Tonight in Indianapolis (oh did the NFL Indy Colts flop!) top ranked and defending champion, Alabama, is a near field goal underdog, vs fellow SEC’er, Georgia, in the national title tilt.
‘Bama is seeking a 7th title under its great coach (not necessarily college pig’s greatest, as Sean McDonough declared after a “mere” semi win, if they/he wins tonight, we can, as Joan Rivers might have said, “talk.”), Nick Saban.
Alas there were names such as Bud Wilkinson, Knute Rockne, Frank Leahy and legendary Alabama coach, Paul “Bear” Bryant who won 5 (not 6 as you will hear and see tonight–his ‘Bama teams of ’66 and ’77 were rooked in the voting by Notre Dame. In ’73 Notre Dame “New Years Eved” them and that sad memory yields– the following equation: shaving cream and taunting equals NO PIE and while it is tough sans recording space, on we must go), thus no title but they count it.
In ’64, largely the opposite, as in Joe Namath’s last ‘Bama game, Texas won, but A.P. voting, which I count as sacrosanct, though the race for #1 was/is always a perversion of an already system, which rages out of control a “good” (try bad) 35 years after superb studio host, Jim Lampley made that statement, was conducted before the bowl games.
Thus ‘Bama has 12 crowns (4 with Barack “O””Bama” in as U.S. President and under Saban–did he, Mr. Obama ever arrive too soon, as we need he, a good, eloquent leader, though he does glorify such as ESPN, whose “given all” Fowler/Herbstreit, duo is “on” tonight’s tilt.
They won 2 more post Obama, the aforementioned 5 under Paul “Bear” Bryant and one under Gene Stallings in ’92 led by former North Rockland High School star, Derrick Owens Lassic.
Georgia, denied by Alabama in the classic ’17 season, overtime title tilt is seeking its second crown (the other in ’80) and as was the case with the Atlanta Braves, I think they will get their second title tonight.
Note to Jane Pauley-it was incorrect to say the ATLANTA Braves won their 4th World Series. It was the franchise’s 4th, however they won 1 each, when located in Boston (1914) and then Milwaukee (1957).
Prediction: Georgia 26 Alabama 17
So much accomplished; brilliantly acting, active in civil rights and in an exponentially complex and ongoing racial situation, able to beat the line, causing long lines, at least in the north to see his great work–Sidney Poitier, who died days back at age 94, is a transcendent figure.
I will start with “just” (some “just,” as he proved marvelous, early on in ( “No Way Out” “Blackboard Jungle” and in his Academy Award winning role in “Lillies of the Field”) and later in seminal roles in “The Defiant Ones,” “Raisin in the Sun,” “In The Heat of the Night,” and “Guess Who’s Coming Dinner”) his amazing performances.
He looked so great, could go mellow and assertive, the latter in brilliant fashion via “They Call Me Mr. Tibbs” in “The Heat of the Night” and to his father played by Cy Fere in “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner,” “You think of yourself as a Black man, I think of myself as a MAN.
Additionally in 1967, (Clayton Davis of Variety, was/is it too much to get the historic year correct, not 1968 as you said on WCBS radio?!) Mr. Poitier starred in 3 big hits and became top box office in a still very backward racially (still is, but despite what I heard from racist old timers days back, in a local Burger King, there has been progress) time, Poitier starred in 3 highly successful films, the aforementioned “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” and “In The Heat of the Night,” as well as “To Sir With Love.”
As cited, the films were both commercially successful and of great quality.
Mr. Poitier was very active in the civil rights movement, once taking a call from the great activist/talent and Sidney’s friend, Harry Belafonte, and journeying into the dark, dangerous, southern night, to help register voters.
An NPR segment on “Weekend Saturday,” featuring critic Bob Mondello’s review of Mr. Poitier’s career is sensational and informative (a link) hopefully to be posted below.
I close with some personal notes. The first involves a family friend, Ira Michaels, a good man who died far too young in 1972, telling us how great and brave, battling serious illness, that would soon take his life, Spencer Tracy, was in “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” climaxed by his extraordinary work as the movie ended. Poitier, more than holding his own with the great cast that also included Katherine Hepburn, was a major part of so much classic, that emerged from that Stanley Kramer film.
Finally at an Award Ceremony for Sidney Poitier that reviewed and of course, praised his great career, I met Sidney Poitier, shook his hand (see below) and told him without the “Sir” of my “Love” of his work and presence.
I did not dare sing it, but Lulu, who did so in “To Sir With Love,” did sing that song, on that memorable night. It was a fitting, moving moment honoring a man, who moved us forward so many times!
![Sidney Poitier Gala At The Film Society Of Lincoln Center 152[1]](https://andybsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/sidney-poitier-gala-at-the-film-society-of-lincoln-center-1521.jpg?resize=438%2C438)
Below click to hear Bob Mondello’s excellent look back at the career and accomplishments of Sidney Poitier.
Actor Sidney Poitier, who changed the face of Hollywood, dies at 94
The internet informed that the great director, Peter Bogdanovich died at age 82.
I start with an excellent lead paragraph from “The Hollywood Reporter” and will add a few comments of my own.
From the obituary written by Gregg Kilday and Duane Byrge:
“Peter Bogdanovich, the Oscar-nominated writer-director of The Last Picture Show whose career, which also included hits like What’s Up, Doc? and Paper Moon, put him on a path toward living up to the example of those like Orson Welles and John Ford he so lionized, has died. He was 82.”
Think of it, on a path toward Welles and Ford!!
I think Mr. Bogdanovich proceeded far down that path, toward those greats Ford and Welles, especially with “The Last Picture Show.”
Peter had similarities to Welles, who became a friend. “Nada” is “Kane,” Orson did that brilliant work at age 26. I think it was Billy Rose, who told him, “you will never top it.”
One could say that about Bogdanovich, but also about Babe Ruth (he never topped 60 home runs, but so what, he was the greatest player).
“Paper Moon,” especially, was another Bogdanovich masterpiece.
Regarding John Ford, who just kept going, it was once asked who are the three greatest U.S. movie directors? The answer John Ford, John Ford and John Ford.
Mr. Bogdanovich kept the legends and the beauty of old time classic Hollywood going.
Check out his podcast with another “keeper of the flame, ” Ben Mankiewicz.
Many of you will remember his role on the seminal television show, “The Sopranos.”
It was at a party for that show, that I sat at a table, joining Peter, who was sitting alone. He was classy, friendly, asked about me and marveled at the greatness and the unique quality of “The Sopranos.”
Somewhere in some parking garage, James Gandolfini is walking and Peter Bogdanovich is driving a bit too fast. Now they talk, there is no violence, no gangsters, maybe, hopefully, no greed.
What endures is the great work each did.
Today and for all time, about Peter. He was an historian, with a brilliant, creative mind who gave us so much. He suffered horrible loss, but endured.
Maybe, just maybe his Dorothy (Stratten) and he can go over the rainbow, after all.
The Hollywood Reporter obituary of the great, Peter Bogdanovich
www.hollywoodreporter.com › movies › movie-newsPeter Bogdanovich Dead: Last Picture Show, Paper Moon
Peter Bogdanovich, pictured above.
In the extended 18 week NFL season with all games within the division, there are 5 Conference Title game reduxes in the week ahead.
The two most important games, the (9-7) L.A. Chargers visiting the (9-7) Las Vegas Raiders in an almost certain ‘offs qualification game and the (12-4) Rams hosting the (9-7) S.F. 49ers in a 2 to 5 seeding tilt for the Rams and likely qualification or not for the Niners, are title game rematches.
Both of those Bay Area title game winners, the then Oakland Raiders in ’80 after they won the title tilt at the Chargers’ then San Diego home and the Niners after easing vs the Rams in the ’89 NFC title game, went on to ease to Super Bowl wins. (Oakland won (27-10) vs the Philly Eagles while the Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, led/George Seifert coached, Niners ripped Denver, (then (0-4) in Supes, now (3-5), by a (55-10) count.
One meaningless (out of it “Wash” at “Hack” (Giants) and one near meaningless tilt (Steelers at Ravens), (did I not say for years that after the ’08 crown, the Steelers were “sinked” as far as getting another title. I really liked Big Ben Roethlisberger, but knew/called, but rarely cashed the strong opinion he was not allowed to win a third.) are conference title tilt rematches).
In ’86 the Giants made it (3-0) vs “Wash” that season with a (17-0) title tilt win. My father had a great day as “his” Giants won the conference and my letter to the New York Times, pointing out two great Wilt Chamberlain led teams and not the also great ’86 Boston Celtics had the best winning percentage in any season, was published.
My letter corrected the fine writer, Dave Anderson, who advised Nancy Dunne and her graduating class to be a “polite pest” in seeking employment.
In ’08 the Steelers, as was the case after 3 of the other 4 title game rematches, eventual Supe winners, beat the Ravens in the “semi”/AFC title game.
The Dallas at Philadelphia Saturday night tilt is a redux of the ’80 NFC Title game when an early Wilbert Montgomery TD burst ignited an easy Eagles win. However, unlike the other 4 “this week” title game reduxes, the Eagles lost the subsequent Supe to the Tom Flores’ coached Raiders.
The Tennessee Titans, nee Houston Oilers journey to Houston, where as 10 plus point(s) favorites, they can wrap up their third AFC top seed perch, with a victory over the hometown Texans. The game will commence at 1 P.M. Eastern Time on Sunday.
In the late Saturday afternoon Denver high altitude, with home state Chris Fowler there as lead announcer, the K.C. Chiefs, who titled as the AFC “2” seed in ’19, something they did not do as the AFC “1” last season although they won the awarded home tilts to get to the Supe where they encountered a home Tampa Bay Bucs team, that routed them, look to clinch that and maybe more if Houston upsets Tennessee less than 24 hours later, with a win as 10 point “faves” vs the Broncos.
On Sunday in a moved to later tilt, the Buffalo Bills are overwhelming 17 point “faves” vs the Jets, as they bid to clinch the AFC East and at least a home wild card round ‘offs tilt.
Cincinnati (Bengals) are the current AFC “3” and likely will get no higher and quite possibly be the “4” which still gets them a home wild card round game. In it or in the very unlikely event they get the “1” seed and their next ‘offs tilt is a home slots/div. round game, Cincy will be hoping to end a 9 game ‘offs loss skein, with a home victory.
(10-6) New England is hoping for a reverse of 1966 when the Joe Namath led Jets upset them (they were the Boston Patriots at that time) giving the Buffalo Bills the AFL East crown. N.E. needs a late start win at Miami and a Jets shocking win at Buffalo, to “reverse ’66” and get the East crown.
Current 6 seed Indianapolis (Colts) are 16 point “faves” at Jacksonville vs the Jaguars, needing a win to gain an ‘offs spot for the third time in four seasons.
Finally in “Alfalfa” Michaels presumed last NBC Sunday Night Telecast, it would seem to be winner in/losing team in the game out, as the Chargers are 3 point faves vs the Raiders whose home and thus the game site is Las Vegas. What were the ODDS (appropriate word) of such an event transpiring even 5 years ago?!!
The (13-3) Green Bay Packers, playing on the exact 56 year anniversary of their 1965 “all the way,” NFL Championship Game (23-12) victory, vs the Cleveland Browns, in the great Jim Brown’s last game with Cleveland, matched their 1961 title game score, (they shutout the fine offensive team, New York Giants in that tilt at City Stadium, which was subsequently named Lambeau Field, where both the ’65 title tilt and last night’s games were played), winning (37-10) vs the “out of it,” (7-9) Minnesota Vikings, to clinch a second straight NFC “1” seed.
Last season, as was the case in 2019 when they lost AT the S.F. 49ers, the Pack (title winners 85, 60, 55 and 25 years ago and also in “same calendar” years 1965 and 2010) also lost the title tilt, that time at home, vs Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. (Brady has 7 titles, the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers has 1).
The likelihood of a “slots”/div round Pack/Bucs tilt decreased greatly yesterday, as first (12-4) and over in reg. TB/Brady “found” Cyril Grayson in the last minute to (-14) (27-24) the (4-12) Jets and then 6 point underdog, (11-5) Arizona (Cardinals) outrighted the Cowboys of Dallas, in a late afternoon Buck game.
L.A. (Rams) becomes the two seed, if they beat the “battling for the ‘offs,” 49ers (oh Curt Menefee, the Saints ‘offs chances were not and are not slim. However, falls to the “5” seed, if they lose and Arizona wins at home vs Seattle (Seahawks), in what could be Pete Carroll and/or Russell Wilson’s “Sea” tilt.
‘Zona is at least a “5,” while the Philly Eagles are also in the ‘offs and certainly why Dallas (they need not only a win but Rams and Bucs losses, so why not Brady and T.B. Saturday or another game?!) at Philly in a “flexed” Saturday night tilt/!
The Niners surely will be underdogs at the Rams while the Saints will be favored vs the Falcons. Since wins by the Rams and Saints would yield New Orleans ‘offs qualification.
Do any of us realize how great and clutch Sam Jones was as a Boston Celtics’ player?!
Mr. Jones, who died on 2021’s penultimate day, (just over a year after another great “Celtic Jones,” K.C. passed on Christmas Day 2020), was a member of 10 Boston Celtics’ title teams and a great, largely under rated player, far closer to the pantheon of all-time players, than just being a member of the 25, 50 and this year’s 75 anniversary NBA team.
You essentially, (so often it was my Philly and L.A. teams that could not quite do so) could not keep up with the Joneses and the great Bill Russell/Arnold “Red” Auerbach led Celtics, who won an incredible 11 NBA crowns in 13 seasons, including 8 in a row from (1959-1966).
Sam Jones was the man, hitting clutch shot after clutch shot (I read he had 5 of the 10 Celtics’ overtime points in their game 7 win, vs the so often denied L.A. Lakers in the ’62 NBA final and know of so many others first hand).
Yet I do not feel all that bad about them (maybe the one in #4 of the ’69 Final, when after the great Elgin Baylor, who died in 2021 and essentially never won it all, failed to inbound with L.A. up 1 point and (2-1) in the series and that gave Sam and the Celts a chance. Sam did not miss!! The series was even, the Celts won on Sam’s day, an afternoon Wide World of Sports ABC #6 telecast and then 2 days later on Monday night) and told Mr. Jones that, when I interviewed him at a B’nai B’rith sports dinner, in the spring of 1988.
“Yes you do feel bad” Sam “argued” as you ought to. That was competition and also class, as Sam Jones was gracious, friendly and informative as we talked of the great Celtics.
I read about Bob Cousy, alone on New Year’s Eve, taking the call that informed him Sam was gone. He thought of the still alive Tom “Satch” Sanders and the 11 time title winning, Bill Russell.
Alone also, I thought of what these men accomplished, winning and winning and perhaps the winning/bottom line could shed light for the many bigots, still roaming this ravaged earth.
See the Celtics, with a Jewish coach (Auerbach) often had an all Black men starting five to go along with great players, not that it matters, but were white. The team had a great bond and even they, face loneliness and the end. Few do so, having accomplished so much.
Sam epitomized that and in a better place he and his arch rival, Wilt Chamberlain can play again. It was great on earth, though all but one time “my” Wilt teams lost to Dad’s Celtics, and now more for fun (no stools allowed) Sam can shoot, Wilt can choose whether to go out and guard him and I laud Sam Jones’ greatness.
Click to view a nice piece about Sam. Is that real play by play on Sam’s aforementioned game winning shot in #4/’69 NBA final? I hope so but ….
One of the all-time great players/great winners/great clutch players, comparable to one Yogi Berra, Sam Jones pictured above.
It will be Alabama vs Georgia, Nick Saban vs former assistant Kirby Smart as Alabama, seeking a 13th crown and 7th under Saban will meet Georgia, which won its only title for the1980 season.
The two teams will meet in the title game for the second time in 5 seasons.
I picked a drive in each game, first ‘Bama, a somewhat surprising 2 and a half point dog in the upcoming title tilt, going up (14-3) (Heisman winner, Bryce Young’s second of three TD passes, a 44 yard one to Brooks) at which point, which I declared them the winner and (6-1) in ‘offs semis and Georgia, going up (14-0) on a beautiful option pass touchdown (Kenny McIntosh to James Cook).
In similar fashion and I actually thought so at (7-0) ‘Dawgs, who were 7 plus point(s) faves, knew it was to be Ray Charles’ “Georgia’ and not Brook Benton’s “It’s A Rainy Night in Georgia.”
By the way, in the 2017 title tilt in which ‘Bama “no covered” Georgia on Tua’s OT TD to Devonta Smith, I called it first and great as did McDonough on radio for that and still hopefully for the upcoming one and with the radio delay, it is a rare recording I can play.
In the ‘Bama (13 half) (27-6) under (all 4 yesterday were “unders” as Owen survived), vs Cincinnati, ‘Bama running back, Brian Robinson ran for 200 plus yards.
Georgia was led by Stetson Bennett, who threw 3 touchdown passes.
The college football semi-final games are today with top ranked and defending champion, Alabama, which is seeking an amazing 7th crown under current coach Nick Saban, a near two touchdown favorite vs upstart Cincinnati, in the first game, commencing around 4 P.M. Eastern Time.
At night, Georgia is a little more than a touchdown “choice” vs Michigan.
Both ‘Bama, that being the first of 5 crowns they won under legendary coach, Paul “Bear” Bryant (by the way, both Bryant and Saban with their plethora of crowns, if any coach does, are among the few who might deserve the acclaim John Madden received upon his death. Madden won but one title and you would have thought the Pope died. He was a good coach, who lost so many big games and won but one crown. That year when his Raiders finally beat Pittsburgh under their exponentially under publicized, (4-0) in Super Bowls, coach, Chuck Noll, Madden and the Raiders did so vs a depleted Steelers’ team in the AFC title game. That followed a “div” game win vs the Patriots that was frankly largely gained by a truly questionable penalty on the Pats’ Ray “Sugar Bear” Hamilton) and Cincinnati, who did so in basketball, won crowns 60 years ago, in 1961.
Cincy did so, winning the first of two straight crowns under Ed Jucker, after their great player, Oscar Robertson had graduated and gone on to the NBA, where he had a great career.
Georgia’s lone football title was in 1980 while Michigan’s lone undisputed crown, was in “same calendar” 1948.
I do not think THEY want an all S.E.C. final between Alabama and Georgia for the second time in 5 seasons (Tua Tagovailoa’s heroics led Bama’s 2017 season, comeback title game win), thus since I believe, as most do, that Alabama will win vs Cincinnati, I predict an upset victory by Michigan, vs Georgia.
However, if Cincy somehow upsets ‘Bama, which would surprise, but not completely shock me, I then say Georgia wins and maybe even “covers” vs Michigan.
Andy B Sports 