Bookie and Smails Kid would have been an iconic duo on here.
6 Days until the Start of the CFB Season!
- Thread starter B.A.R.
- Start date
bookieassassin
Pretty much a regular
41 days - 17 hours - 39 minutes - 57 seconds ha
GLENN DAVIS ('Mr Outside' / Doc Blanchard 'Mr Inside') was an absolute stud for Army - 2X Heisman runner up and winner in '46) - career 8.7/rush and 3X consensus AA - Army never lost while he played and the damn guy dated Elizabeth Taylor just to further scoreboard everybody else...
>> But let's note one of the toughest Wolverines ever to lace 'em up - a guy that basically gave his life to football. 25 or so concussions / 15 surgeries. Most remember him from Denver maybe. My old man was buddies with Bo S (oops ha) so I was a Michigan fan, and saw him play. He was a great RB / finished 3rd in Heisman behind Tony D and Ricky Bell- set records that stood for years.
CTE took over his brain in his early 50's - he told his son he wouldn't make it to 60, he was right - passed away at 56.
ROB LYTLE
GLENN DAVIS ('Mr Outside' / Doc Blanchard 'Mr Inside') was an absolute stud for Army - 2X Heisman runner up and winner in '46) - career 8.7/rush and 3X consensus AA - Army never lost while he played and the damn guy dated Elizabeth Taylor just to further scoreboard everybody else...
>> But let's note one of the toughest Wolverines ever to lace 'em up - a guy that basically gave his life to football. 25 or so concussions / 15 surgeries. Most remember him from Denver maybe. My old man was buddies with Bo S (oops ha) so I was a Michigan fan, and saw him play. He was a great RB / finished 3rd in Heisman behind Tony D and Ricky Bell- set records that stood for years.
CTE took over his brain in his early 50's - he told his son he wouldn't make it to 60, he was right - passed away at 56.
ROB LYTLE
'We leave football, football never leaves us': Dad was right. It took him to his grave.
Football took Rob Lytle to great heights: All-American at Michigan, touchdown in Super Bowl XII, College Football Hall of Fame. Then he died from CTE.
www.usatoday.com
bookieassassin
Pretty much a regular
37 days - 14 hours - 24 minutes - 12 seconds
Damn getting close boys .......
Doak Walker the obvious choice here - maybe the first, and biggest star ever to play. But a guy that was probably as good, and overlooked by many because his career in the NFL was cut short ......
TOMMY CASANOVA - LSU CB/RB/PR/KR
Imagine if Travis Hunter or Deion developed bad knees in the early stages of their NFL career - what would they do? How about : GOING TO MEDICAL SCHOOL, WHILE STILL PLAYING IN THE NFL.
That's correct, The Bengals, I'm sure - gave him time off, but still - the SOB made All-Pro while going to medical school......a 3X AA at LSU and probably the best player in the nation in 1971, before getting hurt. 6-2/200 CB that could fly - could have made AA at RB. Became a state senator as well - his wife's illness cut his political career short.
Venture onto his property? better show respect .....this gator FAFO
Damn getting close boys .......
Doak Walker the obvious choice here - maybe the first, and biggest star ever to play. But a guy that was probably as good, and overlooked by many because his career in the NFL was cut short ......
TOMMY CASANOVA - LSU CB/RB/PR/KR
Imagine if Travis Hunter or Deion developed bad knees in the early stages of their NFL career - what would they do? How about : GOING TO MEDICAL SCHOOL, WHILE STILL PLAYING IN THE NFL.
That's correct, The Bengals, I'm sure - gave him time off, but still - the SOB made All-Pro while going to medical school......a 3X AA at LSU and probably the best player in the nation in 1971, before getting hurt. 6-2/200 CB that could fly - could have made AA at RB. Became a state senator as well - his wife's illness cut his political career short.
Venture onto his property? better show respect .....this gator FAFO
bookieassassin
Pretty much a regular
31 days - 9 hours - 31 minutes - 56 seconds
In 1963, Darryl Hill was the ONLY Black man to play in the ACC (Terps). On 10/26 they were on the road at Wake Forest , a racist hotbed complete with Confederate flags, non-stop N bombs, and death threats. All of a sudden, a Wake Forest player and team captain .......walked across the field .......embraced Mr. Hill .......and (pretty much) told his own fans to STFU / let him play.
That young man would make AA, and lead the nation in rushing and scoring - in 1964. Six years later he would be dead.
In 1970, about half of America would tune in to watch his story - BRIAN'S SONG. First time I ever saw my old man cry.
BRIAN PICCOLO
In 1963, Darryl Hill was the ONLY Black man to play in the ACC (Terps). On 10/26 they were on the road at Wake Forest , a racist hotbed complete with Confederate flags, non-stop N bombs, and death threats. All of a sudden, a Wake Forest player and team captain .......walked across the field .......embraced Mr. Hill .......and (pretty much) told his own fans to STFU / let him play.
That young man would make AA, and lead the nation in rushing and scoring - in 1964. Six years later he would be dead.
In 1970, about half of America would tune in to watch his story - BRIAN'S SONG. First time I ever saw my old man cry.
BRIAN PICCOLO
bookieassassin
Pretty much a regular
27 days - 15 hours - 15 minutes - 45 seconds
If you check out the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, you'll see a large 27 painted (on the 27 YL). That's to honor one of the best players and leaders in Navy history......1960 Heisman winner JOE BELLINO. A great RB and S on D - that also returned punts and kickoffs and averaged 47 yards/punt. A great baseball player, he turned down MLB and Notre Dame to serve his country, serving 4 full years (Cuban Missile Crisis / Vietnam), then 28+ in the reserves. Damn guy would hang with JFK, DiMaggio, and Bob Hope (they were huge fans) -yet remembered as the most humble guy ever......
If you check out the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, you'll see a large 27 painted (on the 27 YL). That's to honor one of the best players and leaders in Navy history......1960 Heisman winner JOE BELLINO. A great RB and S on D - that also returned punts and kickoffs and averaged 47 yards/punt. A great baseball player, he turned down MLB and Notre Dame to serve his country, serving 4 full years (Cuban Missile Crisis / Vietnam), then 28+ in the reserves. Damn guy would hang with JFK, DiMaggio, and Bob Hope (they were huge fans) -yet remembered as the most humble guy ever......
bookieassassin
Pretty much a regular
Missed this one - don't wanna wait a year to mention this guy ha
Who was the craziest bastard to EVER play football?
JOE DON LOONEY - RB/P
A combo of Bo Jackson, Antonio Brown, Rube Waddell, and Alan Iverson .....
>> in 1963 a 230 lb white guy that ran a 9.6 100 (10.5 100M) - he was one of the first guys to embrace steroids - he worked out with Ivan Putski
He started at Texas - then TCU - then Cameron JUCO (great year) - then OU
John Unitas said he was the 2nd greatest RB ever - behind Jim Brown
1962- OU's 1st game was with The Cuse - JD was a 3rd string RB. Sooners were behind with 5 minutes left to play, JD strolled over to HC Bud Wilkinson and said : "hey if you put me in, we'll win the game". Before Bud could reply, JD just ran in and told QB Monte Deere : " just gimme the damn ball". Deere ignored the play call and just handed him the ball - JD ran 60 yards for a TD, Sooners won - then made AA.
1963- After Texas / Tommy Nobis kicked his ass - OU's players voted him off the team - he supposedly punched a coach, but probably didn't happen.
The NYG drafted him in the 1st round (WHY?). There he lasted 25 days. He refused to practice, and throw with QB Tittle, preferring to throw with a little kid attending practice. He told HC Sherman ; If practice makes perfect, but perfection is unattainable, what's the point? << great point haha
At Baltimore he liked Shula, but loved Barry Goldwater, and hated LBJ. A couple made the mistake of arguing with him about LBJ, so he broke into their apt (ripped door off hinges, and beat the crap outta them. He enjoyed RUNNING AWAY FROM HIS BLOCKERS .....because it was more challenging that way.
In Detroit when asked to bring a play into the game, he told the coach : "If you want a messenger, call Western Union". He also walked around with a huge dog weighted down with weights (to build up the dog's leg muscles")
In Washington was where his 'greatest' moment occurred : in pass protection to stop an oncoming rusher he deemed too big to block - he instead PUNCHED HIM IN THE FACE - as a former QB I support this move ha
He soon after, was sent to Vietnam - his response? SUE THE POTUS (LBJ) - it didn't work.
He actually served without incident in Vietnam, and found his greatest love in life : machine guns. He then, incredibly talked the Saints into signing him - as he needed 3 games to get his pension
At some point after he became a follower, bodyguard, and enforcer of Swami Mukumtananda..... who convinced him that the anti-Christ would soon appear, and firearms would be the world's currency, so JD stocked up of course. He spent many years there (India) doing yoga, drugs, and washing elephants - losing 100 lbs fasting....
He came back to Texas - armed with a shit load of guns - built a solar dome home (no water or AC) near Big Bend. In 1988 he crashed his motorcyle and died at 45.
** BTW - anybody that hasn't heard of Rube Waddell (baseball pitcher) - he is worth checking out
Who was the craziest bastard to EVER play football?
JOE DON LOONEY - RB/P
A combo of Bo Jackson, Antonio Brown, Rube Waddell, and Alan Iverson .....
>> in 1963 a 230 lb white guy that ran a 9.6 100 (10.5 100M) - he was one of the first guys to embrace steroids - he worked out with Ivan Putski
He started at Texas - then TCU - then Cameron JUCO (great year) - then OU
John Unitas said he was the 2nd greatest RB ever - behind Jim Brown
1962- OU's 1st game was with The Cuse - JD was a 3rd string RB. Sooners were behind with 5 minutes left to play, JD strolled over to HC Bud Wilkinson and said : "hey if you put me in, we'll win the game". Before Bud could reply, JD just ran in and told QB Monte Deere : " just gimme the damn ball". Deere ignored the play call and just handed him the ball - JD ran 60 yards for a TD, Sooners won - then made AA.
1963- After Texas / Tommy Nobis kicked his ass - OU's players voted him off the team - he supposedly punched a coach, but probably didn't happen.
The NYG drafted him in the 1st round (WHY?). There he lasted 25 days. He refused to practice, and throw with QB Tittle, preferring to throw with a little kid attending practice. He told HC Sherman ; If practice makes perfect, but perfection is unattainable, what's the point? << great point haha
At Baltimore he liked Shula, but loved Barry Goldwater, and hated LBJ. A couple made the mistake of arguing with him about LBJ, so he broke into their apt (ripped door off hinges, and beat the crap outta them. He enjoyed RUNNING AWAY FROM HIS BLOCKERS .....because it was more challenging that way.
In Detroit when asked to bring a play into the game, he told the coach : "If you want a messenger, call Western Union". He also walked around with a huge dog weighted down with weights (to build up the dog's leg muscles")
In Washington was where his 'greatest' moment occurred : in pass protection to stop an oncoming rusher he deemed too big to block - he instead PUNCHED HIM IN THE FACE - as a former QB I support this move ha
He soon after, was sent to Vietnam - his response? SUE THE POTUS (LBJ) - it didn't work.
He actually served without incident in Vietnam, and found his greatest love in life : machine guns. He then, incredibly talked the Saints into signing him - as he needed 3 games to get his pension
At some point after he became a follower, bodyguard, and enforcer of Swami Mukumtananda..... who convinced him that the anti-Christ would soon appear, and firearms would be the world's currency, so JD stocked up of course. He spent many years there (India) doing yoga, drugs, and washing elephants - losing 100 lbs fasting....
He came back to Texas - armed with a shit load of guns - built a solar dome home (no water or AC) near Big Bend. In 1988 he crashed his motorcyle and died at 45.
** BTW - anybody that hasn't heard of Rube Waddell (baseball pitcher) - he is worth checking out
Happy Sunday all. Football is right around the corner!
Please consider donating to our 2025 Donation Drive in an effort to offset operating expenses here at CTG. Thank you!
Please consider donating to our 2025 Donation Drive in an effort to offset operating expenses here at CTG. Thank you!
Frank Costanza
2024 and 2025 CTG Supporting Donation Member
Had forgotten about the upgrade. That's got to be exciting getting into the new digs. Seems like it was definitely needed.
Frank Costanza
2024 and 2025 CTG Supporting Donation Member
Lots of good nuggets: Schedule superlatives: The toughest, easiest and most interesting matchups of 2025
Thanks for this!
Great read.
These types of games always are interesting to me, most notably the financial aspects.
bookieassassin
Pretty much a regular
20 days - 12 hours - 52 minutes - 48 seconds
My favorite RB, Earl Campbell is the obvious guy here - along with Ed Reed, Billy Sims and others.
But kinda forgotten, because he mostly played in Canada - won the Heisman in '72, and has been voted one of the top 25 players in CFB history. One of the best PR/KR to ever play - he made BIG plays in BIG games.
JOHNNY RODGERS
My favorite RB, Earl Campbell is the obvious guy here - along with Ed Reed, Billy Sims and others.
But kinda forgotten, because he mostly played in Canada - won the Heisman in '72, and has been voted one of the top 25 players in CFB history. One of the best PR/KR to ever play - he made BIG plays in BIG games.
JOHNNY RODGERS
bookieassassin
Pretty much a regular
Probably the best game I've seen : 1971 OU vs Nebraska
Rodgers' return TD in 'Game of the Century' - ESPN Video
Rodgers' return TD in 'Game of the Century' - ESPN Video
s--k
2024 and 2025 CTG Supporting Donation Member
I always liked the "big" schools traveling to the "smaller" school's home field.
Weird thing about the SMU - Missouri State game...SMU is making the trip first rather than a return trip or part of a 2-for-1. Missouri State will play in Dallas 2026. SMU QB Jennings was once committed to Missouri State out of high school.
Utah at Wyoming, break out the old WAC apparel! Will be first game between the former MWC and WAC foes since Utah left for the PAC 12. They played every year since WWll with just 4 year exceptions. Series dates to 1904 and they played 81 times.
pressitup
2024 and 2025 CTG Supporting Donation Member
I remember that. Thanksgiving and the family was at grandmas. The return was just before tge end of the first?
One of my uncles made a groan and I asked if he liked ou. My dad said , “he had 0-0”. I’d never heard of squares.
bookieassassin
Pretty much a regular
Those big games were great mainly because.....as a kid then, your main function in life was to serve as a human remote control - now you could sit and watch the game..... still getting beers for the old man of course.
twinkie13
In transit, arriving late.
He played for the Saints. I don’t know how I missed he went to
twinkie13
In transit, arriving late.
My uncles would put three fingers vertically and that was our signal to run and pour a Jack and Coke and fight for the few dollars
tip at the end.We grew up way better than these lames
V.K.
2025 CTG Supporting Donation Member
Happy 48th Birthday to The California Kid, aka Comeback Kid, aka draft pick #199, aka G.O.A.T.
Some like him, some hate him, no denying what the skinny kid did in his career, Tom Brady.
And Happy 100th Birthday Marv Levy!!! Buffalo Bill's legendary coach.
Some like him, some hate him, no denying what the skinny kid did in his career, Tom Brady.
And Happy 100th Birthday Marv Levy!!! Buffalo Bill's legendary coach.
Wolfeman
Enjoys Full Moons
I think I want to party with you buddyMy uncles would put three fingers vertically and that was our signal to run and pour a Jack and Coke and fight for the few dollars
We grew up way better than these lames
bookieassassin
Pretty much a regular
13 days - 1 hour - 23 minutes - 14 seconds
Marino was the man for sure, especially in college - and maybe the best college QB ever? - seriously. Plus he had a cool facemask and looked great in his uni ha....
But let's discuss a dude that doesn't get the recognition he deserves .....
* the first Black player in the NFL (after an un- official segregation) in 1933) - a better baseball player than Jackie Robinson, he preceded JR at UCLA and pro sports.
KENNY WASHINGTON - UCLA AA RB/QB in 1939, and probably the nation's best player.
>> Part of a backfield that included JR, and Woody Strode (Spartacus - The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance - Once Upon a Time in the West)
The NFL actually had about 13 Black players, from 1920-33 - the first being Fritz Pollard. BUT in 1933, along came a super talented guy, but a total ass kicker named Joe Lillard - who put up with zero shit. His 'attitude' - "made the league unsafe" - so led by George Preston Marshall (Redskins) they banned Black guys from the NFL (behind closed doors) until 1946. Note GPM didn't integrate the Redskins until 1962......
But in 1945, the Cleveland Rams moved to LA. The stadium (LA Memorial) was public owned, and prominent Black leaders convinced the Rams owner, that since Black folks paid taxes too, the Rams should sign Black players. Reluctantly, they signed KW in 1946. The Rams signed Woody later, and then Browns signed Marion Motley and Bill Willis. So these guys were the first 4, after the ban. The Dodgers signed JR a year later.
By then, Kenny's knees were shot, and he only played 3 years. He had a serious accident as a child, and got beat up playing semi-pro from 1940-45. Ironically he was the more 'marketable' by far - kinda an MLK, compared to Jackie R's more 'Malcom X' (< didn't know that) . But he lived in obscurity later, perhaps having no Branch Rickey on his side. He died a broken and bitter man, in 1972, at only 52. Jackie died the next year ........at 53.
Damn sad story - coulda been a great player in MLB AND NFL, but denied the chance.
Marino was the man for sure, especially in college - and maybe the best college QB ever? - seriously. Plus he had a cool facemask and looked great in his uni ha....
But let's discuss a dude that doesn't get the recognition he deserves .....
* the first Black player in the NFL (after an un- official segregation) in 1933) - a better baseball player than Jackie Robinson, he preceded JR at UCLA and pro sports.
KENNY WASHINGTON - UCLA AA RB/QB in 1939, and probably the nation's best player.
>> Part of a backfield that included JR, and Woody Strode (Spartacus - The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance - Once Upon a Time in the West)
The NFL actually had about 13 Black players, from 1920-33 - the first being Fritz Pollard. BUT in 1933, along came a super talented guy, but a total ass kicker named Joe Lillard - who put up with zero shit. His 'attitude' - "made the league unsafe" - so led by George Preston Marshall (Redskins) they banned Black guys from the NFL (behind closed doors) until 1946. Note GPM didn't integrate the Redskins until 1962......
But in 1945, the Cleveland Rams moved to LA. The stadium (LA Memorial) was public owned, and prominent Black leaders convinced the Rams owner, that since Black folks paid taxes too, the Rams should sign Black players. Reluctantly, they signed KW in 1946. The Rams signed Woody later, and then Browns signed Marion Motley and Bill Willis. So these guys were the first 4, after the ban. The Dodgers signed JR a year later.
By then, Kenny's knees were shot, and he only played 3 years. He had a serious accident as a child, and got beat up playing semi-pro from 1940-45. Ironically he was the more 'marketable' by far - kinda an MLK, compared to Jackie R's more 'Malcom X' (< didn't know that) . But he lived in obscurity later, perhaps having no Branch Rickey on his side. He died a broken and bitter man, in 1972, at only 52. Jackie died the next year ........at 53.
Damn sad story - coulda been a great player in MLB AND NFL, but denied the chance.
bookieassassin
Pretty much a regular
bookieassassin
Pretty much a regular
11 days - 23 hours - 12 minutes - 45 seconds
Lotta great #11's - Leinert, LeVar A, Fouts, SPURRIER +++
One of my favorite college players - who played great seemingly every game - always showed up huge in big games vs much stronger teams - finished his career as the winningest QB in CFB history (50-3) - completed 70% of his passes for almost 15K yards / 142 TD- 28 INT - 6-0/185 lbs with a weak arm, and a 4.9+ 40...
KELLEN MOORE
Lotta great #11's - Leinert, LeVar A, Fouts, SPURRIER +++
One of my favorite college players - who played great seemingly every game - always showed up huge in big games vs much stronger teams - finished his career as the winningest QB in CFB history (50-3) - completed 70% of his passes for almost 15K yards / 142 TD- 28 INT - 6-0/185 lbs with a weak arm, and a 4.9+ 40...
KELLEN MOORE
wiseplayer
Let Me Be Frank With You
1st jersey I ever owned was #11 Pat Haden. He actually wore 10 at USC would be for tomorrow.
Jerseys were a little harder to come by in the 70’s. Especially a tri state area kid wanting an LA Rams jersey.
Jerseys were a little harder to come by in the 70’s. Especially a tri state area kid wanting an LA Rams jersey.
cubsker
Used to be "Fun Cub"
missouri st's stadium is pathetic. I used to get to play and ref some flag football there about 25 years ago.
KJ
Minister of Communication
Wow holds 17.5k, thought they required more than that for FBS at one time
That's less than the two Montana stadiums. Think Grizz holds around 25k and Bobcats are 20k or so
s--k
2024 and 2025 CTG Supporting Donation Member
That makes me smile even more SMU traveling! Just the spectacle of a ‘big’ team in some ‘pathetic’ lower rung stadium.
cubsker
Used to be "Fun Cub"
SMU, with Texas guys, will have played most of their high school games in superior stadiums.
bookieassassin
Pretty much a regular
SONNY SIXKILLER!
