My comment wasn’t as much a rebuttal of your post as much as it was just a comment about the topic in general.
Every time someone brings up Paterno on this board there is always a comment about the things he let go at Penn St. Yet when someone brings up the stuff Osborne let happen at Nebraska, there is always an excuse or rationalization.
Sorry if I wasn’t clear. It was getting late when I responded.
If this is TLDR, so be it, some of my detractors won't like it because its another long ass diatribe.
I know as my son and I have travelled around the country, when we mention the Huskers, TO always has that Lawrence incidence on his neck like a yoke. Lawrence was a fantastic talent, and his upbringing
was a recipe for disaster. Tom's decisions on those types were
not to be defended by either my son or I.
As a fan, I loved the Husker success but always knew where that edge came from, just like when NU was roiding royally for so many years in the 80's and beyond. It's a shame Tom succumed to the pressures of winning big.
But, nationally Tom is not held in such high regard, having talked to so many people from different areas.
FWIW.
I started coaching baseball in 1972, when I was 18, and then later when my son was born and grew to about 10 years old I said we will go as far as your natural talent will take you, but we are NEVER gonna cheat. He became a 3 time national champion in full contact karate in Little Rock, Ark. He competed in national and world championships in 2 different sports. He won the state 100 and 200 meter dash, and 31 years later, still holds the state shotput record for the <15 age group when he broke Scott Frost's shot put record.
At 13 he threw a no-hitter in the national semi-final game in Ohio, hopped on a plane and he and my wife flew to Dallas to join the US National team and spent 3 weeks taking on good 17--18 year old Legion teams from Dallas to California, prior to heading to Mexico. At age 13 he threw the gold medal game in the world championships in Mazatlan, Mexico.
The next year in Londrina, Brazil he started the gold medal game on the mound and Jayson Werth was his catcher.
He also led Nebraska Legion teams in home runs at age 17 before he went to play baseball the next year in Virginia Beach, Va. He performed in 38 states and 9 foreign countries. I had the privilege of working under the Soviet Union Olympic sprint coach when he moved to San Franciso to train world class sprinters as well as my son, I was associated with him for 11 years prior to his passing.
At 14 and 5'11" he was dunking in league games. When it was implied to him by MLB scouts during Legion ball that he would need to get "a little bigger", i.e. take steroids, he told them that he and I have made a pact and that will never happen. I did what most dads wouldn't do and with my prior endorsement, he took himself out of consideration of playing beyond the 4 years he started in D1 baseball. My son and I talk daily, few dad's will ever have a better relationship. I started the fires and we walked through those fires together.
I did things the unconventional way and I rub a lot of people in here the wrong way, but I'm not just some fcvking Johnny Come Lately to all things athletic. I know talent and I know coaching talent.
The thing none of us can ever know, unless we know someone intimately, is their true character.
Admittedly, I'm a crusty old sonofabitch, more than a bit egotistical, but I've seen and done a lot in 70+ years.
I was a 16 year old high school dropout who chose to become self educated and challenge the unthinkable.
I take a little bit of shit from people that I respect, and you Tuco, happen to be one of them. Your views are to be respected for thoughtful content and consideration. You elevate the board. If I disagree, I remain a fan.
Not only do I accept your apology, I offer you one as well for being testy last night.
(You and I should just quit posting after 11p.m.?) LOL
If you stayed this long, I appreciate your indulgence. Peace out.
