A Football Player’s Perspective - How to Make It to the Next Level of Play
By Casey Poppinga

It was August 2003 and my team at the time, the Pittsburgh Steelers, was holding the first live scrimmage for training camp. As a rookie in the NFL I had practiced a number of times with the team, but this was the first time I was going to suit it up for a “full contact and tackle goal line scrimmage”. The set up was easy. The first and second team offenses would go against the first and second team defenses. The offense had four downs to score a touchdown. If they scored, they won; if they failed to score the defense won.

The first team offense and defense took the field first. The offense included Jerome Bettis, Hines Ward, Plaxico Burress, and Tommy Maddox who went against a defense consisting of Joey Porter, James Farrior, and Kendrell Bell. The opposing sides lined up against each other, the referee blew his whistle to start the play clock, Tommy Maddox called out the cadence, then the ball was snapped … … from that instant, the phrase “The Next Level” was defined for me.

“The Next Level” is a phrase commonly thrown around by athletes referring to the ability to play in a professional arena such as the NFL, NBA or MLB. To me “The Next Level” is not a title you gain, e.g. Professional Football Player; it is more a state of mind, an attitude and way of thinking when competing. Therefore, I have come up with three characteristics that I believe all athletes must posses in order to achieve “The Next Level”.

1. Play, Practice and Think with 100% Effort. It is as simple as that. You should have one speed and one speed only - FAST! There is no such thing as “half speed” or “walk thru”. Regardless of what people say, that is how we practiced and prepared in the NFL. Mike Holmgren said it best one day while practicing in the middle of December while preparing for the playoffs, “We run plays at full speed during the week so when the game comes it will be second nature and all you have to do is react.”

2. Be Able to “Flip the Switch” Once the Whistle Blows. This is probably the most mental of the three characteristics. Just picture in your mind a Cheetah stalking a gazelle and how meticulous, careful and alert it is as it sets up its approach. Once that Gazelle notices it is being hunted and starts running, the Cheetah “flips the switch” and accelerates to incredible speeds. Within seconds it has the Gazelle in its grasp and the hunt is over. This is the same way you should approach every play. An average football play lasts an average of 10 seconds or less, but when that ball is snapped a literal switch should be flipped in your mind and every ounce of energy should be released at that moment.

3. Dominate. This one word sums up every quality of those who achieve “The Next Level”. To dominate simply means competing to be the BEST. Does it mean you have to be the best? NO! It just means you are working, preparing, practicing and believing YOU CAN be the BEST. You may never achieve it and if you do there will always be someone that will be better. But if you compete and approach everything with 100% effort, dedication, commitment, and hold yourself accountable, you will dominate. While I was playing with the Philadelphia Eagles during our run up to the Super Bowl in 2004, starting tight end and 3-time Pro Bowl selection Chad Lewis would always tell the team, “Time to DOMINATE!” That is literally how you should approach every conditioning drill, lift, practice, meeting and play as an athlete. You approach it no other way!!

When I witnessed the explosive power, speed and attitude that my teammates displayed that late summer day in Pittsburgh, I came to the conclusion that “The Next Level” is not a title you gain when you make it to the NFL, it is truly a state of mind and way of life for those that achieve greatness in athletics.

Casey Poppinga, Tight End. College - University of Wyoming and Utah State University. NFL Experience– Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs and 2004 NFC Champions Philadelphia Eagles. For football training aids and football coaching videos, I recommend http://www.touchdownskills.com

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Ben Roethlisberger
By Bob Johnson

The Pittsburgh Steelers found a real gem when they drafted AFL quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger. Nicknamed “Big Ben,” this Ohio native led the Steelers to the Super Bowl during his second year in the league.

An interest in sports during his high school years perhaps led to Roethlisberger’s success. As captain of the football, basketball and baseball teams, this star in the making finally landed his spot as the quarterback of his high school football team during his senior year. It appears as if that practice paid off - literally. In 2004, when Ben Roethlisberger found his way into the NFL Draft, the Steelers signed him to a six year contract with an impressive signing bonus. During his rookie season, Roethlisberger succeeded with a 13-0 record for the best start by a rookie.

In October 2005, just one year after he was selected in the draft, Ben Roethlisberger became the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year as named by the Associated Press. During his rookie season, passing records were something to be broken by this Findlay High School graduate. Among them, best passer rating and highest completion percentage. It was obvious to all who saw him, including Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells, that this young man was here to play. And play he did. As the 2005 regular season wrapped up, the Steelers had secured the AFC league’s wild card position in the Super Bowl XL. On February 5, 2006, the Steelers took hom the Super Bowl victory in a win against the Seattle Seahawks.

Roethlisberger is far from being your average quarterback. In fact, his stature leaves little doubt that he is a force to be reckoned with. Tied with few others as the tallest starting quarterback in the NFL, “Big Ben” knows how to use his height to read the competition. In addition, his arm seemingly has a knack for guiding the passes to their intended receiver. There is no doubt that height would be an advantage to any quarterback trying to spot an open receiver on the field.

Ben Roethlisberger is the second youngest quarterback to play in the NFL Super Bowl. While he has been compared to many legends of the game, Roethlisberger is out to make a name for himself. With only his second regular season behind him, and 4 years remaining on his contract with the Steelers, it looks as if Pittsburgh can expect “Big Ben” to be a powerhouse for the team in the years to come. What’s next for this NFL superstar in the making? Stay tuned and find out.

Bob writes for GoAllOut.com and FanFrenzyZone.com. Where you can purchase a Ben Roethlisberger Jersey, Steelers Apparel or Steelers Tickets

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Matt Hasselbeck : Seattle Seahawks Quarterback
By Bob Johnson

A native of Boulder, Colorado, Matthew Michael Hasselbeck was born on September 25, 1975. He currently plays the position of quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks after initially being drafted by the Packers during the 1998 NFL Draft.

After attending Xaverian Brothers High School in Westwood, Massachusetts, Matt Hasselbeck entered Boston College. Immediately after, he was drafted in the sixth round of the 1998 NFL Draft and began his professional football career in 1999 as backup for Brett Favre. The Packers later traded him and, in 2001, Matt Hasselbeck signed on with the Seattle Seahawks.

It would appear that the Seahawks made a good decision in selecting Hasselbeck, who became the team’s all-time, highest-rated passer in 2003. In addition, he is currently ranked ninth in the NFL’s all-time passer ratings. In 2005, Matt Hasselbeck’s performance was regarded as one of the best in the NFL as he led the Seahawks to their third consecutive playoff appearance while boasting the highest passer rating in the NFC.

In January 2006, Matt Hasselbeck lead his team all the way to the SuperBowl XL and, even though his team was not victorious, this appearance marked the first for the Seahawks. With so many accomplishments, it’s no surprise that Matt Hasselbeck’s family would be filled with pride. He is the son of Don Hasselbeck, who is the former tight end for the New England Patriots and a brother to Tim Hasselbeck, who is the current backup quarterback for the New York Giants. His sister-in-law, Elisabeth, is best known as a co-host on daytime talk television’s The View and she is also a former Survivor contestant. Reportedly in favor of being called Matthew, Hasselbeck finds that most do not abide by his wishes and usually refer to him as Matt instead.

Bob writes for fanfrenzyzone.com and GoAllout.com. Where you can purchase a Matt Hasselbeck Jersey or Seahawks Tickets.

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Football - The Oakland Raiders
By Michael Russell

One of the most colorful franchises in all of professional football is without a doubt the Oakland Raiders. Based out of Oakland, CA, the Raiders are yet another original AFL member that came into the NFL during the merger in 1970. As a member of the AFC West, the Raiders have been to 5 Super Bowls, winning 3 of them. Let’s take a closer look at the history of the Oakland Raiders.

Al Davis has owned the Raiders since 1972. Originally founded in Oakland, the team played there until Davis moved them to Los Angeles in 1982. Later, the team moved back to Oakland in 1995 and remains there to this day.

The football team has had the colors of silver and black since Davis was general manager of the team in 1963. He used these colors originally because all TV’s were available in black and white only and these colors showed up better than others.

John Madden became the head coach of the Raiders in 1969. He later guided the team to its first ever Super Bowl win in 1976. Madden stayed on as coach of the football team until 1979 when he left the team and the league, to go into TV broadcasting.

In 1982, Davis moved the team to Los Angeles, due in part to the refusal of the city of Oakland to remodel the football stadium. In their first year in Los Angeles, the team went to the Super Bowl and won. That has been the last time the Raiders have won a Super Bowl. In 1995, the team moved back to the city of Oakland.

The fans of the Oakland Raiders are some of the rowdiest fans in all of professional football. They arrive early for tailgate parties dressed in silver and black paint, masks and costumes. One of the more rowdy spots in the stadium is known as the “black hole”. This part of the stadium is definitely not for the feint of heart.

Hall of Fame

The Oakland Raiders have 18 current members in the pro football Hall of Fame. They include: Marcus Allen Fred Biletnikoff George Blanda Bob Brown Willie Brown Dave Casper Al Davis Eric Dickerson Mike Haynes Ted Hendricks James Lofton Howie Long Ronnie Lott John Madden Ron Mix Jim Otto Art Shell Gene Upshaw

There have been many other notable players on the Raiders over the years including: Ray Guy Lyle Alzado Cliff Branch Bo Jackson Carl Weathers (later played Apollo Creed in “Rocky” movies) Jack Tatum Jerry Rice

The Raiders have been known as a franchise that has had more than its share of bad football drafts over the years. This, combined with the constant head coaching changes by Al Davis, has made winning sometimes difficult over the years. One of the more memorable draft day mistakes was the selection of troubled QB Todd Marinovich.

The Oakland Raiders have some of the storied rivalries among any NFL football team, with the fiercest being San Diego, Denver and Kansas City. Even when the Raiders are not as competitive, teams do not like playing them. That is one reason why the team will always remain as one of the more popular ones in the league.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Football

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Super Bowl IV
By Michael A. Verdicchio

Recently, I had the privilege of being the MC at a business breakfast. Our guest speaker was Len Dawson, who is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and was the quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs in the very first Super Bowl. Mr. Dawson spoke about three keys for success.

Prior to the meeting, I got to spend a few minutes talking with Len. He is a wonderful man. He told me that he doesn’t do very many of these events, so I knew it was real treat to have him speak. Following a video presentation about his life, I brought him up to the lectern.

He talked about his childhood leading up to his pro football career as well as his sports broadcasting career afterward. (He still does the radio broadcast for the Chiefs.) He then went on to give us three keys for success: fundamentals, teamwork and a winning attitude.

Fundamentals: Mr. Dawson talked about how import fundamentals are for success. He told us that he practiced his drills faithfully for 20 years. He also talked about being prepared.

In the video presentation there was actually footage of Len throwing an interception in Super Bowl I. Not too many people would want to show that as an example to anybody! But he included it to make a point about being prepared.

He told us that on that particular play, he was not prepared for a blitz from the Green Bay Packers defense. Because of that, he tried to throw a pass when he shouldn’t have. He made his point well that part of fundamentals is being prepared.

Teamwork: Mr. Dawson went on to discuss teamwork as another great key for success. “If everyone on the team does their best, then that’s teamwork,” Len said, “and you can be successful.”

He told us that you have to be open to listen to other people’s opinions. In Super Bowl IV, Len was sitting on the bench next to his receiver, Otis Taylor. The Chief’s defense was doing a great job against the Minnesota Vikings’ offense. Otis told Len of a play he knew would be effective against the Viking defense. “Back then,” Len said, “the quarterback would call most of the plays.”

He went on to tell us that Otis proceeded to write out the play in the dirt just like kids do. Otis told him that if he tried the play he knew he could beat the defender. A few minutes later it was time for the offense to take the field. Otis asked Len if he was going to call that play. “No,” was Len’s reply. “Not ’till we get in the huddle. Hell yeah, I’m going to call that play!”

The play worked great, leading the Chiefs to a touchdown. Len Dawson and Kansas City Chiefs then went on to win Super Bowl IV. And even though Len was named the MVP of the game, he stressed that the Chiefs won because of their teamwork.

A Winning Attitude: The final point Len talked about was having a winning attitude. Len said that the difference between Super Bowl I and Super Bowl IV was a winning attitude. In Super Bowl IV, they knew they could beat the Vikings. Their fundamentals were in tune, and they were prepared. They utilized teamwork, and they had a winning attitude.

A winning attitude is not only important, it is critical for success. And yet it is so often overlooked.

Fundamentals, teamwork and a winning attitude are three important keys to success. Having that determination, conviction, and an absolute assurance that you are going to succeed, will produce great results. It doesn’t matter if it’s football or sales, or whatever - having a positive winning attitude will bring you success.

Michael A. Verdicchio is a husband, father, minister, author,and broadcaster. He has been the voice on numerous productions over the years.
Michael has a free newsletter called, THE PEP LETTER, at http://www.christianinspirationalgifts.com/pepletter.html

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Crazy Ray - The Biggest Dallas Cowboys Fan of All-Time Passes
By Rick Bedard

The Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League are a much-loved team within the borders of Texas, and far beyond. For more than forty years the team has entertained their fans while performing at a consistently high level. In addition to their great success on the field, “America’s Team” has been just as successful off the field and is considered to be one of the most valuable sports teams in North America. Behind every great sports franchise are the fans that support the team, no matter what. The Dallas Cowboys have had countless fans cheering them on over the past four decades, not to mention their own world famous Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and team mascot, Rowdy. However, among all those that cheer for Cowboys football, one fan stands alone. That fan is the late Wilford “Crazy Ray” Jones.

Sadly on March 17, 2007, in Dallas, Texas, Wilford Jones’ cheering voice was silenced for the last time after enduring a decade of poor health including diabetes and congestive heart failure. He was 76. Known as the original, unofficial mascot of the Dallas Cowboys, Crazy Ray entertained generations of Cowboys fans. Over the years he became as recognizable a symbol for Cowboys football as the Dallas Cowboys logo, the lone star. Fueled by Crazy Ray’s passion for his team, countless fans proudly wear Dallas Cowboys apparel so that they too can show their true colours.

Crazy Ray attended the first home game of the new Dallas Cowboys franchise in 1960. His real attachment with the team began in 1962 when he started selling pennants at the Cowboys home games. Outfitted in western attire, complete with chaps, six shooters in his holsters, a vest and cowboy hat, he entertained the fans from the side lines with magic tricks, galloping on a hobbyhorse and other antics. His trademark whistle, a high pitched shrill, was also well known and earned him the nickname “Whistling Ray”.

Crazy Ray is said to have missed only three Cowboys home games in the team’s forty-seven years of existence. Indeed, Crazy Ray is such an integral part of Dallas Cowboys history that he has a place of honor in the fan section of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Although Crazy Ray never officially worked for the Cowboys franchise he was provided with a special parking pass and granted unlimited access to Texas Stadium for all home games.

Jerry Jones, the owners of the Dallas Cowboys in passing along condolences to the family stated, “This is a sad day for anyone who is a follower of the Dallas Cowboys. Ray was the most dedicated, entertaining and passionate of Cowboys fans. He touched thousands of lives and generations of football fans. He will remain an important part of this team’s heritage and family”.

Wilford “Crazy Ray” Jones was one of those people who come along every now and again. He dedicated his life to his team and touched the lives of countless Cowboys fans and football fans the world over. He will always be remembered for his spirit and love of the game. There is little doubt that the memory of Crazy Ray will live on in the hearts of Dallas fans and football fans everywhere as well as the Dallas Cowboys franchise.

Rick Bedard loves the Dallas Cowboys and he welcome’s all of you to his new store devoted to
America’s Team.

Whether you’re looking for a Dallas Cowboys Watch, Dallas Cowboys Apparel, Cowboys Merchandise or even if you’re just looking to buy a
Dallas Cowboys game ticket, you
can’t find a better place. Oh, we almost forgot, we also have a lot of products and information on the
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. No Cowboy site would be complete without that!

http://www.dallas-cowboys-apparel.com

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How to Get Autographs From Pro Football Players
By Jordan McAuley

When the New England Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady was eight years old, he found himself in the San Francisco Giants’ locker room, where he asked Chili Davis, a star for the team at the time, for an autograph. Davis refused, but said, “Maybe later, kid, maybe if you come by after the game.”

So the young Brandy stuck around, and after the game he re-approached his favorite player, only to be refused again with a “No, I’m not signing autographs after the game.”

The effect stuck with Brady, both in terms of the disappointment it brought him and in Brady’s future outlook on autographs when he found himself in similar situations.

“I certainly was hurt,” Brady told Tuff Stuff magazine. “But at the same time, I was in the guy’s clubhouse and now I look at it from a different perspective than I did when I was that age. At the time, though, it seemed like such a little request.”

One would expect that walking into the Patriot’s locker room and asking for autographs might be a fast way to get your butt kicked, but there are certain ways you can position yourself in the autograph-giver’s radar.

First, you must have something to sign. Having a player sign you arm may seem like a fun idea at the time–and they may well oblige–but it’s largely a pointless act since you’re going to eventually wash it off. Here’s a good rule of thumb: if you’re not going straight to the tattoo parlor to have a tattoo artist trace the autograph, don’t bother with body signing. Always carry a good-quality pen. What’s the point of handing a player something to sign if you don’t give him the means to do so?

Next, know who the heck you’re talking to. If you can call him by name, or say something that shows you have taken an interest in him, he’s going to look at you more sympathetically than some fan with a Giant “P” painted on his beer gut.

The next important thing to remember is location, location, location. It is far easier to get a player to sign something from a front row seat than from a seat in the second balcony. If you do get a good seat and also get to the game early, you can try to talk to the players as they walk by. If you can get a guy in conversation for a while, you might just end up with a few players stopping by to chat.

Sometimes a player will star signing autographs and a crowd will quickly form. This is another reason to get there early. Fighting a crowd for signatures–or worse–being in your seat as dozens of people start crowding around you, is likely to get you more than annoyed.

If you can learn where the players enter into and out of the stadium, that’s another great place to find them ready to sign, pose for photos, and shake hands. If they’re not in a hurry, they’re far more likely to stick around for a while.

There’s also always the traditional way of getting an autograph: write away for it. Most team clubs will accept mail and forward it on to the player. When writing an athlete for an autograph, the same rules apply for any mailed autograph request:

* Always include a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE).
* Enclose a photo and/or an index cards for the player to sign.
* Do not send food, money, or gifts.
* Always include a letter acknowledging the player and his accomplishments.
* Be patient.

Sending Fan Mail:

To send fan mail to a football player, simply write him at his team’s address.

Jordan McAuley is the author of The Celebrity Black Book and the Founder of http://www.ContactAnyCelebrity.com located in West Hollywood, California. His exclusive online database provides accurate celebrity contact information including the best mailing address, agent, manager, publicist, production company, and charitable cause for over 54,000 celebrities and public figures worldwide to fans, businesses, authors, nonprofits, and the media.

Feel free to copy and distribute this article online as long as you link it back to Contact Any Celebrity at http://www.contactanycelebrity.com. You can also link back using our Affiliate Program at http://www.contactanycelebrity.com/affiliates and earn 50% monthly recurring commissions!

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NFL History
By Rameshrajan Thiagarajan

NFL was started in Canton,ohio on September 17, 1920 by a group of enterprising men. Initially NFL was known as American Professional Football Association (AFPA). American Professional Football Association later got rechristened as National Football League (NFL) in 1922 and became America’s favorite sport. Jim Thorpe who was a professional Football player was the first president of NFL and helped add credibility and pouplarity for the sport.

Actually Pro Football began in 1892 at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania when former Yale star William “Pudge” Heffelfinger was paid a notable sum of $500 to play in a single game for the Allegheny Athletic Association on November 12 1892. Then Pro Football was played mostly in the small towns of Pennsylvania and was mostly a Pennsylvanian sport before it started becoming popular in the eastern and Midwestern states like Ohio.

Initial Pro Football days faced several problems including lack of rules, keeping the players in order and professional recognition. But with the formation of APFA all the problems started to wade away. Actually there were 11 franchises were presented at the first APFA meeting. They were

Canton Bulldogs

Decatur Staleys

Chicago Cardinals

Akron Pros

Cleveland Indians

Dayton Triangles

Massillon Tigers

Hammond Pros

Muncie Flyers

Rock Island Independents

Rochester Jeffersons

On September 26, 1920, the first game featuring a team from the APFA was played at Douglas Park in Rock Island, Illinois. The Independents were victorious as they rolled to a 48-0 win over the St. Paul Ideals. One week later, two league teams battled head-to-head for the fist time. The Dayton Triangles beat Columbus Panhandles, 14-0 in Triangle Park. The Akron Pros, with an 8-0-3 regular season record, were crowned the league’s first champion.

Only two of the original franchises of APFA still exist today. Decatur Staleys moved to Chicago and their franchise name was changed to the current Chicago Bears. Chicago Cardinals moved their home to Arizona and they are known as Arizona Cardinals.

Rameshrajan was a big fan of NFL. He has experience playing College Football in California. He had researched the present teams and a collector of NFL Jerseys and merchandise. One of his famous works include NFL History and NFL Jersey

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Dice Sports Games That Are Fun; the Pro Football Game
By John DeJong

This is the next installment in a world of incredibly fun sports games played with dice. In the first installment I taught you how to play the college version of “Dice Football”. That was the simplest of all my dice sports games. Now it is time to start getting a little more complex. As, in all my dice football games you will need two dice, notebook paper and a pen or pencil.

You will recall that in the college version you got your box score set up so that you can begin the game and just take turns for four quarters. In the pro version the top team is always the home team and they always go first in the first and third quarters only. In the second and fourth quarters the visitor team goes first which allows the home team the advantage of “coming back” to win.

Both teams will only get three rolls of the two dice per quarter—instead of the five rolls per team in the college version. This discrepancy in rolls is due to the fact that it is much harder to score points in the pros than it is in college football. Oddly enough, it is also harder to shut out a pro team than a college team. That will be reflected in the field goal section below. You always allow the two teams to make their rolls (3) in the quarter all at once. In short, both teams roll two dice three times for each quarter of the game. Remember, the home team goes first in the first and third quarters only!

Just like in the college game scoring occurs when the two dice hit “doubles”. That is a touchdown and it’s worth six points. For the extra point you would roll two dice also—unlike the single one dice roll in college. If the dice roll results in “snake-eyes” (a pair of ones), the extra point is missed. Remember, you get three rolls of two dice per quarter per team.

Just as in the college game field goals can be attempted whenever one roll of dice results in a total of either a ten (4 & 6) or eleven (5 & 6). At that point you roll one dice to see if the field goal is good. When you attempt a field goal in the pro game and you roll a one, two, three, or four the field goal is good. Roll a five or six and that means you missed.

This is an example of how the pro game can break down. The home team rolls the dice two times before a pair of “fives” result…Touchdown! The home team rolls one dice and it results in a four…extra point is good—seven points total. The visitor then takes two rolls before rolling an eleven, which is a field goal attempt. He then rolls a two which means that the field goal is good. The total score at the end of the first quarter is home-7, visitors-3.

Neither team scores again until the fourth quarter. The visitor goes first and rolls once before rolling a ten. He rolls a six on his field goal attempt which means that he missed. Then he rolls doubles on his third and last toss and makes a successful extra point roll. His final score in the game is 10 points. Then the home team rolls three times and scores “doubles” on his last roll. He makes the extra point and wins the game with a final score of 14 to 10.

If the score ends in a tie just alternate one roll of two dice between the two teams until someone scores. In the next article I’ll teach you about handicapping the college and pro football dice games which allows you to play entire seasons and get “real-time” results. Till then, keep on rolling.

John DeJong is the creative designer for NotMeUSA. He’s been writing humorous advertisements for over 25 years. All the funny t-shirts, fun pill bottles, and gag spray bottles were created by him. You can see all his designs by visiting http://notmeusa.com/.

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The 1972 Dolphins: Where are They Now?
By Jennifer Jordan

As the NFL season comes to a close, the 1972 Miami Dolphins breathe a sigh of relief; another year has passed and, nearly three and a half decades later, they still remain the only professional football team to achieve perfection. Over the years a few teams, the Bears, the Broncos, the Colts, and the Colts yet again, have caused the Dolphins to sweat profusely in the pit of their fins; these teams have come close but no cigar, especially not Don Shula‘s.

It’s safe to say that all members of the 1972 Dolphins have since retired and moved on to other ventures. Some remain in sports, some engage in completely different activities. No matter where they are and what they are doing, the members of this Dolphin’s team still holds a place in NFL history…at least for the time being. This makes us think about them, remembering how they were and wondering what they’re doing now.

Bob Griese

An All-Star, a Pro Bowler, a six time Dolphin’s MVP, Bob Griese was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. Known more for his leadership than his arm - as he passed a little in some games and a lot in others - Bob led Miami to nine winning seasons.

After retiring from football, Bob went on to support his son Brian’s collegiate and professional football careers, stating that watching Brian win the Rose Bowl was one of the greatest moments of this life. In 2000, he and Brian wrote a book called Undefeated, which discussed the Dolphin’s perfect season as well as the death of Bob’s first wife to breast cancer. Bob is presently an ABC College Football Analyst and recently appeared on the game show Wheel of Fortune.

Don Shula

One of the most recognizable coaches in the entire world of sports, Don Shula began his football career with the Cleveland Browns in 1951 as a cornerback. During his playing days, he played for the Browns, the Baltimore Colts, and the Washington Redskins before turning to coaching. In 1963, at the age of 33, Don made history by becoming the youngest person to ever serve as a head NFL coach. This historical moment was only a preview of things to come.

After coaching the Baltimore Colts from 1963-1969, Don was hired by the Dolphins. He remained as their head coach from 1970-1995, a span of years that is unrivaled. Don currently holds the record for most NFL regular season wins with 328 and most Super Bowl’s coached with six. In 1997, in a move that everyone saw coming, Don Shula was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Since retired, Don now lends his name to a chain of restaurants in Florida, Shula’s Steakhouse. He also spends time with the Don Shula Foundation, a foundation striving to find a cure for breast cancer. Don formed this organization in 1991 right before his first wife succumbed to the disease.

Lawrence Richard Csonka

In the early 1970’s, some men feared the Vietnam draft, and others feared Lawrence Csonka. At 6’3, 235 pounds, he was a running back with the ability to run over - or through - defenders. He was also a great blocker and a great receiver, making him a triple threat on offense. Nominated for five Pro Bowls, Lawrence was All-Pro in 1971, 1972, and 1973. He was named MVP of Super Bowl VIII and inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987. In the 1996 NFL Films production of The NFL’s 100 Toughest Players, Lawrence claimed the number ten spot.

Since hanging up his cleats, Lawrence has been a motivational speaker, an avid outdoorsman and conservationist, a host of hunting and fishing shows, a General Manager in the United States Football League, and an analyst on American Gladiators. He is currently President and Executive Producer of Zonk! Productions in Lisbon, Ohio and producer and host of a nature program called NAPA’s North to Alaska.

Jake Scott

For nine seasons, Jake Scott played in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Redskins. He served as a free safety and a punt returner and made his way to five consecutive Pro Bowls. While playing with the Dolphins, he had 35 interceptions over six seasons, including two in the Dolphin’s Perfect Season Super Bowl Victory. Logging 63 return yards in that game as well, Jake was named Super Bowl MVP. In the 1980’s, Jake was deemed the Dolphins All-Time Neutralizer by NFL Films . He was inducted into the Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame in 1998. Currently, Jake lives in Hawaii where he is an investor.

Jim Kiick

Forming a duo with Lawrence Csonka, Jim Kiick was the other part of Miami’s running game. Known, along with Csonka, as “Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid,” Kiick played in Miami from 1968 until 1974. His career was marked by playing in three Super Bowls, and racking up rushing yards. In the Dolphin’s record books, Kiick remains listed as the fourth all-time leading rusher.

In later years, his football career was marked by some oddities. These included Kiick and Csonka signing with the World Football League. Kiick eventually came back to the NFL where he was released by the Denver Broncos. As bad luck would have it, this release came on the same day that Kiick saw his marriage end and his house burn down.

In 1996, Kiick was named to the University of Wyoming’s Sports Hall of Fame. He is now president of Kiick Sports Promotions, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His agency books former players for special appearances.

Nick Buoniconti

A linebacker who played for the Boston Patriots and the Miami Dolphins, Nick was instrumental in both play and leadership during his career. He was named to the AFL All-star team in 1969 and the Pro Bowl in 1972 and 1973. In the latter year, he set a record by making 162 tackles, 91 of which were unassisted. In 2001, he was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Since retirement, Nick served as President of the US Tobacco Company and was a co-host on the HBO series, Inside the NFL. Over the past two decades, he has been an instrumental figure in the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. He began taking part in this foundation when his son Marc was paralyzed during a 1985 college football game. This foundation has since become one of the leading neurological research centers in the world.

Nick is believed to be the most vocal member of the Perfect Season Miami Dolphins team. He is rumored to lead a champagne toast each year after the lingering undefeated team suffers its first defeat.

Until another team can equal an unblemished record, it’s simply bottom’s up for Nick and the rest of the 1972 members. The other NFL franchises only hope is to keep on fishing and pray that something, besides a Dolphin, will bite.

Jennifer Jordan is a senior editor for http://www.milleniumlimo.com. An avid sports fan, she likes the Miami Dolphins, but her heart belongs to the Denver Broncos.

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The Legacy Of The Detroit Lions
By Jordan Knapp

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the Detroit Lions are the city’s only professional football franchise. The team currently resides just a luxury sedan or limo ride away at Ford Field, located in downtown Detroit. Here are some team historical highlights:

The Lions weren’t Detroit’s first pro football team. In 1920, the Detroit Heralds were a charter member of the American Professional Football Association, but the franchise folded after two years. Then the Detroit Panthers formed in 1925, but that team also folded after two seasons. In 1928, the Detroit Wolverines were formed, but they failed after only one year. Finally, Detroit welcomed the Lions in 1934. The team originated in Ohio and was purchased for $7,952.08 by a group headed by Detroit radio executive George A. Richards and then moved to Motown.

The Lions played in the University of Detroit Stadium before average crowds of 16,000 people. The new Detroit Lions won the NFL Championship in only their second year in 1935. Under Coach “Potsy” Clark and stars like Hall of Famer “Dutch” Clark, Ernie Caddel, George Christensen, “Ace” Gutowsky,
Glenn Presnell and “Ox” Emerson, the early Lions established pro football in Detroit.

In 1940, Chicagoan Fred Mandel bought the club. The team was sold eight years later to a group of local businessmen under the leadership of Edwin J. Anderson. The Detroit syndicate controlled the club until 1964, when William Clay Ford became sole owner for a price of $4.5 million…

The Lions dominated in the 1950s with four division titles and three league championships. Under head coach Buddy Parker, the team won back-to-back world crowns in 1952-53, defeating Cleveland on both occasions. The Detroit-Cleveland battles of the era were classic confrontations between two giants of the blossoming NFL.

In 1967, Schmidt began the first of six seasons as head coach of the Lions. His 1970 team made the playoffs, (first post-season trip since ‘57) but lost in the first round to Dallas by the baseball-like score of 5-0.

During the 1974 season, the Lions moved into a new, domed stadium, the Silverdome, in Pontiac, Michigan, a suburb located 30 miles north of Detroit. It remains the world’s largest air-supported domed structure and seats over 80,000 spectators under a fiberglass roof.

Monte Clark took control of all football operations as head coach in 1978. Under Clark’s direction, the Lions narrowly missed playoff berths in 1980-81, before qualifying in 1982 — the Lions’ first playoff appearance since 1970.
Darryl Rogers replaced Clark in 1985 but was replaced on an interim basis by his defensive coordinator, Wayne Fontes, in November 1988, after Rogers’ teams had posted a combined 18-40 record. Fontes officially was named the 17th head coach of the Detroit Lions on December 22, 1988.

The Lions “Restored the Roar” in 1991, winning a franchise-record 12 regular season games. Riding a tide of emotion after guard Mike Utley’s paralyzing neck injury, Detroit defeated Dallas, 38-6, in the Lions’ first Silverdome playoff contest. The victory gave the Lions a berth in the NFC Championship Game, where they were defeated Super Bowl Champion Washington Redskins.

The Lions finished 10-6 in 1993 en route to capturing the NFC Central Division title, and earned a wild-card playoff bid in 1994. The 1995 Lions featured the NFL’s top-rated offense and won their final seven games to earn a third straight playoff berth.

In 1996, running back Barry Sanders captured his third NFL rushing title with a dramatic 175-yard outburst on the final Monday night of the season in San Francisco.

Bobby Ross was named the 18th head coach in team history January 13, 1997, and led the club back to the playoffs in his inaugural year at the helm with a 9-7 record. That season, Sanders continued his storybook career by becoming only the third player in league history to record 2,000 yards rushing in a single-season (2,053) and he reeled off an NFL record 14 consecutive 100-yard outings to finish the season.

After nine games into the 2002 season and compiling a 5-4 record, Bobby Ross abruptly resigned as head coach November 6 and was immediately replaced by Gary Moeller. Moeller guided the team to a 4-3 record over the last seven games, but narrowly missed the playoffs with a loss to the Chicago Bears in the season finale. Following the season, William Clay Ford named Matt Millen President and CEO and he assumed control of team operations. On January 25, 2001, Gary Moeller was replaced as head coach by former San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg.

In 2002, Detroit opened Ford Field, the $500 million downtown stadium. Following the two worst back-to-back seasons in Lions’ history, team management fired Marty Mornhinweg, who compiled a 5-27 mark over the two years. The Lions then hired former San Francisco 49ers head coach and Michigan native Steve Mariucci as their 22nd head coach.

During his third season in Detroit, Mariucci and his Lions held a 4-7 record after their Thanksgiving Day loss against Atlanta. Millen then released Mariucci and named defensive coordinator Dick Jauron as the interim head coach. Detroit finished the season 5-11 and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive line/assistant head coach Rod Marinelli was named the 24th Lions’ coach in franchise history on January 19, 2006.

Checker Sedan is a premier mode of transportation that Detroit Lions fans use to take them back and forth to Ford Field. Checker, http://www.checkersedan.com, was established in March 2000 and has become the fastest growing chauffeur-driven licensed luxury sedan company in Metropolitan Detroit. Checker Sedan is an affiliate of Soave Enterprises, a privately held management and investment company founded by Detroit businessman Anthony L. Soave. Checker Sedan is the official curbside luxury sedan provider for Detroit Metro Airport.

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Dallas Cowboys Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductees
By Rick Bedard

The Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League have a proud and successful history. Known as “America’s Team”, they are a favorite among football enthusiasts in the State of Texas, North America and globally, as well. The team is also very well known for its cheerleaders, the world famous Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Through the years the Dallas Cowboys organization has produced a number of talented players who have become legends of the game and have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Dallas Cowboys have had a great deal of success on the field since becoming an NFL franchise in 1960. Indeed, the Dallas Cowboys are one of the most successful teams in the history of the National Football League and hold numerous league records, thanks to their many great players, coaches and club officials. Additionally, they have been crowned Super Bowl Champions five times.

To date the Dallas Cowboys franchise has sixteen players inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame with ten of the inductees having played the majority of their career, if not all, with the Cowboys. The current Dallas Cowboys inductees are: Herb Adderley, Troy Aikman, Lance Alworth, Mike Ditka, Tony Dorsett, Forrest Gregg, Michael Irvin, Tom Landry, Bob Lilly, Tommy McDonald, Mel Renfro, Tex Schramm, Jackie Smith, Roger Staubach, Randy White, Rayfield White.

As can be imagined, only the best of the best make it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame after close scrutiny and careful consideration. The procedure for choosing inductees is meticulous and well defined. Currently the Pro Football Hall of Fame has a 40 member Board of Selectors that consists of one media representative from each pro football city, one representative of the Pro Football Writer’s of America (PFWA) and seven at-large delegates. All appointments to the board can be terminated only by retirement or resignation insomuch as the member attends meetings regularly. The one exception is the PFWA representative who is appointed for a two-year term.

During the time of the Super Bowl the board meets to elect new members. They can choose between three and six inductees. Each candidate and his credentials are carefully reviewed and scrutinized. An eighty percent approval rate by the board must be reached before the candidate can be elected. A scale of negative votes is used to eliminate candidates.

When the board meets to make their selection they will receive the biographies of 17 final candidates. Of those 17 candidates two candidates will be from the pre-1982 era (chosen by the Senior Committee which is made up of members from the overall committee), ensuring that older players will be considered along with the younger players. The 15 other finalists are those that have survived a preliminary mail ballot screening by the Board.

There is fan involvement, too, as the original list of candidates will have been partly supplied by the fans. Fans can nominate any qualified person connected with pro football in any capacity by writing to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. One of the qualifiers is that a player must have played at least five seasons to be eligible for consideration. For a non-player, there is no mandatory retirement period, but a coach must be retired before he may be considered. Every nomination received by a fan is forwarded to the Board of Selectors.

Being enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame is no easy feat. With their successful past and promising future, there is no doubt that the Dallas Cowboys franchise will see many more inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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