Football Paradise

In Texas, football is king.
But, in Florida, it's something more.
When you hear about the constant stream of blue-chippers coming out of Florida every year that surpasses Texas, it's somewhat confusing when you consider the sheer size of the Lone Star State.
But, all you have to do is go to an Optimist Football League practice to see the difference.
I won't ruin it here -- because I plan to use it for my next column -- but there's something to the weather and the level of instruction they receive from age four that gives them a definite edge.
After seeing that, it's easy to understand how Florida surpasses both Texas and California in the quality of their players.
It also makes understandable how Florida, Florida State and Miami have stayed at or near the elite level of college football for so long by simply keeping the best of the state's players at home.

Here's a shot of some of those future blue-chippers after practice Thursday at Bunche Park in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Posted by Stephen Smith at 7:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Miami Wet, Days 1 & 2

While the rain in Spain falls mainly in the plain, the rain in Miami falls everywhere.
Two days into a little getaway with the wife, the rain has been relentless. Every day at around 2 p.m., the skies open up and Mother Nature lets Miami-Dade County have it with both barrels.
But, all hope isn't lost.
The humidity here is so intense that even after a good concentrated rain, the humidity soaks up all the moisture like a sponge.
So, besides the mandatory tourist stops, I'm planning to go see where the Orange Bowl was and where Pro Player/Dolphin/Landshark Stadium is now.
Also, for your humor needs, I'm attaching a photo of me in my "I'm obviously a tourist" hat. Laugh if you feel the need to do so...

Posted by Stephen Smith at 1:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Peace, Out to The Thriller: RIP

Back in December of 1983, a group of U.S. Air Force basic trainees and a Training Instructor sat together in the lounge at the 3707th Basic Military Training Squadron.
But there was no shouting or standing at attention that night, just a group of people watching a relatively new television station, MTV, for the premiere of Michael Jackson's new music video,"Thriller."
We all sat riveted as the King of Pop escorted vivacious former Playboy Playmate Ola Ray (who would later sue Jackson in a dispute over royalties) from the movies and through the world's best-choreographed graveyard before Vincent Price dropped in for a cameo.
To this day, I still wonder how they convinced Price to use the phrase, "yall's neighborhood" in what Wikipedia later described as his "sinister rap," but it made for a good night and an oasis of calm in a sea of military discipline.
And even though Jackson lived to become a sad parody of himself, he was great once.
Especially that night in December 1983.
RIP MJ.

Posted by Stephen Smith at 2:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)