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Ethan Ratke feels “lifted up” after winning Fred Mitchell Award
In 2009, the National Football Foundation made me the namesake for an annual award that honors the most outstanding kicker among over 750 colleges in America. For that, this old straight-on kicker remains forever grateful, especially to Chicago chapter chairman Chris Kearney.
In addition to kicking performance, community service is considered by our 35-man selection committee, which includes several members of the Pro Football and College Football Hall of Fame, as well as prominent coaches and businessmen.
Committee chairman Rob Perry recently announced the 2021 winner of the FMA is Ethan Ratke from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va. The Dukes are 12-1 as they enter the semifinals of the FCS tournament against perennial powerhouse North Dakota State. Ratke has converted 29 of 32 field goal attempts to this point, as well as 61 of 62 extra points. Even more impressively, Ratke is the all-time college career leader in […]
Dick Barnett scoring points off the court
Inspiring Gary product on lecture tour
My home town of Gary, Indiana, has a rich history of world-class athletes, contradicting the unfortunate national narrative of it being simply beset with extreme poverty, rampant crime and virtual hopelessness.
Countless names roll off my tongue when it comes to decades-long athletic excellence from Gary products. Heisman Trophy winner Tom Harmon, boxing great […]
Otis Wilson calls on NFL to support ailing former players
“The NFL needs to be shamed”
Sleepless nights, excruciating headaches, throbbing pain and ongoing depression.
This is no way to go through life when viable solutions could be made available
Professional football players should not be considered disposal entities, only to be cheered and celebrated during their youthful playing days, and then virtually disregarded as they deal with a life of […]
Sayers family “blown away” by statue and tributes for the late Kansas Comet
Celebration of his life to be planned for my longtime friend
An imposing 8-foot statue of former Chicago Bears and Kansas icon Gale Sayers was unveiled on Oct. 3 during halftime of the Jayhawks game against Oklahoma State.
Sayers passed away at the age of 77 on Sept. 23, following a lengthy battle with dementia.
The unveiling of Sayers’ statue coincided […]
Bob Stearnes inducted into Indiana Football Hall of Fame
Good evening. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of Coach Bob Stearnes’ induction into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame.
I can’t believe how fortunate we were at Tolleston High School to have two Hall of Fame coaches mentoring us in Coach Earl Smith and Coach Bob Stearnes. Their legacy as athletes and coaches in the […]
When I crossed paths with Vince Lombardi and the Packers
So, speaking of the upcoming NFL draft, here’s a curious story about my brief interaction with the legendary Vince Lombardi and the Green Bay Packers nearly a half century ago.
Lombardi exchanged communications with a business colleague of my father just three weeks before the 1969 NFL/AFL draft, which took place Jan. 28-29 in New York of that year, and saw […]