, so he took the head coaching job for the Tigars.  The crew who put the Green Wave on top packed-up and headed for higher ground. That coaching switch left a huge hole. To top it off, the replacements for Bowden’s crew were in the shady character catalog. They did not hold the high esteem of committed Christian like Coach Bowden did. I saw that for myself, up front and very personal. The difference was utterly brusque!

As our visit with Tulane came to a close that Sunday, we were anxious to get to the N.O. airport, catch our plane, head home and watch maybe the last half of the Super Bowl. Garsh by golly, the Falcons were breaking a record too, and we didn’t want to miss out! Teeing-up for a Super Bowl? First time in franchise history!  

Our priority that afternoon? Wishing our plane left on time! If anyone has ever departed from the N.O. airport on time, I’d love to hear from you. We never did. And, we flew in and out of N.O. often. Bryson played as a true freshman so we attended most every home game. But this time, our delay had nothing to do with the N.O. airport and everything to do with severe storms in Atlanta! We were grounded indefinitely before we ever boarded. The three of us, (Gary, Brandon and I) stuck at the N.O. airport, like a chunk of chewed bubble gum on the sole of your shoe. Now if we were lucky, we might catch the last quarter of the 2ad biggest game of the year. For us, the Liberty Bowl ranked #1! Naturally.

Disgusted and disappointed we sat-down at our designated gate, near the end of the corridor. Silence. Complete silence between us. Finally in the distance, I heard a faint familiar sound. It sounded like a bunch of bees buzzing. I followed my perked-up ears back toward the middle of the airport. Right there staring me straight-on was an open expanse of a bar lounge area. Front and center, suspended behind the bar, a huge television set blaring out an extremely familiar sound. It was the Super Bowl game! Yippee-ki-yay! The bar in the airport would solve our problem! It was the first time I ever thought a bar just might be a saving grace.

Brandon sporting a Tulane jersey with his high school number

I went running back down the corridor to fetch the fellas. “Hey guys, game’s on!” Brandon followed me, Gar stayed at our gate to make sure we wouldn’t miss our flight, if and when they announced our departure time.

Brandon and I took a seat in the back of the lounge area and quickly eyed the scoreboard. Denver was ahead 17-0 in the first quarter. Bummer!

A waitress soon came and asked how old Brandon was and what drinks we wanted to order. I smiled sheepishly and shook my head, “Oh no honey, we just want to see the game.” She indicated that we could not be there unless I ordered a drink. “Oh, ok then, we’ll have Coke-cola’s with a twist of lemon—actually make mine a Shirley Temple and his, a Roy Rodgers.” She said it had to have alcohol in it. “You’re kidding, right?” Well, indeed she was not kidding. She asked us to get up. These seats are reserved for those interested in adult drinks. Seriously?

Honestly, the lounge area had maybe four or five people in it at the most, with plenty of empty chairs. I imagined everyone in their right mind was at home, at a Super Bowl party, or either in Miami watching the game live. We got up and walked out to the floor tile area and stood, still in view of the game on the bar TV. No longer in the bar lounge, or on the carpet. This bar lounge had no doors—it had three open sides to the mall or middle areas of the airport, the divide was the carpet for the lounge area, and the tile for the airport area.

Did somebody call security? Apparently they did. One security policeman soon came on the scene. A rather short fellow with a big bouncy belly and a bald head told me we had to move. I tried to explain to him that we were from Atlanta, wanted to see as much of the Super Bowl game as possible because our flight had been delayed, and that my son just visited Tulane, he may play football for them, and that we meant no harm and moved out of the bar area as asked. “Sir, I do not drink and I don’t intend to start now. I ordered Colas.” He got quite burly with me and spouted off something about arresting me.

I gotta say, by that time—big mistake! We had not offended anyone or given him cause for his outrage. At that point my heels smoldered to a fire and honey, I dug in! I thought we just might play the Super Bowl twist right then and there. A twist of strong-wills!! This guy was just itching to throw his weight around. Well, he picked the wrong lady!

He grabbed my arm, I jerked it away and said, “Hey, what’s that?” peering my eyes behind him. He twisted around so fast that his belly needed time to catch up with his chest. Once he turned back around, I didn’t move a mussel and stared him down with daggers so sharp I could have chipped ice with my eyes. I towered over this dude and dared him to touch me again. Somebody wake me up! Surely this is just a bad dream.

I then reached into my purse to get pen and paper. I was going to write down his name and badge number. But, by the time I looked up again, he had turned his badge over so I could not get his information. I’m sure he realized he was really in the wrong and did not want this reported to his superiors.

He told Brandon to get out of here and take his mama with him. Brandon, the ever present force, never said a word up to this point or left my side. He responded, “Sir, she is my Mom and I’m not taking her anywhere.” I was just dumb-founded. I couldn’t believe it escalated to this and I was sober as a preacher passing the collection plate! Gee, what do they do with the drunks?

Finally, out of respect and protection for Brandon I backed-off and bowed-out. I know Brandon would have, could have, taken him, but in the end, who are we!?? We are not the kind of people who go around physically fighting or bullying other people!! I sure didn’t want Brandon to literally fight this ding-bat-dude. We’d never been in a situation like that before, or since, and who I cared about was Brandon.

Law, have mercy! Sometimes ya feel like you’ve just got to stand your ground, especially when the opposing person is apparently, brainless or compensating for some childhood complex which is, in the end, even more reason to back-off. He just didn’t have the capability to do his job in a suitable manner. We all know who really has the stronger will!!

This incident is the most laughable thing that ever happened to us on any recruiting trip! To this day we still chuckle over “Mama’s smack-down, Super Bowl Twist in New Orleans!”

In all seriousness folks, for those of you flying in to New Orleans for this Super Sunday—beware! That poor ol security policeman with the big bouncy belly and baled head just might be lookin’ for all those non-alcoholic drinkers in the bar. Ya sure don’t wanta find out how to implement the Super Bowl Twist and miss the real thing!

Guess Who Had the Cinderella Season??

 

It wasn’t Alabama! We all got it wrong. I mean the score and the performance. Where was Notre Dame? Did they show up?

Correct me if I’m wrong, and this can be debated till the goal posts come down, but when you win a coin toss, dad-burn it, keep the ball! You don’t give it up that easily. Yes, I know there is theory behind it, but when you haven’t been to the big ball in decades ya don’t just give it up like that.

 I listened to Brian Kelly’s 40-second interview on the field right before the kick-off and knew it was going to be bad for the Irish. You don’t ever want to show signs of weakness, much less speak about it to a reporter. The very exact same thing he told the reporter is the very exact same thing he didn’t want to happen. I cannot recall word for word what he said and will not quote when I cannot find the sound-bite, but it left a lot of doubt over air waves. It would have been better if it went something like this; we’ve got to control the ball early on and keep Alabama out of the red zone. Simple. But he didn’t say that, he left a lot of room to insert doubt. Something that should never happen anytime, anywhere.

 So the vibe of the game started out with two huge mistakes on the Irish. Face mask and offsides. Two very fundamental penalties that any high schooler knows not to do! Notre Dame had the jitters and it showed early on. I would have thought Kelly would have driven the point home this was just another game, we’re gonna make Alabama play our game and forget all the hype.

The fact remains that when you’ve been there and done that, like Alabama had, you certainly don’t need to show-up to the big ball with a weakness in your gut, you need to act like you’ve been there before. Even though you hadn’t. The nerves of the team really rest on Kelly’s shoulders. Lessons learned.

 I felt sorry for the poor ol boys in gold helmets. I really did. This was a butt kickin’ pure and simple. All the sportscasters thought maybe Alabama takes by 10. But this was nearly a wipe-out. I guess we all know who had the Cinderella Season. Still Notre Dame did put together an undefeated regular season and that by all accounts is purdy dang good for any college team these days! They will have no problem with signing the recruits they want and it sounds like they could be back to the big ball next year. Next year is a long way off. Sorta.

 Now, all you Alabama fans can Roll easy for another few months. The recruiting season should be a shoo-in for the Tide. What young fella with stars in his eyes would turn Nick Saban down? I bet there’s not many who don’t have pen in hand!

Invited to the Dance vs We Request the Honour of your presence at The Ball

How exciting if you were one who got to see your team play at the Dance! Wasn’t it great getting to be part of it all, watching your team tee-up with bowl bids and invitations? Now that most Bowl games have been played, maybe you were one whose team didn’t make it to the Dance and that’s on the 2013 plan. Either way, there is always next year. Little consolation, however true.

One little game coming up, oh excuse me—that’s that high flutin’ Big Society Ball-Bowl and not every sorority member  is on the invite list! No, that ball is quite special for the chosen few. Even so, it’s about to determine which powerhouse is back and which one had the Cinderella season. Now, that there ball-bowl will have college sports football fans talking for a while. Why, I’m sure of it! The favor of your replay is requested Monday evening January 7, 2013.

 

Make no mistake; Notre Dame will give Alabama a fight to the finish and vice versa. And, it will be one exciting game to watch. But, I can’t help but think of the storied traditions of both teams. One team has Bear blood running through their veins since the 1960’s. The other, Fighting Irish football dating back to the historical mid 1930’s & 40’s and one of footballs’ few, original D-IA college teams before D-I ever came to be. They are still not part of any conference, but boy howdy, those players must hear the ghosts of the four horsemen every time they enter their locker room!

Nonetheless, it wasn’t too long ago in the short distant past, that neither one of these teams was that good any more. Once known as champions every year, then a lull on the scoreboard, a dip in the rankings and everybody’s scratching heads, wondering what happened to their perspective traditional decades of winning streaks. Head coaching changes were ubiquitous. If one didn’t get the job done, the powers that be had their sights on another coach until the job did get done. And of course, let’s not forget the money. Winning programs make money and losing programs, well—lose money.

Then I think of all the fans, the families of those suiting-up, and the university alums. All those who are willing to pay big bucks and load-up in some form of transportation bound for Miami to embark on an adventure of a lifetime. This is it, folks! The Big Ball only comes around usually once in a lifetime, and at the end of the hundred yards there will be one standing Champion. And if your team happens to be THE TEAM then by all means celebrate with all your lil’ ol pea pickin’ heart! Word of advice, celebratin’ is a lot more fun when you can remember how and who you celebrated with!! Go easy on the alcohol.

Now, for those of you who went to the Dance it was all still good, right!? You had fun and celebrated and more importantly, you got to see your team fight to the finish. Some of the bowl games this year were purdy darn exciting. They had me out of my chair several times! Love a good game regardless of who is playing. Loved seeing those kids/players who come to play ball and leave celebrating for later after the game.

But going to the big Ball is unique in its own right. It’s the crème dela crème. The top dog. The premier of all of college football. And, it’s not given. It’s earned. So how does a head coach keep all this razz-a-ma-tazz in perspective for his players? Well, quite frankly some don’t. These two coaches Monday night, will.

You’ll see it on the field. Watch for attitude. Watch to see how the players come through the tunnel. I can usually nab-it fairly early on in a game as to who is prepared and who isn’t. Who is there for the fun of it all and who’s there for business with their heads in the game. Rest assured, these two head coaches, Saban and Kelly will have their players grounded and prepared with as much down-to-earth gravity and game-on brain power as possible. Still, these are kids and they do have a mind of their own. It’ll be interesting to watch the players and how they respond to their coaches when the fires blow to a blaze.

Now, I’m not really a kill joy, of course it’s all fun and hey, what a great experience for the players and their families. I’m just saying that if you look close, you can usually see the winner before the first kick-off.

Gone to the Dance or the Requested Honour of your presence at the Ball? It may be a big difference to many folks, but from one who’s been there and done that, any bowl invite is a privileged honor. Football reflects so much more than many scoreboards show. Each team has their own set of accomplishments from pee-wee on up through the ranks. Hope y’all had a GREAT football season, regardless! Here’s to next year.

How Seasoned is the Serious Season?

Now is the time when all good cooks should come to the aid of their college teams with Tailgating recipes that will make ya holler and shout for the ol alma mater as the Serious Season begins! You know—the one where the pecking order of college game stats and conference rankings collide like collard greens and pizza! Go ahead, pass the vinegar-pepper please.

The Serious Season is when tempers flare, pots boil over and steam simmers just below the surface. It’s the season when most college teams have run out of steam. But the programs who rise to the occasion are the ones who are the crème de la crème, and they, my friends, will find themselves in a bowl game, seasoned with pepper or not!     

Throughout the land of college football, serious fans salivate for that little, teeny weenie thing called, bowl games. Just the mere mention of the words set about tantalizing the taste buds of coaches, players and alums. So much so, it’s almost like dangling a chunk of chocolate in front of poor ole Santa Claus just before he hops in his sleigh on Christmas Eve. Knowing that even half of an ounce added to his weight and he’s grounded for the year! What would the kiddies do if he can’t take off?

 The college BCS system is much like Santa. The mystique of it all can confuse even the most avid football fan. Questions like, which conferences are really best at gaining bowl bids? Who’s in the top ten and will those stats matter when it comes to the bowl invites? Why do certain programs get bowl bids year after year, while others stay put? Who has the perfect season up to this point? Which two teams in the end will suit up, battle for the coveted title and capture the 2012 National Championship? Which team might put the Tabasco in the gumbo?

2012 has been an interesting year for college football. There have been ups n downs and close calls that kept fans, boosters and coaches on the edge of a BBQ pit! It’s been no picnic in the park for several programs scratching & clawing to defend last years title. In many instances, fans were rummaging through their kitchen drawers looking for knives and forks to stab the nearest pigskin, maybe even oil and matches ready to fire some head coaches on the spot. All the while, the scald on the fried chicken is cooling off at the tailgating party!  

So what’s a spectator to do to spice up the fizzled fan base and put a pinch of sizzle in the bleachers!? The one tried and true recipe for wins: 1. Act like you are winning, 2. Never let ‘em see ya sweat and 3. Serve up some almost famous food for tailgatin’. It’s a winner every time!

Here's our family’s favorite tailgating recipe.

Sausage Balls

Pop a few in your mouth before kick-off and you’ll be cheering your team on to victory all the way thru the 4^th quarter!

1 Tube of Hot Sausage

3 C. Bisquick Mix

2 C. Grated Sharp Cheese (Kraft works best & grate it the old fashion way, bagged cheese won’t melt or fuse as well to the sausage, trust me on this one!)

Throw all ingredients in a large bowl & let them get to room temperature before you start mixing by hand. Yep, by hand, spoonin’ or forkin’ will not get the job done! Form into 1 inch balls, place on cookie sheet and bake on 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until done and sizzley.

Note: if they are not hot enough for your taste buds, sprinkle a dash or two of Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning in the mix. Refrigerate, freeze or simply serve right out of the oven. They move well to the field and play without having to warm-up, unless that is, you did freeze them!

Keep your spirits high during this Season of Serious games, even if your team is losing like crazy and you are one of those rummaging through your kitchen! Remember, the pressure is as hot as it gets, and there is always next year—don’t jump off into the deep pit just yet. Enjoy the sport and savor every minute. College games are always fun no matter what. And, don’t forget the Sausage Balls or the smiles!

 

Two Minute Warning

In close college games, especially those for conference championships—have y’all ever witnessed coaching crews on the sidelines wringing their hands and barking out orders in total turmoil and chaotic confusion? Then, after the two-minute warning goes off, look out! All heck breaks loose?!

Well sure, of course, we all have. I’ve seen my fair share of coaches, even head coaches in tight games, who’ve acted more like a bunch of boys screamin’ and arguin’ over whose turn it is to ride the 4-wheeler! By contrast on other occasions, have you noticed how the winning coaches behave given those same tough situations? Rarely do they demonstrate demeanor with quacked-out emotions for all to see. Winning coaches usually remain calm as a cucumber even if their innards are churning so profusely they could produce butter!

Let’s say they hold it together, while sticking to their game plan making no excuses. They are well-disciplined and resolute in executing what they believe will win the game, not afraid to make adjustments as needed. Those coaches have a long fuse, they bond together without finger pointing, and they are steadfast in their goals.

Winning coaches have a knack of bringing players together as a team without the meow-meow alley cat fights. In other words, the leadership qualities at the helm and the behavior of the coaching staff transfer onto the teammates. The character of the head coach will either unite or divide not only coaching staffs, but his players as well.

I am reminded today that our country is much like a team. The two-minute warning is up and we are scrambling like a bunch of coaches who are losing their conference title. Finger pointing is at an all-time high, we’re in peril and not very well disciplined. Our head coach runs on a record of division, and therefore split his players in half, alienating the fans and boosters.

We took a quarterback who never played high school or college football, yet he was drafted to the pros without so much as a single stat questioned. He wasn’t vetted by the sportscasters because they were in awe of him. So, he slid onto the scout’s radar because he was so dog-gone likeable, but never played a down in the pros either, and now is appointed the head coach of America’s team.

He keeps running the same game plan, refusing to make adjustments and blames his previous predecessor—a coach from an Ivy League school who left his position as the most unpopular coach in decades, because he wasn’t afraid to make the hard decisions. Being the perfect scapegoat, naturally the current coaches’ losses are entirely the other guy’s fault. But, he is more popular than ever, and believes that’s good enough to keep his job as head coach. He refuses time and time again to listen to other ideas or opinions and never surveys the game plan laid out in the Constitution of the United States. He doesn’t have time to seek or meet those who are his greatest allies and refuses to take his briefings in person from his coaching staff, choosing instead to receive them electronically.

A time management guru, his golf game is extraordinary, thus saving his schedule for the more important matters of foreign affairs such as talk-show appearances. He can’t spare one ounce of his time trying to protect any ambassadors on any foreign soil and has, instead, run the ol’ quarterback sneak for the last several weeks. He’s gifted at outsourcing and believes strongly in delegating responsibilities, appointing Coaches Reid and Pelosi to run deceptive drills, ram through the defensive line, never knowing for sure what was in the drop back pass play until the healthcare touchdown went through the uprights!

Of course, he did this play action to protect all members on America’s teams. This action resulted in a hammering of players and divided America’s team even more.

The Two-Minute Warning is up!

 

The Intangible

In my previous post, I pointed out how the word intangible defies logic in football and how the same intangible spirit can spill into life’s adventures. That undeniably, deeply rooted, pure as the driven snow, emotionally packed triumphal spirit that cannot be demanded, duplicated, pleaded with or produced. Well, this article is a perfect example of just that. So let’s talk about that intangible thang!  I’m very interested to hear your own perspective on it too. So please, by all means if you are led, leave a note.

With all the negative smack-talk vying for our attention these days, blaring voices like—back-biting, demonizing-nastiness, fictional-division, left, right, who can get on top by malicious fabricated gossip—it’s no wonder that we all appear a jaded bunch. Why, that vacant of substance, careless-chitty-chatter sounds more like a heap of yelppin Chihuahas! So, imagine my delighted surprise when a sweet friend posted this article on my Facebook page. How refreshing! Reading about a varsity high school football player who thinks more of another teammate’s emotional feelings, than he did of his own? Running Back Michael Ferns illustrated an unselfish act of courage and conviction. And this kid is a star player.

I am reminded of the scripture; Isaiah 11:6  “…And a little child shall lead them.”

I again sobbed reading this story. What an amazing team and what an amazing coach! Folks, this is the purity of the game at its best. Granted, the teammates were encouraged to grant such a generosity, but that my football friends, goes to the character of Coach Brett McLean. We should all be so lucky to have our children under the tutelage of a leader like him. This team no doubt possesses the intangible.

When I think of the intangible, I ponder the true meaning of the word. For instance; God, Jesus and The Holy Spirit are purdy-much intangible! You cannot see them, touch them or hear an audible voice, though I’m sure some of you, like myself, believed you had at one time or another. However, it really doesn’t get any more intangible than these three. Yet, our beliefs in them are at the very core of our souls. Indeed, how we live our lives depends a lot on how we view our intangible faith. Many of us are driven by the teachings in God’s word and do our best to live our lives according to those Christian principles.

Take for instance, NFL player Pat Tillman. Anybody remember him? He embodies the mere mention of the word intangible! He left a stellar NFL career, his wife, family and friends whom he was very close to, and joined our military after the 9-11 terrorist attack on American soil. Sadly, he died in Afghanistan April 22, 2004 giving the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Yet, no doubt he knew the dangers and still felt the irresistible need to leave a place of privilege to go and serve our country. Again, defies logic.

Many of you may have stories just waiting to be shared that include some intangible circumstances in your life. That unexplainable spirit of courage, generosity, conviction and selflessness—otherwise known as the intangible! The intangible lives within all of us. My prayer is that we would step-up and show a little more it, in the form of kindness to others each day.

Maybe we aren’t all Running Backs like Michael, but we all have a route to run in life. Run it with courage and conviction. And, just every so often, put the other guy first.