Sportshistory
Sports History, News, and Opinion
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NFL Playoff Thoughts and Scenarios

Written on January 17, 2010 – 7:02 am by Sportshistory

Archie, Peyton, and Eli Manning: A Football Dynasty

A couple of interesting historical sidelights to the NFL playoffs this weekend.  While watching the Cardinals-Saints game today, a graphic was flashed on the screen comparing the number of Superbowl appearances for the Cards and Saints combined: 1 (Arizona lost the Superbowl last year).  The comparison was with the combined number of Superbowl appearances between the Vikings and the Cowboys, who play on Sunday.  They came in at a combined 12 Superbowl games between them. 

An intriguing factoid about the Colts-Ravens matchup involves the fact that the Colts used to be Baltimore’s NFL team until the infamous midnight move to Indianapolis back in 1984. Baltimore eventually got a team of its own again, though the way they repaired their broken football hearts was to take another relocated team (the old Cleveland Browns became the Baltimore Ravens).  You know that Baltimore fans, especially the older ones who remember the old Colts, are REALLY looking for a win over Indy!

And finally, if Indy and New Orleans do both make it to the Superbowl, that matchup will feature Peyton Manning, whose dad was the Quarterback for New Orleans from 1971-1982, playing against his dad’s old team.  Plus the fact that Peyton was born in New Orleans while his dad played for the Saints, adds to the potential back stories that will be all over the television, the internet, and on the lips of football fans everywhere.

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Failure to Apologize to Player’s Family Led to Mike Leach Suspension

Written on December 30, 2009 – 1:06 am by Sportshistory

An ESPN blog post (and that company would obviously have an inside lead on the details of this story), reports that Coach Mike Leach’s failure to apologize to the family of player Adam James led to his suspension, with pay, from his coaching duties at Texas Tech.

According to Tim Griffin’s post:

“Mike Leach’s reluctance to apologize to Adam James and his family led to his school-mandated suspension for the Valero Alamo Bowl.

The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reported Tuesday that the Tech coach did not dispute the facts after ESPN analyst Craig James had complained to school officials about Leach’s treatment of his son, Adam, after he suffered a mild concussion last month.

The Avalanche-Journal reported that the school completed an initial investigation before suspending Leach. Leach did not dispute the facts, but also did not believe he had done anything wrong. The Tech coach also told officials that Adam James was “a slacker” and that Craig James was too involved in his son’s football career.

Leach had until Monday to write a letter of apology to James and his family. When he didn’t, Tech officials took action.

It led to Leach’s suspension, with pay, from his job as head coach.

Leach’s attorney, Ted Liggett, told the Avalanche-Journal that he hasn’t given up hope that Leach will coach the Red Raiders in Saturday night’s Valero Alamo Bowl against Michigan State in San Antonio. Liggett said he could consider legal action to get him back on the sideline.”

This sorry story is not over by a long shot.  The attorney for Coach Mike Leach says they will resolve this in court.

I pity the poor players who have to deal with this drama so near to what for the seniors will be their last game as Red Raiders.

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Texas Tech Alamo Bowl in Jeopardy

Written on December 29, 2009 – 9:22 pm by Sportshistory

The sports blogosphere is full of banter over the suspension of Texas Tech coach Mike Leach on the cusp of his team’s Alamo Bowl game.  Based on complaints from ESPN analyst Craig James, whose son is a Texas Tech player, the school suspended Leach from coaching the upcoming Alamo Bowl. Leach allegedly ordered Adam James, who suffered a concussion in practice, locked into a closet because he was not able to participate in drills due to the concussion. 

The latest news is that Leach is looking into obtaining a court order to force his employer to allow him to coach the game.  If the charges are accurate, Leach will likely lose his job.  If the charges prove to be inaccurate, then forcing him out of the Alamo Bowl is unfair to Leach, and, more importantly, to his players and Texas Tech fans. 

Given that the father levelling the charges is Craig James, who hold a lot of repect in the world of college football as well as in the sports media, the unbiased observer must take these allegations with added seriousness.

For more on Texas Tech Bowl History and Mike Leach’s bowl record with the Red Raiders, go to: http://www.historyguy.com/sportshistory/texas_tech_bowl_game_history.htm

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Rose Bowl History Page Online

Written on December 23, 2009 – 12:04 pm by Sportshistory

Go to http://www.historyguy.com/sportshistory/rose_bowl_history.htm to see information on the Rose Bowl games of the 21st Century, including the two BCS National Championship Games played in Pasedena this decade.

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9th New Orleans Bowl Won By Middle Tennessee State

Written on December 21, 2009 – 9:05 am by Sportshistory

The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders won the 9th New Orleans Bowl by defeating the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles by a score of 42 to 32.

See more on the history of the New Orleans Bowl at http://www.historyguy.com/sportshistory/new_orleans_bowl_history.htm

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New Orleans Bowl History

Written on December 20, 2009 – 8:51 pm by Sportshistory

The 2009 New Orleans Bowl matchup features the Southern Miss. Golden Eagles playing the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on Dec. 20, 2009, See more at:  http://www.historyguy.com/sportshistory/new_orleans_bowl_history.htm

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New Mexico Bowl in Double OT Starts The Bowl Season Off Right!

Written on December 20, 2009 – 6:14 am by Sportshistory

The N ew Mexico Bowl provided an exciting start to the 2009 bowl season.  For a review of New Mexico Bowl History, go to:  http://www.historyguy.com/sportshistory/new_mexico_bowl_history.htm

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LSU Beats Washington Huskies 31-23

Written on September 6, 2009 – 6:00 am by Sportshistory

LSU Beats Washington Huskies 31-23 in Seattle Washington on Sept. 5, 2009

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LSU Travels Far to Face Huskies in Seattle

Written on September 5, 2009 – 2:33 pm by Sportshistory

On September 3, 2009, Louisiana State University (LSU) travelled to Seattle to play the University of Washington Huskies in Husky Stadium.  The game will be played on Saturday, September 05, 2009 at 7:30 local time. This road trip for LSU constitutes the southern university’s longest-ever road trip.  The flight to Seattle was 2,031 miles.  The next longest road trip for LSU was in 1984, when the Tigers flew to California to play USC.  That journey took 1,603 miles, and ended in a 23-3 LSU victory.

Last season, LSU went 8-5, while Washington suffered through an 0-12 season and went through a coaching change.  LSU’s 8,000 tickets for this road game were snapped up quickly, and many Louisiana fans planned to travel with to Seattle.  Oddly though, they may not be all that noticeable in Husky Stadium, as both schools sport purple and gold colors.

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Michael Vick No Longer Grounded; Will Fly With Eagles

Written on August 15, 2009 – 1:57 am by Sportshistory

The Philadelphia Eagles took a big gamble on August 13, 2009, with the signing of convicted felon and ex-con Michael Vick to a two-year contract to play professional football again.

The Eagles are taking a big chance on giving Vick a second chance.  Undoubtedly some fans will swear off any team that signs him; appalled by Vick’s cruelty and immoral torturing and killing of dogs.  The question is: How many fans will rebel against the Eagles and how bad will the reception be for Vick and his new team on the road this season?

I predict a very, very bad reaction around the NFL, but how will it affect the bottom line for the Eagles?  Or, how much money might they lose due to this possible unwise signing?  Stay tuned for more news as the season gets under way…

See also: http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/08/14/sports/sports-us-nfl-vick.html