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109, 2023

Former NFL star writes about travails of pioneering black players

By |September 1st, 2023|Categories: NFL|

The history of African Americans in professional football is a complicated, alarming, and yet remarkable journey that warrants detailed research and analysis.

Gary Burley, a former outstanding defensive lineman for the Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons, has made it his mission to chronicle those often-overlooked chapters in a new book entitled: “Glory: The Struggle For Yards.” It is written with acclaimed veteran journalist Donna Francavilla.

“I think that there were some amazing players during the early 1900s and the early 1920s that were accepted because that was almost before this huge discrimination effort became nationwide,” said Francavilla, who happens to be a neighbor of Burley in Birmingham, Ala.

“And they were able to make some inroads. But of course, their accomplishments were swept under the rug. And so, by uncovering it and unearthing it, we can see that great players, inspirational players were always there, always doing the right thing for the right […]

1910, 2020

Sayers family “blown away” by statue and tributes for the late Kansas Comet

By |October 19th, 2020|Categories: Chicago Bears, Main, NFL|0 Comments

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 […]

903, 2017

When I crossed paths with Vince Lombardi and the Packers

By |March 9th, 2017|Categories: Uncategorized|0 Comments

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 […]

3112, 2016

Week 17 NFL picks

By |December 31st, 2016|Categories: Uncategorized|0 Comments

The Packers and Lions battle for the NFC North title Sunday at Ford Field, while the Bears and Vikings face each other with nothing on the line in Minnesota. Here are my Week 17 picks:

Vikings over Bears

Patriots over Dolphins

Steelers over Browns

Bucs over Panthers

Cowboys over Eagles

Titans over Texans

Bills over Jets

Ravens over Bengals

Colts over Jaguars

Seahawks over 49ers

Falcons over Saints

Chiefs over Chargers

Cardinals over […]

2312, 2016

Week 16 NFL picks

By |December 23rd, 2016|Categories: Uncategorized|0 Comments

Playoff spots are up for grabs for several teams. For others, top spots in the upcoming draft could be their consolation prize. The Browns, 49ers Bears, Jets and Jaguars are this year’s bottom-feeders. Here are my Week 16 picks:

Eagles over Giants

Bills over Dolphins

Panthers over Falcons

Redskins over Bears

Chargers over Browns

Packers over Vikings

Titans over Jaguars

Patriots over Jets

Raiders over Colts

Rams over 49ers

Bucs over […]

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