Stories from the Steps

sports

  • Sports Stores from the Steps

    SEASON 1, GAME 2, LI’L MIKEY’S FOOTBALL FRIDAY REMINDER: On the overlooked 100th anniversary of the twin feats of  Red Grange, Illinois’ Gallopin’ Ghost, legendary four touchdowns in the first twelve minutes against Michigan & Grantland Rice borrowing from John’s… Continue reading

    Sports Stores from the Steps

  • Vol.1 Chronicle 42, Nat’l Coaches Day

    NATIONAL COACHES DAY ‘24, A STUDY IN BLACK AND WHITE OF WHAT YOU NEED: Yesterday, October 6th, was National Coaches Day. I’m intentionally late in posting on October 7th, but we’ll get to that. Coaches do so much that no… Continue reading

    Vol.1 Chronicle 42, Nat’l Coaches Day

  • Vol.1 Chronicle 40

    DUCATS WITH DAD: This was intended to be a rant against overpaid & overhyped coaches, the NIL & Tennessee’s “10% talent fee” on next season’s ticket package. I spent yesterday banging the keyboard between my ears foraging for nouns &… Continue reading

    Vol.1 Chronicle 40

  • Living dangerously…

    SPORTS STORIES FROM THE STEPS, SEASON 1, GAME 1, IDOLS & LIVING DANGEROUS: “…Heroes I wish I’d never met, but he ain’t naming names…”~Kenny Chesney~ “If this bus could talk” As I get older, I realize that a lot of… Continue reading

    Living dangerously…

  • Vol.1, Chronicle 34

    I ALMOST STAYED OUT THE HALLWAY: “Stay out the hallway” was written in black on 2” white athletic tape, advice on a gym door for students where me & Miss Julie voted last Tuesday. That advice in some form, has… Continue reading

    Vol.1, Chronicle 34

  • Vol.1, Chronicle 32

    THE WEDNESDAY FOOTBALL FIX, 1974 WITH LOTTIE & JULIA: As days sometimes thunder by slowly & the years are greased lightning, I find myself recognizing deeds that went by without applause. I find the words in Maya Angelou’s “Continue” both… Continue reading

    Vol.1, Chronicle 32

  • Vol.1,  Chronicle 31: Mirages

    MIRAGES OF GRIEF, THE PRODIGAL, VOLUME 1, CHRONICLE 31, STORIES FROM THE STEPS: Maya Angelou wrote, “I answer the heroic question ‘Death where is thy sting?’, with it is here in my heart & mind & memories.” I seem to… Continue reading

    Vol.1,  Chronicle 31: Mirages

  • Vol.1, Chronicle 27, TitleIX

    STORIES FROM THE STEPS, VOLUME 1, CHRONICLE 27, Title IX: No man need be a mediocrity if he accepts himself as God made him.” ~Irish poet Patrick Kavanagh~ I equate Miss Julie with this line. She answered her call long… Continue reading

    Vol.1, Chronicle 27, TitleIX

  • Father’s Day

    VOLUME 1, CHRONICLE 26, FATHER’S DAY 2024, ABSENT YET PRESENT: Sometimes I write, to paraphrase Maya Angelou, because it’s agony to bear an untold story in the soul or like today, I’m an empty penitent seeking a filling communion, seeking… Continue reading

    Father’s Day

  • Vol.1, Chronicle 25: Streak of Love

    STREAK OF LOVE: In Philadelphia, on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania, sits a legendary gymnasium named The Palestra. Outside that old barn’s front doors is a plaque that reads: “To win the game is great. To play the… Continue reading

    Vol.1, Chronicle 25: Streak of Love