Time Travel

Idea for a TV show: the main character takes a time machine back to view / record significant events in sports history. Which ones would be good? OK maybe not. They might run out of ideas quick. Could’ve been some good storylines for that “Timeless” show.

 

Babe Ruth’s called shot.

Wilt’s 100 point game.

First basketball game in Springfield Mass.

Riegels wrong way run in the 1929 Cal/GT Rose Bowl.

Franco Harris’ immaculate reception.

What am I missing?

 

If I could time travel I would go back to see Jesus, Abe Lincoln, and the games above. And in 1972…

 

Back in 1972 the Hawks drafted Julius Erving. Their starting lineup would’ve included Erving, Maravich, Lou Hudson, and Walt Bellamy.  Erving played in two preseason games with the team, and they scored over 140 points in each. Then he was forced back to the Virginia Squires for legal reasons. Later the Nets gained possession of Erving. Dr. J thought the Hawks could’ve won the championship that year.

 

Oddly similar: the Braves drafted Tom Seaver out of college, but MLB inexplicably awarded Seaver to the Mets.

Dawgs received a “commitment” from a QB ranked the 4th best dropback QB in next year’s class. Might not mean anything as we’re a year away from signing day and he’s already changed his mind twice, de-committing from both Florida and Alabama, where he was slated to play both baseball and football. Plus if he gets drafted by baseball, he may quit football and sign a multi-million dollar baseball contract.  

 

Friday afternoon people cleared out quick. I made it until almost six. Ceil had lunched with MC near Cumberland, then drove cross town to Dekalb Farmers Market then back to Matthew’s Whole Foods. I stopped for a haircut, then Kroger. Ceil made homemade pizza and tossed a salad. M worked until ten.

Was keeping tables on the Hawks/Bulls Friday night, with Trae Young racking up the points. Then yesterday he gets tossed for taunting his Bulls defender. Gotta like his tenacity, but hopefully young Young has learned a lesson he won’t soon repeat. Young shoots from his chest, so he has to be wide open and get off his shot quick. So far so good, but you wonder if he’ll get his shot blocked.

Got to sleep a little late Saturday morning. Ceil brought me breakfast in bed: an eggy-boy sandwich. Cleaned upstairs, then later downstairs. Did laundry. Ceil was cleaning upstairs, so I helped with that. We didn’t turn on the TV until like 6 pm. After working Matthew went off to study.

 

Went to a Sunday School gathering, to hear two young missionaries share their ministry. They’re in a predominantly Muslim country in Africa. The young wife had grown up at Johnson Ferry. Everyone brought desserts, including Noelle’s coconut cream pie. I had only eaten one slice of leftover pizza, but wasn’t super hungry for dessert.  

 

At the South Fulton Hospital ER, Will has been thrown into the deep end. Lots to do, including meeting with patients and paperwork. Worked until 2 am Saturday morning, then worked the overnight shift late Saturday night / Sunday morning. I did see he made it to church on Sunday morning. MC and Okie had to be in Athens this weekend, so they slept over at Anna’s house.

Sunday morning before church Ceil made me another eggy-boy, with scrambled egg, cheese, and the sweet molasses breakfast bread I’d picked up at Kroger. So good that I made me another one for Sunday lunch. With the missions conference ending, our guest speaker in Sunday School was foreign missionary Elizabeth Fernandez, a doctor in Mango, Togo. She struggled to learn how to balance well water on her head (something all Togo women learn as children). Then her native friend couldn’t believe Elizabeth knew how to wash dishes by hand.

 

After church Ceil had lunch with friends. I was making my way across Johnson Ferry Road to my car in the rain, and a nice lady shared her umbrella. I had my eggy-boy and crashed on the couch. Watched some golf, did the dishes, popped some corn. Ceil grilled chicken and fried rice. Watched a Hallmark movie, When Calls the Heart, and Smokey and the Bandit.   

Was going to try to tune in to the Atlanta Legends game last night, but it must’ve ended early – or it wasn’t really on the NFL Network. Should’ve looked it up on my Apple TV. Wanted to see Justin Thomas (above) play receiver. UGA’s Aaron Murray got the win. Some of the players were so excited you'd have thought they'd won the Super Bowl. First safety in league history. 2+6+3+3=14 points. UGA punter got hurt but kept punting. Kicker Koo booted the game-winning field goal with a minute remaining. Arizona’s kicker, another former NFL retread, missed an important field goal attempt.  

Both Friday and Sunday we watched a 30 minute program on the making of the NFL 100 anniversary Super Bowl commercial, where they brought together Hall of Famers and current players. I’ve listed them before: Jim Brown, Mean Joe Green, Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Larry Csonka, Paul Warfield, Larry Little, Peyton Manning, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Michael Irvin, Emmitt Smith, Barry Sanders, Marshawn Lynch, Ed Reed, Deion Sanders, N. Suh, Mike Singletary, Dick Butkus, Saquon Barkley, Tom Brady, Baker Mayfield, Ron Gronkowski, JJ Watt, Drew Brees, Todd Gurley, Odel Beckham, Patrick Mahomes, Richard Sherman, Roger Goodell, and other current players I didn’t recognize.   

 

Also watched some of The Aviator, the Howard Hughes movie with Leonardo Dicaprio. Ever seen that one?