Into each life a little rain must fall, mine has seen many a deluge, especially when talented/never was me, must endure, almost all the announcers that are on the airwaves.
First of all, it sounds like James Lofton, essentially a muttering idiot, will be coming into the New York market for Dolphins/Jets.
I had written much more but decided against posting it. Suffice to say, as is my right, I am not a big fan of Mr. Lofton.
Get Gary Collins and the even more deserving Chuck Howley into the Football Hall of Fame.
My “this most hypocritical of holidays” is a “trail of tears,” both for those so long ago —too bad I am not rich enough to rip up his image, our 7th President, on the “20,”—–and myself.
However, while never forgetting, as with the Holocaust in Europe, the far too many still raging, slavery in this so called “Land of the Free,” I will dry them and keep going.
I will try to increase my acts of kindness, while sorry all, pleading for some to come my way as well.
My “gift” so often wrong, as their karma was/is corroded by anti Semitic Fords past, is Lions to cover. Please bet small, as I will do same.
I could opine while juxtaposing the caring, former New York City mayor and Manhattan borough President, David Dinkins, who died days back at age 92, with another former NYC Mayor, who a la “Valerie” in Amy Winehouse’s classic is “making a fool out of” himself (not me, I always saw through him and his uncaring, to say the least, ways) and I guess I just did, again not following my mother’s advice about if you do not have something nice to say…… (Alas having learned care for those less fortunate from my parents, in this case, while she still would have advocated saying nada, she would have been appalled at Giuliani and Trump’s actions).
Memories flow a bit when recalling David Dinkins. His family was so nice. His beautiful classy wife and son David Jr. who got the winning, game ending hit, I believe for CBS vs ABC (score tied) in a softball game played on the night of the day, that “brought” news of Len Bias’ tragic death via Sports Phone (I worked for Score Phone and updated every 4, not 10 minutes, I was the best “ever to come down the pike” of giving scores, yet was eventually welched on by a worker there).
Oh Joseph Cotten’s “Leland–why did Jim (Leyland) bunt with Merced in #6/’91 NLCS?!!—- regarding “the curse of memory” in “Kane!!”
Better, was telling Mr. Dinkins I “called’ that hit by his son. David Dinkins was proud of that.
I am proud and glad that I heard Dinkins speak about having to “get it,” that nobody was going to “give it to you,” a sentiment that especially resonates with those less fortunate and largely due to history, often Black people.
Another good one, I recalled reading in a book about 1960’s female television stars, that it was David Dinkins, who performed the wedding ceremony for the beautiful Diana Rigg. He was impressed with my knowledge.
“D”avid and “D”iana (she also died in fateful 2020) will “D”ance together in heaven, while others, (no names) better realize, it is of no importance what color a person’s skin is, but so important, as to what kind of person occupies that skin.
Mr. Dinkins was a warm, friendly man whose brief time/interaction with me was thoroughly enjoyable and memorable.
Left to right David Dinkins, interviewed by Andy B. in the early 1990’s, I believe.
The (10-0) Pittsburgh Steelers and (9-1) defending champion Kansas City Chiefs (the other follow up season after a Chiefs’ title was same calendar 1970 and after K.C. gained on that Thursday holiday, both they and the then Oakland Raiders were (6-3-2) in a 14 game season. Oakland, now first year Las Vegas, and having been L.A. won the first year AFC West that season. On that Thursday holiday in the first host Detroit (Lions) vs an AFC or former AFL that day tilt, Chuck Hughes hauled in a 47 yard pass from Greg Landry to help the Lions “double” then “Oak” (28-14). Tragically within a year, Hughes died on the playing field, thankfully the only player to suffer that fate. I will recall Chuck Hughes 50 years after his great catch this Thursday) both have virtually assured “div” crowns and are in a battle for the one seed and the lone playoffs bye.
After the heartbreaking, over rated “Hail Mary” loss to Arizona (the Arizona Cardinals lost after that aforementioned win), the idle (7-3) Buffalo Bills gained when (4-6) Denver “plus 4’d” (6-4) Miami as “the whole country” backed the ‘Phins, helping the “books” bash the players/suckers (I know what I am doing, but still do not win! Also I both watch and bet very little. It is essentially a waste of time at best, a horror waiting to happen if one ventures too deep).
The Bills, need just 3 of 10 decisions (if there are no ties) in Miami and their games to have a chance to win their first “div” title since ’95 with a win vs Miami in the “reg” finale on January 3, 2021.
Both Indy (Colts) and Tennessee (Titans) are (7-3), after overtime wins in front of “ntwk” lead announcers, “Hedge Fund Pooh” Jim Nantz and “Lucky Sperm Club, The Emperor,” Joe Buck and will clash for the second time in 3 playing weeks, this Sunday in Indianapolis.
Jane Pauley (how the h–l does this guy/mind get to Jane Pauley?!) from Indianapolis, I believe will cite the many greats who died this year, when she hosts CBS Sunday Morning on December 27th.
Sadly the Broncos gave the game to Floyd Little after their win vs Miami. He is in hospice and a truly great runner and more important, a good man.
There are computer problems to go with all else, in a cruel micro and macro world!
I should severely criticize the sick lunatic who refuses to acknowledge the fact, he lost the election, in a fairly decisive manner. I should “ditto” regarding the police, who since my original hope of being one, have let me down, so many times!!
Instead I focus on a giddy Aaron Rodgers, after a loss in which his offense produced but 3 second half points, (he in amateur fashion spiked the ball, wasting a down and then G.B. “settled” and lost in overtime to the Colts, in a game that likely even football wise, was meaningless–explanations down the road. Surely the Packers are in good shape, the Colts may have lost “intangibles” for their clash with the “div” lead at stake, vs Tennessee, next week).
Maybe my father would not have liked me being a radical (I did not even smoke pot and lived, breathed, ate and slept in the vast wasteland of sports, which is now just MASS ENTERTAINMENT, if that) but it sure beats what happened.
I was NOT “involved” in the tilt, but imagine being so and seeing the high priced Rodgers laughing afterward. Hey Aaron, take some of that insurance company money and pay off some of those who lost on your pitiful effort.
Having said that, I think Rodgers and Green Bay have as good a chance as any to win this year’s diminished crown.
Only I note that the Packers have won 10 NFL titles with post-season wins.
All 10 were with Democratic Party Presidents in office. This year’s Supe, likely, but not definitely to be played, will take place with a Democratic Party, clear victor, Joe Biden as U.S. President.
Yet the slight fear many of us suffer, caused by Trump’s unforgivable refusal to help start the peaceful transition, supersedes by far, the damage he already caused.
Hopefully many of the 70 million who voted for him (tax savings and racism, being the two respectively, not so hot and abhorrent reasons for doing so) at least allow he lost. If not, we are as my heartless former shrink said after my mother died, in really deep “you know what.”
Keep smiling Aaron, long before Trump, we gave you “all,” and as you showed yesterday–you laughed in our faces.
Another football great, Jake Scott an integral defensive, super clutch play standout on back to back Miami Dolphins’ title teams (the (17-0) ’72 team and the even more dominant ’73 team) died days back at age75.
“75” worn by Manny Fernandez (a viable Supe 7 MVP candidate, the award went to Scott, who had 2 interceptions), and in our games by Brad Weiner, evokes memories of the superb Miami defense, nicknamed the “No Name Defense.”
Jake also made big plays the following season, as Miami repeated as NFL champions in a Supe win, vs the Minnesota Vikings.
Below watch Dick Anderson’s interception return touchdown vs the Colts in the 1971 AFC Title Game. Jake Scott (#13) is the first to greet Anderson after the touchdown.
Trying to relax with the excellent interviewer Terri Gross doing so with the astute, eloquent Barack Obama.
There is very little I feel I know better than the former President. One is sports, specifically that ESPN is a monster/bad, not good.
Checking in on Ohio State vs Indiana and the monolith’s page read “Ohio State holds a COMMANDING lead over Indiana.
The lead was cut to (42-35) with ten minutes to play in “reg.”
I truly can not stand such ineptitude, more so the fact they ESPN are unstoppable.
A few notes, no opinions today.
Rutherford B. Hayes is a hero in Paraguay.
In recent weeks, I saw three alive (in their 80’s) and hopefully, well actors, give fine performances on “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” “rees” (reruns) on MeTV.
They are Bruce Dern opposite Felicia Farr, the latter so alluring, in a so modest by today’s standards, two piece bathing suit and the also beautiful Jessica Walter.
Farr later married the great actor, Jack Lemmon. Walter is the widow of Ron Liebman, who stood out with Sally Field, in the great film, “Norma Rae.”
Dern has done so much great work and is the father of another fine actor, Laura Dern. Her mother, also in her 80’s is Diane Ladd.
Bruce Dern’s godfather was the “so ahead of his time” (I know I wrote no opinions, but that is virtual fact!) Adlai Stevenson II.
In the “Presents” episode referenced above Jessica Walter’s Aunt Adelaide is played by Patricia Collinge, a favorite of “The Master of Suspense.”
I did not do too bad in my first prediction in a long time yesterday as I wrote Seattle by say 7 points and they won (28-21) vs Arizona and now lead in the NFC West.
Alas, in a free/have to get the exact score correct to win, I “educated guess” (27-20) Sea and you know close only counts in the old days of dancing or horseshoes. (Get grenades and the ridiculous over hype for the military away from me. I credit those who “served” (so do waiters!), but why do I have to bow to that fact?!!) Read Howard Bryant on that subject.
Now a reference to a fictional shooting: Tonight is the 40 year anniversary to the day, (tomorrow it is to the date, Friday November 21, 1980) of the “Who shot J.R.” episode on the seminal show, “Dallas.”
By the way, treat the veterans well and my feelings have always been let’s have peace and stop killing each other.
I might, (emphasize might) watch tonight’s (6-3) Arizona (way too much hype for the Murray to Hopkins “Hail Mary” TD, as great a play as each made, it is still a worse play by the three “would be” (a Marty Glickman term) Buffalo defenders) at (6-3) Seattle tilt. I do not lay (points that is, not doing too well in that other use/jargon either), but I will pick 3 point favorite, Seattle to win by say 7 points. The very hot Owen will likely “tease up” (plus 10 or more con Arizona).
Anyone of the four teams (Philadelphia, Dallas, the Giants or the Washington football team) can win, the far less than average NFC East. Noting the Giants have either won or covered the spread in 8 of their 10 tilts, that with a (3-7) record.
The Green Bay Packers are going to be (I substitute NFC North champions for NFL champions, from the great Ted Moore call, after Bart Starr “snuck” G.B. to the ’67 NFL title) NFC North champions.
They also have as good a chance as any team to win it all, with the possible exception, of the defending champion K.C. Chiefs.
New Orleans has a one and a fraction game, loss column lead over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South.
Out (NFC)West, the L.A. Rams also enter the week with a (6-3) record.
I do not like the night games, (the NFL is overexposed) however, tonight Sunday night’s K.C. vs Las Vegas (of course I almost wrote Oakland and memories of Fred Biletnikoff and Otis Taylor flash, Otis can not walk and I wonder if the NFL or K.C. has done enough to help Otis and others like him. I did not wonder long. The answer is a disgraceful NO. Bob Costas, I believe “backpedaled” a bit, as his once beloved baseball gets more and more prostituted, however, he clearly will be on the right side of history, as he walked away from football, citing its inherent dangers) and Monday’s redux of two “9” year (’79 and ’99) NFC title tilts, matching the Rams and Buccaneers are games that are tempting to watch. I MIGHT just do so.
Maybe you can tell I once loved this stuff.
The photo above, depicting what I would guess to be a great catch by Fred Biletnikoff in the 1964 season Gator Bowl, played on Saturday January 2, 1965 (I have a nice memory of watching that game with my father as Fred’s name and especially his great performance stood out) is small but meaningful.
Notice the Gator Bowl banner in the distance.
The NFL, the least prostituted, but still heavily so regarding its ‘offs system, now has 7 ‘offs teams from each conference.
If the Covid19 situation cancels games, there likely will be 8 from each conference and no byes. As is, only the top seed gets a bye, but alas no real home advantage.
The (9-0) Steelers and (8-1) defending champion Chiefs will almost certainly qualify.
Buffalo, despite a hail mary loss at (6-3) Arizona (maybe an NFC update this week) is in good shape with a (7-3) record.
Six teams are (6-3) (playing off Teddy Pendergrass “if you do not know the divisions by now), Cleveland, Baltimore, Tennessee, Indianapolis, Las Vegas Raiders and the Miami Dolphins. Bill Belichick, who erroneously, said the Giants were ’58 title game faves vs the Colts, and his Pats are (4-5).
Andy B Sports 