What A Summer…

Well… it’s happened again. 

Another summer has flown by and I don’t even know where it went.  I’m sorry for the lapse in time since my last post.  Life has been busy, vacations have occurred, and truth be told I love to write but lost the motivation this summer.  Isn’t it funny how things happen though?  The unexpected and the tragic, or the heartwarming and pleasant surprise?  We can run the full range of emotions as humans and often times just take it for granted and chalk it up to “daily life.”  Yet we never really know how we’ll respond when death arrives… do we?  Finally, nearly a month later, I’ve reflected enough and come to peace with my own thoughts on the passing of Mississippi’s own — Steve ”Air” McNair.  So here goes…

Silk was a generous man, always giving back to others.  Whether it was the sweet potato pies his mom would cook and he would deliver to the entire team and coaches (whole pies), or the young people of his hometown who he’d purchase equipment for and hold camps (in Mt. Olive), or the athletes trying to follow in his footsteps as young professionals that he would mentor (see Vince Young).  When I was 15 years old I saw Air McNair play for the first time on TV.  I asked my dad, then an assistant coach with the Denver Broncos, what he thought about the Brave from Alcorn State and he said, “Man, that guy can play, he’s smooth as silk with a football in hand.”  Who knew that five years later my old man would be his offensive coordinator in Tennessee with the Titans and nickname him “Silk”, and two years after that we’d come within a yard of winning a Super Bowl?  Life is ironic sometimes, isn’t it?

Silk loved his kids.  Don’t believe what some in the media might tell you.  He was there for them, in fact, the day before he was killed he had his two youngest boys out on the property of a friend with their hooks in the water… fishing with their dad.  How come that didn’t make SportsCenter?  Or talk radio?  Life can be misleading sometimes, can’t it?

And finally, Silk loved the game of football.  He worked at it, sure the natural ability came, but I was there when he’d arrive at night to our home to eat dinner and watch film for hours with my dad during the off-season.  And I was there at Training Camp, when he was the first one to arrive in the weight room in the morning, and the last one to leave a film session at night.  He loved his teammates, and his teammates loved him.  He’s a Hall of Famer, no doubt, and the toughest guy to ever play the position of Quarterback.  Ever.  And yet he was murdered while he slept on a couch he owned.  Life can be unfair, can’t it?

Thanks for the highlight reels and the big smiles you gave us all after turning the impossible into routine Silk, and most of all, thanks for representing all of us in here in the great state of Mississippi.  You were our hometown hero, and always will be. 

Life can make an impact, can’t it?

A Job Well Done

One other news of note… Mo Williams told us today that Friday night’s Silent Auction raised more than $40 thousand dollars for his foundation!  Great news for the I.S. Sanders YMCA that Mo has pledged to support!

Johnny Ray and everyone he works with at BankPlus, as well as the many others in the community who have helped to make this week what it is for Mo, deserves a big pat on the back and a salute for a job well done!  The Silent Auction at River Hills Club and the two-man scramble tournament at Whisper Lake on Thursday were both first-class events.

Like Mo says… he can’t do this all alone.  So if you want to help donate… log on to his foundation website at MoWilliams.org. 

Don’t forget — you too can make a difference!

LeBron Arrives… Leaves… Doesn’t Talk

It’s been a fun week covering Mo Williams’ Foundation events all over Jackson.  If you’ve never met Mo in person, let me tell you now, he’s a class-act and very giving person.  I’ve become a huge fan of his over the past five days or so and look forward to a great relationship in the future.  He cares about his hometown, and will always give back to the kids here in Jackson.

The hype finally came and went with LeBron James arriving in the Capital City, and it was very generous that even came at all!  I mean, he’s one of the most high profile athletes on the planet, and like Mo said… he didn’t have to come… he chose to.  His entrance was grand, security was everywhere, and he told the kids at Mo’s camp that he doesn’t think his teammate in Cleveland will be the only NBA star from Jackson one day.  Pretty cool word of encouragement.

My only issue with LeBron is this… he never spoke to the media!  We did everything we could to get a few answers out him, but in the end, he didn’t give us the time.  I understand he may not want to talk about his contract situation with the Cavs, or answer questions (and I was going to ask) about being dunked on at his own camp and having his reps confiscate the video from the cameramen… but all we wanted was a sound bite about why he chose to come to Central Mississippi and support his teammate and friend.  That’s not too much to ask… is it?

I’m disappointed… but hey… at least the kids of Jackson got to hang for 30 minutes with King James.  Not a bad way to spend a Saturday… you know?

R.I.P. Air McNair

To say the least, it’s been an emotional last week or so.  Several times I went to write a blog about it, and just couldn’t get threw but a couple of words, before I was overcome with too much grief to continue.  Knowing Steve like our family did, his murder hit close to home, and it will forever live in my mind as the moment I realized that life can be unfair, unjust, unforgiving, taken for granted, and short.  Way too short.

My dad coached Air McNair for five seasons, three as his offensive coordinator, including the remarkable run to Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta where we came up one-yard short against the Rams.  It was Steve’s shining moment in his career, and despite the defeat, turned the event into victories for thousands upon thousands of people as his celebrity and fame grew.  He gave back to his community in Nashville, his hometown in Mt. Olive, and to kids all across the Magnolia state thru free camps for kids and clinics.  Ask anyone who knew him, and they’ll tell you he was tough and physical on the outside, but had one of the biggest hearts ever… inside.

We will all miss you Steve.  You made us laugh, smile, scream at the top of our lungs on Saturdays and Sundays, and most importantly… made us realize that race, ethnicity, background, socioeconomic status, or barriers in life should not hold us back.  You built bridges to bring people together… and it’s so sad that even in a death you did not deserve… people want to try and burn those to the ground. 

We won’t let them Steve.  Just like you would do for us, we’ll man up… and defend your turf.

Vick Working with Kids?

So here’s a new one…

Since being released from jail just a few weeks ago after serving hard time for his involvement in a dog-fighting ring, suspended NFL quarterback Michael Vick has been working for a Virginia construction company earning $10 an hour.  That was until today, when Vick was hired by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Virginia to help mentor and be a role model for their youth.

Now look… I’m all about second chances.  Heck, I’m about 3rd and 4th chances in life because we’re all human and ultimately fall short.  But I’m not so sure that less than a month from being released from the slammer that Michael Vick should be going to work everyday to “mentor” the youth of America.  I’d be fine with an occasional speaking engagement or football clinic at the club, but a full-time job where he’s there Monday thru Friday interacting with kids after his recent past?  You have to be kidding me.  The judge in charge of his parole thinks this is a good idea?

I’m not so sure the club isn’t seeking some publicity, and Vick isn’t simply trying to escape the heat and humidity of an outdoor summer job.  Man, he must really miss making millions having to perform only one day a week during the fall… inside the air conditioned Georgia Dome!

Welcome to the real world Michael… it’s not that glamorous is it?

Britton in the Zone

What’s up Sports Fans?

If you haven’t jumped on the Devin Britton band wagon yet… now is the time.  The reigning NCAA Singles champion from Ole Miss who grew up in Jackson is tearing up the competition overseas… and has a Wimbledon Junior Championship in his sights.  Last week he rolled thru the Aegon International Junior championship in London commonly referred to as it’s site location of “Roehampton.”  There he claimed both the singles title as well as the doubles crown with his partner Jordan Cox.

Well this week… he’s at the big venue… the All England Lawn Tennis Club and he’s into the round of 16 in singles.  He’s winning over 85 percent of the points on his first serve, and he’s one of only four Americans left in the junior draw.  He’s using his big, powerful serve to his advantage on the grass surfaces where the ability to get to the net is a huge in determining the matches outcome.  As a result, Devin has to be considered one of the favorites at this point to take home the title… I mean he’s won 8 matches in a row across the pond!

Remember, the junior event is only open to players 19 years of age and under, and at 18 Devin became just the second freshman since John McEnroe in 1978 to win an NCAA title when he accomplished the feat last month.  He’s in the zone right now… I just wish I could be there in person to witness this incredible play for myself!

Keep it posted to 16 WAPT every night as we bring you Devin’s latest results from across the pond!

A Job Well Done

Congrats to the Golden Eagles and all of their fans, students, and alumni on a magical run to the College World Series in Omaha!  After years and years of always being the “third wheel” to Ole Miss and Mississippi State, USM took the country by storm in the college baseball world and put their program on the national map!

So just how good was this season for Southern Miss… well… History Making Good.  USM advanced to their first ever Super Regional… beating the Florida Gators out of the SEC.

Then it was on to their first ever College World Series in Omaha, where in the opener they battled the top team in the nation… Texas… to the final pitch.

And finally… the Golden Eagles led the nation in double-plays this year… As well as post-season home runs. What a ride it was!!

Cruel and Unusual

Ouch.  Just when you thought Southern Miss was going to pull off the BIG upset over the top-national seed last night in their first ever appearance in the College World series… nobody could throw a strike.  USM walked in 3 runs in the final two innings to let Texas off the hook and escape with a 7 to 6 victory on Sunday night.

First off, I agree with Corky Palmer.  After the game he said “It’s a tough way to lose… I’d just as soon somebody hit a grand slam than that.”  You think?  Watching Collin Cargill, then Josh Fields, and finally Brandon native Jonathan Johnston EACH walk-in a run was brutally painful.  Especially after James Ewing knocked in Tyler Koelling in the top half of the 9th to tie things up at 6 — after two of the walks for runs touched home plate!

Second, and lastly because this hurts so bad (even for impartial journalist not from Mississippi)… it’s so tough to see a group of young guys winning as a team and sharing in that as their miracle postseason run progressed… then have to lose as a team with the entire nation watching in their 1st appearance on the biggest stage in the game.

But hey… adversity builds character.  And Tuesday at 1 p.m. against North Carolina… they’ll pick up their shovels and go back to work.  After all…it’s just who they are.

USM Flying High

What a week it’s been for Southern Miss!  Talk about stealing the headlines!  Congrats to Corky Palmer and his team on advancing thru their first ever Super Regional… to their first ever College World Series!  What a way to go out for Coach Palmer as he will officially retire at the end of the season after 12 years at the helm in his native Hattiesburg.

Couple of thoughts… first, revel in this moment USM fans.  You’re always talking about how your overshadowed by Ole Miss and State, but now your team is front and center.  Take it all in and enjoy the ride because it’s well earned and deserved!

Second, the hot team is the school to beat in Omaha in recent history, and that means Southern Miss has to be considered a contender.  If Oregon State can with the CWS twice, and last year’s slipper fit Fresno State who advanced to the Championship series after being a 4-seed in their regional… then you have to think USM can continue their great play over the next two weeks!

Finally, if you see us in Omaha say hello!  We can’t wait to take 16 WAPT Sports on the road to the great state of Nebraska!

Southern Miss… TO THE TOP!

Super Duper Regionals

Congratulations to both Southern Miss and Ole Miss for advancing to the Super Regionals in college baseball!  Only 16 teams in the nation are left vying for the chance to be a part of the final 8 that will earn a berth in the college world series in Omaha!

The Rebels rode Drew Pomeranz all throughout the season, but cashed in on his tremendous performance Monday in the Regional Final against Western Kentucky.  In what many are calling the greatest game ever pitched by a Rebel… Pomeranz struck out 16, allowed only 2 hits, and secured the complete game win working on only two days of rest!  That’s something Roger Clemens couldn’t accomplish in college (when he was probably already on steroids).

And what can you say about the Golden Eagles of Southern Miss?  Corky Palmer is stepping down after 12 years at the helm in Hattiesburg, and his team is sending him out with the best going away present a coach could ever receive!  USM is headed to their first EVER Super Regional after beating Georgia Tech twice in three days on the Yellow Jackets home turf!  It couldn’t happen to a nicer man, or a more deserving skipper… and who knows?  Maybe the Black and Gold will go to Gainesville and knock of the Gators to punch their first ever ticket to Omaha!  Talk about taking it “To the Top” for Coach Palmer in his final NCAA Tournament!

So this is how it looks… Ole Miss hosts Virigina out of the ACC in the best of three Super Regional beginning Friday at 1 p.m. in Oxford on ESPN2.  Game 2 is set for Saturday morning at 11 a.m on ESPN2.  If necessary, Game 3 will be on Sunday at 2 p.m. on ESPN. 

USM is on the road against Florida in their best of three… Game 1 set for Saturday at 2 p.m. on ESPNU.  Game 2 will be on Sunday at 6 p.m. on ESPN2 and Game 3 if necessary will be on Monday with a first pitch time of either Noon or 6 p.m. on either ESPN or ESPN2.  All times are Central.

Good Luck to the Magnolia State fellas… and let’s find a way to get to Omaha!