If It Happens!

Posted on May 25, 2020 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

im Tunney, Tunneyside: If it happens …On the TunneySide of Sports May 25, 2020 #797 Up next… If It Happens!

After further review… COVID-19 has affected all of us!  I heard a housewife say: “Yes, I did marry him for better or worse, but not for lunch!” It is not bad being a shut-in if only we had sports to watch, a friend recently said. Well, if it happens or should we say when it happens or maybe even now that it is happening – the country wants to return to normal! It is hoped we will use reasonable judgment – social distancing as an example – as we gather.

Since all 50 states are allowing some sort of return to normalcy, many are getting anxious to get going. The NBA curtailed its season in March but hopes to schedule playoffs. If social distancing is in place, how do you guard the post (AKA center) play? Must the defender stand 6 feet behind the offensive post player? Stands will be without fans or maybe a limited number? Just asking.

MLB wants to get its 2020 season going. Do they move the catcher 6 feet behind the home plate? Or do they move the batter up 6 feet making the distance from the pitcher to the batter 54’ 6”  instead of the traditional 60’ 6”? Can baseball be the same without fans present? Just asking.

Thoroughbred racing is already in operation without fans in Florida and a few other tracks. But how about the Kentucky Derby traditionally held the first week of May? That was postponed until September 6, 2020, possibly with fans at Churchill Downs. While it was always the first race in the Triple Crown of racing, the Belmont will now start the Triple Crown with the Derby to follow and The Preakness to wrap it up. Will horses continue to race counterclockwise? Just asking.

Then, of course, football fans anxiously await the 2020 season both in the college game as well as the NFL. It seems prudent that ample time be given to practices to curtail player injuries. It is almost impossible to eliminate physical contact in the game of football. Players can and will get in adequate physical shape but contact needs to occur to properly prepare them for the game of football. Just asking!

How do you get a T*E*A*M ready and practice social distancing? Do the right guard and right tackle need to be 6 feet apart? If so, that certainly changes the blocking scheme on running plays. The quarterback in shotgun formation will certainly abide by the 6 feet rule! Will hands under the center will be allowed? And, of course, no fans in the seats but you can count on them gathering outside the stadium. Cheerleaders will perform on the sidelines with social distancing but without pyramids! Just asking!

Will you log-in your thoughts about returning to normalcy “if it happens”?

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Jim Tunney Store

Need sports to read as we wait out this COVID-19 pandemic? Jim’s sports books contain stories of humor, inspiration, and insights about sports people. Choose your book titles here or mail $15 per book to:

Jim Tunney Youth Foundation
P.O. Box 1440
Pebble Beach, CA 93953

Ships free!

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The Dark Side of NIL!

Posted on May 18, 2020 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

O'Bannon v. NCAAOn the TunneySide of Sports May 18, 2020 #796 Up next… The Dark Side of NIL!

After further review… The accepted definition of the word “nil” is “zero”, “nothing at all.” However, today it has taken on a new meaning as an acronym… N-I-L = Name, Image, Likeness. It may never go away. Stay tuned.

In 2015 Ed O’Bannon, a former U.C.L.A and N.B.A. basketball star filed a class-action lawsuit against the NCAA claiming that student–athletes in college were entitled to receive financial compensation for the use of their name or image or likeness in commercial ads. The term student-athlete has always held that college players are students first and foremost and as such receive free tuition and in some cases room & board with a college education. Further, under the NCAA rules, the first “A” is for “amateur”. They are not entitled to financial compensation.

With the proliferation of corporations wanting to take advantage of the notoriety that college athletes are receiving in today’s sporting world — much like professional athletes demand — college athletes claim their N-I-L is been exploited. Maybe so!

The NCAA is now considering and is expected to approve, that college athletes my hire an agent to negotiate with companies for financial compensation if said company wants to use that athlete’s name, image, and or likeness in their commercials. Why would the NCAA, who has always maintained the athlete is a student first, give in to these demands? Up steps the legal courts who can – and have– overruled athletic governing bodies. Freedom? Rights?

Another reason is the demand from the public that colleges are making millions off student-athletes. Shouldn’t the athlete be entitled to some of that commercial money? Sounds reasonable. It appears that term student–athlete may be as old as Jim Thorpe. Maybe it ought to be athlete-student? Of course, not every player will be sought-after by corporations.

The star-player will be in demand not only by the corporations but also by agents who will represent the athlete. Can you recall how unscrupulous agents have disregarded the rules and regulations of agent-player responsibilities? Further, what happens to teamwork when that star player shows up in the locker room with a classy outfit or perhaps even a new flashy car? How will the rest of the T*E*A*M react since many of them receive nil?

Will you log-in your thoughts about college athletes being able to sign commercial agreements?

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Jim Tunney Store

Need sports to read as we wait out this COVID-19 pandemic? Jim’s sports books contain stories of humor, inspiration, and insights about sports people. Choose your book titles here or mail $15 per book to:

Jim Tunney Youth Foundation
P.O. Box 1440
Pebble Beach, CA 93953

Ships free!

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A Tribute to Don Shula

Posted on May 11, 2020 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

In this photo posted to Twitter by Don Shula in 2012, the Hall of Fame coach is watching the Olympics on TV with his friend Jim Tunney in Pebble Beach. (Courtesy Don Shula)

On the TunneySide of Sports May 11, 2020 #795 Up next… A TRIBUTE to DON SHULA!

After further review… It is almost impossible to put into words how I feel about the passing of my good friend, but I need to give it a shot. Many have wondered about how a football coach and a referee could be such good friends. At times, I have wondered myself.

Coach Don Shula died a week ago – May 4th. His passing left the sports world in shock. Me too! Although with our close friendship, I knew of his health challenges. His home was in Florida and mine in California, yet he and his wife Mary Anne had a residence in Pebble Beach for the last 25 years. When they were living here, “Coach” (as everyone called him including his family) and I would attend Mass together each week as well as have lunch together at least once a week.

Some have wondered how this close relationship began. I have claimed for some time that you get to know someone best through a love affair or a confrontation. “Coach” was the head coach of the Baltimore Colts and the Miami Dolphins for 33 years. I was a National Football League Referee for 31 years. Can you see how confrontations might happen?

It probably started in 1965 when, as field judge in a playoff game with Baltimore playing the Green Bay Packers, I called a field goal by the Packers good with Shula and the Colts disagreeing. We still disagree! Shula won 347 NFL games – most in history! He says it should have been 348. BTW, I have told many, including dozens of audiences, that his 347 record will never be broken. It was our disagreement and his forgiveness that cemented a friendship. Shula’s NFL record stands on its own. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997 some 23 years ago. No one questioned that induction.

Perhaps the outstanding quality that carried our relationship to the status of family was his integrity. Oh, yes, he screamed and, perhaps, cussed at me when we were on the field during a game, but after he and I would visit on his sidelines, the game would proceed with respect.

Larry Csonka tells this story: The Dolphins were to play the Raiders. As the Dolphins entered the locker room, Zonk was surprised to find a Raiders playbook left behind on a shelf. He turned it over to an assistant coach with hope that it might help. The Dolphins lost that game. Zonk asked that assistant coach what he did with that opponents’ playbook. That coach said when he told Coach Shula what he had, Shula said, “Just throw it away.” He did with no one seeing it.

That quality of just do the right thing and his art of forgiveness made our friendship so solid.

Will you seek friends and love ones who possess those strengths?

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Jim Tunney Store

Need sports to read as we wait out this COVID-19 pandemic? Jim’s sports books contain stories of humor, inspiration, and insights about sports people. Choose your book titles here or mail $15 per book to:

Jim Tunney Youth Foundation
P.O. Box 1440
Pebble Beach, CA 93953

Ships free!

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