BY JIMMIE McDOWELL
PRINCETON----It was good to be back in Princeton for the salute to All-Americans Dick Kazmaier and Bill Bradley and the Harvard-Princeton football game this past weekend.
Bradley , who became a United States Senator after his Rhodes Scholarship and Old Nassau glory years, and Kazmaier, the 1951 Heisman Trophy winner, both wore jersey number 42. That number is being retired in honor of this legendary pair.
We attended the Friday night Dinner with a fine group of Princeton friends in beautiful and historic Jadwin Gym. Video presentation of both stars added to the evening. Kazmaier, a native of Maumee, Ohio, was a single wing tailback for Hall of Fame Coach Charlie Caldwell. Kaz chose to to to Harvard Business School rather than accept an offer from the Chicago Bears. Bradley, who also played Baseball one year at Princeton, was also a Mid-Westerner. He was a star for the New York Knicks after his Rhodes Scholarship days.
Bradley also ran for President of the United States as a Democrat, losing to Al Gore. What an outstanding President Bill Bradley would have been.
I am proud to be a member of the Princeton Football Association.
It was good to see All-American Fullback Cosmo Iacavazzi again. I covered Cosmo and Dick Colman's unbeaten and untied Tigers , as well as Bradley as the Executive Sports Editor-Columnist of the Trenton Times. Cosmo and teammate3 Stanislaus Malazewski, an All-American as well were prize recruits for the Tigers. How Notre Dame missed out on two lads named Iacavazzi and Malazewski I will never know. I do know that Zygmont Pierre Czarobski would have welcomed both with open arms.
Ziggy and George Connor are both in the College Football Hall of Fame. So are Kazmaier and Iacavazzi. And Stas Maliszewski belongs as does another Princetonian, Frank McPhee, a two-time All-American end. His cousin famed Pulitzer author John McPhee introduced Bradley and Kamaier at the Dinner.
The Harvard-Princeton game was much enjoyed with the Crimson coming from behind to win. I first covered Princeton football in 1962 with the Trenton Times after the Jackson State Times was bought and closed by the Hederman Family which owned the Clarion-Ledger and Jackson Daily News.
I had been invited to help launch the Houston Colt 45's baseball team in the National League expansion which also included the New York Mets. I had covered Spring Training and the World Series during my Mississippi newspaper days. Former Mississippi College star Harry (Popeye) Craft was the first Manager of the Houston team. I was involved in the Colt's first Good Will Caravan, so after covering the Cotton Bowl between Texas and Ole Miss the paper closed and I called Houston and went to work there.
After the Caravan made the rounds with spring training beginning to start I got the call from Trenton to come East and cover the Yankees and the Mets and the Phillies and the Giants and the Eagles. I did not hesitate to accept the offer and said Farewell to Houston.
Princeton has always been on of my favorite cities. I had thought about relocating the All-American Football Foundation in Princeton, who had played Rutgers in College Football's First Game. The National Football Foundation was launched in Rutgers and I worked there for eight years before the Foundation relocated in New York City.
Even when I worked in New Brunswick I lived in Princeton, which is as beautiful a City as I have ever seen. Princeton was also close to those Great Trenton Italian Restaurants: Lou Crecco's, the Homestead Inn, Johnny Boston's Tony Kall' s , DeLorenzo's, Rossi's and the like.
New Jersey is my second home. It is always a pleasure to visit. We have scheduled the AAFF Banquet of Champions in Princeton March 9.
Invitation this week received from the Heisman Trophy Director Rob Whalen to attend this year's Dinner Dec. 13-14-15, which I first attended in 1962. I have not missed any since so this will be my 46th Heisman Dinner. I continued to be the Heisman's Southern Regional Representative succeeding my good friend, the late Fred Russell of Nashville, who was also the Chairman of the NFFHF Honors Court.
Now the homestretch for this year's College Bowl Games and Champions begin. attending the Reunion of the great 1952 and 1953 Mississippi Southern Giant Killers on Friday followed by the dedication of the John Vaught statue and Ole Miss-Auburn game Saturday.
---30-----
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Gene Hickerson Passes Away
By Jimmie McDOWELL
Gene Hickerson was the second Ole Miss football player named to the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame. He should have been the third. Charlie Conerly, the New York Giants field general for 14 years, still has not been enshrined in Canton, Ohio. Bruiser Kinard was the Rebels' first Pro Football Hall of Famer, just as he was the first Ole Miss man to win All-America acclaim.
Hickerson died at the age of 73, a victim of Alzheimer. He developed pneumonia and it was only a matter of time before he drew his last breath. Hickerson was called the best offensive lineman to ever play the game by the man he led interference for, the great Jim Brown. When Gene was inducted into the Pro Hall of Fame, Jim Brown pushed his wheel car to the podium.
Hickerson was one of Thomas King Swayze's prize recruits. Tom and Junie Hovious, noted bird dog fans, wanted to go to Grand Junction for the Bird Dog trials and by intermingling a football recruiting trip they did not have to pay mileage.
They knew of a hefty lad in Tiptonville, Tn. and dropped by his house to check him out. His Father was in the yard when they drove up to the house. They introduced themselves and asked Mr. Hickerson if his son was home. He said he was and called the lad out of the house. Out walked a king sized youngster with his shirt off. They saw all they needed to see and offered Gene Hickerson an Ole Miss football scholarship which he accepted.
Hickerson became a part of Johnny Vaught's Glory Years. So did Jackie Simpson, Gene's pal. One morning the police chief Burns Tatum called Vaught and said this time Simpson and Hickerson had gone to far and Vaught would have to let them go. Vaught asked Chief Tatum how long has he been the Chief of Police and Burns Tatum said proudly "25 years, John." Vaught replied that :"we sure are going to miss you."
Burns Tatum said that on second thought every boy needed a second chance. What Burns Tatum wanted was a second chance with John Howard Vaught.
Hickerson was co-captain of the 1957 Rebels. He helped lead Ole Miss to the 1955 SEC title followed by a victory for Ole Miss over Vaught's TCU Alma Mater in the Cotton Bowl followed by a 39-7 triumph over the University of Texas in the Sugar Bowl. Ole Miss was 10-1, 7-3 and 9-1-1 during Hickerson's time at Ole Miss Gene Hickerson was named to the all-time Sugar Bowl team and the Ole Miss Team of the Century.
He was inducted into the Mississippi Sport s Hall of Fame in 1979 and the Ole Miss Sport's Hall of Fame in 1988.
It was my pleasure to cover the Rebels during that time as Sports Editor of the Jackson Daily News and the Jackson State Times.
Hickerson was six-three and 235 and cat quick. Jim Brown said he was the best down field blocker of all time blocking for Brown, Leroy Kelly and Bobby Mitchell. for the Cleveland Browns. Gene's teammate at Ole Miss and Cleveland Johnny Brewer is battling Lou Gehrig's disease and another former teammate Larry Grantham is fighting Cancer--three of Ole Miss' best ever.
Charlie Conerly, meanwhile, should get a stronger looker by the NFL Veterans Committee. In the famed Giants-Baltimore "Best Game" which made Pro Football what it is today Conerly had been voted the game's MVP as the Giants went into the fourth quarter with a lead. The Colts kicked a late field goal to tie the game and send the contest into overtime. Baltimore won the game on Allen Ameche's TD run. The scribes voted again and Johnny Unitas was elected the MVP. Johnny has been in the Pro Football Hall of Fame a long time. Conerly is still on the outside looking in.
Conerly, the World War II Marine who fought in the South Pacific , was to New York in Football what Joe DiMaggio was to Baseball in Gotham. Wellington Mara, the Giants President, had been asked what was his favorite jersey number. "42" , Conerly's number, Wellington "Duke" Mara replied. He wanted to see Charlie's widow, Perian, accept Charlie's Pro Football Hall of Fame plaque in Canton, Ohio. He told me so before he passed away a couple of years ago.
Duke Mara's son, John, now the President of the Giants, feels the same way.
----30-----
Gene Hickerson was the second Ole Miss football player named to the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame. He should have been the third. Charlie Conerly, the New York Giants field general for 14 years, still has not been enshrined in Canton, Ohio. Bruiser Kinard was the Rebels' first Pro Football Hall of Famer, just as he was the first Ole Miss man to win All-America acclaim.
Hickerson died at the age of 73, a victim of Alzheimer. He developed pneumonia and it was only a matter of time before he drew his last breath. Hickerson was called the best offensive lineman to ever play the game by the man he led interference for, the great Jim Brown. When Gene was inducted into the Pro Hall of Fame, Jim Brown pushed his wheel car to the podium.
Hickerson was one of Thomas King Swayze's prize recruits. Tom and Junie Hovious, noted bird dog fans, wanted to go to Grand Junction for the Bird Dog trials and by intermingling a football recruiting trip they did not have to pay mileage.
They knew of a hefty lad in Tiptonville, Tn. and dropped by his house to check him out. His Father was in the yard when they drove up to the house. They introduced themselves and asked Mr. Hickerson if his son was home. He said he was and called the lad out of the house. Out walked a king sized youngster with his shirt off. They saw all they needed to see and offered Gene Hickerson an Ole Miss football scholarship which he accepted.
Hickerson became a part of Johnny Vaught's Glory Years. So did Jackie Simpson, Gene's pal. One morning the police chief Burns Tatum called Vaught and said this time Simpson and Hickerson had gone to far and Vaught would have to let them go. Vaught asked Chief Tatum how long has he been the Chief of Police and Burns Tatum said proudly "25 years, John." Vaught replied that :"we sure are going to miss you."
Burns Tatum said that on second thought every boy needed a second chance. What Burns Tatum wanted was a second chance with John Howard Vaught.
Hickerson was co-captain of the 1957 Rebels. He helped lead Ole Miss to the 1955 SEC title followed by a victory for Ole Miss over Vaught's TCU Alma Mater in the Cotton Bowl followed by a 39-7 triumph over the University of Texas in the Sugar Bowl. Ole Miss was 10-1, 7-3 and 9-1-1 during Hickerson's time at Ole Miss Gene Hickerson was named to the all-time Sugar Bowl team and the Ole Miss Team of the Century.
He was inducted into the Mississippi Sport s Hall of Fame in 1979 and the Ole Miss Sport's Hall of Fame in 1988.
It was my pleasure to cover the Rebels during that time as Sports Editor of the Jackson Daily News and the Jackson State Times.
Hickerson was six-three and 235 and cat quick. Jim Brown said he was the best down field blocker of all time blocking for Brown, Leroy Kelly and Bobby Mitchell. for the Cleveland Browns. Gene's teammate at Ole Miss and Cleveland Johnny Brewer is battling Lou Gehrig's disease and another former teammate Larry Grantham is fighting Cancer--three of Ole Miss' best ever.
Charlie Conerly, meanwhile, should get a stronger looker by the NFL Veterans Committee. In the famed Giants-Baltimore "Best Game" which made Pro Football what it is today Conerly had been voted the game's MVP as the Giants went into the fourth quarter with a lead. The Colts kicked a late field goal to tie the game and send the contest into overtime. Baltimore won the game on Allen Ameche's TD run. The scribes voted again and Johnny Unitas was elected the MVP. Johnny has been in the Pro Football Hall of Fame a long time. Conerly is still on the outside looking in.
Conerly, the World War II Marine who fought in the South Pacific , was to New York in Football what Joe DiMaggio was to Baseball in Gotham. Wellington Mara, the Giants President, had been asked what was his favorite jersey number. "42" , Conerly's number, Wellington "Duke" Mara replied. He wanted to see Charlie's widow, Perian, accept Charlie's Pro Football Hall of Fame plaque in Canton, Ohio. He told me so before he passed away a couple of years ago.
Duke Mara's son, John, now the President of the Giants, feels the same way.
----30-----
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Right Place at the Right Time
BY JIMMIE McDOWELL
Hattiesburg---Boise State , unbeaten and untied, and nationally ranked, gave Southern Mississippi a severe spanking before a home crowd estimated at over 30,000, to continue its bid for another Bowl game. Hopes for a post-season appearance by the Golden Eagles dimmed to the chagrin of the Black and Gold.
Meanwhile Mississippi State's win over previously unbeaten Vanderbilt sets the stage for a fine finish for the Bulldogs, a repeat, perhaps, of 2007.
Enjoying an open date Ole Miss has perfect Alabama right where it wants to--a possible repeat of a road victory in Tuscaloosa matching the shocking route of Florida in Gainesville. The Rebels chances of beating LSU in Baton Rouge also looks much better after the Bayou Bengal Tigers were battered by the Florida Gators.
Ole Miss invades Arkansas as well and the Porkers are feeling better after socking Auburn on the Plains, giving Bobby Patrino his best win since he replaced Houston Nutt in Fayetteville.
Ole Miss and State have to finish with a flourish to get into the Bowl picture and it could boil down to the Thanksgiving finale at Vaught Hemingway Stadium for either team.
Southern meanwhile hits the road to play Rice after three straight losses. Jeff Bower led USM to ten bowl trips in 11 years and then was relieved of his duties. If Bower wants to coach again I think he will get that opportunity after this season ends at another school who has to be impressed by his over-all record.
The 1958 perfect record national champion team will celebrate its 50th anniversary this fall. Members of that team had an enjoyable gathering at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame earlier this month to discuss the Reunion. Despite the loss of star running back Bo Dickenson who turned pro after his junior season hurt but George Sekul, J.C. Arban, Richard Johnson, and others took up the slack and Pie Vann and his staff masterminded one of their best coaching jobs ever.
As a Jackson Sports Editor I suggested that two perfect record teams should play in the Sugar Bowl, LSU and Mississippi Southern. Pepsodent Paul Dietzel was not interested in his Baoy Bengal Tigers playing the Southerners. There were not as many bowl games then as now so rather than go back to the Tangerine Bowl the 1958 Black and Gold decided if it could not play LSU they would stay home--and did.,
The 1958 team compares with the 1953 Giant Killers which beat SEC powers Alabama and Georgia quarterbacked by Bart Starr and Zeke Bratkowski. The 1953 Black and Gold suffered a Halloween night setback to Spook Murphy's Tigers. There were even fewer bowl games then and the 1953 team felt it should play at least in the Gator Bowl, but were not invited. The only invitation came from the Sun Bowl in El Paso where they had played the previous year and lost to College of the Pacific.
The 1953 team chose not to go to El Paso in a meeting with Athletic Reed Green and Coach Vann. Green asked me to talk to the team. I told him I would but only if the players and I were in the room. I told the team that we had beaten Alabama and should be playing Rice in the Cotton Bowl, but Alabama, the SEC champion, was invited instead.
I told them the only invitation we received was a return trip to El Paso and you older players know you did not play up to expectations and could go back and make up for this poor showing. Then I looked the freshmen on the team in the eye and said: " You boys who have never been to Juarez and saw those Senoritas, well, boys, you have not lived yet"
The vote was unanimous to return to El Paso. I wanted to go back as well as a single, ex-navy gunner.
---30-----
Hattiesburg---Boise State , unbeaten and untied, and nationally ranked, gave Southern Mississippi a severe spanking before a home crowd estimated at over 30,000, to continue its bid for another Bowl game. Hopes for a post-season appearance by the Golden Eagles dimmed to the chagrin of the Black and Gold.
Meanwhile Mississippi State's win over previously unbeaten Vanderbilt sets the stage for a fine finish for the Bulldogs, a repeat, perhaps, of 2007.
Enjoying an open date Ole Miss has perfect Alabama right where it wants to--a possible repeat of a road victory in Tuscaloosa matching the shocking route of Florida in Gainesville. The Rebels chances of beating LSU in Baton Rouge also looks much better after the Bayou Bengal Tigers were battered by the Florida Gators.
Ole Miss invades Arkansas as well and the Porkers are feeling better after socking Auburn on the Plains, giving Bobby Patrino his best win since he replaced Houston Nutt in Fayetteville.
Ole Miss and State have to finish with a flourish to get into the Bowl picture and it could boil down to the Thanksgiving finale at Vaught Hemingway Stadium for either team.
Southern meanwhile hits the road to play Rice after three straight losses. Jeff Bower led USM to ten bowl trips in 11 years and then was relieved of his duties. If Bower wants to coach again I think he will get that opportunity after this season ends at another school who has to be impressed by his over-all record.
The 1958 perfect record national champion team will celebrate its 50th anniversary this fall. Members of that team had an enjoyable gathering at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame earlier this month to discuss the Reunion. Despite the loss of star running back Bo Dickenson who turned pro after his junior season hurt but George Sekul, J.C. Arban, Richard Johnson, and others took up the slack and Pie Vann and his staff masterminded one of their best coaching jobs ever.
As a Jackson Sports Editor I suggested that two perfect record teams should play in the Sugar Bowl, LSU and Mississippi Southern. Pepsodent Paul Dietzel was not interested in his Baoy Bengal Tigers playing the Southerners. There were not as many bowl games then as now so rather than go back to the Tangerine Bowl the 1958 Black and Gold decided if it could not play LSU they would stay home--and did.,
The 1958 team compares with the 1953 Giant Killers which beat SEC powers Alabama and Georgia quarterbacked by Bart Starr and Zeke Bratkowski. The 1953 Black and Gold suffered a Halloween night setback to Spook Murphy's Tigers. There were even fewer bowl games then and the 1953 team felt it should play at least in the Gator Bowl, but were not invited. The only invitation came from the Sun Bowl in El Paso where they had played the previous year and lost to College of the Pacific.
The 1953 team chose not to go to El Paso in a meeting with Athletic Reed Green and Coach Vann. Green asked me to talk to the team. I told him I would but only if the players and I were in the room. I told the team that we had beaten Alabama and should be playing Rice in the Cotton Bowl, but Alabama, the SEC champion, was invited instead.
I told them the only invitation we received was a return trip to El Paso and you older players know you did not play up to expectations and could go back and make up for this poor showing. Then I looked the freshmen on the team in the eye and said: " You boys who have never been to Juarez and saw those Senoritas, well, boys, you have not lived yet"
The vote was unanimous to return to El Paso. I wanted to go back as well as a single, ex-navy gunner.
---30-----
Monday, October 6, 2008
Second Half of Season Begins
BY Jimmie McDowell
When Vanderbilt kayoed Auburn with an impressive come-from-behind victory a week after Ole Miss shocked the University of Florida it was apparent that Southeastern Conference teams could eliminate one another for the national title in 2008.
Florida now will try to hand LSU its first loss. Mississippi State will seek to do the same with Vanderbilt in Starkville. Ole Miss will rest a week to get ready for Alabama which was pushed to the wire by Kentucky. Arkansas continues to lose decisively and maybe it was a blessing for Houston Nutt to get out of Fayetteville.
Ole Miss could be 5-0. They just might give Alabama a surprise in Tuscaloosa in two weeks.
The Rebels can still go bowling even if they lose to the Crimson Tide. Wins over Auburn, Arkansas, US-Monroe and Mississippi State may not be impossible. Playing LSU in Baton Rouge maybe the toughest game after Alabama.
Mal Moore, Bama's outstanding Athletic Director addressed the Jackson Touchdown Club as the Tide enjoyed an Open Date. One question he answered was that the home team gets all of the money in SEC games involved. In the old days you would pay a guarantee to the visiting team. So it is important that teams play seven home games which is easier in today's 12-game schedule.
Moore cited that Alabama enjoys playing at a neutral stadium like Atlanta or Jacksonville and would like to play in Dallas in the Cowboys new stadium in the future. Too bad that Jackson could not get games as they used to do in the good ole days.
The Southern Mississippi-Georgia game drew a standing room only crowd in the 25 ,000 Jackson Memorial Stadium, resulting in a major expansion to over 40,000. Southern guaranteed Georgia $25,000 to come to Jackson. Football Coach Wally Butts, also the Georgia Athletic Director, later said that Georgia 's Athletic Director made a bad decision for Football Coach Wally Butts in agreeing to play Pie Vann's Giant Killers in 1953.
I enjoyed the trip to Oxford for the Vanderbilt game with good ole Bill Lee, Mack Cameron and his bride, Chrissy, Billy Beard and Amy Straus, who was still sorry her Florida Gators lost to the Red and Blue. Also enjoyed the famed Tail Gate which featured Ed Wilburn Hooker, Kent Jr. Lovelace, Dr.l Shed Roberson, Holcome Hector, Warner Alford, and Charlie Flowers. Beaux Ball was not there, vacationing in South America of all places.
The Johnny Vaught statue will be dedicated three hours or so before the Auburn kickoff. Time of game has not as yet been announced as we pen this column. Richard Price and Bouncer Robertson are co-chairman of this fund-raising event for their old coach.
We plan to see the Southern Mississippi-Boise State game in Hattiesburg. The 1958 unbeaten and untied Southern team was saluted at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. They will get together for their 50th reunion this season as will the Giant Killing 1953 Black and Gold eleven.
Bowl scouts will be watching closely as the second half of the campaign begins.
---30-----
When Vanderbilt kayoed Auburn with an impressive come-from-behind victory a week after Ole Miss shocked the University of Florida it was apparent that Southeastern Conference teams could eliminate one another for the national title in 2008.
Florida now will try to hand LSU its first loss. Mississippi State will seek to do the same with Vanderbilt in Starkville. Ole Miss will rest a week to get ready for Alabama which was pushed to the wire by Kentucky. Arkansas continues to lose decisively and maybe it was a blessing for Houston Nutt to get out of Fayetteville.
Ole Miss could be 5-0. They just might give Alabama a surprise in Tuscaloosa in two weeks.
The Rebels can still go bowling even if they lose to the Crimson Tide. Wins over Auburn, Arkansas, US-Monroe and Mississippi State may not be impossible. Playing LSU in Baton Rouge maybe the toughest game after Alabama.
Mal Moore, Bama's outstanding Athletic Director addressed the Jackson Touchdown Club as the Tide enjoyed an Open Date. One question he answered was that the home team gets all of the money in SEC games involved. In the old days you would pay a guarantee to the visiting team. So it is important that teams play seven home games which is easier in today's 12-game schedule.
Moore cited that Alabama enjoys playing at a neutral stadium like Atlanta or Jacksonville and would like to play in Dallas in the Cowboys new stadium in the future. Too bad that Jackson could not get games as they used to do in the good ole days.
The Southern Mississippi-Georgia game drew a standing room only crowd in the 25 ,000 Jackson Memorial Stadium, resulting in a major expansion to over 40,000. Southern guaranteed Georgia $25,000 to come to Jackson. Football Coach Wally Butts, also the Georgia Athletic Director, later said that Georgia 's Athletic Director made a bad decision for Football Coach Wally Butts in agreeing to play Pie Vann's Giant Killers in 1953.
I enjoyed the trip to Oxford for the Vanderbilt game with good ole Bill Lee, Mack Cameron and his bride, Chrissy, Billy Beard and Amy Straus, who was still sorry her Florida Gators lost to the Red and Blue. Also enjoyed the famed Tail Gate which featured Ed Wilburn Hooker, Kent Jr. Lovelace, Dr.l Shed Roberson, Holcome Hector, Warner Alford, and Charlie Flowers. Beaux Ball was not there, vacationing in South America of all places.
The Johnny Vaught statue will be dedicated three hours or so before the Auburn kickoff. Time of game has not as yet been announced as we pen this column. Richard Price and Bouncer Robertson are co-chairman of this fund-raising event for their old coach.
We plan to see the Southern Mississippi-Boise State game in Hattiesburg. The 1958 unbeaten and untied Southern team was saluted at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. They will get together for their 50th reunion this season as will the Giant Killing 1953 Black and Gold eleven.
Bowl scouts will be watching closely as the second half of the campaign begins.
---30-----
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)