Thoughts On A Valentine’s Day
Yes, it’s Valentine’s Day Today. I was so confabulated by the outcome of the Super Bowl that I almost forgot to write a poem for Vanessa. Thank goodness I salvaged that one.
Now, some other thoughts. I like football. What’s not to like. Back in the 70’s I became a diehard Oakland Raiders fan. Pride and Poise, Commitment to Excellence… all that stuff. I had season tickets and saw so many of those now legendary games in person. When the Raiders went to LA it was never the same for me again. That’s just how it was. Now before this year I was never a Bengals fan. Just wasn’t. However, Joe Burrow graduated Athens High School where our daughter goes so we followed him to LSU (so much for Ohio State) and kind of got to know him as a hometown hero. Southeast Ohio where we have lived for almost the last thirty years is a depressed area as so much of Appalachia is. What Joe did and continues to do for our hometown area is really important stuff. I wish the Bengals had won the Big Game but just getting to the Super Bowl eliminates the disgrace factor in my opinion. Now I’m sure Joe and the rest of his great team have many more dogs in this fight than I do but I must say, he will continue to be a hero to me and I will continue to follow and support his adventures in life! Athens County will always be grateful to you Joe! Thanks.
Onward!
PS Happy Valentine’s Day!
I lived and died (metaphorically) by the Cowboys for as long as they were the Cowboys. I happen to bleed burnt Orange, however. So, when Jerry hired that cheatin’ Barry Switzer from OU, I cut the ‘Boys loose. Jerry’s insane ego cemented the deal. I take glee in his defeats.
NFL films has restored film of many of those early to mid 70’s games on the tube. I found the Oak/NY afl championship at Shea riveting – more dramatic to watch than most current games, even with outcome known. Lot of those wide John Unitas hips on players then, with hands down around knees. One of the films had a former coach or player saying Steelers had an edge because they were into steroids before everyone else. He wasn’t taking anything away, as it was legal. I have no music tie-in.
What do they call 22 millionaires sitting and watching the Super Bowl on TV?
The Dallas Cowboys. m
RIP Sam Lay.
I Love football. Lifelong Giants fan here. (NJ native) and as Rob Schnider said in that classic film The Waterboy. “We suck again” LOL Maybe next year
I find it so interesting, Jorma, that you were a big Raiders fan back in the day, and even had season tickets and saw many legendary games. (Does that include the Dec. 1974 “sea of hands” game when the Raiders ended the Miami Dolphins reign? Full disclosure: I was a Dolphins fan back then.) Also totally understand how it was indeed “never the same” when the Raiders left for LA.
Your comments on economic conditions in much of Appalachia are also spot on. Poverty comes in many colors and hues–something often overlooked today.
sorry, we can’t be friends, I’m a Cowboys Fan
Qua? Is that a non sequitur in response to my digression into blogging irrelevant thoughts? If so, I get it.
Jorma, Joe’s connection to your area is the only reason I wanted the Bengals to win. I’m not a Rams fan, but Cooper Kupp went to school near us, Eastern Washington University. So that was the only reason I wanted them to win. It’s all about the kids!
Man i was pulling harder for Joe & the Bengal’s knowing they were from the Athens area .He’s a heck of a player .Stay well Jorma .Peace
@BrendanC
Acid Incense and Balloons
Well, as a lifelong Browns fan, there was no way I was rooting for the Bengals. Plus, my PeeWee football team I played for was the Rams back in the day. That said, JB is a great kid from good stock. His pop was a solid figure for Coach Solich and the Ohio U. football program for many years as the D coordinator. I applaud and honor all JB has done off the field and in giving back to SE Ohio. He is a class act indeed. As for the game, I thought it was a pretty darn good game. But I’m not one for all the pomp and circumstance of the all the extra stuff…it’s not for me…I watch football for football. I didn’t watch any commercials or half-time extravaganzas. I actually cued up YT and watched the Otis Taylor Band’s set from the Philly Folk Fest 2013. Now that was amazing! Otis and his band are awesome…Otis and Jon Paul Johnson on guitars and Ann Harris on fiddle…it doesn’t get much better. Good band to have at FPR someday. Hope your travel and shows are going well.
Caught Patty Griffin and David Pulkingham recently. Great stuff. Like Messrs Cassidy and Kaukonen, they make it look easy. How does one get to Carnegie Hall?
Joe (JoBo? JoBur? JoBu?) and Bengals played well. But the league, it seems, wasn’t interested in overtime. Ah, well. I found the pre-game rigmarole embarressing. The Rock seems like a nice fella, but we already know the brand. Detracts from facets cited by Coach K, above. Donald is a terrific player, but NBC made like he was Reggie White at GB, with his team wanting this one for Aaron. Huh? He’s an 8 year vet. More brand-building?
Snoop isn’t my cup of tea, but I watched some of show last night. Passed him as he was coming out of a Disney Store closing in a fancy mall years ago. Neither he nor the big dudes with him had anything in hand. “Nothing good left?”. “Nah” he said with disapontment. I turned to Au Bon Pain and as they started down escalator said, “Hey, good job on that football show”. He turned and said, “thanks”. The big fellas were wondering who I was on tv or film, as people often did when I was young and younger (I met many big actors, even Greta Garbo!).
It was fun to see the Evils family reunion, but I liked Pringles commercial best.
I recall that Jack was wearing an Oakland Raiders tee shirt when SVT played at Rutgers.
Hey Jorma , there were thirty other teams watching who wished they were in L.A. Sooooo… there’s that.