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

Losing Legends

Frank Gifford was a legend in the NFL, a Hall of Fame player with the New York Giants and a longtime staple in the booth of ABC's Monday Night Football. Gifford still holds the record for the most touchdowns scored by a New York Giant.  In those years, Gifford was rivaled in the Big Apple by only New York Yankee Mickey Mantle.

By all accounts, Gifford was wonderful man who lived a storybook life in a game we all cherish.  But suddenly on Sunday, the nation learned Gifford died of natural causes at 84.

Gifford, who starred at Southern Cal before entering the NFL, had retired before I became a big fan of the game, but I was very familiar with him with his announcing career. Gifford was well known to many from his lovely wife, Kathie Lee, who rose to incredible fame due to her hosting, with Regis Philbin, of the daytime talk show Regis and Kathie Lee.

It was Gifford, in the ABC Monday Night Football booth with Howard Cosell, who pressed Cosell that they needed to convey to the country the horribly sad news that came their way via ABC News flash, the news that former Beatle John Lennon has been shot dead outside of his Manhattan apartment.

Prior to internet and in large measure cable television, it was how America learned of Lennon's death, which affected many of us deeply.  I saw and heard it live, for it was my Miami Dolphins in action hosting the New England Patriots on that evening, December 8, 1980, from Miami's Orange Bowl.

Gifford was a part of Americana, and the large impact he had on the American sporting landscape was invaluable and greatly appreciated.


We woke up this morning to learn that NASCAR legend Buddy Baker has passed away at 74.

It was shortly after the Coke Zero 500 when Baker, the 1980 Daytona 500 champion, announced he was stepping down from NASCAR broadcasts due to an inoperable tumor in his lung. Baker, at 6'6" and nicknamed the "Gentle Giant" due his stature coupled with friendly demeanor, will be greatly missed in the NASCAR community.

 

"Do not shed a tear. Give a smile when you say my name." Consider that done!

Sadly, we are starting to lose many of the legends we grew up with.  We need to keep their memories alive.

Wicked Wreck at Vegas Claims Dan Wheldon

Dan Whledon, a two time winner of the Indianapolis 500, including in 2011, has lost his life in a horrific 15 car crash at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this afternoon. ABC had the race coverage:



Ironically, Wheldon was a part time racer this year, and was essentially unemployed after winning the 2011 Indy 500. Wheldon spoke with CNBC's Darren Rovell days after the 500.



Wheldon was set to take over for Danica Patrick, who is heading over to NASCAR full time next season. This racing is very dangerous, and even though the safety measures advanced in the recent years, particularly in the aftermath of the death of the legendary Dale Earnhardt at Daytona International Speedway in 2001, it remains so. Five time NASCAR champ Jimmie Johnson took a very hard hit last night at Charlotte, a hit made easier to absorb by the safer barriers and HANS device innovations.

Thoughts and prayers will be with Wheldons family; may he rest in peace.

Top 25

College Football

Top 25

1. Oklahoma, 5-0, 1

2. Alabama, 6-0, 2

3. Louisiana State, 6-0, 3

4. Stanford, 5-0, 4

5. Oklahoma State, 6-0, 5

6. Wisconsin, 5-0, 5

7. Boise State, 4-0,6

8. Clemson, 6-0, 7

9. Oregon, 4-1, 8

10. Arkansas, 5-1, 10

11. Michigan, 6-0, 11

12. South Carolina, 5-1, 15

13. Georgia Tech, 6-0, 17

14. Nebraska, 5-1, 18

15. Texas A&M, 3-2, 14

16. Auburn, 4-2, 13

17. West Virginia, 5-1, 19

18. Georgia, 4-2, 21

19. Illinois, 6-0, 23

20. Virginia, Tech, 5-1, 20

21. Arizona State, 5-1, 24

22. Michigan State, 4-1, 25

23. Kansas State, 5-0, NR

24. Baylor, 4-1, NR

25. Houston, 6-0, NR

OUT: Florida State (12), Texas (16), Florida (22)

VOTES: Penn State, Notre Dame, Wake Forest, Florida, Texas, Florida State, North Carolina, Rutgers, Southern Methodist, Southern Miss, Miami and Texas Tech.

Oklahoma destroyed Texas in the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl at the Texas State Fair in Dallas....Florida is hurting at quarterback and has Auburn and improving Georgia Bulldogs upcoming.....Okie State had 56 at the half against Kansas, and they are a title contender for sure....Arkansas got throttled by BAMA but is whipping everyone else....Pitt got hammered by Rutgers, which is not good....K State dumped Mizzou, and is undefeated....Baylor and RGIII rebounded by thrashing Iowa State...Stanford hammered Colorado, where the wheels have come off...Georgia controlled Tennessee...Michigan outlasted Northwestern in Evanston....UCF flooded Marshall, as we had 6 inches of rain in greater Orlando yesterday....Virginia Tech outlasted Miami in Blacksburg in a great game, with my Cane friends Danny and Pat in attendance....Penn State beat Iowa, usually a problem game for the Lions...Illinois is the surprise of the Big Ten, out to a 6-0 record, the best for them in 60 years...Texas A&M, off to the SEC, won at Texas Tech in Lubbock on Saturday in a hard fought 45-40 game, but when they got back to the team buses, things took a turn for the worse as Red Raider sportsmanship, or lack thereof, lost containment.

While excuses could be made for the first two losses of the season for Florida State, the loss yesterday at Wake forest was quite simply inexcusable. This one is on the coaching staff. Yes, the offensive line, pedestrian at best without injury, is injury ravaged and a major liability. It is upon the coaches to game plan around it. Certainly, Clint Trickett performed well at Clemson, but with a week off he should have been better prepared for Wake if he was gong to start. Early on, he made several mistakes and looked lost, expected for a young player. If Manual could play, he should have been playing. Either way, this is a coaching issue. The defense, expected to be a strength, is unable to get off the field, either by mental lapses or penalties. Again, coaching. As my friend RP5 correctly noted, Florida State is woefully lackadaisical in getting plays off, even when you should have a sense of urgency. This is regrettably typical for FSU, and again lies on the coaches. I fear we could see the individuals on this team emerge, and the season could be lost. The coaches may not recognize the sense of urgency on the field, but they had better see it in the locker room. Fisher and his staff had better get a grip on this situation fast, for a season of promise, and one to set the stepping stone to what could be a great year in 2012, could be lost.

With Ohio State mauling Nebraska much of the night, ABC analyst Matt Millen was strong. When you think of what analyst you would want calling the game for your team, Matt Millen may not be the first name you think of, but he does have decent points most days. Millen, no doubt with a heavy heart after learning of the passing of the passing of the king of the Raider family, Al Davis, Millen was spot on in calling Ohio State at Nebraska. Millen correctly pointed out the OSU was whipping the Big Red at the line of scrimmage, using a cut back rushing plan to counter the Blackshirt speed and the confidence freshman Buckeye QB Braxton Miller was playing with. For Nebraska, who broke a school record coming from down 21 points to win, Millen nailed several key points. Jared Crick is not himself, and his play shows it. Don't know what the deal is. Lavonte David is phenomenal, and should win the Butkus Award. Taylor Martinez played very well, even while the 'Huskers were getting killed. The Husker offensive line, who played well late, were terrible for three quarters and this is a major issue. Rex Burkhead is a wonderful player, one who can be counted on to produce. Big win for Pelini and the Cornhuskers, for the season was in danger of collapse. In honor of Al Davis, just win, baby!

PHOTO: RIVALS.COM

The Time Has Come

The time has come. A clash of titans at Doak S. Campbell Stadium on Seminole Saturday Night!



The time has come. This ain't their time, THIS IS OUR TIME! GO SEMINOLES!

'Noles on the Warpath at DOAK

ABC Sports, who this year with an introduction of some rock music prior to games lost much of the color and pageantry of college football, knocked it out the park in the pregame coverage of the Florida State Seminoles entrance prior to taking on the hated Gators.

A sellout crowd, the tomahawk chop and Chief Osceola! Whoa Nelly!



A great day to be in garnet and gold, thumping the Gators amongst a sea of Seminoles!

F-L-O-R-I-D-A S-T-A-T-E,

FLORIDA STATE, FLORIDA STATE, FLORIDA STATE!