TunneySide of Sports

On the TunneySide of Sports February 1, 2021 #833 Up next… Remembering Larry King

After further review… The “King of Talk” has left us. Larry was 87 and died on Saturday, January 23^rd. The cause of his death was not listed, but the fact that he was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles in December for COVID-19 gives me the feeling that it may have influenced his departure for a new microphone from which to broadcast “Larry King Live.” However, why is this sports column remembering a non-sports figure? Please read on!

I first met King (he asked me to call him Larry) about 1986. That’s the year the National Football League began Instant Replay, but the replay was from the press box with an Instant Replay Official (IRO). There was no voice communication – just a sideline hand signal from an assistant (not a game-official) that a given play was being reviewed. The game was then delayed while the IRO reviewed that play.

Anyway, Larry phoned my office and asked if I could come to Washington D.C.  for an interview about this new system. “Why me?” I thought. I had never met him but knew of him since “Larry King Live” had just begun in 1985. After getting clearance from Art McNally, Supervisor of Officials, I arranged my schedule to be on his show. The clearance was necessary since there was some controversy (even among officials) about the use of the camera for on-field officiating. Larry was an avid sports fan having grown up in Brooklyn, N.Y.  Born of immigrant Jewish parents (Zeiger was his paternal name), he quickly became a Dodgers fan, eventually following them to Los Angeles.)

It was a bit unnerving sitting across from him in his studio. He, with great wit, and sense of humor immediately put me at ease. His questions were more of curiosity – of how, and why, cameras were needed. There was always the issue by some that replay was interrupting the flow of the game. In 1992 the NFL decided to suspend their replay system.  Again, Larry invited me back that year to discuss what the league wanted to do. I always took the position that authenticity would add more credibility to officials.

It must be noted that Larry had several health issues: a bout with cancer and heart failures which could describe him as often in poor health. He founded the Larry King Cardiac Foundation, about the time I co-authored Chicken Soup for the Sports Fans Soul. It was incumbent on us authors to make a significant financial contribution to a charity. I chose his foundation. My wife Linda and I, Larry, his wife Shawn, Vice President Dick Cheney, his wife Lynne are pictured at his 2002 gala foundation event.

Our condolences to the King family in their loss of my wonderful friend.

Will you recall the exceptional gestures that made Larry King such a legend?

—————

“Chicken Soup for the Sports Fans Soul” has 101 inspirational and fun stories from the world of sports. Available for $20 with no tax and free shipping at Jim Tunney Youth Foundation (a 501c3).

Send your check for $20 to:
P.O. Box 1440
Pebble Beach, CA. 93953

Thanks!
Be safe.

See the website for all products.

On the TunneySide of Sports January 25, 2021 #832 Up next… He Comes To Work Every Day

After further review… As the National Football League concludes its 100^th season in this disastrous Pandemic year with rescheduling and postponements due to COVID -19, we approach Super Bowl LV to be played February 7,  2021, with some uncertainty. Note: The two combatants were determined after this article was written.) This is my 60^th year of association with the NFL of which 31 of those years was as an on-field official. From the get-go, I have always considered it an honor and a privilege.

My belief is that every player, some 1700-2000, hired each year, consider it likewise. Yet only eleven players from each team get to play each play in the game. Those other players sitting on the bench but under some variance of a contract, are their substitutes. How important is each play to them? Are they ready and able to play when needed? Let’s look at some important and vital-position players, who are there but only when needed.

Aaron Rodgers is the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers and is considered for MVP honors this 2020 season. Tim Boyle, Rodgers back-up, played at Eastern Kentucky and is now in his third year, as a Packer yet, hasn’t played much since Rodgers has been healthy. Rodgers is 37 years old and still able to play every down. It’s an interesting comparison since Rodgers sat on the Packers bench for 3 years behind Brett Farve who played 16 years for the Packers. However, when Farve was traded, Rodgers has kept the Packers alive and well.

Tom Brady is the starting QB for the Tampa Bay Bucs who played against the Packers in the NFC championship battle. Brady has been healthy most of the 2020 season but is 43. His backup is 31-year old Blaine Gabbert who was a first-round pick out of Missouri and now in his 11th-year.

Josh Allen is the starting QB for the Buffalo Bills from Wyoming University and was drafted in the 10^th round in 2018. His backup QB is 6th-year veteran Matt Barkley from Southern California.

The Kansas City Chiefs who played the Bills in the AFC championship game suffered its most devastating injury to former Super Bowl MVP and starting QB, 25-year-old Patrick Mahomes who left that divisional game in the 3^rd quarter against Baltimore with a concussion. Entering the game was Mahomes back-up, Chad Henne, a 13-year veteran from the University of Michigan.

The challenge for 35-year old Henne was to maintain the Chiefs lead (22-15) throughout the 4^th quarter. And he did! – with a 3^rd down scramble and a 4^th down completion for a first down. As one of his teammates commented after the game: “He comes to work every day!”

Will you follow Henne’s example and be prepared to go to work every day?

—————

Jim’s bobblehead is now on sale during January for $25 and each of his ‘On the TunneySide of Sports’ books listed at $20 (tax and shipping are free) are now on sale for $15.

Please send checks to Jim Tunney Youth Foundation (501c3) P.O. Box 1440 Pebble Beach, CA 93953.

Be safe!

See the website for products.