My game watch experience....

[maryland husker]

We had the pleasure last night of being joined in our little game watch party in Annapolis, MD by two former Huskers - former roomates, in fact - and despite the final outcome of the game itself, their stories made it one of the best experiences I've ever had.

 

Jim Belka (FB/LB 72-76) and John O'Leary (IB 72-75) joined us for red beer and runzas, and for hours and hours of entertainment. John is our current LS (T.J.'s) dad. They are both great guys, but polar opposites. In fact, that is why T.O. roomed them together in 1972 as incoming freshmen. They were both from Catholic schools - Jim in KS and John from Long Island, NY - but John had a reputation as a wild one, and T.O. thought Belka could "calm him down" a little. Didn't happen.

 

Their stories were rich, from John being recruited by Monty Kiffin; Jim's TV that ended up being tossed out the 19th floor of the dorm; the St. Patrick's Day debacle the two of them got into in O'Neill involving a flag; playing with Humm and Farragamo; John's punt return for a TD against Minnesota; his short stay with the Chicago Bears, and then to the CFL where he won the Grey Cup and Rookie of the Year with Montreal; and the "Bum-a-Rooskie" play, which they named in honor of Bum Phillips and John ran against Mizzou in 1974 for a TD. The FIRST variation of the Fumblerooskie play that I had always though originated in 1984.

 

One of the best anecdotes was about when Jim first made the travel squad in 1974 and went on his first trip to Boulder. John stole his helmet just before game time. When T.O. called for the kickoff team for the first play and Jim was part of that formation, he freaked when he went to get his helmet and it was gone. Jim was about to face the Coach when John produced the helmet at the last second.

 

Another interesting tidbit of information was about Al Davis, owner of the Raiders and whom Humm played for after graduating. Despite what people might think of Al, he has paid all of David's medical bills in his struggle with M.S., and will continue to do so for the rest of his life. Now that's generosity.

 

On the other hand, we also heard stories and insight on today's Husker team - both positive and negative - that could only come from the father of a current player. As much as I would like to pass some of this stuff along, I'm going to respect that relationship and the expectation of confidentiality that the stories were relayed to us. I will say, however, that there is something going on right now that will shock the Husker Nation if and when it ever becomes public.

 

The phone call from T.J. to his dad shortly after the game was over confirmed pretty much what we had seen on TV. The USC offensive line had their way all day, and there wasn't anything they tried that would counter it. The team did not tank emotionally at all, but the fumble return for long yardage right after the half took a lot of wind out of their sails.

 

So despite the outcome of the game last night, my head is still spinning from the piece of Cornhusker football history I was a part of for a short time.

 

For those who are interested, Jim is the Captain of the U.S. Capitol Police SWAT team in D.C., and John owns a bingo equipment business here on the East Coast.

[captain obvious]

I will say, however, that there is something going on right now that will shock the Husker Nation if and when it ever becomes public.

 

Ooooh that sounds juicy.

[Husker_x]

I will say, however, that there is something going on right now that will shock the Husker Nation if and when it ever becomes public.

 

Ooooh that sounds juicy.

 

Yeah, please, if you're not going to tell us what it is, then keep your damn mouth shut.

[captain obvious]

I hope this little tidbit has something to do with the fact that we are playing guys that are afraid to hit and are getting owned by true freshmen. Because I find that slightly troubling.

[np_husker]

Interesting that you'll mention a rumor, but won't give any info. I guess that leaves everyone free to draw their own conclusions.

[BigWillie]

I hate to say it, but when someone starts with the "I know something you don't know, but I'm not telling", it gets really aggravating, really quickly.

 

If you know something you do not want to tell, fine. But in that case, do not even make mention of it. It just becomes a case of chest thumping because you claim you know more than the rest.

 

But I do have to say, if it was that juicy, I doubt a players father would come to a watch party of all places and be willing to share the info openly with other people.

[REDSTEEL]

I know nothing and I'm willing to tell.

[LAHusker]

I will say, however, that there is something going on right now that will shock the Husker Nation if and when it ever becomes public.

 

Ooooh that sounds juicy.

Pearlman and Pederson are on their way out?

[maryland husker]

I apologize for even mentioning that part of the evening. Not chest thumping, just surprise. Didn't mean to titilate without the tits....

 

I'm an :asshat

[freemason9]

The issue here, insofar as I am concerned, is that we are paying a coach $1.7 million a year. I think that warrants a lot of accountability and disclosure. At that price, we should have excellence and the program absolutely should be under a microscope.

 

I will agree with something, though . . . there is obviously something awry in the program. I don't think that I have ever seen a more disfunctional defense than what I saw last night.

 

If there are rumors or innuendo out there, we have every right to know about it. We are the ones that are paying for this thing, you know.

[freemason9]

We had the pleasure last night of being joined in our little game watch party in Annapolis, MD by two former Huskers - former roomates, in fact - and despite the final outcome of the game itself, their stories made it one of the best experiences I've ever had.

 

Jim Belka (FB/LB 72-76) and John O'Leary (IB 72-75) joined us for red beer and runzas, and for hours and hours of entertainment. John is our current LS (T.J.'s) dad. They are both great guys, but polar opposites. In fact, that is why T.O. roomed them together in 1972 as incoming freshmen. They were both from Catholic schools - Jim in KS and John from Long Island, NY - but John had a reputation as a wild one, and T.O. thought Belka could "calm him down" a little. Didn't happen.

 

Their stories were rich, from John being recruited by Monty Kiffin; Jim's TV that ended up being tossed out the 19th floor of the dorm; the St. Patrick's Day debacle the two of them got into in O'Neill involving a flag; playing with Humm and Farragamo; John's punt return for a TD against Minnesota; his short stay with the Chicago Bears, and then to the CFL where he won the Grey Cup and Rookie of the Year with Montreal; and the "Bum-a-Rooskie" play, which they named in honor of Bum Phillips and John ran against Mizzou in 1974 for a TD. The FIRST variation of the Fumblerooskie play that I had always though originated in 1984.

 

One of the best anecdotes was about when Jim first made the travel squad in 1974 and went on his first trip to Boulder. John stole his helmet just before game time. When T.O. called for the kickoff team for the first play and Jim was part of that formation, he freaked when he went to get his helmet and it was gone. Jim was about to face the Coach when John produced the helmet at the last second.

 

Another interesting tidbit of information was about Al Davis, owner of the Raiders and whom Humm played for after graduating. Despite what people might think of Al, he has paid all of David's medical bills in his struggle with M.S., and will continue to do so for the rest of his life. Now that's generosity.

 

On the other hand, we also heard stories and insight on today's Husker team - both positive and negative - that could only come from the father of a current player. As much as I would like to pass some of this stuff along, I'm going to respect that relationship and the expectation of confidentiality that the stories were relayed to us. I will say, however, that there is something going on right now that will shock the Husker Nation if and when it ever becomes public.

 

The phone call from T.J. to his dad shortly after the game was over confirmed pretty much what we had seen on TV. The USC offensive line had their way all day, and there wasn't anything they tried that would counter it. The team did not tank emotionally at all, but the fumble return for long yardage right after the half took a lot of wind out of their sails.

 

So despite the outcome of the game last night, my head is still spinning from the piece of Cornhusker football history I was a part of for a short time.

 

For those who are interested, Jim is the Captain of the U.S. Capitol Police SWAT team in D.C., and John owns a bingo equipment business here on the East Coast.

 

"I will say, however, that there is something going on right now that will shock the Husker Nation if and when it ever becomes public."

 

Oh, that's just great. $1.7 million per year, and you won't tell. Only in Nebraska.

[SkerMin8r]

I know nothing and I'm willing to tell.

Oh yeah...well...I know even less...so there...

[DaveH]

On the other hand, we also heard stories and insight on today's Husker team - both positive and negative - that could only come from the father of a current player. As much as I would like to pass some of this stuff along, I'm going to respect that relationship and the expectation of confidentiality that the stories were relayed to us. I will say, however, that there is something going on right now that will shock the Husker Nation if and when it ever becomes public.

Like they will ever know that you are the guy. Can you at least give us a hint? I mean, why post something like that if you plan on never telling? You just created a new rumor.