Whatever happened to ... ?

[jbcarol]

... Eric Berry

Former Vol, Eric Berry, lands in Pro Bowl one year after beating cancer

Berry was a two-time consensus All-American at Tennessee in 2008 and 2009. He won the Jim Thorpe Award in 2009 as the nation's top defensive back and then decided to forgo his senior season and enter the 2009 NFL Draft. Berry was selected with the No. 5 pick overall by Kansas City.

Berry is Kansas City's nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, which is awarded annually to recognize an NFL player for his excellence on and off the field. Berry has received widespread acclaim for his work with the Eric Berry Foundation, which provides play areas and athletic fields for children.

[jbcarol]

... former Bama QB Phillip Ely

Brett McMurphy ‏@McMurphyESPN 23h23 hours ago

Toledo QB Phillip Ely's NCAA appeal for 6th year denied source close to Ely told @ESPN. Ely's finale [last] night vs. Temple in @MarmotBocaBowl

[jbcarol]

... Uga IX

Athens Banner-Herald
‏@onlineathens

Retired #UGA Bulldogs mascot Uga IX buried http://bit.ly/1YBe4vj 

Uga IX, better known as Russ, was in Athens for the first time since 2014 to be at the introduction of his grandson, Que, as Uga X.

The Seiler family — who have owned the mascots since 1956 — was joined in their suite by writers from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, a reporter from the Athens Banner-Herald and even an ESPN film crew.

"We've had people in and out of this place all day," Seiler said Nov. 21. "All anyone wants to talk about are the dogs."

The mood was far different at the Georgia Center on Tuesday morning.

One month after his final trot at Sanford Stadium, the 11-year-old died Monday morning at the farm where he was born. A day later, he was laid to rest beside eight predecessors, who established the foundation for Russ' legacy.

"He was a great one," Seiler said to Russ' breeder, Becky Perry, prior to the 11:30 a.m. burial.

"The best," Perry responded. "Russ was the best."

Russ' path to becoming Uga IX was unlike any who came before him.

He served as interim mascot for 25 games after Uga VII and Uga VIII passed away. He then served for two wins at the beginning of the 2012 season before being officially promoted to Uga IX. Russ was unique in that he was coated with brown spots – straying from the all-white English bulldogs that the Seilers are known for.

From 2009 to 2014, Russ compiled an overall record of 44-19.

"Most people don't know this, but Russ was nearly blind in his right eye," said Charles Seiler, Sonny's son, at Tuesday's funeral service. "He had trouble walking in a straight line. ... I can't tell you how many times I got tripped up when I wasn't paying attention."

For the Seiler family, Russ' legacy goes well beyond his 63 games as Uga IX. Russ was the final mascot of Cecelia Seiler, Sonny's wife, who died in the summer of 2014. He was also the first bulldog pet for Cecil Seiler, Charles' son.

"The thing I'll remember most," said Charles, before pausing, "was how much people loved him. Everyone loved Russ."

[jbcarol]

... Y.A. Tittle

Glenn Guilbeau ‏@LSUBeatTweet 22h22 hours ago

Among the best of  "The Best American Sports Writing 2015" - Seth Wickersham's piece on former Tiger Y.A. Tittle:

http://es.pn/1Ix09or

It hangs in a silver frame at his home in Atherton, California, not with the prominence befitting one of the most iconic pictures in sports history but lost among many mementos from a Hall of Fame career. The picture is now 50 years old, and Tittle is now 87. He does not remember much anymore, but that photo is seared in his mind. "The blood picture," he calls it. He hates it.

On a December morning, he's sitting in his usual spot on his couch, flipping through a photo album. His breathing is labored. There is fluid in his lungs. Waistline aside, Tittle doesn't look much different now than he did in his playing days: bald head, high cheekbones, blue eyes that glow from deep sockets, ears that have yet to be grown into. His skin is raw and flaky, and when he scratches a patch on his head, a familiar line of blood sometimes trickles down. He shares his large house with his full-time helper, a saint of a woman named Anna. His daughter, Dianne de Laet, sits nearest him, leaning in as he touches each yellowed picture.

"That's at Marshall High School!" Y.A. says, pointing to a shot of himself in a football uniform worn long ago, long sleeves and a leather helmet. That takes Y.A. back to his tiny hometown of Marshall, Texas, near the Louisiana border. Friday nights in the town square, where "I'd neck with a girl, if I was lucky." Brown pig sandwiches at Neely's barbecue. And football, always football. In 1943, he says, Marshall High traveled 200 miles to play Waco, ranked second in the state. The Mavericks pulled off the upset, and on the couch he recites the beginning of the newspaper story: "From the piney woods of East Texas came the challenging roar of the Marshall Mavericks, led by a tall, lanky redhead with a magical name: Yelberton Abraham Tittle."

He is slightly embarrassed as he utters his full name. As a teenager he reduced it to initials, and it later became legend. Remembering his Texas days seems to bring a youthful spirit out of him, which is why Dianne gave him this album today. But then he flips to a photo of himself during his college days at Louisiana State, and something slips. "Where did you get these pictures?" he says to Dianne. "I haven't seen them."

She knows that he has seen these pictures many times, of course...

Dianne hits the brakes. "Dad, I have to get out." She jumps from the SUV, past men sitting on their cars and drinking out of brown paper bags, past rusted gates with broken locks, up concrete stairs blanketed in shattered glass, and looks out onto a shaggy field that she's never seen before. "Wow," she says.

She takes off her shoes. She needs to run. She owes her life to this field. It wasn't where her parents first made eyes -- that was in the town square -- but it's where they fell in love. Before he graduated from high school, Y.A. gave Minnette a bracelet with their initials in hearts. He left for LSU, she for the University of Arkansas, putting their relationship on hold. As a senior, Y.A. was asked by a reporter what he planned to do after graduating. "Marry my high school sweetheart and play professional football," he said. Minnette's boyfriend at the time was not amused. Months later, she and Y.A. were married...

Two blocks later, Y.A. says, "Did we go by the old Marshall Mavericks High School?"

[jbcarol]

... Doug Atkins

Wes Rucker ‏@wesrucker247 19h19 hours ago

Former #Vols star Doug Atkins passed away in Knox. The College, Pro Hall of Famer was 85: http://bit.ly/1VpNghq 

College and Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive lineman Doug Atkins, a former star at the University of Tennessee, passed away Wednesday in Knoxville, someone close to the Atkins family told GoVols247. He was 85.

The 6-foot-8 Atkins, a native of Humboldt, Tenn., initially came to Tennessee on a basketball scholarship but was recruited to the football team after legendary coach Robert Neyland saw his size and agility on the court.

Atkins is widely renowned as one of the greatest players in SEC history and is commonly credited with revolutionizing the defensive line position. He was the only unanimous selection to the SEC's All Quarter-Century team (1950-75) and was named "Player of the Quarter-Century."

The West Tennessee native was just as dominant at the NFL level, as well. He was named to the Pro Bowl eight times as a starter in his 17-year career and was the 1958 Pro Bowl MVP.

[jbcarol]

... Kodi Burns

Brandon Marcello ‏@bmarcello 3h3 hours ago

Report: Auburn fan favorite Kodi Burns to coach at Arizona State http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2016/01/report_auburn_fan_favorite_kodi_burns_to_arizona_state.html ...

[jbcarol]

Former Ole Miss offensive coordinator Jim "Red" Parker died Monday morning, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Parker, who is best known for four years as the Clemson head coach, was the Ole Miss offensive coordinator under former Rebels coach Billy Brewer from 1988-91. Parker, 82, died of complications from heart disease...

In October, Parker resigned his job as head coach of Benton Harmony Grove after six seasons.

[jbcarol]

... George MacIntyre

tnsports ‏@tnsports 2h2 hours ago

JUST IN: Ex-Vanderbilt coach George MacIntyre dies: http://tnne.ws/1VGHKqW 

Former Vanderbilt football coach George MacIntyre, the 1982 national coach of the year, died Tuesday at age 76, his son, Matt said.

MacIntyre was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis more than 20 years ago, and his condition worsened over the past few years. No funeral arrangements have been announced yet.

MacIntyre was a Vanderbilt assistant in 1973-74 and later returned to serve as head coach from 1979-85, leading the Commodores to an 8-4 record and Hall of Fame Classic appearance in 1982. He earned the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year award and SEC Coach of the Year honor in that same season.

His son, Mike MacIntyre, is the current head coach at Colorado. He played for his father at Vanderbilt before transferring to Georgia Tech. George's other son, Matt, played at Western Kentucky. Both sons were standouts at Brentwood Academy.

George MacIntyre posted an overall mark of 25-52-1 in seven seasons at Vanderbilt.

"George MacIntyre made a significant contribution to the history of Vanderbilt football," said Roy Kramer, former Vanderbilt athletic director and SEC commissioner. "He arrived at a time when the program was down and he brought excitement back to the campus and city...

"He was involved with the Nashville community and even though he struggled with ill health in the later stages of his life, he always kept a twinkle in his eye."

[jbcarol]

... Bill Foster

Greg Shaheen ‏@gashaheen 9h9 hours ago

Former Duke, South Carolina basketball coach Bill Foster dies at age 86 http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/scott-says-blog/article53604870.html ...

Bill Foster, the men's basketball coach who guided Duke to the 1978 NCAA championship game and also coached at South Carolina, died Thursday.

In this area, Foster is most well-known for coaching one of Duke's most beloved teams. He directed a Blue Devils squad that featured Mike Gminski, Jim Spanarkel and Gene Banks to the 1978 championship game before losing to Kentucky.

But Foster had success at numerous places. He coached four Division I basketball teams to 20-win seasons – Duke, South Carolina, Utah and Rutgers – and also was the coach toward the end of his career at Northwestern.

He also was sometimes mistaken for the other Bill Foster, who during his career was the basketball coach at Clemson, Charlotte and Virginia Tech. That Bill Foster died in May 2015 at age 79.

Foster and his wife were living in Texas last summer and drove to the Carolinas for a family reunion and beach trip. On the way home, though, Foster was forced to make a detour to Charlotte because he was feeling poorly. He ended up in the hospital for several days.

One of Foster's daughters, Debbie, lives in the Charlotte area. She and I talked and she said her father always perked up whenever someone sent him an email or card and said they remembered him.

So I was the go-between for that – publicizing Foster's condition, collecting emails and sending them along to the family. Well more than 100 people sent emails and cards, including ACC Commissioner John Swofford and many former Duke and South Carolina fans. They all reminisced about Foster's on-court classiness and the many personal kindnesses he bestowed upon people when the cameras were off.

"All those emails and cards meant so much to him," Debbie Foster said Thursday. "He read them all several times."

[jbcarol]

... Chris Lofton and Darius Miller

Former UK player Darius Miller is playing in Germany. Through 11 Euroleague games with Brose Baskets, he was averaging 8.3 points and 2.2 rebounds. He had made 53 percent of his shots and 94 percent of his free throws.

Former Tennessee star Chris Lofton is playing Lemains in France. Through 20 games, he was averaging 11.9 points and shooting 42 percent from three-point range.

Both played high school ball at Mason County

[jbcarol]

... Robert Steeples

De Smet Athletics
‏@DeSmetAthletics

Its my pleasure to announce that Robert Steeples will be our new head football coach. Robert,08 alum of DeSmet,played at mizzou and the nfl.

7:40 AM - 14 Jan 2016


Also played at Memphis after transferring from Mizzou.  Played two games for the Vikings after some time on practice squads.

[jbcarol]

... Chris Marve

Adam Sparks ‏@AdamSparks 4h4 hours ago

How Chris Marve went from LB to 7th grade math teacher to Vandy coach (story from March) http://tnne.ws/1F7hXkf 

Chris Marve was one of the best linebackers in Vanderbilt history, but teaching seventh grade math turned him toward coaching college football.

About three years ago, Marve was trying to keep his students' attention long enough to explain pre-Algebra at LEAD Academy Middle School. But rather than standing and talking, he divided them into small groups and gave them a problem and a time limit to solve it.

By the time Marve figured out he had unknowingly put his 13-year-olds through a Vanderbilt practice routine — first positional groups and then a team period — he knew he wanted to coach.

Named Vandy's LB coach today.

[jbcarol]

... Ethan Martin

Ron Higgins ‏@RonHigg 15h15 hours ago

Former LSU bkb players introduced at half. Good to see Ethan "Huck" Martin, Dale Brown's best PG ever


Martin was lead guard on LSU's 1981 Final Four team that won 26 straight in-season. As of 2014, Ethan and one of his teammates, Leonard Mitchell, worked at the Harmony Center in Baton Rouge, an assisted living facility.

Over half of the living members of that team are still living and working in Baton Rouge including LSU's current head coach Johnny Jones.

[jbcarol]

... Daniel Orton

Sportando Verified account
‏@Sportando

Santa Cruz Warriors waive Daniel Orton: http://www.sportando.com/en/usa/d-league/188277/santa-cruz-warriors-waive-daniel-orton.html ...

He's a free agent


Santa Cruz Warriors ‏@DLeagueWarriors 2h2 hours ago

OFFICIAL: The Santa Cruz Warriors have waived center Daniel Orton.

The former Bishop McGuinness big was teammates with Ronnie Brewer and Aaron Craft.

[jbcarol]

... Lou Michaels

Adam Zagoria ‏@AdamZagoria 53m53 minutes ago

Rough obit. Does Scott Norwood get this same headline ?

[jbcarol]

... Trey Lealaimatafao™

Former LSU player Trey Lealaimatafao arrested, accused of carjacking, robberies in Los Angeles

A former LSU football player along with a former University of Southern California player have been arrested and accused of staging a two-day string of robberies across Los Angeles.

Trey Lealaimatafao, who had a string of criminal incidents while at LSU, and Bryce Dixon, who played tight end at USC, have been booked on suspicion of carjacking and are each being held on $100,000 bond.

Los Angeles police detectives say that on Monday and Tuesday, the pair committed two or three robberies in Ventura County, and four or five robberies in Los Angeles, including the carjacking.

Ryan Kartje ‏@Ryan_Kartje 13h13 hours ago

Police statement on Bryce Dixon robbery charges says that he and Trey Lealaimatafao stopped people, threatened them & stole their belongings

[jbcarol]

... Eric Berry

Former Tennessee defensive back Eric Berry (VFL) was named the NFL's comeback player of the year.

Berry, who is now with the Kansas City Chiefs, underwent treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma before returning to the NFL this season.

[jbcarol]

... Jabar Gaffney

Thomas Goldkamp‏@ThomasGoldkamp
Former #Gators WR Jabar Gaffney facing felony drug charge after Friday arrest - http://florida.247sports.com/Bolt/Former-Florida-WR-Jabar-Gaffney-faces-felony-weed-charge-43076220 ...

Former Florida receiver Jabar Gaffney was arrested for marijuana possession and drug paraphernalia on Friday afternoon.

According to police, Gaffney was pulled over for an illegal window tint and failure to stay in his lane...

Gaffney was a second-round NFL Draft pick out of Florida in 2002. He was a two-time first-team All-American with the Gators. He played 11 seasons in the NFL, suiting up for the Texans, Broncos, Patriots, Redskins and Dolphins.

[jbcarol]

... Van Florence

Van Florence, the longtime Man Friday of Kentucky basketball, died Saturday. He was 69.

Florence filled many roles for UK basketball. He was friend, sounding board and emissary for six Kentucky coaches, from Adolph Rupp in the mid 1960s through Billy Gillispie in 2009.

Friends asked him why he served coaches, a profession long on autocratic demands and short on appreciation.

Florence had a ready response. "Is your ass on that plane?" he recalled with a laugh. "Mine is."

Florence also led two charity endeavors for UK coaches: The Daniel Pitino Foundation and the Tubby Smith Foundation. He also ran the now defunct UK Basketball Museum.

"He just did anything that the coaches asked him to do," said Marta McMackin, a longtime administrative assistant for UK coaches. "He was Johnny-on-the-spot."

Florence was president of the Committee of 101 service group for 30 years. Danny Moore, his vice president for the final 16-plus years of his tenure, recalled Florence as a demanding, yet thoughtful leader.

Florence was to receive the Bluegrass Sports Commission's Bobby Flynn Volunteer Award on Tuesday.

He and his wife, Lois, were married 49 years on Dec. 16.

Florence was something of a medical miracle. He was born with cerebral palsy. In his lifetime, he suffered two broken necks and underwent 29 major surgeries.

[jbcarol]

... Tony Franklin

Brett McMurphy ‏@McMurphyESPN Jan 22

Cal OC/QB coach Tony Franklin resigns to take OC job at Middle Tennessee

[jbcarol]

... Tony Schiavone

Saw him at the announce table of the Georgia game.

Tony Schiavone, host of pre and post game shows on the Georgia Bulldogs Sports Network from IMG, is currently the sports director at WSB Radio in Atlanta.

Schiavone hosts hosted the Mark Richt Report, heard daily on the Georgia Bulldogs Sports Network from IMG. He is also producer/engineer for the Georgia Bulldogs Basketball Sports Network and the play-by-play announcer for the Atlanta Braves minor league baseball affiliate, the Gwinnett Braves, in Lawrenceville, Ga. Before joining WSB Radio, Schiavone began his broadcasting career in minor league baseball in Charlotte, N.C. and  followed with a successful run as a TV host in professional wrestling for Turner Sports and other entities for nearly 20 years.

When asked whether he would ever consider returning to professional wrestling, Schiavone said that while he loves professional wrestling, he has tried to move on in his career and enjoys his current position too much to leave it behind.

"...And I work with such good people - I've been working with such good people now for 14 years that I really don't want to leave them. They're just too good to me and the benefits are too good. The lifestyle's too good."

[jbcarol]

... Michael Oher

Cam Newton's pitch to Michael Oher: "I bleeping need you"

Cam Newton knew the Panthers needed to sign someone to protect his blind side last offseason, and so he went to work on recruiting Michael Oher to come to Carolina.

Newton said today that he started work on Oher a year ago, before free agency officially started, urging him to consider signing with the Panthers

Newton's brother, Cecil Newton Jr., was a center on the Ravens' practice squad for two years while Oher was in Baltimore, and Cam says Cecil told him how much he'd like playing with Oher.

That turned out to be a good scouting report from Cecil and a good recruiting pitch from Cam. Oher's presence in Carolina has been a big part of the Panthers' Super Bowl season.

[jbcarol]

...  Rob Monaco

Mike Organ ‏@MikeOrganWriter 5h5 hours ago Nashville, TN

Ex-@VandyFootball offensive tackle Rob Monaco (1984 All-SEC Second Team ) died Monday. http://bit.ly/1PI4tE7 

Robin Gabriel Monaco, 54, of Branford, passed after a brief illness on Monday, January 25, 2016.

While a Hamden Dragon, Rob earned a variety of district and state level recognitions, and for his contributions to Connecticut football, he was named to the New Haven Gridiron Club Hall of Fame in 2014. Recruited heavily out of high school, Robin signed with the Vanderbilt Commodores and started four years as left tackle while studying geology and sociology. As team captain, and a consummate teammate, Rob went on to earn many honors including All-SEC and All-American recognition. Rob enjoyed a young man's dream by being drafted into the NFL in 1985. He played offensive center for the St. Louis Cardinals before an injury ended his promising career. -

Rob channeled his love of life into fishing, good BBQ, and his greatest passion - time with friends and family. He will be remembered by friends and family as the Gentle Giant and he will be deeply missed. -

[jbcarol]

... Pistol Pete's statue

Glenn Guilbeau ‏@LSUBeatTweet 16h16 hours ago

Too bad that Maravich statue can't be put up by 4 p.m. Saturday for No. 1 Oklahoma and the Benny-Buddy show:

http://bit.ly/1JNpomN

PETE MARAVICH STATUE INCOMING: The LSU Board of Supervisors voted at its monthly meeting Friday to amend its criteria for former players to be eligible to have statues erected in their honor. The new criteria will allow for the construction of a statue for one of the nation's greatest college basketball players in history – LSU's "Pistol" Pete Maravich, who finished his athletic career at LSU in 1970 six hours short of a degree. Shortly after Maravich died in 1988 at the age of 40 because of a heart defect, the Assembly Center was renamed the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. The Assembly Center, which opened in 1972, was built because of the overflow crowds Maravich attracted to the John Parker Agricultural Coliseum (nicknamed the "Cow Palace"). Maravich is the all-time leading scorer in NCAA history with 44.2 points a game from 1967-70 without the 3-point shot. The statue is expected to be erected in the front of the Maravich Assembly Center.

[jbcarol]

... Former UGA running back Danny "DJ" Ware

Michael Carvell ‏@Carvell_AJC  29m29 minutes ago
Ex-UGA star RB writes emotional Facebook message after the loss of his son http://sec.news/1OYgiTg

Ware's son, Danny Josiah Ware, was struck by a vehicle while playing outside with family members...

After the tragedy, Ware took to Facebook to share a heartfelt message.

"My life has been a roller coaster in every since of the word. From high school to college to NFL. I've never had it easy nor have I ever forgotten where I come from. I pray the lord to give me a sign. I've lost my youngest son to a truck that didn't see him, I can't imagine what it felt like and would trade myself any day to have my son Danny Josiah back with his brother, sister and family. Danny I love I'm so thankful I got to talk to you today b4 the accident happened and we both got to say we loved eachother. Anybody that know me and know how much I love my kids please pretty please pray for my family as I'm at a breaking point and need all the help from God/family/friends we can get."

Ware earned a Super Bowl ring with the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII and Super Bowl XLVI.

[jbcarol]

... Rex Chapman

Former UK star Rex Chapman continues to resolve a court case in which he pleaded guilty to four felony counts of theft.

In a hearing Jan. 22, the Maricopa County (Ariz.) Superior Court learned that Chapman had completed more than half of the 750 hours of community service that was part of his penalty. He is expected to complete the payment of restitution totaling $15,128.30 before a scheduled reappearance in court March 18.

Chapman was arrested in 2014 on suspicion of organized retail theft and trafficking in stolen property. He later entered a drug rehab program.

Chapman was the UK analyst on the Turner Broadcast Family "homer" broadcast of UK-Wisconsin in a Final Four semifinal game.

In 2014, just before tip-off of UK - UConn in the national championship game, he infamously tweeted that Calipari would be taking the LA Laker job. It was an early warning.

[jbcarol]

... Maikhail Miller

MARSHALL CO., MS (WMC) -

Two accidents on Highway 78 in Mississippi closed both lanes of the road.

The accidents happened near the 29 mile marker near Holly Springs.

The Marshall County Coroner confirmed that one man died.

The man was identified as former Ole Miss football player Maikhail Miller.

https://www.facebook.com/Ole-Miss-Rebels-118465248172553/?fref=nf

Former Ole Miss Rebel, Maikhail Miller, lost his life in a car accident last night. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Miller, a Fulton, MS native, played for Ole Miss during the 2012-2013 season and transferred to Murray State at the seasons end.

[jbcarol]

... DeMarre Carroll

DeMarre Carroll ‏@DeMarreCarroll1 20h20 hours ago

It's official! I will be hosting my Next Level BBall Camp in #Missouri during July 18-20th! Visit http://goo.gl/YqQwzt  for more details

Toronto Raptors small forward DeMarre Carroll had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Wednesday morning, Jan. 6, 2016.

aptors did not give a timetable for Carroll's return, noting that his status will be updated as appropriate. But sources told ESPN's Mike Mazzeo that a hopeful estimate on Carroll's absence is six to eight weeks.

Carroll signed a four-year, $60 million deal with the Raptors with no options this offseason after two seasons with the Hawks.

[jbcarol]

... Quintavius Harrow

Quintavius Harrow was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Monday – though he is set to serve only a sliver of that – for a series of crimes in 2014, including two armed robberies.

Isaiah Crowell and Quintavius Harrow came to the Georgia football team together, and basically left it together, each under bad circumstances. Nearly five years later, Crowell is back on his feet, but still standing by his lifelong friend, who has continued to run into his own troubles.

Harrow was only sentenced to four years in prison to serve, the rest on probation, and will also get credit for the time served since his arrest in October 2014. The charges could have resulted in up to 26 years in prison, but assistant district attorney Matt Landreau told The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer that "he's been given a break here, and I hope he takes advantage of it."

As Harrow, 23, was sentenced in a Columbus court on Monday, right there was Crowell, who just finished his second season with the Cleveland Browns.

"I want to be here for him because he was there for me, when I went through my trials and tribulations," Crowell told the Ledger-Enquirer.

Crowell, the SEC freshman of the year in 2011, was dismissed from Georgia in the summer of 2012 after being arrested on a gun possession charge. The charge was later dismissed. Crowell played his final two seasons of college ball at Alabama State before turning pro.

Dell McGee, who coached both players at Columbus' Carver High School, is now Georgia's running backs coach.

Crowell told the Ledger-Enquirer that Harrow at heart is a "good person," and "everybody makes mistakes."

Harrow has been out of football since his lone season at Georgia, also in 2011, when he starred on special teams. He was dismissed from the team for academic reasons the following summer (after Crowell's departure).

It was widely assumed by fans and media that Harrow, who was lightly-recruited, only received a scholarship offer as an enticement to get Crowell, a five-star recruit. The two have been friends since kindergarten, and were teammates at Carver.

[jbcarol]

... Former UGA running back Danny "DJ" Ware

Michael Carvell ‏@Carvell_AJC  29m29 minutes ago
Ex-UGA star RB writes emotional Facebook message after the loss of his son http://sec.news/1OYgiTg

Ware earned a Super Bowl ring with the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII and Super Bowl XLVI.

Michael Carvell ‏@Carvell_AJC 44m44 minutes ago

Former UGA star Danny Ware fighting for body of son killed in Texas http://sec.news/209CFYN

[jbcarol]

... Chris Leak

Former title game MVP Chris Leak just accepted his first head coaching job — Orlando Edgewater High 

He was the starting quarterback — with Tim Tebow waiting in the wings — on Florida's 2006 national championship team, then played for the Chicago Bears, two Canadian League Football teams and a pair of Arena League teams before landing on Will Muschamp's staff as a graduate assistant in 2013.

Leak was promoted to wide receivers coach the following season, but couldn't retain his job when the university fired Muschamp in late 2014. The former signal-caller spent this past season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as part of the team's "football development program."

[jbcarol]

... Mike Shula

From Bama QB to offensive 'genius' of #SuperBowl50, relive Mike Shula's journey (via slide show)

[jbcarol]

... Joe Cox

Former Georgia QB has been named the Colorado State Rams TE Coach.

http://www.csurams.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/020516aaa.html

...Prior to Cox coming to Colorado State to work for Bobo, he played quarterback at Georgia while Bobo was the Bulldogs' quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. Cox was on the Bulldogs' roster from 2005-09, starting all 13 games at quarterback as a senior. That year, he threw for 2,584 yards and 24 touchdowns, which at the time were the second-most in school history.

Prior to Cox's time at CSU, he spent two seasons coaching high school in his home state of North Carolina.

[jbcarol]

... Willie Richardson

Rick Cleveland ‏@rick_cleveland 28m28 minutes ago

RIP: My friend Willie Richardson, one of the great athletes and gentlemen in Mississippi sports history...

http://msfame.com/ricks-writings/rip-willie-richardson-a-hall-of-fame-athlete-and-gentleman/ ...

Willie Richardson, a former All-Pro and Pro Bowl wide receiver for the Baltimore Colts and a 1979 inductee into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, had died from natural causes, according to the Hinds County Coroner's office. He was 76.

Richardson, a Greenville native and one of Jackson State's all-time football greats, caught passes from Johnny Unitas and was coached by Don Shula. He caught five passes in the Colts' loss to Joe Namath and the New York Jets in Super Bowl III, one of the most famous games in NFL history.

Willie was one of five Richardson brothers to play professional football and he was a boyhood friend and teammate of George "Boomer" Scott, another Mississippi Sports Hall of Famer, of Major League baseball fame.

Richardson was a tall, stout receiver, but he also possessed great speed. In high school track, his main event was the 440-yard dash but he once ran the 100-yard dash in 9.6.

The last time I saw him was last week at the press conference to name Fred McNair the head coach at Alcorn State, Jackson State's arch-rival.

Why would Willie come to see a head coach named at a rival school?

"Why am I here?" Richardon asked rhetorically. "I'll tell you, I've known Fred for years. He's a good guy, a really good guy. And here's the thing, so many times people never get the opportunity they deserve. Life can be cruel that way. Today, Fred gets what he deserves. This was a long time coming for him and I'm glad to see it happen."

That's the kind of man Willie Richardson was.

[jbcarol]

Antonio Morales ‏@AntonioCMorales 41m41 minutes ago

Funeral arrangements for Willie Richardson were announced earlier today. http://on.thec-l.com/1TbhxCA

[jbcarol]

... Good Bo

Mike Organ ‏@MikeOrganWriter 1h1 hour ago Tennessee, USA

BREAKING: Bo Wallace returning to the Midstate to coach high school football. http://tnne.ws/1Q84Amx  @bowallace14

Former Giles County and Ole Miss standout quarterback Bo Wallace is headed back to the Midstate.

Wallace is set to join the coaching staff at Marshall County, according to Tigers head coach Thomas Osteen.

He is expected to be hired next Tuesday.

"I am just thrilled, absolutely thrilled to have Bo join our staff," said Osteen, who was quarterbacks and receivers coach and later the offensive coordinator at Giles County. "He was the first quarterback that I coached at Giles County. I've kept up with his career very closely and been to a lot of games since he's been gone. He was a three-year starting quarterback in the SEC and there aren't many of those guys around."

Wallace, the state's 2009 Class AA Mr. Football, will coach the quarterbacks at Marshall County.

Wallace's brother Bryce will be a sophomore quarterback at Marshall County next season.

Marshall County went 12-2 last season and advanced to the semifinals of the Class 4A state playoffs.

Osteen said Wallace spent the past year in Texas giving quarterback lessons, coaching at a private school and working at an automobile dealership.

Baylee Wallace ‏@BayWallace 2h2 hours ago

Baylee Wallace Retweeted Wade Neely

Go tigers 😼

[jbcarol]

... AJ Reed

Kyle Tucker ‏@KyleTucker_CJ 4h4 hours ago

UK alum AJ Reed ranked 44th on list of the best MLB prospects in the minors:  ...


... Tanner English

Tanner English ‏@TannerEnglish3 Jan 20

Where's my mom when I need my laundry done?!?

[jbcarol]

... Harold Green

SportsTalk ‏@sportstalksc 41m41 minutes ago

Former USC running back, NFL player Harold Green cleared of assault charges http://www.thestate.com/news/local/article59826711.html ...

COLUMBIA, SC The assault charges set against former University of South Carolina running back and NFL player Harold Green have been dropped by the 5th Circuit Solicitor's Office, Green's attorney Lewis Cromer announced Thursday.

Cromer said some of the charges were dropped at a preliminary hearing, while the rest were dismissed by the solicitor's office after they determined there was a a lack of supporting evidence in the case.

Green was charged with five counts of assault by the Richland County Sheriff's Department on Sept. 8, 2014 after he was accused of inappropriately touching the female students, ages 15 to 17, between Aug. 9 and 28, 2014, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said at the time of his arrest.

Green was working as a volunteer coach for the Spring Valley High School football team at the time of the accusations.

Cromer said Green cooperated fully with the sheriff's department throughout the investigation.

"This is more than just a victory for Harold – this is a vindication of his character and a clearance of his personal and professional reputation.," Cromer said. "He and his family have suffered through this terrible nightmare and are ready to move forward with their lives."

Green was listed on the nfl.com website as being 6-foot, 2-inches tall and weighing 222 pounds.

He played for USC from 1986-'89, leading the team in rushing three consecutive seasons and ranking third all-time in rushing at the school at 3,005 yards. He set a single-season record in 1987 with 15 rushing touchdowns and is tied with George Rogers in all-time touchdowns with 33.

[jbcarol]

... Bart Starr

AL.com sports ‏@aldotcomSports  4h4 hours ago
Together for so long, Cherry and Bart Starr's marriage now seems just as legendary as Bart's days with the Packers: http://ow.ly/YjeYe

He had to ask her four times before she finally said yes. He was too poor. She was too nervous.

When the day came to elope, he borrowed a friend's car because his was a jalopy. She changed into her wedding dress inside a muddy service station in rural Mississippi.

Cherry and Bart Starr were both 20 years old in May of 1954. Their love has spanned more than six decades.

Cherry, 81, and Bart, 82, who will celebrate their 62nd wedding anniversary this May, have doted upon each other on Valentine's Day ever since they were upperclassmen at Montgomery's Sidney Lanier High School.

"One of the great things they do is they make it a habit of expressing to each other how they feel toward each other," Bart Starr Jr. said. "They don't let that go unspoken. Whether it was verbally, or a series of notes ... we shouldn't miss an opportunity to tell those who mean something to us, that they mean something to us.

"Never miss that chance."

The Starrs relationship has carried them together through every stage of their adult lives. There has been breathtaking joy and incomprehensible pain. Adored throughout the country, the Starrs have used Bart's platform and their union to help the lives of others. Now, a new stage of life has arrived. After multiple strokes and most recently a broken hip, Bart needs special care. Cherry, caregivers and some dedicated friends have been there to provide it.

Here's some perspective on how much the NFL has changed since those early days. The Packers' current quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, makes more in one game than Bart Starr made in his entire 16-year career.

Before Vince Lombardi revolutionized a game, and his brilliant quarterback helped make football America's most popular sport, Bart was selling tires in the offseason just to pay the bills.

"Bart never had an agent, not in 16 years, and he never had any money either," Cherry said.

[jbcarol]

... Nate Northington

A while back, Nate Northington settled in to watch a college football game on TV. A trivia question popped on the screen.

Northington knew the answer.

Northington was the answer.

Northington was the first African-American to play in a Southeastern Conference football game. Wearing No. 23 for the Kentucky Wildcats, sophomore Northington made history returning punts and defending receivers.

In 1967, Northington broke the barrier, dislocated a shoulder and seemed to wear out his welcome at UK. He moved on to a happy, accomplished life out of the spotlight. The 68-year-old Northington now helps out his church and enjoys retirement on a cul-de-sac in one of Jeffersonville's nicer neighborhoods.

While not turning his back to his trailblazing, Northington embraced it only recently. He finally felt like telling his story, his way. Northington wrote and published his autobiography, "Still Running."

He accepted overdue accolades including induction to the UK Athletic Hall of Fame.

Northington grew up in Louisville, the son of a father (William) who mostly finished concrete and a mother (Flossie) who tirelessly took care of seven children. Day-to-day life in the minority, back then, could get ugly.

"It was kind of the norm more than the exception," he said of racism.

The family moved now and then within Louisville, and young Northington counted as neighbors or friends or both of the former Cassius Clay, Wes Unseld and Mike Redd, the first African-American to be named Kentucky's Mr. Basketball.

So inspired, Northington excelled in about every sport at the former Thomas Jefferson High School. He also won membership to the National Honor Society, which added to his attractiveness to colleges. Purdue University and the University of Louisville topped his list.

The University of Kentucky? Northington's priorities were to play ball and to get an education, not to become the answer to a trivia question.

Gov. Edward "Ned" Breathitt got involved, offered both support and a challenge.

"When the governor tells you that, it sounds good at [age] 18," Northington said. "It takes away some of the anxiety."

As importantly, or more so, Greg Page, another African-American, likewise signed with UK to accompany Northington along a stressful, uncertain path. Roommates, both played freshman ball, then the NCAA rule.

On the eve of their historic varsity debut, Page died from a freak injury suffered a month earlier in practice. To fanfare and Lord knows what else, Northington confronted history alone in a late September home game versus Ole Miss. The significance obviously was not lost on him.

"It happened," Northington said. "Nobody can change that."

Devastated by Page's tragedy, however, and unable to shake his own injury, Northington lasted but four unspectacular games. He acknowledges a misstep or two at UK. Others also made some, Northington believes.

"It was time to leave," he said.

Northington went on to carry the ball for a high-flying Western Kentucky University team and to attain a degree in business administration. His longest stop in a successful business career was at the Louisville Metro Housing Authority. He retired from its management a year ago.

A Holy Bible on the table in front of him, Northington finds rewarding his roles with Newburg Apostolic Church in Louisville.

"When the Lord calls, you do what He asks," he said.

Photo by Tyler Stewart


UK Archives

[jbcarol]

... Stephen Garcia

Stephen Garcia ‏@StephenGarcia Feb 13

Good luck to my guys. Team Elite is undefeated heading into the semifinal and championship game today.



Stephen Garcia ‏@GarciaPassAgent 23h23 hours ago

This is what happens after going undefeated and winning the championship!



Gourmet Gents ‏@Gourmet_Gents 59m59 minutes ago

A BIG Happy Birthday today to @StephenGarcia. Hope your day is full of fun, food and great people. #GoCocks 👍🏼🐔🏈🎂

[jbcarol]

... Schea Cotton

AL.com sports ‏@aldotcomSports 1h1 hour ago

Whatever happened to Schea Cotton? New film looks at former Alabama player's rise and fall http://ow.ly/YnDEu 

NBA star Kevin Garnett called Schea Cotton "LeBron before LeBron." But Cotton never went on to become one of basketball's greatest players, as the Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James has.

Instead, after his single season at Alabama, Cotton spent 10 years bouncing around in the U.S. Basketball League and the new ABA as well as France (averaging 27.5 points per game one season), Venezuela, Dominican Republic, China and Serbia, even playing for the Harlem Globetrotters.

Now 36, Cotton runs a basketball academy in Southern Cal and coaches an AAU team. He was back among basketball's best over the weekend at the NBA All-Star Game in Toronto, where he promoted a documentary about his experience called "Manchild: The Schea Cotton Story."

"You know, I was the guy before everybody else," Cotton told the Boston Globe. "They forgot about me. I just want to tell my story to the world. I did everything I was supposed to do, and it just wasn't in the cards for me, and when you accept that, you move forward and grow."

Vice Sports accompanied Cotton on a visit to the Toronto Gauchos basketball program.

"I was the No. 1 player in the country by the time I was 15 years old," Cotton told the youngsters. "I had pretty much a Nike sponsorship going through high school. I wore a new pair of shoes every game. ...

"Some people got close to me that weren't good people, and it affected me. What I enjoy now is doing exactly what I'm doing now -- talking to you guys because I know you're going to take something from tonight to be better as a student, as a basketball player and as a person."

Cotton said he thought it was important to share his experiences.

"Being the No. 1 player in the country, if it happened to me, it could happen to anyone," Cotton said.

When Cotton led Mater Dei in Santa Ana, Calif., to the state high school championship, he became the first and only sophomore named the California High School Sports Division I Player of the Year.

"I think he's going to make an impact here,'' Alabama coach Mark Gottfried said when Cotton signed on April 8, 1998. "He's going to be fun to watch. This team needs someone who has the ability to step up and make baskets, and I think he can.''

In 27 games for the Crimson Tide, Cotton, a shooting guard, averaged 15.5 points – with a high of 34 against Mississippi State – and 4.5 rebounds per game. But he left school after one season and made himself available for the NBA Draft.

Cotton wasn't drafted, setting him off on a basketball odyssey.

[jbcarol]

... Alonzo Ephraim

carol robinson ‏@RobinsonCarol 16h16 hours ago

Former University of Alabama football standout arrested on drug, gun charges in Jefferson County http://s.al.com/ORb9VPY

Former University of Alabama and NFL football player Alonzo Ephraim was arrested on drug and gun charges in Jefferson County.

Ephraim, 34, was stopped Monday night on a traffic violation in Pleasant Grove.
Lt. Danny Reid said officers smelled a strong odor of marijuana and questioned the former All – SEC player.

Ephraim has previous arrests in Jefferson County. He was charged in 2010 with possession of marijuana, and that charge was dismissed with conditions. He was charged with second-degree assault in 2011, but that charge was also dismissed.

The Wenonah High School graduate played football at the University of Alabama, and started as an offensive lineman his junior and senior years. After graduating from Alabama, he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles.

After his release from that team in 2005, he signed with the Miami Dolphins where he played one season. In 2006, he signed with the Cleveland Browns but was suspended for four games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

[jbcarol]

... Jerod Mayo

Tennessee Football Verified account
‏@Vol_Football

#VFL Jerod Mayo is retiring after an AWESOME 8-year NFL career! CONGRATS @jerod_mayo51! http://1tn.co/MayoRetires  🍊🏈

Vol For Life Jerod Mayo announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday, ending a standout eight-year career with the New England Patriots.

Mayo was drafted in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Patriots with the 10th overall pick and served as the anchor of the New England defense from 2008-15. At No. 10, he is the Patriots' second-highest draft selection in the Bill Belichick era. Belichick has pointed to Mayo as one of the most important players in the organization due to the veteran linebacker's ability to impact teammates on both sides of the ball and of all ages.

"I would say he's really the guy that the team probably revolves around more than any other player," Belichick said of Mayo in 2014.

Mayo enjoyed a stellar career in New England, helping lead the Patriots to two Super Bowls (2011 and 2014 seasons) and one Super Bowl victory (2014). He shined in Super Bowl XLVI, making 11 tackles in a 21-17 loss to the New York Giants. He was on injured reserve during New England's 28-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX.

Over eight seasons, Mayo totaled 803 tackles, 11.0 sacks, eight forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries, 19 pass deflections and three interceptions. Tackles are an unofficial statistic in the NFL. Mayo's 803 tackles would rank fifth in Patriots history.

In 2008, Mayo won the Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year Award...

Mayo starred at Tennessee from 2004-07. He was a 2007 First-Team All-SEC selection after tallying 140 tackles (79 solo), including 15 in the 2007 SEC Championship and 13 in the Outback Bowl.

[jbcarol]

... former Georgia basketball player Brandon Rasheed Morris

Jason Butt ‏@JasonHButt 21h21 hours ago

In other news today, a man was arrested for attempting to kill former UGA bball player Brandon Morris: http://www.macon.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-georgia/bulldogs-beat/article62092882.html ...

Fresno man who was a suspect in the killing of 9-year-old Janessa Ramirez, but was never charged with that crime, is now on trial in Fresno Superior Court, accused of trying to kill a college basketball player.

Fresno police say Donte Hawkins, 22, was on the run for more than a month after Janessa was killed in January 2015. After he surrendered to police in February, he was released because of a lack of evidence.

But a month later, police contend that Hawkins, 22, Isaiah Runderson, 21, and 16-year-old Jalonie Jones tried to kill Brandon Rasheed Morris, a former University of Georgia basketball player, in a neighborhood near Ashlan and Polk avenues, west of Highway 99.

A criminal complaint charges them with the attempted murder and robbery of Morris, and assaulting Morris and his two friends, Briawna Brown and Cortez Conners, with a firearm.

The complaint also accuses Hawkins, Runderson and Jones of committing the crime for the benefit of a criminal street gang in order to promote criminal activity by gang members.

Jones is being tried as an adult because of the seriousness of the crime.

If convicted, the defendants face life in prison.

Both sides agree that on March 27, 2015, Morris, Brown and Conners were partying in Los Angeles when they decided to come to Fresno. They came to Fresno to purchase either a "gold grill" – a mouthpiece made of gold – a gun or marijuana for Morris, the defense lawyers said.

Hoedt gave this account to the jury:

Morris, Brown and Conners drove to Ellendale and Gettysburg avenues, where they met Hawkins, Runderson and Jones, who were in a car with two other men.

Initially, Morris and Hawkins got out of their cars and began talking, the prosecutor said. Then Hawkins beckoned Runderson and Jones to accompany him, Hoedt said.

Suddenly, Morris was grabbed from behind. Runderson and Jones then pointed guns at Morris while Hawkins robbed Morris of his cellphone and gold chains, Hoedt said.

When Jones pointed a gun at Morris' face, Morris pushed it away and got shot in the neck, Hoedt said.

Thinking Morris was dead, Brown and Conners took off as bullets hit their car.

Hoedt told the jury that Morris also was shot in the hip as he lay on the ground. He got up, but was shot in the calf. He collapsed on the front porch of a nearby home.

When police questioned Morris, he told them that Jones had shot him, Hoedt said. But he also identified Hawkins and Runderson as participants in the crime.

Morris started 45 games at forward over two seasons for Georgia before being dismissed in July 2014 after his arrest for possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute it. He was later convicted of the felony drug charge and given probation. Originally from Lithonia, Ga., Morris transferred to California State-Bakersfield, but is no longer with the program.

[jbcarol]

... Dakari Johnson

UK misses him, but no regrets for Dakari Johnson

AUSTIN, Texas – You can't look back, Dakari Johnson is saying inside a cramped meeting room at a Candlewood Suites that smells like old fish. Apparently an extended-stayer likes to make ceviche.

No regrets, he's saying, but Johnson does not want to be an extended-stayer here in the NBA Development League.

The next night, the 7-foot, 265-pound professional basketball player will beg for an exit-row seat on a commercial flight back to Oklahoma and pray it isn't delayed – they almost always are – while his old college team, Kentucky, flies home from its own trip to Texas on a private jet.

Playing without Johnson has proven challenging at times for the Wildcats. Life since he left UK has been equally trying for Johnson. Which begs the question: What if he hadn't left school after his sophomore season last spring?

"It's kind of a mixed feeling," Johnson said, "because I like the way I'm developing now. At the same time, I could probably (have gone) back there and helped, too."

Just a few hours later in Austin, there was Johnson, doing all the things Calipari needs, but for the D-League's Oklahoma City Blue.

With his team down six in the second half, Johnson scored seven straight points. He scored on power moves, putbacks and pick-and-rolls, swished jumpers and hook shots, crashed the glass. He looked very much like Kentucky's missing piece as he piled up 17 points, nine rebounds and two blocks in a come-from-behind victory.

"He can really, really, really score and decide down there," Blue coach Mark Daigneault said, "and the second one is really the game-changer, because you can throw him the ball and it generates offense. He can score, but if there's two on him, he's going to get it out quickly because he's highly unselfish and a great reader of the floor. He's a dual threat, and there's really no answer for that."

The next day, two hours down the road in College Station, the Wildcats had no answer for Texas A&M's big men. They got clobbered on the glass – the Aggies had 20 offensive rebounds –

Cats flew home in silence, but at least they had leg room. As much as UK misses him, he misses that.

"We don't get that first-class experience," Johnson said. "It's definitely different."

So why didn't he just stick around?

Johnson thought he might sneak into the first round of the NBA draft and Kentucky thought it had its next oversized star in 6-foot-11 Skal Labissiere, considered by some to be the top recruit in America. But as it turned out, Johnson went in the second round, 48th overall, and was immediately stashed in the D-League, while Labissiere can barely get off the Cats' bench these days.

Make no mistake: Calipari wanted Johnson back.

"It was ultimately on me," the 20-year-old center said. "He gave me the option. He said ultimately it was my choice."

Out of 25 NBA draft picks Calipari coached in his first six seasons at Kentucky, there have only been two who left early that he both wanted and expected back: Johnson and point guard Marquis Teague. Each could've been a star on the next year's team, and the Wildcats had a clear weakness when they didn't return.

[jbcarol]

Chris Low ‏@ClowESPN 56m56 minutes ago South Carolina, USA

We lost a good man this morning, one of the best. David Douglas was an exemplary friend, father and husband. Please pray for his family.

Aaron Suttles ‏@AaronSuttles 28m28 minutes ago Tuscaloosa, AL

As journalists we're taught to not get too close to our subjects. But I grew to love Aaron Douglas' family. His father David passed today.

[jbcarol]

... Bob Pettit

Ron Higgins ‏@RonHigg 24m24 minutes ago

Bob Pettit and his statue get their place in the sun @TigerDroppings @dandydonlsu  http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2016/02/six_decades_later_bob_pettit_a.html ...

LSU retired Pettit's No. 50 jersey early in late 1954, the rookie season of his remarkable NBA career that saw him retire in 1965 as the league's all-time leading scorer and second leading rebounder with career averages of 26.4 points and 16.2 rebounds.

It just took LSU 62 years after Pettit's jersey retirement to erect a statue of him...

"I've found in my life that when you start something, you set a goal for yourself," Pettit said. "When you reach that goal, you ratchet up that goal to another level, and when you reach that, you ratchet it up again.

"But when you start down here, you never realize where you were going. My ambition in high school after I got cut as a sophomore was to win a letter by the time I was as senior. That's all I wanted.

"Here I am, all these years later next to (the statue of) Shaquille O'Neal. I never dreamed this. I've had quite a few honors over the years, but nothing compares to this."

His journey started at BRHS, where he was cut by coach Kenner Day when Pettit was a freshman and sophomore. He never held it against Day, but used it as motivation.

After he got cut, he practiced six hours daily on a backyard goal his father installed. He made the team as a junior and as a senior in 1950 he led the Bulldogs to the state championship.

"My parents gave me encouragement, kept telling me not to quit, to keep working," Pettit said.

Pettit gained more fame at LSU, where the Harry Rabenhorst-coached Tigers won two league titles and advanced to the 1953 Final Four. He graduated from LSU in 1954 as the school's all-time leading scorer and rebounder.

His 11-year NBA career was even better as he played in league finals and won the championship in 1958 when he scored 50 points in the title-clinching game against the Bill Russell-led Celtics.

He was chosen to the All-star game every year he was in the league, he made first-team NBA his first 10 seasons, he was a two-time league MVP and a four-time MVP of the All-Star game back when the game was seriously competitive, unlike today's defenseless highlight-reel shows.

"We played for blood in those all-star games," Pettit said. "I broke my hand in an all-star game."

Pettit never mentioned any of his accomplishments in his remarks after his 10 grandchildren helped unveil his statue.

Rabenhorst, his varsity coach at LSU: "He was a high-pressure recruiter. He took me to dinner at the old Bob and Jake's and said, 'Bob, we've got a scholarship if you want it.' I said, 'I do want it, Coach.' He said, 'Okay.' That was it.

"He was a good coach and a fine gentleman."

John Chaney, his freshman coach at LSU: "He probably taught me more about playing basketball than any coach I ever had."

LSU teammate Joe Dean: "I was a sophomore, Joe looked at me through those horn-rimmed glasses and said, 'Boy, let me tell you something. When you walk out on that court, you've got to think you are the greatest thing out there. You have to believe you are the greatest. There's nobody as good as you are. You understand?' I said, 'Yessir, I understand.'

"From then on, the rest of my career at LSU and the NBA, I'd wake up in the morning, shave, look in that mirror and say, 'You're the greatest. Nobody can stop you.' "

Looks like the late Dean was right. He was probably smiling down from above Saturday, saying it only the way he could in that growling, motivating voice:

"I told you that you were the greatest."

[jbcarol]

... Perry Wallace

Mike Organ ‏@MikeOrganWriter  17h17 hours ago Nashville, TN
1st African American to play in SEC, Perry Wallace, will have life story portrayed in a play http://tnne.ws/1OE5VAu 

he life of Pearl High basketball great Perry Wallace, who went on to Vanderbilt and became the first African American to play in the SEC, will be portrayed in a play this fall.

The play was inspired by the bestselling biography "Strong Inside: Perry Wallace and the Collision of Race and Sports in the South," which was published in 2014 and written by former Vanderbilt sports information director Andrew Maraniss.

"It's going to be amazing to see Perry's life come to life on the stage," Maraniss said. "It's such an interesting and dramatic story, and I've been really impressed with the script that Chris has been writing. David's a great actor, so I think it's going to be an amazing experience."

Wallace, who is now a professor of law at American University, will not be at the reading.

March 19 will mark the 50th anniversary of Wallace leading Pearl to a 21-0 regular-season record and the state championship in the first year Tennessee high schools were integrated.

That team will be honored at 11 a.m. Sunday at the Greater St. John's Missionary Baptist Church on 26th Avenue.

[jbcarol]

... I found Trill

Former Texas A&M quarterback Kenny Hill could be only a few days away from starting his career as the TCU starter.

The Horned Frogs begin spring practice next Friday. Chief on the agenda is finding someone to replace quarterback Trevone Boykin

Hill, the former Aggie starter who transferred to TCU last summer, is being lauded by coach Gary Patterson and should be the front runner for Boykin's spot.

Patterson said Hill has earned A's and B's in the classroom and hasn't said a word that could get him in trouble.

Hill who started nine games in 2014, left A&M after getting cross ways with Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin, who suspended him for two contests for a violation of team rules. Hill served his suspension and never saw the field again.

Hill had kicked off 2014 by breaking Johnny Manziel's school record for passing yards in a game (511). But Hill and the Aggies lost three straight games in October, then he was suspended days after a shut out loss to Alabama.

Patterson told the Star Telegram that he'd studied Hill's background to see if there were character issues.

"As far as any of those kind of things, there's no concern," Patterson said. "Everything he's done — which has been great, because he was our scout-team quarterback — is not even worth a conversation because he's been awesome."