With the morning start never got around to sharing anything from the tailgate and game. Just a few things you all might find interesting.
KJSr. did not make it to the Minnesota game as he had planned. He came down sick. So he still has not ever seen a game at Memorial Stadium. He did say he definitely would be attending whatever bowl game Nebraska plays in. Oh, by the way, is he ever looking the part at the tailgate and game! Earlier in the year he was wearing USC gear. Last two or three weeks he's been full out donning the Husker gear.
Johnny Wilson is the freshman WR that Nebraska just offered. I tweeted during pregame he saw me in the stands and threw the bones with a head nod. Nebraska, GBR, Calibraska are all still in the very hot, very cool category there at Calabasas. Anyway, he's already a pretty tall kid -- 6'3" I would guess, maybe more. Still growing. Kid is deceptively good already. Not fast but long strider, seems to get open, and catches everything. Surprisingly good hands for just a freshman. Boy, you hope Nebraska can impress early. Funny, his girlfriend found me after the game, introduced herself, then said she wants him to go to UCLA. Ah, children.
As for Johnny himself, we met after the game (at his request) and chatted a few minutes. That's when I noticed how tall (and slender) is he and already has big hands. I told him how much I enjoyed his grandfather and how blessed he is to have someone like that. This grandfather is great. He drives Johnny an hour drive daily both to and from school just so Johnny can play football at Calabasas. He sleeps in the car every morning. Great guy the grandfather. He's all over Johnny about getting good grades, particularly now that these football offers are coming his way. Grandpa is on Johnny about not letting his new girlfriend mess things up academically. Told me Johnny is a smart kid, good student, got all A's and one B first quarter.
There were a couple other Nebraska fans in town and at the game so I introduced myself and introduced them to Tristan's dad Rich. It was fun to hear the mutual love affair with Nebraska. Rich gushed about the spring game -- even more than game day I think I heard him say. It was because of the Nebraska people -- the fans. He was simply blown away by the friendliness and generosity and warmth and welcome they received. They will be back for the spring game in April, by the way.
One cool thing Rich shared was the impact of Coach Riley. One of the things -- maybe the big thing -- that really sold him was that Coach Riley brought in his wife (might have been when they were in Lincoln -- didn't get all of that). Coach Riley and his wife together talking with the family and the recruit was something that really impressed them and made the decision easy.
Something that has been fun is after the game, Jeanette and I always go down on the field to congratulate the kids. We now have quite a few who come to us -- Jeanette has made friends with several parents of players and I guess by tweeting the video highlights I have quite innocently become a bit of a hit with the players (Darnay messaged me, "You get the punt return?"). Anyway, this was really cool. Tristan spotted us and came to us with genuine kindness and appreciation, thanking us for coming and supporting them each week. Gave Jeanette a heartfelt hug. We chatted for a minute or so -- small talk mainly. Asked him if he watched the MN game and he replied smiling, "Of course" and then talked a little about the game and Tommy. He talks with Coach Langsdorf so he was already tuned in to what to expect today. Said he has four more games (he hopes) before arriving in Lincoln the 2nd week in January. He said he can't wait to get to work.
Here's the cool thing. Talking with his dad, we talked again about how hard a working Tristan is. "Nobody will every outwork him," he told me. He's a film room junkie, he'll work out in the weight room. I'm thinking how important this is going to be since leadership is so much about setting an example. Of all the things we know about Tristan, his mind, focus, and leadership may be the most important characteristics. Really encouraging.
Well, that's all I can think of right now. If I think of anything else I'll add later.
KJSr. did not make it to the Minnesota game as he had planned. He came down sick. So he still has not ever seen a game at Memorial Stadium. He did say he definitely would be attending whatever bowl game Nebraska plays in. Oh, by the way, is he ever looking the part at the tailgate and game! Earlier in the year he was wearing USC gear. Last two or three weeks he's been full out donning the Husker gear.
Johnny Wilson is the freshman WR that Nebraska just offered. I tweeted during pregame he saw me in the stands and threw the bones with a head nod. Nebraska, GBR, Calibraska are all still in the very hot, very cool category there at Calabasas. Anyway, he's already a pretty tall kid -- 6'3" I would guess, maybe more. Still growing. Kid is deceptively good already. Not fast but long strider, seems to get open, and catches everything. Surprisingly good hands for just a freshman. Boy, you hope Nebraska can impress early. Funny, his girlfriend found me after the game, introduced herself, then said she wants him to go to UCLA. Ah, children.
As for Johnny himself, we met after the game (at his request) and chatted a few minutes. That's when I noticed how tall (and slender) is he and already has big hands. I told him how much I enjoyed his grandfather and how blessed he is to have someone like that. This grandfather is great. He drives Johnny an hour drive daily both to and from school just so Johnny can play football at Calabasas. He sleeps in the car every morning. Great guy the grandfather. He's all over Johnny about getting good grades, particularly now that these football offers are coming his way. Grandpa is on Johnny about not letting his new girlfriend mess things up academically. Told me Johnny is a smart kid, good student, got all A's and one B first quarter.
There were a couple other Nebraska fans in town and at the game so I introduced myself and introduced them to Tristan's dad Rich. It was fun to hear the mutual love affair with Nebraska. Rich gushed about the spring game -- even more than game day I think I heard him say. It was because of the Nebraska people -- the fans. He was simply blown away by the friendliness and generosity and warmth and welcome they received. They will be back for the spring game in April, by the way.
One cool thing Rich shared was the impact of Coach Riley. One of the things -- maybe the big thing -- that really sold him was that Coach Riley brought in his wife (might have been when they were in Lincoln -- didn't get all of that). Coach Riley and his wife together talking with the family and the recruit was something that really impressed them and made the decision easy.
Something that has been fun is after the game, Jeanette and I always go down on the field to congratulate the kids. We now have quite a few who come to us -- Jeanette has made friends with several parents of players and I guess by tweeting the video highlights I have quite innocently become a bit of a hit with the players (Darnay messaged me, "You get the punt return?"). Anyway, this was really cool. Tristan spotted us and came to us with genuine kindness and appreciation, thanking us for coming and supporting them each week. Gave Jeanette a heartfelt hug. We chatted for a minute or so -- small talk mainly. Asked him if he watched the MN game and he replied smiling, "Of course" and then talked a little about the game and Tommy. He talks with Coach Langsdorf so he was already tuned in to what to expect today. Said he has four more games (he hopes) before arriving in Lincoln the 2nd week in January. He said he can't wait to get to work.
Here's the cool thing. Talking with his dad, we talked again about how hard a working Tristan is. "Nobody will every outwork him," he told me. He's a film room junkie, he'll work out in the weight room. I'm thinking how important this is going to be since leadership is so much about setting an example. Of all the things we know about Tristan, his mind, focus, and leadership may be the most important characteristics. Really encouraging.
Well, that's all I can think of right now. If I think of anything else I'll add later.
