Sports is and always has played a significant role in my life. I have found that most all of life's lessons are learned between the lines. Discipline, individual responsibility, teamwork and sportsmanship are among many opportunities presented within the games that offer guidance to prosper in life.
Over the years, there have been many individuals associated with sports that I have looked up to, been a fan of, owned a jersey of or just pulled for. These are my guys, and although it has not always been a road without bumps for many, these are my guys. In an effort to recognize these folks, I have formed The Hall of BAHL. Individuals making this list may or may not be the greatest ever players, coaches or ambassadors, but they are my favorites.
Each year, I will induct five members into The Hall of BAHL. In honor of my good buddy and sportsman Big Ole BudFeiser, who we lost in 2011 and who I grew up playing sports with, each class will annually be announced on his birthday, June 13. However, due to a scheduling conflict, the class announcement for 2019 is posted today.
The inductees for the 2019 Hall of BAHL class are listed in no particular order below:
REX BURKHEAD
The pride of Plano, Rex Burkhead, exhibiting all the traits that embody success on and off the field, is by far one of my favorite Cornhuskers of all time.
Not the biggest, strongest or fastest among the running back stable, Burkhead excelled at each facet of the game, and behind a solid principled work ethic, Burkhead became the go to guy, securing many wins for the Big Red with his outstanding performances.
I was fortunate to have chance to see Rex play in person a couple of times, both in Capital One Bowl appearances in beautiful downtown Orlando.
After Nebraska, Burkhead has continued his career in the NFL. After a run with the Cincinnati Bengals, Burkhead has found a home with the New England Patriots, fitting in nicely in the platoon of backs coach Bill Belchick utilizes. The opportunity with the Patriots has allowed Burkhead to play in a couple of Super Bowls, coming out victorious in his latest appearance gaining a coveted Super Bowl ring.
Off the gridiron, Rex Burkhead is a champion in another arena; his charitable efforts through the
Team Jack Foundation, who cite "Rex’s unending support has been a beacon of hope for children suffering from brain tumors. Even though Rex has graduated to the NFL, he continues to carry the ball for the leading cancer cause of death in children."
Burkhead,
still fighting for the foundation, recently held a fundraiser in his home town of Plano.
Rex Burkhead, a stellar performer on and off the field and a genuinely good guy, is representative of the type individual we have always been big fans of. We are pleased to welcome Rex Burkhead to The Hall of BAHL.
LEONARD HAMILTON
While Florida State basketball has had some shining moments throughout the years, the program has found a perfect balance of success on and off the court under the leadership of coach Leonard Hamilton. Coach Ham has been steadfast in his tenants in the principles he adheres to in running his program. The level of play has been consistently in ascension while developing young me to become better players and citizens.
Hamilton is the school's all-time winningest coach, and has led FSU to countless NCAA tourney appearances, several Sweet 16's even reaching the Elite 8 on occasion. His players are annually reaching the NBA, with several thriving. More importantly, these men, having been under Hamilton's direction, are successful in life. Jonathan Issac of the Orlando Magic is a great example.
Florida State fans often joke that Hamilton never smiles, and yes, he is laid back but he is very serious about his business. His teams reflect that; utilizing discipline, toughness and strong defense.
Hamilton is s strong Christian gentleman, with an affinity for gospel music.
“
I grew up in the church. That was kind of a way of life for us. Sunday school, BTU, vacation bible school, choir practice, Easter programs, Christmas programs, Easter egg hunts, all those things were part of who we were and what I’ve become as an individual. So the church has always been a very important part of my life. Going to church and worshipping has been a very important part of my life.
“I remember even as a youngster going every Sunday night with my grandmother to a different church in town. So I kind of grew up with that. I enjoy it. It’s part of who I am. I enjoy it.”
We have always appreciated Leonard Hamilton, who has led the Florida State basketball program with class, raising the level of play to a consistently strong level. We welcome Leonard Hamilton to the Hall of BAHL.
BOB GRIESE
As a youngster growing up, I was a huge Miami Dolphin fan, a period of time in which the Dolphins annual Super Bowl contenders.
The quarterback on those teams was Bob Griese.
Greise was a strong field general for the Fins, leading Miami to three consecutive Super Bowl appearances. Unfortunately, Griese has broken his leg and was unavailable when Miami defeated the Washington Redskins to cap the Perfect Season.
Griese, the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 1971, has been elected to both the College Football Hall of Fame and NFL Hall of Fame.
After his playing career, Griese ended up teaming with the great Keith Jackson at ABC broadcasting the college football game of the week. Griese provided excellent analysis, and the duo was strongly appreciated among college football fans across the nation.
Additionally, Griese has seemingly always done Miami Dolphin preseason football games and since 2011, has been an official member of the radio team broadcasting Dolphin games.
Griese has always been a Miami Dolphin, helping the team in anyway possible throughout the years since his playing days ended. A competitive spirit, Griese always conducted himself is a classy way.
Bob Griese was a central figure in the early days as I became a fan of the National Football League. He was stellar in leading my Miami Dolphins to those early 1970's Super Bowls, and I have always been a fan. It is with great pleasure Bob Griese we welcome Bob Griese to The Hall of BAHL.
DARRELL WALTRIP
I was not really a big Darrell Waltrip fan when he came on the scene in the Winston Cup Series. Waltrip was brash and cocky, but I always respected him because he backed it up with wins.
Waltrip was one of the best, and it certainly was neat to see him finally get a Daytona 500 win. With too many awards to note, and 84 wins recorded placing him in the top five in wins all time, Waltrip was a three time Cup Series champion.
After retiring after the 2000 season, Waltrip joined the newly formed FOX Sports NASCAR broadcast team as lead analyst along with Mike Joy and Larry McReynolds. The first broadcast of this crew was the 2001 Daytona 500, a race filled with joy as his younger brother Michael won the race and with extreme sadness with the last lap wreck that claimed the life of his longtime friend Dale Earnhardt. In watching the broadcast, Waltrip seemed to know the severity of the situation in turn four before most others did; it was written all over his face. For DW, in the blink of an eye, it was the best of times and the worst of times.
Waltrip was a champion in the booth. He was as knowledgeable as it gets about all aspects of racing, a wonderful ambassador of the sport and a great friend and colleague to the drivers, race teams and broadcast partners. Additionally, DW was a favorite of the legions of fans of the sport.
Darrell spent almost 20 seasons with us before retiring from the broadcast team after the last 2019 FOX broadcast.
I am sure we can still call on DW for NASCAR perspective when needed, but after giving 50 years to the sport we all love, he is going to spend some well deserved time with his grandchildren. Boogity, Boogity Boogity are we fired up to welcome Darrell Waltrip to the Hall of BAHL!
DAVE RIMINGTON
The Pipeline. Although there had been outstanding offensive lineman on previous Husker teams, for a couple of decades beginning in the late seventies, the unit became know as the Pipeline as several players earned All America honors, with many winning the Outland and/or Lombardi Trophies.
This seemingly started with center Dave Rimington of Omaha.
Rimington was stellar, a consensus first team All America player in 1981 and 1982, wining a pair of Outland Trophy and a Lombardi Trophy. In 1997, Rimington was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame and was named to the Walter Camp All Century Team.
In the NFL, Rimington played from 1983 to 1989, mostly with the Cincinnati Bengals. During his tenure with the Bengals, Rimington became close to his quarterback Boomer Esiason, joining Boomer to work his foundation, the Boomer Esiason Foundation, in the fight against cystic fibrosis.
Since 2000, the award given for the nations top center is the Rimington Trophy, named in his honor.
Dave Rimington is a true Cornhusker. He has stayed close to his former coaches and remains close to the program. After a change was made at the position of Athletic Director in 2017, Rimington came home to serve Nebraska in that capacity on an interim basis.
Husker nation loves Dave Rimington, who set the foundation for the beloved Nebraska pipeline. His contagious smile is always a welcomed sight on the sidelines at Memorial Stadium.
I always remember Rimington setting up at center and firing off the ball, paving the way for the most prolific offense of the day to run roughshod. Ole #50. Displaying leadership, character and tenacity, on and off the field, ever since he became a Husker, we welcome the blueprint of the center position, Dave Rimington, to The Hall of BAHL.
Off the gridiron, Rex Burkhead is a champion in another arena; his charitable efforts through the Team Jack Foundation, who cite "Rex’s unending support has been a beacon of hope for children suffering from brain tumors. Even though Rex has graduated to the NFL, he continues to carry the ball for the leading cancer cause of death in children."
While Florida State basketball has had some shining moments throughout the years, the program has found a perfect balance of success on and off the court under the leadership of coach Leonard Hamilton. Coach Ham has been steadfast in his tenants in the principles he adheres to in running his program. The level of play has been consistently in ascension while developing young me to become better players and citizens.
Florida State fans often joke that Hamilton never smiles, and yes, he is laid back but he is very serious about his business. His teams reflect that; utilizing discipline, toughness and strong defense.
In the NFL, Rimington played from 1983 to 1989, mostly with the Cincinnati Bengals. During his tenure with the Bengals, Rimington became close to his quarterback Boomer Esiason, joining Boomer to work his foundation, the Boomer Esiason Foundation, in the fight against cystic fibrosis.
