Took a little time off from the Blog scene waiting for some info on my football adventures – some in Europe others here in North America. There is always something going on in the football world – never a dull scene.
More of that later.
But some other cool things going on over the last few weeks. Got down to the new Little Caesar’s Arena in Detroit to watch Oakland University play Michigan State (hell of a game!)……saw the Oakland University tribute to Tom Ford……explored the Eastern Market and downtown Detroit for an afternoon…..Getting ready for Christmas…..preparing to go to a friend’s wedding on New Year’s Eve (yup the boss made me by a suit) black tie affair.
Also spent some time in the college classroom with a good friend – Garth Pleasant had me come in to entertain (notice I didn’t say educate) his class. Visited for two weeks talking about ethics in coaching.
***Garth Pleasant’s basketball coaching record at Rochester College – well he won 720 games. Is that incredible or what. Heck they named the arena after him. Now he is the AD and teaches a few classes!***
Wow….ethics…hmmmm. We spent a few years on probation at Arizona State. Well OK it happened before we arrived, but it was still an interesting time. Probation….ethics…gulp!
It was a lot of fun though. Great bunch of young people who obviously are bright and engaged.
Down at the Eastern Market area of Detroit yesterday. Had a great time with our friends Pete and Beth…..daughter Kaylee and her husband Josh. Interesting area of our city. A lot of neat things going on in Detroit – especially in Midtown.
Eastern Market region has always been a pretty interesting region with its small shops and eclectic feel (eclectic??). Although a cold day it was a lot of fun wandering through the stalls and seeing the many different things for sale.
If you couldn’t find a poinsettia you liked for a very inexpensive price well you are never going to find one. Wow, did they look awesome and the prices….well just not fair. Very inexpensive.
LOOK OUT!
Be prepared for a church to collapse or a lightning bolt to hit me Sunday (although we are looking for snow here not thunderstorms). My wife is dragging me to church – chances are the roof may fall in when I walk inside. Haven’t walked through the big doors for many a year.
Football on TV!
***Just watched Todd Gurley catch a screen and run for 80 yard TD – wow what a player. I guess Jeff Fisher was right in drafting the QB…..he may have paid the price with his job.***
Damn – Bengals just went ahead of the Lions….frustrating. I really don’t lose sleep over games anymore. But, obviously love the Lions…..think the world of the Ford family…..still have many friends in the organization….a few guys on the team. (Love to hear my friend Chris Spielman doing the game as well!)
This is the money time in the NFL. Everyone is hurt…..the games will come down to how healthy you can get by game day – how you manage your preparation and practice. If you find a healthy body in the locker room – he is a new guy, or hasn’t played very much.
These are real guys playing right now. Tough guys who know how to manage pain and play thru hurts….Never want to play injured….but playing hurt – these guys do it. Can’t tell you how much I admire these guys and how tough they are.
Giovanni Bernard – a real Pro!
SHOTS OF DOWNTOWN DETROIT
To my pals in Switzerland – Happy Holidays my friends. Was thinking of you guys when I put on my red sweatshirt to make a batch of Christmas Chili (I guess Christmas Eve Chili).
CHRISTMAS CHILI!
The boss (Shawn) told me to build a pot of chili for the weekend. So I did. We were going to have Tom and Kathy Ford, Dave and Marie DeFrancis – their son Mike over after church. (The church did not collapse – nor was I hit by a bolt of lightning when I entered the building!)
Nice service by our friend Dave Wilson. Way different gathering than I was used to at Our Lady of Hungary in Northampton, Pennsylvania.
Was very nice as I said.
We battle through the snow (must have five plus inches right now) come home for a nice visit and a good (mild) bowl of chili. Looks like we will surely have a white Christmas…..love it!
OK some football information.
Looks like our plans for Switzerland for a clinic / combine in February came undone. Frustrating because it was a great opportunity to help football in my second homeland. But, sometimes that is the way it goes.
But, somehow, someway we will find a way to keep pushing our football forward. Especially for the U19 team. Can’t wait to get back to see my friends and continue on our march forward with football
My good friend Kurt Schottenheimer got me involved with a new adventure. In Florida during late April into May some cool things happening. Look up “Your Call Football”.
Kurt was our defensive coordinator in Detroit for several years. Outstanding coach and a good friend. He got me involved and it seems like a great idea.
Like Madden Football – the fans control the game. They call the offensive plays. Good luck with Monday morning quarterbacking if the fans call the plays!
Everything is live streamed and scored and rated per fan playing the game. Sounds like a good idea that has real guys playing football – but the fans actually control the game with their calls.
Plus….43 days in Vero Beach at Dodgertown coaching football with my friends! What more could you want? What a life!
So, putting together another playbook for Kurt – getting ready for another adventure.
Another cool thing we have going is that we may be going to Italy to put on a clinic for their football federation. With the possibility of football entering the Olympics in some form more and more people throughout Europe are trying to gain more information.
Love it!
This post has been a real rambling effort on my part – sorry if my stream of consciousness is too much to handle….will get better.
Happy Holidays (Festivus??!!) to all.