Mississippian Steve McNair retired Thursday from the Baltimore Ravens, sending a quarterbacking career that included an NFL co-MVP award, a Super Bowl appearance and a third-place finish in the 1994 Heisman Trophy balloting.
His highlight-filled career, which may be Hall of Fame worthy, almost never began.
Lucille McNair raised five boys in Mount Olive, with Steve the second youngest. Football was not in her game plan.
"It was a dangerous sport to me," Lucille McNair said. "They were the ones that decided they wanted to play football. After they started, I supported them.
"I knew I couldn't stop them. During that time I was working at night and they were (sneaking off) to play. I told them ... long as you keep your grades up."
His schoolwork in order, McNair attended Alcorn State University and tantalized the nation as one of the most prolific college players in history.
Then as a Tennessee Titan he came up short in one of the most memorable Super Bowl games ever, losing 23-16 to the St. Louis Rams on Jan. 30, 2000, when receiver Kevin Dyson was tackled on the 1-yard line on the game's final play after catching a pass thrown by McNair.
Showing posts with label Football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Football. Show all posts
Friday, April 18, 2008
Air McNair retires
Professional football is losing another great Mississippian. Steve "Air" McNair announced his retirement yesterday. He's some of the article from the Clarion-Ledger.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Use Football To Take Back the South For Democrats
See what could make good gun-toting, meat-eating, red-blooded Republican voters vote for Democrats.
read more | digg story
So here is what Democrats need to do: Contact these players and their families and try to form a coalition. And the platform of the coalition, in the voice of the players' parents, will say, "As long as Southern states tend to favor the Republican party, and oppose the interests of black Americans, our sons will sign college football scholarships with northern schools. When Southern states begin to vote Democratic, supporting the interest of black Americans, our sons will be happy to play for Southern schools. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy watching Ohio State, Michigan, Missouri (go Tigers!) and others whip your Southern butts.It involves football recruiting and could cause self-respecting Southerners to name their children "Hillary" and "Barack."
read more | digg story
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Snow Day In Hattiesburg And We're Rooting For Favre
Several of my friends and I made this Brett Favre snowman in The Rock at Southern Miss this morning. He's sporting a Fedora in support of our new coach. (Larry Fedora)
Southern Miss To The Top! May Hattiesburg freezing over be a good sign for the Packers/Giants game. Go Packers!
(Please forward this photo to anyone you think might be interested. Click on the photo and it'll give you a link you can put in e-mails.)
Friday, November 30, 2007
Break from Politics: My opinion on the Bower Firing!!
I could not believe it when I saw that Jeff Bower had "resigned" as Southern Miss football coach. I wanted to write my opinions immediately, but waited for a few days to see what had developed since then.
I watched AD Giannini's press conference that afternoon. During that conference, Giannini blamed Bower at times, and to my anger, he blamed the FANS!! In Giannini's mind, the fans were the problem with the program, and it was all Bower's fault.
A few questions need to be asked of Mr. Giannini. First off, who's idea was it some years ago to always put a home game on the Saturday after Thanksgiving? More importantly, after it was proven that that game would not draw fans, whose idea was it to keep it up?? Giannini spent much time complaining that fan attendance at this last game was embarassing and lecturing the fans on their lack of enthusiasm.
He should point the finger at himself. You want fans, schedule games when fans will come!!! Also, schedule teams that fans care to watch. Arkansas State is not the only one....it was Giannini's bright idea to open the season, after no football since January, with UT-MARTIN, a team not even in Division 1-A. Really Richard, what could possibly have motivated you to believe that USM fans would've sold that game out? Southern Miss at 9-2 would not have sold that game out. It has NEVER done well. In 2004, Southern Miss played UAB on November 27th, and the attendance was poor. The very next week, we play CALIFORNIA, and the attendance was excellent. See the difference? Thanksgiving holiday, no one on campus. Students come back, decent opponent, stadium near full. Let's not let the facts get in the way of a good story, or Richard Giannini's excuse train.
With his statements, Giannini proved that he a) had never attended a post Thanksgiving game, or b) believed that a game against Arkansas State or UT-Martin would draw fans out on a holiday. If answer A is correct, then he's a complete hypocrite. If B is correct, then he clearly does not know much about Southern Miss fans. Why on Earth would fans come out during a holiday, in 40 degree temperatures, and rain threatening, to see Southern Miss play a team that no one cares to see play? We have had records of only two or three loses over the years, and still had less than 20,000 show up for the game after Thanksgiving. Giannini's excuse on that front simply does not pass the smell test. Even if the rest of the stadium was full, there would still be a gaping hole in the student section, which, when full, holds a few thousand people. So either way, even if the rest of the stadium was sold out and full, the lack of students would still keep the attendance at or below the season average. What on Earth was Giannini complaining about?
It does not matter what you believe about Jeff Bower's coaching. The man dedicated his professional career to Southern Miss, and his firing was handled atrociously. No one, including Bower, according to reports, saw it coming. So unless Bower was shopping around on his own, he lost a chance to get started on looking for another job. A winning season, 14th in a row, is not usually considered to be grounds for termination. No one is arguing that Jeff Bower should've gotten an extension or a raise after this season. To push him out like that, in such a blatant and embarassing way, degrades Southern Miss and all of its fans, students and staff.
Jeff Bower was a class act. His team had a tough year, but all one has to do is look at the record. The list of teams that the Eagles defeated under Bower reads like a Who's Who list of college football powerhouses; LSU, Auburn, Alabama, Nebraska, Illinois, Georgia, Oklahoma State and Louisville being just some of the big wins. Off the field, Southern Miss under Jeff Bower boasted one of the most impressive graduation rates college football teams.
I can only hope that, if we find ourselves in this situation again, Dr. Saunders will remove the real man responsible, AD Richard Giannini. Though, true to form, Giannini would likely blame everyone else, but himself.
I watched AD Giannini's press conference that afternoon. During that conference, Giannini blamed Bower at times, and to my anger, he blamed the FANS!! In Giannini's mind, the fans were the problem with the program, and it was all Bower's fault.
A few questions need to be asked of Mr. Giannini. First off, who's idea was it some years ago to always put a home game on the Saturday after Thanksgiving? More importantly, after it was proven that that game would not draw fans, whose idea was it to keep it up?? Giannini spent much time complaining that fan attendance at this last game was embarassing and lecturing the fans on their lack of enthusiasm.
He should point the finger at himself. You want fans, schedule games when fans will come!!! Also, schedule teams that fans care to watch. Arkansas State is not the only one....it was Giannini's bright idea to open the season, after no football since January, with UT-MARTIN, a team not even in Division 1-A. Really Richard, what could possibly have motivated you to believe that USM fans would've sold that game out? Southern Miss at 9-2 would not have sold that game out. It has NEVER done well. In 2004, Southern Miss played UAB on November 27th, and the attendance was poor. The very next week, we play CALIFORNIA, and the attendance was excellent. See the difference? Thanksgiving holiday, no one on campus. Students come back, decent opponent, stadium near full. Let's not let the facts get in the way of a good story, or Richard Giannini's excuse train.
With his statements, Giannini proved that he a) had never attended a post Thanksgiving game, or b) believed that a game against Arkansas State or UT-Martin would draw fans out on a holiday. If answer A is correct, then he's a complete hypocrite. If B is correct, then he clearly does not know much about Southern Miss fans. Why on Earth would fans come out during a holiday, in 40 degree temperatures, and rain threatening, to see Southern Miss play a team that no one cares to see play? We have had records of only two or three loses over the years, and still had less than 20,000 show up for the game after Thanksgiving. Giannini's excuse on that front simply does not pass the smell test. Even if the rest of the stadium was full, there would still be a gaping hole in the student section, which, when full, holds a few thousand people. So either way, even if the rest of the stadium was sold out and full, the lack of students would still keep the attendance at or below the season average. What on Earth was Giannini complaining about?
It does not matter what you believe about Jeff Bower's coaching. The man dedicated his professional career to Southern Miss, and his firing was handled atrociously. No one, including Bower, according to reports, saw it coming. So unless Bower was shopping around on his own, he lost a chance to get started on looking for another job. A winning season, 14th in a row, is not usually considered to be grounds for termination. No one is arguing that Jeff Bower should've gotten an extension or a raise after this season. To push him out like that, in such a blatant and embarassing way, degrades Southern Miss and all of its fans, students and staff.
Jeff Bower was a class act. His team had a tough year, but all one has to do is look at the record. The list of teams that the Eagles defeated under Bower reads like a Who's Who list of college football powerhouses; LSU, Auburn, Alabama, Nebraska, Illinois, Georgia, Oklahoma State and Louisville being just some of the big wins. Off the field, Southern Miss under Jeff Bower boasted one of the most impressive graduation rates college football teams.
I can only hope that, if we find ourselves in this situation again, Dr. Saunders will remove the real man responsible, AD Richard Giannini. Though, true to form, Giannini would likely blame everyone else, but himself.
Friday, October 26, 2007
ESPN at Southern Miss!
I'm working for ESPN this weekend at Southern Miss. which should be cool.
Of course that does mean I'll be away from my computer all weekend; tough.
Go Eagles!
(Note: I will be attending the Jefferson Jackson Hamer Day Dinner Saturday; You should too!)
Of course that does mean I'll be away from my computer all weekend; tough.
Go Eagles!
(Note: I will be attending the Jefferson Jackson Hamer Day Dinner Saturday; You should too!)
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Southern Miss 28 / SMU 7 (An Excellent Game For Homecoming)
The pictures are in no particular order. (I'm trying out my new phone that has a camera)
Homecoming At Southern Miss
A homecoming at any college is likely exciting and many (including alumni) have been celebrating since Thursday.
One thing that makes this year different is all the elections. Several candidates including Democratic candidate for Governor John Eaves are scheduled to be on campus.
Partisans on both sides have littered the campus and medians with campaign signs.
I'm still curious how Barbour is spending all his money, but I did see this today which explains one small piece:
If you look there is a Barbour sign on this "mobile billboard." I'd never seen a candidate use one before.
Go Eagles!
One thing that makes this year different is all the elections. Several candidates including Democratic candidate for Governor John Eaves are scheduled to be on campus.
Partisans on both sides have littered the campus and medians with campaign signs.
I'm still curious how Barbour is spending all his money, but I did see this today which explains one small piece:
If you look there is a Barbour sign on this "mobile billboard." I'd never seen a candidate use one before.
Go Eagles!
Sunday, September 30, 2007
A Prediction:
The Saints won't lose this week.
I'm more sure of this than any of my predictions on the statewide races.
Any takers that they will? :)
I'm more sure of this than any of my predictions on the statewide races.
Any takers that they will? :)
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