NASL Soccer: NASL 1978- San Jose Earthquakes @ Seattle Sounders: 1st Half

Source:NASL Soccer- the San Joe Earthquakes and Seattle Sounders, at the Seattle Kingdome from 1978. 

"1978 05 13 San Jose Earthquakes vs Seattle Sounders"

From NASL Soccer

This game was played ay the Seattle Kingdome, which is obviously an indoor stadium, where the fans are on top of the action and where they play on astroturf, so the ball moved faster and was probably harder to control. So the ball moved a lot faster, the stadium was very loud, with the fans very close to the action. Other than playing on a hard field, this must have been a great atmosphere for the Seattle Sounders to play their home games and a great place for their fans to watch Sounders games. 

Alternative View TV: 'Far-Right Wing 'Holy' Terror: Hitler Cult 3rd Reich to Christian Fundamentalists in USA (1989)'

Source:Alternative View TV- one of the moderators of Alternative Views.

"Through an interview and an incredible documentary we take a comprehensive look at the radical Christian Far Right and its efforts to take over political power at all levels of society. Through information provided by undercover agents and by monitoring of Christian Coalition TV programs, the documentary shows the strategies, the deviousness, and the dangers which these religious fanatics pose to secular society and civil liberties. We also review the book "Holy Terror." 

From Alternative View TV  

"In this book, Flo Conway and Jim Siegelman provide us with decades of United States government background and integrate that knowledge of the past with current fundamentalist influences that are tearing apart the United States. Powerful. Heart-wrenching. Infuriating to watch the religious right threaten and intimidate our public servants. The authors offer solutions for us to head off this assault, but will anyone listen?" 

Source:Amazon- Flo Conway's and Jim Siegelman's book.

From Amazon

"Alternative Views was one of the longest running Public-access television cable TV programs in the United States. Produced in Austin, Texas in 1978, it produced 563 hour-long programs featuring news, interviews and opinion pieces from a progressive political perspective. Show founders and on-air hosts, Douglas Kellner and Frank Morrow, produced the show on virtually no budget using facilities at Austin Community Television (ACTV) and the University of Texas at Austin.[1] They also pioneered an innovative syndication system that placed the program in almost 80 television markets around the country." 

From Wikipedia

It's not big government and statism that the Far-Right in America has a problem with. It's democratic socialism or social democracy and communism that they're not fans of. 

If you're familiar with the Islamic Republic of Iran or the Islamic Kingdom of Saudi, you have a pretty good idea of what the so-called Christian-Right believes in. Just replace a warped view of Islam, with a warped view of fundamentalist Anglo Protestantism. But the views when it comes to women's place in the world, homosexuality, certain music and entertainment in general, ethnic, racial, and religious minorities, are the same views that Islamists have in the Middle East. Again, just replace a warped view of Islam, with a warped views of fundamentalist Anglo Protestantism.

NBC Sports: NFL 1989- Kansas City Chiefs @ Miami Dolphins: Tom Hammond Intro

Source:NBC Sports- the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins, from Joe Robbie Stadium (as it was called back then) in Miami, Florida.

"ALL NEW!  Here is the intro to probably one of the most (if not the most) surreal games, weather conditions-wise, ever played in Miami.  There have been some chilly games in Miami, but usually those are night games in December or January (New England-Miami in 2004 and the Orange Bowl Game in 2010 come to mind), but nothing even close to this for a daytime game.  Kickoff temperatures in the 30s, with a wind chill hovering around just 15 degrees (They had a different wind chill formula at the time).  Note the many no-shows, especially in the upper levels that faced the strong winds, in spite of both teams still having a chance at the playoffs (albeit slim as you see)... That day was also the last time until January 2010 that snow flurries were in the forecast in South Florida! Crazy stuff to see in Miami!" 

From WREY Tube

I didn't get to see a lot of NFL games with Tom Hannomd as the lead announcer growing up in the 1980s and early 90s. Got to see and hear him do college football for NBC Sports in the 1990s as well, doing Notre Dame Fighting Irish games and college bowl games, as well as NBA basketball games. But he has an excellent voice and delivery and does a great intro for this very important Chiefs-Dolphins game. 

As far as this game, it was called the Ice Bowl because of the ridiculous weather for South Florida, with it being so cold for this game. But you could also call it the Mediocre Bowl, with a 7-7 Chiefs team led by Marty Shottenheimer, who was just trying to bring the Chiefs back to respectability, after two bad years in a row in 87 and 88. 

The Dolphins were 8-7 going into this game, with QB Dan Marino having an off year, the defense struggling all year, especially against the run, and no running game at all for the Dolphins. But this was a good, competitive game, especially considering the weather conditions.

ESPN: NCAA Basketball- 1976 Final Four Film

Source:ESPN- Indiana Hoosiers basketball head coach Bob Knight.

"1976 Final Four NCAA Basketball Highlight Film 

Indiana

Michigan

UCLA

Rutgers" 

From Big Bucks

The first for three National Championships for the great Bobby Knight.

ESPN: NFL 1985- San Diego Chargers @ Denver Broncos: Broncos Win In Overtime

Source:ESPN- Denver Broncos defensive back Louis Wright.

"San Diego Chargers vs Denver Broncos (11-17-1985) "Louis Wright Scoops And Scores The Winner In OT" 

From Sports Odyssey

From 1978 to 1987, which was the last 10 years of San Diego Chargers QB Dan Fouts career and where Don Coryell was the Chargers head coach from 1978-86, I don't think there was a more interesting team in the NFL, than the Chargers, perhaps especially in the American Football Conference. I might consider the Cincinnati Bengals from the 1980s as well, but you always knew regardless of how the Chargers were playing and who they were playing against, that the game would be interesting. 

The reason why the Chargers were so interesting and fun to watch, is because they not just threw the ball a lot, but threw it all over the field, to every eligible position and threw the ball deep a lot and scored a lot of points. And if Dan Fouts had time to throw the ball, the Chargers were in every game that they played, because Don Coryell and Fouts had all of those weapons on offense and the greatest defenses in the NFL couldn't cover all of those Chargers receivers, and Fouts was such an accurate passer as well. 

The reason why the Chargers din't win more games in the 1980s, at least after 1982 which was their last playoff appearance of that decade and last winning season of that decade as well, unless you count their 8-7 season during the strike season of 1987, is because they gave up more points than they scored and Dan Fouts was dealing with one injury after another after the 82 season. 

So when the Chargers played a good, balanced team like the Denver Broncos, that could get stops on defense and move the ball and score against the Chargers vulnerable defense, the Chargers would either struggle or lose very close, exciting games, to teams like the Broncos. 

CBS Sports: NBA 1977-WCSF Game 5: Oakland Warriors @ Los Angeles Lakers: Feature On Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Source:CBS Sports- the Lakers and Warriors from 1977.

"Amazing performance by Kareem, Rick Barry 28 points, rookie Robert Parish...... 

From Utah Jazz Fanatic

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar dominating the Warriors in the playoffs. 

Before Magic Johnson, the Los Angeles Lakers were very good, NBA Finals contenders even, with Kareem Abdul Jabbar. They just weren't a great team yet, but instead a very good team, with several great players, including the best player in the NBA, at least at that point, if not ever, but Jamal Wilkes as well. Which meant when they played teams that played great as teams and not as individuals, like Oakland Warriors, (as I call them) or the Seattle Sonics, or the Portland Blazers, they would come up short in the Western Conference Playoffs.

NBC Sports: NFL 1987- AFC Championship: Dick Engberg Intro

Source:NBC Sports- presents the 1987 AFC Championship.

"All right to ESPN/ABC, Fox, NBC, CBS, CTV, Global, NFL Films, the NFL and it’s broadcasters. They own the music and the footage used in this video. No Copyright infringement intended. For Entertainment purposes only." 

From The Eusthenopteron 

I guess I was spoiled growing up when it came to watching sports television and my standards are just too, damn high, perhaps mile high (pun intended) but when I was watching the NFL growing up in Bethesda, Maryland, just outside of Washington, I got to hear Pat Summerall and John Madden for the NFL On CBS, Dick Engberg and Merlin Olsen for the NFL On NBC, and Frank Gifford and Al Michaels for ABC's Monday Night Football. And just listening to the intros from those announcers got me into the game, especially Pat Summerall and Frank Gifford with those natural speaking voices that were meant to give great speeches. 

NFL Network: A Football Life: Marcus Allen

Source:NFL Network- Los Angeles Raiders RB Marcus Allen. I think this is from the 1983 AFC Championship against the Seattle Seahawks.

"I do not own the rights to this content. Like and Subscribe" 

From Zach Crutcher

I think Kansas City Chiefs head coach Marty Shottenheimer had the best point about Marcus Allen, when he basically said: "It's 4th and goal or 4th and 1 and you have to get the touchdown or 1st down to win the game and you can only call on play and call that play for one player and the question becomes: who do you want to call the play for?" 

The Chiefs had Marcus Allen from 1993-97 and Shottenheimer was the Chiefs coach during this whole period. And he said of course we're going to Marcus, because he's our best player and I know he'll get that one yard for us exactly when we need that yard, even if the other team knows exactly what play we're going to run and who that play is going to be for.

There wasn't a better all around running back or perhaps even offensive player in the entire NFL than Marcus Allen in the 1980s and that includes Walter Payton and I would take Marcus over Walter during the 1980s. 

Critics of Marcus will say that he wasn't fast enough or didn't have enough long runs and yet any Marcus highlight film will have Marcus breaking a long run for a TD or at least for a big play. If he''s slow, how come he's running way from so many great defensive players who can run? 

Critics of Marcus will also say he wasn't big or strong enough and yet you're not going to find many better inside runners than Marcus Allen, because he had all of that strength and speed. He was very similar to Jerry Rice at least in the sense that he didn't have great track speed, but they both had great football field speed. Which is all you need to run fast in the NFL. 

I think perhaps the only reason why we're not talking about Marcus Allen as the greatest all around running back in the history of the NFL, including the great Walter Payton, is because Raiders owner Al David essentially sabotaged his career in Los Angeles by telling Raiders coaches not to play Marcus or not to use him as their main player on offense. Which cost Marcus some of his best years of his career, at least individually, which also hurt the Los Angeles Raiders in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

ABC News: Reagan Assassination Attempt (1981)

Source:ABC News- anchor Frank Reynolds, anchoring ABC News's Special Report of the attempted assassination of President Ronald W. Reagan.

"ABC News live coverage of the president Ronald Reagan assassination attempt.  March 30, 1981.  Anchored by Frank Reynolds." 

From Jim Heath 

"On March 30, 1981, United States president Ronald Reagan was shot and wounded by John Hinckley Jr. in Washington, D.C. as he was returning to his limousine after a speaking engagement at the Washington Hilton. Hinckley believed the attack would impress actress Jodie Foster, with whom he had developed an erotomanic obsession.

Reagan was seriously wounded by a .22 Long Rifle bullet that ricocheted off the side of the presidential limousine and hit him in the left underarm, breaking a rib, puncturing a lung, and causing serious internal bleeding. He was close to death upon arrival at George Washington University Hospital but was stabilized in the emergency room, then underwent emergency exploratory surgery.[5] He recovered and was released from the hospital on April 11. No formal invocation of sections #3 or #4 of the Constitution's 25th amendment (concerning the vice president assuming the president's powers and duties) took place, though Secretary of State Alexander Haig stated that he was "in control here" at the White House until Vice President George H. W. Bush returned to Washington from Fort Worth, Texas.

White House press secretary James Brady, Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy, and DC police officer Thomas Delahanty were also wounded. All three survived, but Brady suffered brain damage and was permanently disabled. His death in 2014 was considered a homicide because it was ultimately caused by his injury.[2][6]

Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity on charges of attempting to assassinate the president. He remained confined to St. Elizabeth's Hospital, a DC psychiatric facility. In January 2015, federal prosecutors announced that they would not charge Hinckley with Brady's death, despite the medical examiner's classification of his death as a homicide.[7] Hinckley was released from institutional psychiatric care on September 10, 2016." 

From Wikipedia

This must of looked like the JFK assassination at least early on, just seventeen and a half years later after President Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. But this story was a little different with all the chaos that happened right after, like who was in charge of the Executive Branch with Vice President Bush being out of town. And the Reagan Cabinet not sure who should fill in until the Vice President was back in Washington. As well as Secretary of State Alexander Haige believing that he's automatically in charge of the administration, when both the President and Vice President are unavailable. Even though the U.S. Constitution makes it clear that the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Senate President come before the Secretary of State, when there needs to be someone to take over for the President.

Firing Line With William F. Buckley: Barry Goldwater- The Role of Conservatism in (1966)

Source:Firing Line With William F. Buckley- former U.S. Senator (Republican, Arizona) and 1964 Republican Party presidential nominee, Barry Goldwater, in 1966.

Source:The FreeState

“A clip from William F. Buckley’s 1966 interview with Barry Goldwater on “Firing Line.”  

From Moog Rogue 

What Barry Goldwater was doing in this clip was arguing for the two-party system and saying that Republicans don’t have to be Progressive Democrats or Democratic-light in order to win elections and gain power in America.

In early 1966 after the Republican Party took back-to-back-to-back political beatings in Washington from 1960-64, what Senator Goldwater was saying her sounds rather foolish:

But in 1965, House Republicans elect Representative Gerald Ford to be their leader in the House

1966 House Republicans win 45 seats in the House, with a whole lot of Conservative Republicans in Congress, especially in the House getting elected

Thanks to Richard Nixon, Republicans win The White House back in 1968. not because they sound and talked like Democrats, but because they were Republicans, with even Progressive Republicans sounding and thinking different politically then Progressive Democrats.

So I believe Senator Goldwater was onto something in 1966, even if he was the only Republican who knew what Republicans needed to do to get back into power.

NBC Sports: MLB 1974- World Series Game 3: Los Angeles Dodgers @ Oakland Athletics: Highlights

Source:NBC Sports- with a look at the Oakland Athletics dugout.

"NBC 1974 World Series game 3 Los Angeles Dodgers Oakland Athletics" 

From GI Bomber

In the 1950s, the Brooklyn Dodgers had this saying about this: "Wait till next year." Which was referring to the Dodgers getting really close to either winning the National League Championship or the World Series, but not getting it done when they needed to. Well, in the 1970s the Los Angeles Dodgers were like that as well, losing 3 World Series in 5 years. First to the Oakland Athletics in 1974 and then to the New York Yankees in 1977 and 78. The Dodgers were really good in the 1970s, they just were never the best team when they had to be. 

NBC Sports: NFL 1991- Los Angeles Raiders @ Denver Broncos: Don Criqui & Bob Trumpy With The Call

Source:NBC Sports- I believe this image is from a commercial.

"1991 11-10-91 Los Angeles Raiders at Denver Broncos"

From Larry's Classic Sports Videos 

"1991 11-10-91 Los Angeles Raiders at Denver Broncos"  

Source:NBC Sports- Denver Broncos LB Mike Kroel.

From Larry's Classic Sports Videos

If talent wins games and championships in the NFL, then the Los Angeles Raiders would've beaten the Denver Broncos almost every time they've played each other. But the Broncos have always had good personal, especially on defense and enough good players on offense to move the ball enough and score enough points, to even beat the good teams in the NFL, with good defenses, like the Raiders. And the Broncos, unlike the Los Angeles Raiders, have always had excellent coaching. 

NHL Network: NHL 1993- Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 7- Long Island Islanders @ Pittsburgh Penguins: Highlights

SourceNHL Network- the Long Island Islanders (as I call them) and Pittsburgh Penguins, from 1993.

"Highlights of game seven of the historical Patrick division final series between the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins. The Islanders jump out to a lead on the road, only for the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champion Penguins to tie it late in the third.  David Volek, previously considered to be waived during the regular season, scores the overtime winner in one of the biggest upsets in NHL history!! May 14, 1993." 

From Sab Canada

The biggest upset in the 1993 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Islanders knocking off the defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. It's not like the Islanders didn't have a good team, but they didn't even have home ice advantage in the 1st round against the Washington Capitals. This was a solid team, but not spectacular either offensively or defensively, that played their best hockey when they need to the most.

Islanders Army: NHL 1980- 'NY Islanders 1980 Stanley Cup Finals'

Source:Islanders Army- the Long Island Islanders (as I call them) celebrating their first Stanley Cup Championship, in 1980.

"Recap of the 1980 Stanley Cup Finals. Includes recap of first 6 games, series winning OT goal by Bob Nystrom, and the Stanley Cup Celebration." 

From Islanders Army

The Islanders finally get it done and win the Stanley Cup. They won 4 straight Stanley Cups in the 1980s. So that alone makes the case for them being the team of the 1980s in the NHL. The Edmonton Oilers also won 4 Cups in the 1980s, but repeated once in 87-88. The Islanders 4 straight which just doesn't happen anymore and did with great offense, defense, and goaltending.

Basketball Breakdown: 'The Real Story How The Lakers Got Magic Johnson'

Source:Basketball Breakdown- Earvin Magic Johnson, who if he's not the greatest NBA player ever, certainly the best point guard, and perhaps guard as well.

"Did you ever wonder how Magic Johnson got drafted by the Lakers? This was no simple lottery pick. Back in the 1970's the NBA was a freewheelin' gang of GMs swapping draft picks all over the place, and this story has twists and surprises you won't believe.

Originally aired on our channel NBA TradeTracker." 

From Basketball Breakdown

The Los Angeles Lakers who were already a playoff team in 1979, managed to draft perhaps the best player in college basketball and the NBA as well in 1979, to go along with what was already an NBA Finals contender. The Lakers were already very good pre-Magic and had made it to the Western Conference Finals with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the 1970s. But with Magic, now you have the best center in the NBA in Kareem, as well as the best guard and point guard in Magic and perhaps the two best players in the entire league as well.

A&E: Investigative Reports- Watergate: 'Reasons Behind The Burglary'

Source:A&E- documentary about Watergate.

"It's amazing that this was ever made, but here it is -- in six parts. "The Key to Watergate" (Barbara Newman's 1992 A&E documentary) explores what was behind the Watergate burglary. In particular, why did the burglars have a key to a particular desk drawer at the DNC? The key -- and the reasons -- have been long suppressed. A real shocker! Don't miss it...

Source:Eric Scheie

The only problem with the Watergate investigations, is that they didn't catch onto the Nixon White House and their abuses of power earlier. And what the Nixon White House was trying to do, which was essentially centralize all of the power into the White House and use the reason of war powers, that America was at war. And under these conditions the Executive has more power than they normally wouldn't have. Including to not only investigate Americans they see as enemies of the state, but be able to take them on and go out-of-their-way to discredit them, which is what the enemies list was about. 

Had Congress not only Democrats, but Republicans weren't asleep at the wheel (to paraphrase journalist Richard Reaves) they could've stopped President Nixon's abuses of power earlier than they did in 1974.

The main role of Congress is to hold the executive accountable. In a liberal democracy like America you have checks and balances because to protect the country from abuses of power and authoritarian big centralized government. So you don't have so much power in the executive especially the Head of State. That they have a Congress or Parliament, as well as a judiciary to hold them accountable when they go too far.

You would think in a government where one party controls the executive and the opposition party that controls both the House and Senate in Congress, that the Congress would have more incentive to hold the executive accountable. And not investigate because they want to embarrass the President and White House and make them easier to beat in the next election. But so they know what the executive is going too far and trying to pass off policies on the country without the approval of Congress. 

But in the early 1970s the Democratic Congress was asleep at the wheel (to paraphrase journalist Richard Reaves) in many cases involving the Nixon Administration. Which is one reason why Watergate was able to happen at all. 

NFL Films: 1970 Buffalo Bills

Source:Grey Beard- The Juice, also known as Buffalo Bills TB O.J. Simpson.

"This video is a telecast, broadcast, and production of NFL Films. I claim no ownership of this material, and do not profit from it in anyway. This video is intended for historical and educational viewing purposes." 

From Grey Beard

"1970 Buffalo Bills Season Review" 

Source:Newton Minnokowski- Buffalo Bills QB Joe Ferguson.

From Newton Minnowski

"1970 Buffalo Bills" 

Source:Andy Provin- the 1970 Buffalo Bills.

From Andy Provin

Lou Saban was a very good NFL head coach who was generally undermanned, as far as the teams he had. Other then when he was with the Buffalo Bills in the 1960s and they won the 1965 AFC Championship. The only time he made the AFC Playoffs in the 1970s at all, whether it was with the Denver Broncos or Bills, was in 1974. And even though they had OJ Simspon and QB Joe Ferguson and a few others on offense, they struggled badly on defense.

Monsoon Classic: WCW 1986- US Title Magnum TA vs Nikita Koloff Worldwide: 8/23/1986

Source:Monsoon Classic- Magnum TA facing Nikita Koloff for the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship, in 1986.

"US Title Magnum TA vs Nikita Koloff Worldwide Aug 23rd, 1986" 

From Monsoon Classic

Here are two wrestlers who could wrestle all night because they were both all muscle and always in great shape. Nikita Koloff was 6'4 or 6'5, 275-280 pounds and Magnum TA was maybe 6'3, 250 pounds, so Nikita was obviously, the bigger stronger man. But Magnum was big and strong enough to beat someone with the size and strength of Nikita Koloff.

TBS: WCW 1989- Ric Flair vs Terry Funk: I Quit Match (1989)

Source:TBS- Ric Flair vs Terry Funk in 1989.

“Clash of the Champions IX 11 15 1989 Ric Flair vs Terry Funk I Quit match xvid” 

From TBS 

I don’t know if you can find four better pro wrestlers for a cage I Quit match than Ric Flair, Sting, Terry Funk and Mr. Muta. The amount of pain and even torture these four men were able to put themselves through because of their conditioning, physical strength and just character and courage was simply unmatched by almost anyone else who has ever been a pro wrestler. Two other guys I would thrown into this group would be Hulk Hogan and The Undertaker for the same reasons as these four men.

Ric Flair was seen as a classical if not classy pure wrestler who made most of his living just wrestling in the ring and not getting into street fights like this and most of that is true. But he beat the great Harley Race for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, a match where he may of lost on points, but beat Race in it. He was in a lot of cage matches, including with The Horseman against The Road Warriors and The Koloff’s and did very well in those matches. Sting could wrestle or fight anyone anywhere. It didn’t matter to him and Terry Funk was a street fighter who could wrestle. Similar to Mr. Muta.  

You can also see this post on WordPress.

You can also see this post at The New Democrat, on WordPress. 

You can also see this post at The FreeState, on WordPress. 

You can also see this post at The FreeState, on Blogger.

NBC Sports: NFL 1986- Cincinnati Bengals @ Denver Broncos: Full Game

Source:NBC Sports- a look at the Denver Broncos defense.

"1986 WEEK 13 3 BENGALS at BRONCOS" 

From J Redwine

The Bengals were masters at underachieving in the mid 1980s. They might have had the best all around talent of anyone in the AFC Central in this period, including the Cleveland Browns, especially on offense, but could never come through and get into the playoffs, pre-1988.

The Broncos on the other hand during this period, were a blue-collar, hard-working team, that got everything they could get, out of all the possible talent that they had, under head coach Dan Reeves. Other than QB John Elway, not another great, perhaps even Pro Bowl caliber player on offense. Most of the Broncos great players were on defense, led by Karl Mecklenberg, Rulon Jones, Simon Fletcher, Dennis Smith, and others. 

So this Bengals-Broncos game was very important in 1986 because both teams were trying to win their divisions. But it was also an interesting matchup between a team with a lot of talent on offense, as well as good players on defense, vs a team that didn't have many great players at all, especially on offense, but had a lot of very good players and a lot of depth, that was also very well-coached.

NBC Sports: NFL 1985- Denver Broncos @ Atlanta Falcons: First Quarter

Source:NBC Sports- presents the National Football League. Today from Atlanta Fulton Stadium, the Denver Broncos vs. the Atlanta Falcons. I'm paraphrasing here, but that's pretty close to how NBC Sports introduced their NFL coverage.

"These games are always pretty fun. This was a pretty good one till Denver took over late in the game. Bartkowski is probably one of the best "bad" qbs of all time because he had an absolute cannon for an arm." 

From Classic Sports

I don't get the Steve Bartkowski is one of the best bad QB's of all-time. That's like saying someone is the best ballet dancer from Wichita: that line means nothing. Steve Bartkowski was one of the best power-arm (my line) QB's in the NFL in the early 1980s. He was Pro Bowl caliber when he had a good o-line and good receivers to throw the ball to. 

The Atlanta Falcons were at best up in down during the 1970s and early and mid 1980s, when they would have one good year or a decent year, followed by a really bad year or mediocre bad year. It's hard to play well when you're getting sacked all the time and your defense doesn't get stops. Which is what Steve Barkowski had to deal with in his 10 years in Atlanta.

As far as Atlanta Fulton Stadium: I think this is the worst of the multi-purpose stadiums that had grass. This is a stadium was good for baseball for the fans and the fans being really close to the action and it was really loud for Braves game. But especially early in the season with the cutup field for baseball and the fans being far away for football, it wasn't a good place for NFL football. 

NBC Sports: NFL 1981- Week 15- Bryant Gumbel Halftime Report

Source:NBC Sports- Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach John McKay. 

"1981-12-13 NFL 81 Halftime Report" 

From Classic Sports

To know that the 1980s was a different decade for the Pittsburgh Steelers than what the 1970s was, just look at their first two seasons where they missed the AFC Playoffs in both seasons. They did miss the playoffs in 1970 and 71, but it didn't get much better for the Steelers after 1981. They won the AFC Central in 1983 and 84, made it to the AFC Championship in 1984, but only made the playoffs one more time in the 1980s by making it to the playoffs during the last game of the 1989 season, thanks to a Cincinnati Bengals loss on Monday night, against the Minnesota Vikings.

New York Yankees TV: MLB 1978- Cleveland Indians @ New York Yankees: Highlights

Source:GI Bomber- New York Yankees announcer Bill White, interviewing Yankees 1B Chris Chambliss.

"1978 Regular season, Indians at Yankees, sept. 30th , 1978.

That was the next to last regular season game, with the Yankees holding a one game lead over the Red Sox in the AL East. On the next day, in the last game of the regular season, the Yankees lost against perennial "Yankee killer", Cleveland southpaw Rick Waits : in the meantime the Red Sox won against Toronto, forcing a memorable one game play off on Monday at Fenway Park (decided by the famous Bucky Dent HR).

Here is only the beginning of this game.... a long one. Nice to see great players in action." 

From GI Bomber

The Cleveland Indians actually playing in an important game in 1978. An opportunity to knock the New York Yankees out of the AL East divisional race. Playing the spoiler was about the best that the Indians could do in the 1970s. They were expected to finish last pretty much every year during that period, as well as the 1980s, even though they did have some real All Star talent like Buddy Bell, Andre Thornton, and a few other Indian players, especially in the 1980s.

ABC Sports: FBS 1978: Michigan Wolverines @ Columbus Buckeyes: Highlights

Source:ABC Sports- the 1978 version of the game in the Big 10 Conference.

"The final game of the ten year war.  Sadly, the cameras didn't catch Woody Hayes punching himself in the final minutes.  But at least they caught him punching the Clemson player in the Gator Bowl the next month.

Game played on November 25, 1978 in Columbus." 

From Wolverine Historian

If there is such a thing as a Super Bowl in division 1 college football, at least during the regular season, it's the Michigan Wolverines-Columbus Buckeyes (as I call them) game. Before conference championship games that didn't even start until the early 1990s, this was the closest thing that we had in American, division 1 college football. It seemed like every year during the 1970s, this game decided who would win the Big 10 Conference and play in the Rose Bowl that season.

ABC Sports: FBS 1978- Gator Bowl- Columbus Buckeyes vs Clemson Tigers: Full Game

Source:Tiger Ray- the 1978 Gator Bowl, from ABC Sports.

"1978 Gator Bowl - Clemson vs Ohio State" 

From Tiger Ray

Woody Hays last game as the Buckeyes head football coach. Was the fact that he was caught punching one of his players on the sidelines the reason why this was his last game, possibly. But Ohio State might have already had enough of Coach Hays and perhaps that was just the reason for Ohio State Athletics firing Woody and moving on without him.

NFL Network: 'Full Color Football: The Final Frontier'

Source:NFL Network- Full Color Football.

"Episode 5: "The Final Frontier" (original air date: 10/14/2009) profiles the league's final year, 1969, including the contentious debate on post-merger league realignment, Joe Namath's near-retirement, and innovations like the West Coast Offense and stack defense that found their origins in the AFL. With the respectability it long sought now secure, the league ends on a high note with Hank Stram's Kansas City Chiefs soundly defeating Minnesota in Super Bowl IV." 

From The AFL History

You want to know how the good the American Football League was: the NFL thought they had to merge with them because of this new competitor that they had, that was taking players away from them, that the NFL just missed, overlooked or were too bigoted to sign. And I'm talking about all of the African Americans that ended up playing in the AFL. 

You could've called the AFL short for the African Football League or the AAFL the African American Football League, because the AFL didn't care about race or color but were the best football players available. Something that a lot of NFL teams overlooked in the 1960s, the Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers being exceptions to this, as well as the Los Angeles Rams. The NFL knew they had to merge with the AFL or risk becoming the second best gridiron league in the world that risked losing markets and players to the new AFL.

Thats how successful the AFL was, if you were a talented football player in the NFL in the 1960s but were being overlooked because perhaps you came from a small college or were a little undersize, the AFL was a viable option for you because they would give you a look and a chance to be successful. The NFL perhaps had not other choice but to merge with the AFL and become the best gridiron league in the world, instead of having the two bests.

Sophia Loren: Boy On a Dolphin (1957)

Source:Bandit Boy- The Italian Goddess Sophia Loren in Boy On a Dolphin (1957)

“Italian Actress Sophia Loren – Boy On A Dolphin” 

From Bandit Boy 

Sophia baby, as gorgeous, sexy and adorable as ever.

This scene in Boy On a Dolphin, reminds me of the opening scene in Lady in Cement with Frank Sinatra that came out in 1968. Tony Rome (played by Frank) is on his boat just off the Florida coast in Miami and jumps in the water to go scuba diving and sees a young blonde woman who is lifeless with her eyes opening at the bottom of the ocean. Actually, the only thing that that scene from Lady in Cement and this scene with Sophia Loren, have in common is that you have a young hot sexy women, wearing almost nothing and jumping in the water.

Lady in Cement is a very good and funny movie and it also features Raquel Welch, (worth the price of admission) Boy on a Dolphin minus Sophia doesn’t look like a very good movie. “A sponge diver on a sunken ship filled with artifacts, including a priceless ancient gold statue of a boy on a dolphin.”

You can see how the movie got its name and sure who doesn’t want to watch Sophia Loren in a bikini in the water. (Well, what straight man anyway) But that movie has been made before. And I think Sophia would be the only reason to see this movie. 

You can also see this post on WordPress. 

You can also see this post at The FreeState, on WordPress.

You can also see this post at The FreeState, on Blogger.

Washington Examiner: 'UMD Announces Move To Big Ten Conference'

Source:Washington Examiner- UMD officials talking about moving from the ACC to Big 10.

"UMD Announces Move To Big Ten Conference" 

From the Washington Examiner

I don't like this move because the ACC was a perfect home for them and the Big Ten is a Midwest conference. And you'll see a lot of great Southeast rivalries that Maryland has going away.

NBC Sports: FBS 1975- Orange Bowl- Oklahoma Sooners vs Michigan Wolverines: Full Game

Source:NBC Sports- this photo is from NBC Sports.

"1976 Orange Bowl Michigan vs Oklahoma 1 1 1976" 

From Virgil Moody

Classic matchup between two of the most historic programs in college football. If you like the passing game and watching strong arm QB's drop back and throwing the ball to great receivers, with great speed and hands, you are watching the wrong game. Both the Sooners and Wolverines would've run the ball 100% of the time, if they thought they could do it and no one could stop their running games. Both Barry Switzer and Bo Schembechler were very conservative as offensive head coaches, especially Switzer who had the triple option, wishbone running game.

NFL Films: 'Lost Treasures of NFL Films-'The Renegades of the AFL'

Source:NFL Films- Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Bill Shaw, being interviewed for this film.

"This video is a telecast, broadcast, and production of NFL Films. I claim no ownership of this material, and do not profit from it in anyway. This video is intended for historical and educational viewing purposes." 

From Grey Beard

The AFL only helped the NFL because it made them a better league and showed them that there are a lot more then just 14-16 markets in the country that could support major league, pro football. And that there were a lot more major league caliber players out there, that the AFL brought in, especially African- American players and players from small towns and small colleges that were even at one point on an NFL team, but later being cut and being picked up by the AFL.

But with most independent, renegade, startups, that are trying to be the alternative to whatever the established product or organization, the early days of the startup are going to be rough. The National Football League wasn't considered to be a major sports league, until the late 1950s with the two NFL Championships that were played between the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants. The NFL was almost 40 years old at that point. But the AFL was definitely a success because now it's the American Football Conference that's part of the NFL, thanks to the 1970 NFL-AFL merger.

CNN: Dr. Cornel West- 'President Barack Obama is a Black Puppet'

Source:CNN- Princeton Professor and 21st Century Black Panther Cornel West.

"Princeton professor, Dr. Cornell West explains some of his recent criticism of President Obama. Lisa Sylvester reports."

Source:CNN

It's statements like this that make it hard for serious Democrats such as myself to name someone and others to take so-called Progressives, ( if you want to call Cornel West that. Marxist-Communists-Socialist Bastard, would be more accurate) even though he's so far-left and irresponsible at times with statements like this, Progressive might not be the right word for him. Perhaps political entertainers, or satirist, escaped mental patient, drug addict, these are the right terms for people that you shouldn't take seriously. That if they tell you its's sunny in Miami, Florida even in the summer, you might want to see a Miami weather report first before you take that seriously.

Dr. West seems to have this idea that unless African-Americans are either as far to the left and as socialist as him or they aren't even really as African-American as him. Even if their complexion is darker than Dr. West's, which is crazy. 

The African-American community is not monolithic politically. You have the Cornel West's and other Democratic Socialists of the world, Representative Maxine Waters would be another and than you have leftists like Reverend Jesse Jackson, Representative John Lewis and others who share Dr. West's political goals, but are more careful with what they say politically and can speak to a broader audience.

Cornel West is not a problem solver but a movement mover, more interested in keeping a movement alive rather than advancing the cause of the movement with real policy achievements and problem- solving policies. I sort of hate to put it this way, but Dr. West is sort of like like the Jesse Helms of the left and even far-left, someone more interested in advancing a cause and keeping a movement alive, rather than having policy achievements and objectives they can point to.