THIS COLUMN WAS WRITTEN IN FRONT A LIVE STUDIO AUDIENCE
QUICK QUIZ
Who has thrown the most touchdown passes during the 1990's than any other
National Football League quarterback?
A. Brett Favre
B. Steve Young
C. Dan Marino
D. Terry Krawczak
QUOTABLE QUOTES
Sam Wyche, on Jerry Glanville, "Drop me a note if you find someone who
likes this guy, will you?"
o
John Montefusco, who pitched under Dave Bristol for the San Francisco
Giants, "I hear Bristol's working for Red Man tobacco company . . . as a
spittoon."
o
Bobby Hull, Hall of Fame hockey player, "Why should a guy with a
half-million dollar contract want to have blood dripping down his face? Or
sweat? Or play with bruises? Hell, they won't even play with bruised
feelings now."
IDLE THOUGHTS
I was a little shocked when I heard Jim Jones was stepping down as varsity
football coach at Arthur Hill High School. Then, after thinking about it
for a while, I understood why. Jones, who starred for the Hillites in the
early 1970's, is extremely passionate about AHHS. He was just the second
Arthur Hill player to coach the football team. And he respects the Blue and
Gold uniform and its tradition. After compiling a 19-35 record in six
seasons, he resigned for the betterment of the program. Jones is a class
act all the way around.
o
Most people figure the only thing keeping Charles Rogers of Michigan State
University from winning the Heisman Trophy is his lack of returning punts
on a regular basis. Everyone knows he's an extremely talented receiver who
is dangerous in the open field, but the Heisman goes to college football's
top all-around player, a la Tim Brown of Notre Dame (1987) or Desmond
Howard of Michigan (1991).
o
Come on, give Jeff Smoker a break. Don't kick a man when he's down . . .
especially when he's man enough to admit - in public - he has a problem.
The MSU quarterback voluntarily sought help for his drug abuse, which he
admitted to in a 16-minute press conference before more than 20 television
cameras from across the state. People seem to forget that this young man is
only 21-years-old.
o
Great move on Central Michigan University's part for naming former Nouvel
Catholic Central coach Steve Jaksa its interim head baseball coach. The
likable Jaksa, 46, was offered the job when head coach Judd Folske
announced his resignation after the 2002-2003 school year.
o
Race car driver Jeff Gordon and his wife, Brooke, are in the midst of a
nasty divorce. The four-time Winston Cup champ claimed he earned only $13.6
million in 2001. His ex-wife claims he made $18.6 million. She also wants
to remain beneficiary of his $10.2 million life insurance policy. The
31-year-old Gordon named his mother instead. Also on the table are a
mansion, a second home, business assets, boats and 17 cars. Heck, I'm not
even a divorce attorney but I'd like to represent him in court. A man just
can't have enough cars.
o
Did you catch the Vote Yes on Proposal 2 billboard along southbound I-75 in
Saginaw? Proposal 2 asked voters to let the state borrow $1 billion to
fight water pollution and beach closings. They had a rather poor likeness
of golfer Tiger Woods pictured on the billboard, along with the words
'Water Hazard' in red. It depicted Woods spitting out murky, brown Michigan
water (from a bottle), and saying "I don't feel up to par." The only
problem? Woods did not give his permission to use his likeness (a no no in
the world of advertising). The billboards were paid for by Peter Wege, a
descendant of the founder of Steelcase Inc. and one of Michigan's
wealthiest people. Instead of taking the billboards down, the outdoor
company in question simply 'whited out' the caricature of Woods.
o
I had to do a double-take when I recently read about Kentucky quarterback
Jared Lorenzen. I thought it was a typo but evidently it's not. The Wildcat
signal caller is listed as 6-feet-4 and weighs between 275 to 300 pounds. I
imagine opposing defensive linemen see him as a traitor.
o
Whatever happened to Tom and Dick vanArsdale?
QUICK QUIZ ANSWER
A. Brett Favre, who threw 235 touchdown passes in eight seasons during the
1990's. Dan Marino and Steve Young are tied for second as each tossed 200
TD's and both did it in 10 seasons. Third on the list is Warren Moon who
has heaved 189 touchdown passes in 10 seasons. John Elway, by the way, came
in fourth. In nine seasons he lofted 180 six-pointers.
