And the fourth betting operation poised to get the go-ahead in Tennessee is … drum roll … Action247.com, a company based in Nashville, waiting for the final official OK from state lottery folks.
“We’re in the final stages of the approval process,” Action247.com owner Tina Hodges said Friday afternoon on Chattanooga’s ESPN 105.1 the Zone.
Action247 already offers ways for bettors to play for free on its site, and as soon as the state opens the legalized betting portal, will join the national bigwigs from Fan Duel, Draft Kings and MGM.
The state lottery board has pledged a start date of Nov. 1 for legalized sports gambling, but Hodges certainly would prefer as soon as possible.
“That’s the million-dollar question,” she said about the start date. “But COVID honestly was a challenge. Everyone in March, April, May, in our state and all around the world, things were so different.
“If COVID had not happened, I suspect we would be betting right now.”
Masks misery
Not since Larry Flint went to the Supreme Court has the absence of a small covering caused so much political unrest and societal angst.
Well, now from the files of some different mask stories.
First, there was a man in Manchester, England, who boarded a commuter bus and folks were perplexed by his ‘funny-looking’ mask. Then the mask started moving.
Turns out the rider had a rather large snake around his neck, mouth and nose. Of course, the spokesman for the Transport for Greater Manchester told the BBC “snakeskin – especially when still attached to the snake” is not acceptable mask material.
Then there is the state-of-the-art Louis Vuitton designer face shield that also doubles as face-length sunglasses.
And they can be all yours for the low, low, low price somewhere between $700 and $800, according to Vanity Fair.
Man, I understand the importance of the mask, but I’ll be danged if I’m coming close to a grand for one. Even if it is made of real-life snakeskin.
Obit observation I
There are a few things that people call you that are forever an honor.
Beyond the family titles of father, son, husband, brother, there are a few that are earned in the moment and can be carried with pride and honor from there on.
Coach is one of them, and all of us who still know and love people we will forever call “Coach” are better off for it.
That brings us to an email from a regular reader who noticed the obituary of Jack Fish. According to his obituary, Fish “coached Chattanooga Junior Rowing and UTC Rowing for over 30 years and made an impact on a number of his rower’s lives.”
Three decades of rowers, boys and girls, and the lives touched and improved through the efforts, time and lessons that sports can offer.
Wow, imagine the ripples he left – on the river and the countless lives.
Obit observation II
Speaking of monikers, I have always believed that the more nicknames you can accumulate, the more people you allowed into your world.
That was a big part of the lead of the late Bob Caldwell.
“Bob, a man of many nicknames, was known affectionately as GrandBob, Jolly Bob, ‘Does as Pleases,’ Big Bob and Busy Timmy,” the obit read. But the nicknames were just the start for Bob, who had a resume that would make almost anyone jealous and world leaders’ jaws drop.
Still, for the folks I know who knew Mr. Caldwell, the most common words were kind and gracious.
So to the Coach and the man of many names, skills and friends, rest easy, men.
And from so many of the people you truly touched, thank you.
Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com.
Jay Greeson