IN MEMORIAM
Ted was many things during his life. He was a model citizen with an excellent, understated sense of humor. He was a successful attorney, who on occasion represented athletic celebrities in one of the major markets of America. He enjoyed the performing arts, opera in particular.
As a young man, he married an amazing lady from the United Kingdom. While she didn't catch more fish on family fishing excursions, "She caught bigger fish than the men did." She was the daughter of a World War II British service man. Ted and his bride lived in a time when people understood: Anything worth having in this world requires hard work and sacrifice. These are foundational truths they passed on to their children. Ones which will endure for years to come.
As his 96 years of life drove on, he saw the face of sports change in many ways. Reportedly, he was a follower of Sooner football and a young Oklahoma student-athlete named Sam Bradford gained Ted's attention as he rose to starting quarterback at the University of Oklahoma. He didn't care too much for the giant television monitors at sporting events because they were very distracting. He felt it drew too much attention away from Major League Baseball, a game he was deeply passionate about.
Of all the things Ted was and did in his life, the thing he was the most was loved. That became evident early on. Count this as one life which is better for having known him. So, it is with profound sorrow and excessive gratitude, the CPEL would like to say: God bless his descendants and all they come in contact with.
BRO-NESS JONAS
At the ripe old ages of 21, 20 and 17, respectively as of last week, Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas (The Jonas Brothers, JoBros for short) just completed an enormous leg of their 2009-2010 world tour. This latest globe-hopping episode which featured American Idol Jordin Sparks as special guest took the JoBros from the Bahamas to Europe and coast-to-coast in the U.S.
For those who may have caught the Jonas Brothers last tour movie, currently on dvd in spotty 3-D imagery, the latest tour following up the release of the CD Lines, Vines and Trying Times is a quantum leap ahead into live show presentation. The boys brought along a full brass ensemble, spare drummer, guitar player and two violinists. The most refreshing thing about the Bros is with the exception of Joe, the face of the band who shares lead vocals with his brother Nick, the oldest and youngest are very good musicians. This show, which musically offers everything from ballads to pop/rock fusion funk stylings is worth every dime of admission.
Joe's lead vocals are a highlighted through a few numbers approximately two-thirds into the performance. He has a special live version of a song called Much Bette,r during which he ad libs comments directed towards country music star Taylor Swift. "Got a rep for breakin' hearts. Now I'm done with country stars. No more tears on her guitar,…I'm not bitter", he croons as the little girls go berserk. Ah,…young love.
At one point in the show, Joe urges all parents to stand and dedicates Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline to them, serenading them as they stand throughout the number. Diamond's distinctive vocals are unequalled on this tune. However, Joe is able to showcase his solid vocal skills and makes the grown-ups want to sing along. He and his brothers are as comfortable on the stage as they are when their mom makes them take out the trash.
The hottest musical group Disney currently promotes traveled by Bro plane, Bro train and the Bro bus, into the hearts of girls aged 5 to 25, and onto the cover of a special edition of Rolling Stone magazine. A reporter from the periodical which "gathers no moss" rode along with the Bros on five different tours stops at various geographical locations, including the Jerry Dome in Arlington, Texas. The entire mag is dedicated to all things Jonas.
There are pictures of the boys playing softball against a local all-star (girl's) team, wiffleball in the parking lot of a venue the day before a show and the youngest, Nick, hiding in an equipment trailer, riding safely past the crowd to the enormous 140-foot stage. The monstrosity had a double rotating center and two more lilly pad-like platforms on either end. The design assures hundreds of floor seated teens a chance to reach out and touch the fingertips of the JoBro of choice.
"Are you sure you're ready for a concert with all those screaming little girls?" "Oh yeah. Been to much louder shows over the years. Piece of cake." The cool tones of the Bro-ness Jonas could be heard peaking over the nine year-old girl directly behind with the lungs of Christina Aguillera,…just barely. Eyewitnesses reported they "couldn't scream when Kevin, Nick and Joe were on the stage". They could barely even talk. "I can't believe I cried. That's how excited I was", stated one concert-goer.
With the window of the Jonas Brother's tour bus bearing yet another message of love from an adoring fan, concert tee proudly donned and a new infusion of memorabilia in hand straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak, delighted fans strolled into the warm Tulsa night and rolled back to respective residences, ears ringing and still humming catchy tunes like World War III, S.O.S. and Fly With Me. Says Rolling Stone, "What will the Jonas Brothers do when the screams of little girls are no longer heard [at their concerts]." What will the little ladies father's do?
TULSA AND THE BOYS IN CRIMSON
There's a new University of Tulsa Sheriff in town. He goes by the name of Captain 'Cane. While retaining the same name as the last mascot, the new and "improved" Cap'n 'Cane (No, not the breakfast cereal.) back story goes as follows according the the University of Tulsa athletic webpage:
"The Captain `Cane story goes like this . . . Colin Cane, a freshman at The University of Tulsa, worked in IT support at night to help pay his way through college. During an electrical storm one night, Colin was called to the TU sports complex to fix a malfunctioning satellite that was broadcasting a live game. Never again would he watch his favorite team in action as a mere mortal. As he adjusted the satellite, the roar of the crowd coursed through the transmitter just as it was zapped with static electricity from the storm. Colin became entangled in a web of cyber-athletic forces. The atmospheric oddity known as a "binary vortex" mutated Colin over the course of several years. He eventually lost his hair but gained super-human powers. Thus he became Captain `Cane, a champion athlete and highly educated zealot of all things TU.
The Hurricane-type mascot has been a part of the TU tradition since 1977, when the mascot was known as "Hurc" and later a transformation to the nickname "Huffy". In the early 1990's, Captain `Cane took on a new look."
MEANWHILE IN NORMAN,…
Each time the Golden Hurricane offense worked its way into field goal range, they were either penalized or sacked back out of field goal range. The clear, sunny afternoon in Norman, Oklahoma came to a close with OU pitching a shutout, winning easily, 45-0. To make matters worse, defensively, TU had given up a school record six touchdown passes to Oklahoma's backup quarterback, Landry Jones.
In most cases six TD's (No, not Tom Dirato) would be a great thing and the fans cheered every one of the lovely scoring tosses. In the Big 12 Conference, it means no scoring rushing the ball. That's not a good sign. Championship teams have stellar defenses, like OU's so far, but they can run the ball on good defenses and get a couple of yards on third down.
Next week's opponent Miami of Florida and the Texas Longhorns are licking their lips watching game film on this. Bottom line: OU's offensive line has to push people off the ball and prove the running game exists and can be a potential weapon or it's gonna be a long conference schedule in Norman.
Tulsa's high-octane offense returns to play tonight in Tulsa, versus Sam Houston State. The Hurricane didn't play a bad game at Oklahoma but they have a couple of areas they can improve on, such as protecting the ball on pass plays. Oklahoma picked off two D.J. Kinne passes en route to the win. The SHSU defense isn't nearly as stout as Oklahoma's stingy, hard-hitting crew. After three weeks on the road, Tulsa wins big in the home opener. Captain 'Cane huffs, puffs, screams like a nine year-old at a Jonas Brothers concert and scoots the Bobcats back to the Lone Star State. TU 56, SHSU 20.
The Sooners are idle this weekend and will face Miami, in the Sunshine State next Saturday. Don Woods could've told them how to handle the Hurricanes. More to come on this match-up later.
ARKANSAS
In a valiant effort, the Hogs lost to Georgia last week, dropping a 52-41 shoot-out to the Dawgs in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The home venue lent itself to a Razorback victory but even though the CPEL picked the porkers in an upset, it didn't materialize on the playing surface. Yuck.
Within the hour, Bobby Petrino's flying 'Backs will be wading in a Crimson Tide flowing directly through Tuscaloosa, Alabama. On the road and facing a tough opponent, U of A is overmatched today and despite success in recent years against the Tide, should face another tough divisional conference loss. 'Bama (No, not the pies.) 31, Whoa Pig Souiee Razorbacks! 20.
TENNESSEE
The "King" Elvis Presley would have been tearing up on Saturday night in Memphis, or Kalamazoo or wherever he's playing pinochle with Michael Jackson these days, when the Vols lost a 23-13 defensive battle against arch-rival Florida in the Splash! Chomp! Swamp of Gainesville, Florida. Evidently the defensively minded coaching staff picked up some tips from Oklahoma on how to defend against the Gators' super-star quarterback Tim Tebow and did so with equal success, allowing the juggernaut which is the Florida offense only 23 points.
This moves UT to a 1-2 record, with only one of those being a critical divisional loss to the future luggage of the Southeastern Conference from the wetlands of , Central Eastern North America. The Volunteers can bounce back tonight as they host the Bobcats of Ohio University. Clearly outmanned and outclassed, U of O will take their gate receipts and a loss back to Athens, Ohio. Tennessee 63, Oh High Uh 3.
OKLAHOMA STATE
Back in the winning saddle, Pistol Pete poached a few owl eggs and made a victory omelet in Stillwater, Oklahoma Saturday night, 41-24. The Pokes were never in danger of losing and allowed 21 points in the second half but made up for it by scoring 20 of their own in front of a home crowd of orange and black fans.
Today at 6pm, the Cowboys will be rambling all over the field with the Tigers from Grambling State. There's no way Grambling wins this game. Oklahoma State's offense is little dinged up but can still put a lot of points on the board in sixty minutes of effort. Stillwater encounters the euphoria of winning another home game. The Grambling State Tiger Band enjoys the euphoria of another winning musical/dance effort. OSU 49, GSU 13. Grambling Band 9 on the richter scale. Cowboy Marching Band 7.
THE PERCENTAGES
With last week's 3-1 posting, the CPEL is now picking 8-5 on the season. That's 61 ½ percent for all those shoe salesmen out there. Onward and upward!
Apologies for the tardiness of this week's newsletter but the reader will note NONE of the ballgames picked have kicked off so no pre-knowledge is available to improve the quality of the picks. Too bad for the CPEL. Disgruntled fans are entitled to a refund to be determined at a later date,…much later.
Thanks for reading and have a great week!
Carlos
THE CRIMSON PIGSKIN e-LETTER
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