The Hall of BAHL

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.

See You Later Mr.College Football!

While on my way to the Diamond Resorts International Celebrity Golf tournament, I got a text. I knew what is was about, and if was the first of many.

It said "We lost him."

Mr. College Football, the legendary Keith Jackson, had passed away late Friday.

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Jackson was a member of the inaugural Hall of BAHL class in 2011, where I wrote the following:

"By far, college football is my favorite sport. I rarely missed televised games as a child, and calling the play by play describing the color and pageantry of NCAA College Football was ABC's Keith Jackson. 

Mr. College Football, Jackson had a unique way of bringing the game to viewers who watched from couches across the fruited plain. Jackson respected and promoted the traditions, coaches and players and rivalries which make the game special. 

Terms of endearment to the game such as "Whoa Nelly", "The Big Uglies" and "Fumble" will never be forgotten, nor will Jackson. Keith Jackson, a big man at 6'4 275, is a bigger man in the annuals of America's greatest game, NCAA College Football."

I had the opportunity meet Keith Jackson at a "Legend's Luncheon" held when Florida State played Notre Dame in Orlando in 1994. It was an honor to meet Jackson, who was larger than life in many ways.

Like so many expressed who have commented via social media since his passing on Friday, Jackson meant so much to those of us who grew up cherishing the color and pageantry of those autumn Saturday afternoons, where with all due respect to Alabama's university slogan, where legends were made.

Keith Jackson was often imitated across the college football landscape, with many a "fumble" uttered from Jacksonville to Omaha, but few were as beloved at our Keith Jackson.

Alabama coach Bear Bryant and ABC's Keith Jackson

The Hall of BAHL

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 announce 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 earlier this year and who I grew up playing sports with, each class henceforth will be announced on his birthday, June 13.

The inductees for the inaugural Hall of BAHL class are listed below:

BOBBY BOWDEN

Former Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden, who built Florida State from nothing into a national power, is a man I have held in the highest admiration from the moment he came to FSU.

Coach Bowden is no doubt one of the best coaches to ever blow a whistle, but his faith, attitude, competitiveness, perseverance and integrity helped mold most of the young men he came in contact with to be better men.

All of us who have been around Coach Bowden just love him, and we will all be forever grateful to him for what he has meant to our beloved Florida State University.

TOM OSBORNE

Dr. Tom Osborne, who guided The University of Nebraska to three national championships in his 25 year head coaching career, is another I hold in the highest regard. Plain spoken, Osborne is a Nebraskan who jumped from assistant under Bob Devaney to guide the Cornhuskers from 1973 to 1997.

Osborne, who holds a doctorate in educational psychology from UNL, served 6 years in the US House of Representatives before coming back to UNL to become Althletic Director and program losing the identity he developed during his tenure.

Even though he was winning big, Dr. Tom was almost run out of town in the early going, but through his discipline approach relying on the principles that Nebraska is known for, faith, hard work and personal accountability, Osborne walked away from the game on a five year run of three national titles and a 60-3 record, dominating the game.

RICHARD PETTY

Richard Petty has won more NASCAR races than anyone, driving his famed Petty blue stock car for five decades. Petty won his final race, his 200th, on Independence Day in 1984, with President Ronald Reagan in attendance.

"The King", Petty helped bring NASCAR from a truly regional sport to the multi-billion dollar operation it is today through not only his winning races, but his transcending smile and personality.

I grew up a fan of Petty, and was in Daytona as he guided his #43 STP Pontiac Grand Prix around the high banks on his farewell tour for the last time. Petty remains a car owner and continues to do promotional appearances, ever so high in stature as NASCAR's King Richard.

GEORGE BRETT

I became a Kansas City Royals fan when I had occasion to catch some games in Kansas City in the mid '70s, and as a young aspiring third basemen, became a fan of George Brett.

When the Royals held spring training down in Haines City at Baseball City, I got a chance to visit with him frequently. Brett was stellar player, and ranks among the best hitters ever to play the game. In fact, Brett is the only player to win the batting title in three different decades (76, 80, 90). Although a jokester with a charming smile, Brett was a fiery competitor. His run at Ted Williams record .406 batting average in 1980 was one for the ages.

George remains a consultant with Royals to this day.

KEITH JACKSON

By far, college football is my favorite sport. I rarely missed televised games as a child, and calling the play by play describing the color and pageantry of NCAA College Football was ABC's Keith Jackson.

Mr. College Football, Jackson had a unique way of bringing the game to viewers who watched from couches across the fruited plain. Jackson respected and promoted the traditions, coaches and players and rivalries which make the game special.

Terms of endearment to the game such as "Whoa Nelly", "The Big Uglies" and "Fumble" will never be forgotten, nor will Jackson. Keith Jackson, a big man at 6'4 275, is a bigger man in the annuals of America's greatest game, NCAA College Football.

The Color and Pageantry

Certainly, as ABC's Keith Jackson so eloquently put forth, the color and pageantry of NCAA College Football is a significant part of what makes this sport the nations greatest drama.

In that regard, a central part among the historical annuals of the game is the famed English Bulldog mascot, UGA, of the University of Georgia. Unfortunately, just as we are about to embark on what could be a very special season for Georgia, UGA VI died over the weekend of heart failure. UGA VI was the son of UGA V, seen below protecting the turf versus an Auburn Tiger.
UGA VI will be buried in the southwest corner of Sanford Stadium with his predecessors later this week. I know all college football fans have always appreciated these traditions and join the Dawgs in thoughts mourning the passing of UGA VI.