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Football characters were full of quips

In last month’s column, some of baseball’s funniest and most colorful characters were explored. It’s time to give equal billing to a handful of football’s wild, witty, and wonderful characters. Start with a former Pittsburgh Steeler (1961 and 1962), Pro Bowl defensive lineman Gene Lipscomb. He wasn’t called “Big Daddy” for nothing — he went 6-foot-6, and he made scales groan under his 284 pounds. This was back in an era when players anywhere near 300 pounds were pretty rare. One-time Baltimore teammate Raymond Berry said, “He was quick with great upper body ...

Sportsmanship shouldn’t be compromised

First, as a traditionalist, I was originally skeptical about the 2024 Big Ten conference additions. However, I actually like it. Two of Penn State’s most exciting games and matchups over the last several years have been against USC — the 2018 Rose Bowl and the 2024 game at the LA Coliseum. In addition, playing games in Southern California gives the large Penn State fan base there (including me) a more frequent opportunity to see a game (and tailgate). It also gives Pennsylvanians and PSU fans a nice opportunity to travel someplace warm and fun, other than to another ...

’86 title game stirs fond memories

I just finished reading Neil Rudel’s point-counterpoint column on Penn State’s 1986 national championship win over Miami in the Fiesta Bowl. I, too, had the pleasure of being in attendance and agree it is my number one memory. I took my father to the game. Being from Pittsburgh, it was only his second Penn State game and would be our last game attended together. I will remember the trip and game always. I remember walking through the parking lot on the way to the stadium prior to the game to see all the T-shirt vendors walking around selling T-shirts that said “Miami ...

ACC, Big 12 worried about their lot in the CFP world

By Aaron Beard The Associated Press Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner Jim Phillips wants clarity on how two-loss Miami sits behind three-loss Alabama in the latest College Football Playoff rankings. Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark believes his league’s champion deserves a first-round bye instead of a Group of Five team. And while Mountain West Conference Commissioner Gloria Nevarez’s league is positioned to get in, there’s concern about any future with bigger leagues getting designated numbers of bids. Those scenarios illustrate how, as the Big Ten and Southeastern ...

Nadal’s tenacity netted respect

By Ira Kaufman For the Mirror Rafael Nadal, one of the three greatest tennis players of all time, retired last week. I feel so fortunate that I was able to see Nadal play live dozens of times in New York and Miami and watch hundreds of his matches on television. Nadal was simply a joy to watch. He approached every single shot like his life was on the line. Unlike many athletes, he played his best when the pressure was the most intense. In the biggest points in a match, he would hit out-of-this-world shots. Time and time again his opponent would hit an apparent winner, and ...

Bears coach shows that NFL owners have no time for losing

By Rob Maaddi The Associated Press Matt Eberflus ran out of time in Chicago after botching a timeout while a national audience watched on Thanksgiving. The clock is ticking on Brian Daboll in New York. Mike McDaniel isn’t on the hot seat but Miami won’t go anywhere if the Dolphins can’t win in the cold. Eberflus’ mistake was so egregious Thursday it wasn’t a surprise the Bears made a coaching change on Friday. Offensive coordinator Thomas Brown was promoted to interim coach after Eberflus was fired. The third-year coach’s massive blunder overshadowed an impressive ...