Let’s handle our business.
Rushmore of hair band 1980s guitarists. Eddie Van Halen. Richie Sambora. Was U2 a hair band? If so, The Edge is there, but if not, never mind. Slash. Prince.
Rushmore of MLB nicknames that include an animal. Iron Horse, Crime Dog, Mr. Cub, Catfish.
Rushmore of most famous people known by two initials. OJ, JK Rowling, JD Salinger and LL Cool J. (You know the last one works. Ladies love Cool James, people.)
Rushmore of all-time Pittsburgh sports stars. Bradshaw, Stargell, Super Mario and Chuck Noll.
Which leads us directly to the bag.
From Steeler Fan
Jay,
You asked earlier this week if Sid’s Slide in 1992 — ushering the Braves into the World Series — was one of the biggest turn-around moments in sports history. “Has any other franchise had such a moment?” you said.
Two decades earlier, the Immaculate Reception — Franco Harris’ shoetop catch and resulting touchdown in a 1972 playoff victory over the Oakland Raiders — was the dividing line between 40 years of futility and 40 years of excellence for my Steelers. The Steelers had never won a postseason game before that, and then they won four rings by the end of the ’70s. Would you agree it at least matches the Braves feat?
Also, it pains me to say it, but I think it’s 50-50 that, if it happens today, the Immaculate Reception gets overruled by the replay booth. Franco was always coy when asked if the ball hit the ground, and the tape was inconclusive.
Steeler Fan,
I stand corrected, the Immaculate Reception certainly tops Sid’s Slide in the redirection of a franchise.
Man, I am in my early 50s, but it’s impossible for me to remember a time when the Steelers were not good.
That one play redirected a half century of an organization in some ways, right?
Let’s go one step further because we always go one step further, is that the single most remembered/famous/magical single play in sports history?
Yes, Gibson’s homer was an all-timer. So was the Kick Six.
We all have out favorites, but the Immaculate Reception is a true contender for the far left on the Rushmore of all-time plays no?
From Mr. B
Don’t we all get enough of LeBron James during the NBA year? His “brand” now has to be shoved down the throat of the Olympics? Is our man going to be staying in the Olympic Village? Will Paris be able to accommodate his entourage? Is Bronny getting a roster spot?? Let collegians represent the U.S., though I guess that myth has long since evaporated.
Speaking of overkill, Keegan Bradley may have more fire and enthusiasm anyway for Ryder Cup vs Tiger. Give the guy a shot! He’s an E. Coast guy to boot who can handle NY media at Bethpage Black?
Mr. B,
LeBron may sleep in the Louvre for all we know, and I love the shoutout about Bronny’s chance to be on this Dream Team.
Hey, there are a lot of kids of successful daddies who follow in their footsteps and make a comfortable living.
This one is just more public than the rest.
Collegians repping the U.S. would get smoked in this culture, but I do miss the romance of it all.
As for the Captain Keegan, I’m willing to give it a go.
I’d always rather have someone wanting to do the job (even if they may not be as qualified) as opposed to someone like Tiger who clearly (and understandably) has little interest in doing the o=job.
From Josh
Jay,
You know I am a diehard Ole Miss fan — Hotty Toddy — and with conference media days about to start we wanted to know your SEC coach rankings.
I say Kiffin is 1 but I am biased but I would not trade the Lane Train for anyone else.
What do you think?
Josh,
I think your loyalty has clouded your judgment.
Kirby is 1, and in truth, there is no close second currently.
In fact, I’m not sure there is a way to rank them as much as there are tiers in which the coaches fall.
And like most rankings in matters like this, I try to use the prism of if SEC Team A wanted to trade its coach with SEC Team B, who says no first.
To that end, Kiffin is right there atop Tier 2, because Ole Miss is rolling and it’s because of him.
I’d add Coach Drink, and Sark in that group, too.
I think Brian Kelly is overrated, but maybe Vader can give some insight to the LSU faithful’s feel on him.
Josh Heupel has to be there as well. Dude has done some serious work in K-Town.
Do we think Mark Stoops is good at this big picture or just very good at this for a program with modest expectations like Lexington?
From there, it’s a grab bag of anyone’s guess.
Is Mike Elko good? Is Beamer?
Vandy is Vandy, but that likely is not on the coach. Napier is in over his head. Is Venables at OU?
And know this, there is no bigger microscope than what Karen DeBoer has walked into. And in truth, I do not think he is ready for this.
Have a great weekend.