I read an interesting quote from Will Levis recently.  Will is the former University of Kentucky quarterback who many think will be a high first round draft pick in tonight’s NFL Draft.

Levis made a statement, I paraphrase, that indicates his confidence by saying he has as strong an arm as anyone in the NFL.  Big words.  But this is nothing we haven’t seen or read before.  In the 1983 Sports Illustrated College Football Preview, those were always nice back then, one Dan Marino said he could throw better than anyone in college and he could throw with anyone in the pros.  That paraphrase is much more accurate than the one about Levis.  What can I say?  The Marino story came 40 years ago.  NFL football meant just a little more to me then than it does now.  Remember, Ken Anderson was still playing for the Cincinnati Bengals in 1983.

In 1964 this was the NFL Draft.  Doesn’t she look darling?

Where they are having the NFL Draft tonight in Kansas CIty, there will probably be more people in the bathroom between the 11th and 12th pick compared to what we see in this photo.

Will Levis?  Will Levis is a big fan of Will Levis.  I have always been a fan of you too, Will.  I just hope your interest in your arm goes beyond a three foot radius around.  I hope you will be a good teammate, Will.  My hope is that you will be chosen by the Indianapolis Colts.  I read that Peyton Manning gave you props.  Were those smoke signals?  Or did he attach a note to a horseshoe and throw it through Jim Irsay’s office window.  That would not be cool.  Don’t want to risk damaging a guitar.

No.  I don’t think the Colts will choose Will Levis.

No, this is not Will Levis.  This is Arch Manning.  I read today that Arch Manning will forego any monetary gain college players are raking in these days with Name Image and Likeness deals until he is named the starting quarterback.  That whole NIL mess is another post entirely, providing there are enough ROLAIDS at the ready.

I don’t think Arch is going to miss a meal.  This edict does have a 180 degrees about it though, if you want to look at it closely.  Seems folks bet on everything these days.  Do you think Vegas has and OVER/UNDER on how many teams Arch will play for in college before he declares for the draft?

Oh yes, the Manning Brothers and the NFL Draft Drama.  

When Peyton came out of Tennessee and landed in Indy there were those who thought Ryan Leaf was the one who got away.

It worked out.

When Eli was drafted out of Ole MIss he let it be known he was not going to play for the San Diego Chargers.  Spoiled brat power play?  Only if you want to think so.  I think otherwise.  All of a sudden you can’t make a business decision in the big business world of pro football?  I think otherwise.

It worked out.

It’s popcorn time!

Speaking the rights…

Danny Johnson

The last entry I made on this space was February 1st.  More than two months have passed since I spoke the rights.  That is too many sunsets on one website.

The last time here I was lamenting the loss of a youngster I knew a long time ago.  I didn’t expect that the distance that goes along with losing someone from your past would also find me distancing myself from my keyboard here.  Too much unspoken feeling will do that I suppose.  I am sure of it.

Since then much has gone on.  Most of it wonderful stuff.

My Brad McCammon Tribute.  I was offering my glasses to the refs at a college basketball game. I saw Brad pull this when he was coaching a sectional basketball game at Orleans many years ago.  This was the first college basketball game I have ever witnessed in person in my life.  The guy who has been to college football stadiums from sea to shining sea and seen more than half of the FBS teams play in person was finally watching a college basketball game.  Making a promise will do that to a fella.

It was late January 2019.  In the Brownstown Central High School Gym BC’ers affectionately call “The Pit” I watched the North Harrison Lady Cats beat the Lady Braves (or Squaws to some politically correct-Americans).  On this night I promised then senior Lilly Hatton I would watch one of her Wofford games when she was playing in college.

Fast forward to her senior year and I am running out of time.  Life goes on.  But on February 18, 2023 in Chattanooga, my dear wife, Carrie, and I were there to watch the visiting Wofford Terriers defeat the UT-Chattanooga Mocs.  Watching Lilly was a thrill.

It was a great night.  In Lilly’s senior year at Wofford, the team won more games in a season than it ever had before.  22-10 was their final record.  They won the Southern Conference Championship in the regular season and were bested in the conference tourney final by the same UT-Chattanooga team.

One week later, Carrie and I were back in Tennessee.  This time in Nashville at the Vanderbilt Medical Center to see granddaughter Penelope Ann being brought into the world.  Our son Cody and his wife, Paola, did good.

I kid you not.  Penelope was only a few hours old when I took this picture.  She got here ready.

And you better know Grandma is having a good time.

This was taken this week.

I must say I am having a good time too.  

Penelope and I were watching Indy Car Racing from Texas today.  She lost interest when her driver, Sato, hit the wall.  So did she.  I had to relive the finish for her and how Josef Newgarden won under caution with less than two laps to go.

It hasn’t been all good recently.

I found this in an Albany (NY) newspaper last June.  Besides looking at it a few times and shaking my head, I have never shared it before.  That changed when another school shooting, this time Nashville, was realized.  This says a great deal to me.  Unfortunately, I am not as influential as I wish I was.  Strange when I get into a gun debate no one wants to talk sense.  They don’t seem to listen.  They don’t care.  They don’t care that I think owning a gun is fine.  And I have seen on social media comparisons to rocks and guns.  I have yet to see a rock that could destroy a 7-Eleven in 8 seconds.  Talk about stupidity.  But that seems to be the cup of the day.

God help us.

On another good note…

This guy has already mowed his yard this year.

One more good note…

I was so impressed with an interview that Coach K gave to Chris Wallace recently, I sent a note to Coach K letting him know it.  As usual, I mentioned some things I appreciated and expounded a little.  Thankfully, he kept reading.  The man sent a letter addressed to the Students of North Harrison High School.  The letter will be framed and placed in the school library.  At least I know Coach K is listening.

Speaking the rights…

Danny Johnson