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.

The inductees for the 2018 Hall of BAHL class are listed in no particular order below:


SCOTT FROST

An elite athlete out of Wood River, Nebraska, it was assumed that highly touted signal caller Scott Frost would, like many in the home state that worships it's state University football program, sign to play football at The University of Nebraska.

Frost signed with Stanford to play safety for brilliant coach Bill Walsh. You see, Frost has a plan for reaching success, doing it his way.

Nebraska coach Tom Osborne had kept in touch with Frost (Osborne knew his parents, both former athletes at Nebraska) and after two season, Frost returned home to play, quarterback, for the Cornhuskers.

Frost was not exactly welcomed back the team members, but he won them over with a work ethic and commitment to teamwork. Eventually, Frost won the starting job, but quickly came under extreme criticism after a shutout loss at Arizona State. Frost had a plan.

Under the direction of Frost at signal caller, Nebraska would win the National Championship with an undefeated season culminating with an Orange Bowl Victory over Tennessee. As it turned out, this would be the last game Tom Osborne would coach at Nebraska.  I was thankful to be there to witness it all.

Frost spent some time in the NFL playing safety, even playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After his playing days ended (he looks like he could play today), Frost entered the coaching ranks; a sponge under some of the most brilliant minds in coaching.

Frost was having great success under Chip Kelly at Oregon, eventually moving to offensive coordinator after Kelly moved on. From that spot, athletic director Danny White hired as head coach at UCF, who had just suffered through a winless campaign. The Knights were 6-6 in year one, but incredibly went undefeated in year two, dumping Auburn in the Peach Bowl and laying claim (why not?) to the National Title.

Meanwhile, the beloved Cornhuskers had hit rock bottom, going 4-8 with battering losses along the way.
Frost was loved by all in Orlando with the Knights, and while it had great appeal to continue what he had started there, the Big Red came calling and Frost did exactly what we all hoped; he came home.

In the summer before the 2018 season, Frost invited Tom Osborne down to speak to his football team at UCF, which included a speaking gathering I attended.  I had an opportunity to meet Frost, and in speaking with him immediately got the sense that he possessed the "it" factor.  Nice, measured and intelligent, it was apparent then and was when Husker AD Bill Moos inquired, that without question Frost checks very box.

Everyone, and I mean everyone, in Husker Nation is over the moon Frost is heading the Big Red, hoping he can recapture the success and pride that had always surrounded the Nebraska football program. One man is not the answer, but Frost will, and has, surrounded himself with a team that operates from the same page.

I have always cheered Scott Frost, and appreciated his ascension to achieving the goals he set for himself.
Now directing Nebraska, I have no doubt he will utilize the tools and skill that have helped him throughout his career to restore the order of Nebraska football, which will make all of us in Husker Nation, and his mentor in Coach Osborne, quite proud of our native Son.

The HALL of BAHL welcomes Scott Frost to the 2018 class!  #GBR


DALE EARNHARDT JR

Dale Eanrhardt Jr. could have taken a different path, most certainly in the horrific aftermath of his father Dale Earnhardt's fatal crash in turn 4 at Daytona International Speedway in February of 2001.

Junior had always been at his fathers side, and by the time of the death of Dale Sr., Junior was already making a name for himself on, and perhaps much more importantly, off the track.

The NASCAR faithful were going to like and admire Junior anyway, but the love and affection for his dad swamped him. While this was positive, it also came with a tremendous amount of pressure. With the help of many, but more on his own back, Junior handled it all like the champion he is.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has married, and has now retired and become a father himself with his lovely wife Amy. Dale Jr. won a lot of races, many significant ones at Daytona, but he never won a NASCAR championship. But don't get it twisted, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a champion, on the track and in life.

While Dale Earnhardt Jr. was never my "favorite" driver, he was always someone I pulled for when the cut the good ole boys loose. Junior, like his father, always piloted a Chevrolet, retiring in the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet SS, which as the owner of an SS just shifts my gears!

We won't lose track of Junior in retirement, as he has inked a deal with NBC Sports to analyze races for their portion of the race coverage.  We will appreciate hearing Junior's thoughts on what is going on out there on track where our heroes race for the checkered flag.

Dale Earnhardt Jr could have been a jerk, a legacy guy who banked on his fathers success. Dale Jr., certainly in part to his upbringing, chose a different path, one that included competitiveness with kindness, the drive to win with knowing how to employ sportsmanship in losing, and more importantly, helping others.

This is the exact kind of individual who should line the halls of Halls of Fame. And in 2018, we will welcome Dale Earnhardt, Jr. to do exactly that in the Hall of BAHL!


TURNER GILL

The Scoring Explosion! These were exciting times, the early eighties, for Nebraska football.

An offense which unleashed a barrage of points on opponents, ignited by an explosive rushing attack led by option wizard quarterback Turner Gill. During his career at Nebraska, Gill was 28-2.  Under his direction, the 'Huskers played for the National Title in The Orange Bowl twice, losing to Clemson 22-15 in 1981 and 31-30 to Miami in 1983. Gill turned an ankle against Clemson, which, according to coach Tom Osborne, really hurt Nebraska offensive with Gill out. An undefeated Nebraska team fell at Miami, with a two point conversion pass from Gill batted down.

I was in attendance for both of these contests, and while the outcomes were not what we had hoped for, we always stood in good company with Turner Gill.

With his eligibility expired, having suffered from concussions and not the prototype NFL signal caller, Gill, who was also a fantastic baseball player, went on to play minor league ball with the Cleveland Indians.

But Gill returned to Nebraska to become a coach under Coach Osborne, and remained on staff from 1992-2004. Gill then became coach of The University of Buffalo, having great success, which propelled him to getting the job at Kansas. That did not go well, and Gill was let go. Landing on his feet, Gill became head coach at Liberty University, where he continues today.

Given Gill's strong commitment to his Christian faith, Liberty is a fantastic place for him to influence young men, both on and off the field.

Turner Gill was a special player, and watching him run the Nebraska offense was a sight to behold. But Gill is a better man, and he has been easy to cheer for throughout his life.

Gill is a 'Husker, and he will always be remembered with great fondness by the Cornhusker faithful. We are honored to induct form Nebraska standout quarterback Turner Gill to the Hall of BAHL.


ODELL HAGGINS 

I recall while I was at Florida State, a young mild mannered new recruit arrived from Bartow. Indeed, the arrival of Odell Haggins on campus would change Florida State University forever! 

Starring on the defensive front, seemingly often at the nose tackle spot, Odell Haggins earned All America honors for the Seminoles. After being drafted by the San Francisco 49ers, Haggins returned to join the Seminoles coaching staff after his brief handful of seasons in the NFL.

Haggins worked his way up on the coaching staff, eventually handling the defensive line, a unit that produced many All Americans and NFL draft picks under his tutelage. Players who have been coached by Odell have the utmost respect for him.

After Bobby Bowden retired, new coach Jimbo Fisher retained Haggins, where Haggins defensive unit continued to thrive. As Fisher unceremoniously departed FSU, Haggins got an opportunity to coach Florida State as head coach on an interim basis, which turned out to be the final 2017 postponed home game against Louisiana Monroe and the Seminoles Independence Bowl game versus Southern Mississippi, both wins.

This was very fitting, because few individuals rival the love for our university Odell Haggins has. Haggins is a Seminole, true and true. He bleeds Garnet and Gold. An the Seminole faithful love him!

Seminole fans were thrilled to learn that new coach Willie Taggart, who grew up a Seminoles fan, recognized the coaching prowess of one of our favorite Seminoles and retained Haggins as defensive line coach, helping a link to legendary coach Bobby Bowden remain.

Odell Haggins, rolling in all those years ago from ole Bartow, remains one of the most beloved Seminoles, and a gentleman we are honored to place in the 2018 Hall of BAHL class.


MICHAEL WALTRIP


I first became a fan of Michael Waltrip, younger brother of NASCAR Champion Darrell, when he emerged on the scene driving the Pennzoil Pontiac Grand Prix.  Anyone in a Pontiac had my support.

For many years, Michael had a rough go of it, and held the record for most career starts without a win before winning his first, a Daytona 500 on February 16, 2001, the day his great friend and mentor Dale Earnhardt Jr. lost his life. I was there, and while we were thrilled for Michael, our joy was short lived. Micheal even penned a book describing the days events, called "In the Blink of an Eye: Dale, Daytona, and the Day that Changed Everything."

Michael Waltrip is a two time Daytona 500 champion, but all along the way, even having struggles before finding success and then failure again as owner of his own race team, Micheal has been a great friend to everyone in the NASCAR community, extending well beyond the drivers to the fans.

Michael is an inventor as well. At 6'5, Waltrip, not foreign to high speed crashes, designed a roof hatch for easy exit for a driver of his size. It was more comical than practical, at least I think. Waltrip likes to clown around.

Now retired, Waltrip, is a fixture on the FOX Sports NASCAR broadcast team, well know for talking to drivers along pit road before the race, a very popular segment on the FOX race coverage. Waltrip is always quick to help in philanthropic efforts, and remains committed to frequent interactions with the fans through social media.

My family had the opportunity to meet and visit with Michael Waltrip, along with Brian Vickers, at a corporate event prior to a Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway.  It was quite a hoot.

Since then, I run into to Michael from time to time, having visited with him at the High Banks and even out on the golf course. Recently, at the Diamond Resorts Celebrity Golf Tournament, Michael told me he liked golf more than driving, as he had "never caught fire playing golf." Waltrip, who plays often plays pickup hoops, does not golf particularly well, down at the level of Larry The Cable Guy, but he has a great time.

"Mikie" is a very cool guy, great fun to be around; a championship driver who we are excited to induct into the Hall of BAHL.

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.

Horror on the High Banks

Ten years ago this past February, NASCAR and millions of fans lost legendary seven time NASCAR Champion Dale Earnhardt in a crash on turn four of the high banks during the running of The Great American Race, The Daytona 500.

A group of us found out the devastating news in a limo heading back to Orlando from the race, which was won by winless Michael Waltrip, who was driving a Chevrolet owned by Earnhardt's team, Dale Earnhardt Incorporated. Earnhardt's crash did not look all that bad to our naked eye up in the grandstands, however a wild crash on the Superstretch involving Tony Stewart looked like a crash with the potential to create a serious injury.

Like many NASCAR fans, the loss of Dale Earnhardt was a crushing blow to many inside the sport, including Kenny Schrader, Sterling Marlin of course Dale Earnhardt, Jr , and even the NASCAR corporate family. A staggering loss indeed.

But, perhaps the crash had the most negative effect on Michael Waltrip, who Dale was blocking for at the time of the crash, which was coming out of turn four on the final lap. Waltrip, whose older brother Darrell is a NASCAR Champion and FOX Commentator, seemed fine, having won a second 500 and a Pepsi 400 in the following years, as I witnessed pictured below,

and form his own racing team, which after a slow start, is most competitive with drivers Martin Truex, Jr and David Reutimann, and has won a few races.

But Waltrip was still hurting, and it appears the writing of this book has helped him come full circle in dealing with the incredible highs and lows of that tragic day for all of us in Daytona that day.

Glenn Beck, who is not a sports guy, attended the Daytona 500 this past year, which was the 10th anniversary of Earnhardts death. Beck and his family had a blast, but Beck did not get a chance to meet Micheal Waltrip. Beck was aware of the his story, and was pulling for him in the race until a crash took out the #15.

Today, on Beck's national syndicated radio program, he had a chance to visit with Michael and discuss the book. The range of emotions Waltrip suffered through that day is something most of us will not have to bear, but hearing how he worked his way through it is most compelling. Take a listen:


I hope you will join me in wishing Michael Waltrip the best, and cheering for him when he races again on the Superspeedway in Talladega in late April.

Sunday Night Song

As we look back this weekend on the 10th anniversary of the crash that took the life of Dale Earnhardt during the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500, we think of the many memories we all share.

In that regard, tonights Sunday Night Song is Garth Brooks and The Dance, performed live as a tribute to The Intimidator at the 2001 NASCAR awards ceremony.

The White Knuckle Highway

When the good ole boys hit the Superspeedway restrictor plate races at Daytona and Talladega, the races usually invovle a major accident, which is commonly referred to as the big one. Often, the big one has been followed by a late race accident involving cars getting airborne.

The reason NASCAR implemented the restrictor plate, a small plate placed over the carburetor which restricts the flow of fuel to the engine thus reducing horsepower, was due to the following crash in 1987 as Bobby Allison in his Miller High Life Buick almost entered the grandstands. Check it out:



The placement of the restrictor plate slowed the cars down about from about 210 to 195 and seemed to bunch the cars together for tight racing, but it did not stop the major crashes. Take a look at Neil Bonnett, who was returning to competition after a few years in the television booth in the Mom and Pops Chevrolet Lumina, a car owned by his buddy, Dale Earnhardt.



Bonnett would later lose his life in a practice lap in his Country Time Lemonade Chevrolet at Daytona in 1994.

Another nasty crash at Talladega found Rusty Wallace finishing the race in sixth place in his Miller Genuine Draft Pontiac Grand Prix barrel rolling through he air. Take a look at this one:



Other drivers who have had last lap flips at Talladega, otherwise known as the White Knuckle Highway, are Elliott Sadler in the M&M's Ford and Bobby Labonte in the Interstate Batteries Pontiac.

The running of the Aarons's 449 yesterday at Talladega Superspeedway had it all. We had the big one on lap eight and then a very scary incident involving Carl Edwards as his Ford Fusion, in an eerily similar crash to the aforementioned Bobby Allison crash, almost entered the stands. Eight spectators were injured, either from debris from Edwards car or from broken parts of the catch fence. Check out this heartstopper:



I have been attending races at Daytona since 1992 and the catch fence is quite imposing and obviously capable of prohibiting the cars from breaking through to enter the stands. You can see the fencing in this photo of Jeff Gordon in his Dupont Chevy at Daytona last year:

NASCAR has made great safety strides with the safer walls, the catch fencing, the restrictor plates, roof flaps, fuel cells, roll cages and the HANS device. I remember Ernie Irvan and Dale Earnhardt wrecking in front of me on the Daytona Superstretch in 1997 when Irvans hood flew up toward where we were sitting. NASCAR is an awesome thrill and I love the sport, but I am in those stands twice a year and find it amazing there have been very few spectator injuries. Maybe ISC (ISCA:NASDAQ) might want to consider raising the fence height about two feet or so after the events of this past weekend. NASCAR is reviewing policies.

Turn Out The Lights: Is The Party Over?

With the Space Shuttle safely home, we can turn our attention to Earth Hour 2009. Recently, actor Edward Norton and singer Alanis Morrisette were guests on Larry King Live to discuss this worldwide awareness event. Take a listen:



Let me say that I have no problem raising awareness for every individual on the planet to treat the planet with respect by applying common sense and to never pollute. I do not, however, subscribe to the global warming scan being perpetrated on the world by the likes of Al Gore. Folks in Fargo, North Dakota are hoping to hold the Red River at Bay due to an unusual amount of ice. Parts of Oklahoma are battling an ice storm today. I could go on and on.

Anyhow, it is funny to see the Hollywood crowd all on board. In his personal effort to help out, Edward Norton uses more efficient light bulbs and thinks he drives a Hybrid Toyota Prius, but then recognizes he does not actually own a car. Prius drivers think I am Dale Earnhardt as I run them over.

There seems to be an overabundance of musicians today making millions with little or no talent. Alanis Morrisette, however, is not one of them. I think she is among the most talented out there. Just love her, but she composts at her house. Good grief!

Several cities around the world, incuding Orlando, are participating this evening by dimming lights on buildings and residents in homes are doing the same. Me, I will be doing my part by leaving all my televisions on, opening my refrigerators doors (even the one in the garage) and leaving the air on snow as I will attending the Heart concert at The House of Blues Orlando.



Tonight may be a symbol, cause if we adopt all these global warming and cap and trade policies, it may be turn out the lights on our economy!