Although I knew he was in failing health, I was just so saddened to learn of the passing of Burt Reynolds.
As a kid, like so many, Reynold's portrayal of the Bandit in Smokey and The Bandit was the greatest thing ever. Reynolds racing across country in his Pontiac Firebird Trans Am with his cohort Cletus Snow (played by his good friend Jerry Reed) to bring Coors beer back to Atlanta will still stop me in my tracks if I am searching through the channels.
Reynolds began his wonderful life at Florida State University, where he played running back for the Seminoles. Burt made great friends there, which included Vic Prinzi and Lee Corso.
Reynolds love for Florida State University extended a lifetime. He was great friends with famed coach Bobby Bowden and was an incredibly generous benefactor to both academic and athletic arms of Florida State. Reynolds for many years filmed a halftime segment with the voice of the Seminoles Gene Deckerhoff. Before the likes of ESPN and the internet, these coaches shows were where you found the opportunity to watch game highlights. Reynolds shined doing this show, and we so appreciated him.
Reynolds was an accomplished actor, and while many of his movies were not of critical acclaim, he sure was. Several performances later in his life gave proof of that, but it wasn't anything he really worried about. Even so, he lived quite a Hollywood life, with relationships with several of the finest women in the business.
Never forgotten by Burt was his Florida roots and his entourage of friends. The first time I met Burt was in Tallahassee at an FSU game, where he traveled along with Dom Deluise, Ricardo Montalban, Charles Nelson Reilly, Ann Margaret and others. I ran into him at the Tampa Westshore Holiday Inn, after seeing Vic Prinzi waiting for him. Fortunately, I was in Tallahassee at a game two seasons ago where Burt placed the spear in the ground before the game, an honor bestowed upon a very select few.
Last year, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of "Smokey and The Bandit," although Pontiac is gone, a Chevrolet Camaro was modified to look like a Pontiac Trans Am and 77 were made. Reynolds participated in the design and rollout, an event in which Burt had Bobby Bowden along as a guest.
Tim Linafelt of Seminoles.com recounted a funny old story about Burt today:
"Burt Reynolds used to love to tell the story of how Bobby Bowden knew his name — “Buddy.” It wasn’t until later that he realized Bobby Bowden called everyone Buddy."
This is a tough one. Burt Reynolds is an individual I have great affection for, a cherished member of the Seminole faithful. His advocacy for our beloved Florida State University has always been greatly appreciated. His loyalty to his friends was admired, and his wisecracking sense of humor brought smiles to us all. Smokey and The Bandit will always get us going as we run east bound and down, and we can always thank Burt Reynolds and his gang of friends, most notably Jerry Reed, for that.
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.
The inductees for the 2013 Hall of BAHL class are listed in no particular order below:
BOBBY LABONTE
With Richard Petty retiring at the end of the 1992, I needed another driver to pull for. While I did like and pull for Kyle Petty, a driver my age caught my eye driving the Maxwell House Pontiac Grand Prix for Bill Davis. That was Bobby Labonte of Corpus Christi, Texas.
When Joe Gibbs entered the NASCAR circuit, Bobby was tapped to drive the Gibbs #18 Interstate Batteries Pontiac Grand Prix. Bobby Labonte would have tremendous success piloting the green 18, winning 21 Sprint Cup races over his career, including a Brickyard 400, and winning the Sprint Cup Championship in 2000.
Ironically, I first met Labonte in 1999 at a lunch set by BudFeiser, for whom the Hall of Ball is dedicated. BudFeiser worked in the grocery industry and through relationships with some of Labonte's sponsors, BudFeiser arranged for me to be included in a lunch and Q&A at the Outback in Daytona. What a day!
I also had the opportunity in January of 2001 to be participatory in the filming of a SeaDoo commercial with Bobby and fellow Gibbs driver Tony Stewart in Grant, FL. It was a bitterly cold day, and while I enjoyed hanging out with the guys that day, I was disappointed to have ended up on the cutting room floor with respect to the commercial that aired that year.
Bobby remains one of the very few drivers to win a Nationwide and Sprint Cup series championship, and is one of few who have scored wins in the Camping World Truck Series, Nationwide Series and the Sprint Cup Series.
For the last few years, Bobby has been piloting the #47 Toyota for JTG/Daugherty Racing. In an ironic twist, it was announced this week Bobby will be replaced for a few races for the remainder of the season as the team seeks to improve the on track performance.
Bobby has always been recognized by his peers as a class act and a good, clean racer. Labonte is someone I have been proud to have been associated with and an individual and welcome his inclusion
in The Hall of BAHL.
JOHNNY RODGERS
When I began following college football as a youngster, my beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers were unleash decades of football excellence by winning back to back National Championships in 1970-71. While the teams had several All Americans on the roster, it was flanker Johnny Rodgers who led the way.
Nebraska was a unanimous undefeated champion in 1971, defeating #2 Oklahoma at Norman and then #2 Alabama in The Orange Bowl. In the nationally televised "Game of the Century" versus OU, Johnny the Jest electrified the crowd with a brilliant 72 yard punt return helping the Big Red to victory.
Nebraska was upset at UCLA early in 1972, and did not have the season they had hoped for in the first season for famed Coach Tom Osborne. But Rodgers did not disappoint, winning the 1972 Heisman Memorial Trophy. In The Orange Bowl as Nebraska smashed Notre Dame 40-6, Rodgers ran for three scores and caught a touchdown, and threw for another touchdown setting Orange Bowl records along the way.
I was fortunate to see JR Superstar in both of those Orange Bowl games, and particularly remember his outstanding performance versus Notre Dame. Rodgers was well deserving of the Heisman, the first for Nebraska, and an integral part of helping the Big Red win the national title for the first time. I join a legion of Nebraskans who adore and appreciate "The Jet" from Omaha who electrified the college football landscape in the early seventies.
After some issues, Rodgers ended up graduating from The University of Nebraska and remains a strong supporter of the program, often participating in promotional partnerships with the University. I am pleased to now include Johnny Rodgers in The Hall of BAHL
CHARLIE WARD
Among the most gifted athletes I have ever witnessed, who operated with extreme poise under pressure, was former Florida State quarterback Charlie Ward. Ward, of Thomasville, GA, the 1993 Heisman Trophy winner, helped lead Florida State to their first National Championship in 1993 with an 18-16 victory over Nebraska in The Orange Bowl.
Coach Bobby Bowden, who recognized the talented skill set and maturity level Ward possessed, change the Seminole offense to better utilize ward's abilities. The Seminoles broke out the Fast Break offense, and with Ward directing a very talented group, Florida State began to set a slew of offensive records.
Ward would direct a comeback for the ages against a top ten Georgia Tech team at Atlanta, however, the Seminoles would fall at Notre Dame 31-24. With the Irish losing the following week, the stage was set as FSU would face undefeated Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. Nebraska came to play, and it came down to the final play, but Ward and the Seminoles would win their first National Title.
Ward was a stellar athlete, who was the starting punter as a freshman and doubled as the point guard on the Florida State basketball team, which went to the Elite Eight under his direction. After FSU, Ward would not attempt a career in the NFL, opting to embark on a long term career for in the National Basketball Association, most notably with the New York Knicks.
Charlie Ward has had a long term association with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and has always demonstrated excellent attributes as a citizen and member of the Florida State family. It is an honor to induct Charlie Ward into the third class of The Hall of BAHL.
TOMMIE FRAZIER
The run.
In one of college footballs greatest plays, "Touchdown" Tommie Frazier, seemingly stopped on numerous occasion, ran over several Florida Gators en routed to an electrifying 75 yard touchdown run to help Nebraska demolish the Gators 62-24 in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl following the 1995 season. It was a season Nebraska would dominate the competition and finish undefeated, capping back to back National Championships for the Cornhuskers.
Well known down in these parts from his high school days at powerhouse Bradenton Manatee, Tommie Frazier was sure for stardom when he took his skills to Lincoln.
Frazier had a brilliant career with the 'Huskers, 33-3 as a starter, but did suffer adversity as his junior season was cut short due to blood clotting in his leg. This unusual injury keep him sidelined for many games, but Frazier came back and, sharing time with Brook Berringer, played well in the Orange Bowl victory over Miami after the 1995 season. The injury cast a cloud on how effective he would be during his senior season. But, Frazier would get through the season without a measurable incident earning All America honors and finishing as runner up for the 1995 Heisman Trophy.
Frazier remains close to the program and is a strong ambassador for UNL and the Nebraska football program. Recently elected to the College Football Hall of Fame, and you cannot have such a thing without Frazier, I am honored to welcome "Touchdown" Tommie Frazier to the Hall of BAHL, whose incredible Fiesta Bowl run will never be forgotten.
GENE DECKERHOFF
Florida State began emerging on the national scene under legendary coach Bobby Bowden in the late 1970's. This was before ESPN, and Seminole games were rarely on local television, leaving a scratchy AM radio as the only live alternative.
In 1979, Gene Deckerhoff became the Florida State football play by play announcer, and has remained "The Voice of the Seminoles" ever since. Gene is in a class by himself in the press box, exhibiting extensive knowledge and unrivaled enthusiasm. TOUCHDOWN FLORIDA STATE!
In 1980, Deckerhoff began hosting the "Bobby Bowden Show" with Coach Bowden, which became a sort of cult favorite with Bowden and Gene rehashing the game. At the halftime break of the show, Deckerhoff teamed with former FSU halfback Burt Reynolds in a segment titled "Great Moments in Florida State History," usually filmed over the summer on location with Reynolds.
Deckerhoff continues to be a tremendous ambassador for Florida State, speaking at booster functions across the country, often in the company of Coach Jimbo Fisher. I have visited with Gene at several of these functions with the Seminole Club of Greater Orlando, and have always enjoyed his company immensely.
With the blessing of FSU, Gene took over the play by play gig for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where several of his favorite FSU stars, including Derrick Brooks, Brad Johnson and Warrick Dunn, have starred. It requires extensive and pinpoint travel, but with all smiles, Gene has always been up for the job.
Deckerhoff is well recognized as the best in the business, not only by his legion of fans, but by his peers in the broadcasting industry. In 2011, with Gene set to broadcast his 400th FSU football game, a video tribute to Gene was put together, which we wrote a blog about. Please take a listen as we welcome Florida State's Gene Deckerhoff into The Hall of BAHL:
On Saturday, when the Florida State Seminoles kick the ball off against Virginia at Doak Campbell Stadium, longtime FSU radio voice Gene Deckerhoff will broadcast his 400th game.
Gene is great, and a staple for FSU fans across the fruited plain. Deckerhoff enjoys speaking to booster groups, and has been a frequent guest to the Seminole Club of Greater Orlando.
We have had great times with Gene over the years, and a video piece highlighting the relationship is presented documenting the value our Florida State family places on ole Gene:
I would like to personally thank Gene for all the memories, back with Vic Prinzi, Peter Tom Willis and "Bar None", ole William Floyd.
The debate is in fact over with respect to global warming, now referred to as climate change due to overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
How about a check of the weather a few recent football games:
Those arriving at the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, FL found 45 degree temperatures and rain.
The Autozone (AZO:NYSE) Liberty Bowl in Memphis kicked off late Saturday afternoon with temps at 22 degrees. Eddie Money looks comfortable during halftime:
As the NFL kicked off Sunday afternoon, longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneer radio man Gene Deckerhoff announced the 44 degree temps was the coldest daytime home kickoff in Tampa Bay history.
When the 76th annual FedEx Orange Bowl in Miami kicked off last night with the thermometer at 48 degrees, it became the coldest Orange Bowl in history.
Orlando set a record cold last night at 28 degrees, and the entire country is buried in snow.
The left wing alarmists need to find a new scare tactic, because the greatest hoax of all time is in the deep freeze.
BAHL is a REALTOR, Real Estate Investor and Residential Real Estate Appraiser in Orlando. He holds a BS degree in Economics from Florida State University.
