Inthend

On 10/10/2023 at 12:39 AM, Inthend said:

Great player and coach.

😅 Thinking Mike Ditka. 😄

Great player and coach.

Russ Francis, a former NFL tight-end, passed away as a result of a plane crash in Lake Placid on October 1st at the age of 70. He was selected in the first round by the New England Patriots, the 16th overall pick, and signed in May.

During the Patriots 30–27 win in 1976 over the two-time defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers on September 26, Francis caught a 38-yard touchdown pass from Steve Grogan, Francis had a career-best 139 yards receiving. As a result, Howard Cosell proclaimed him the "All-World Tight End."

In 1980, Francis caught a 23-yard pass from Harold Jackson on a wide receiver reverse option play, in the Patriots 34–21 win over the New York Jets on November 2. He caught a 12-yard pass from WR Harold Jackson, on the same wide receiver reverse option play, in the Pats' 16–13 overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football on December 8.

In 1978, Francis had a career-longest 53-yard reception and 126 yards receiving in the Patriots 21–14 win over the Oakland Raiders at the Oakland Coliseum on September 24. That season, he led the Patriots in receptions with 39 catches for 543 yards.

Francis was a Pro Bowl selection for three consecutive seasons (1977–1979).

Following the 1980 season, Francis retired from professional football. Two things that Francis has said contributed greatly to this decision were, one, when the Patriots refused to give him his promised bonus for making the Pro Bowl (because his injury from a motorcycle accident kept him out of the game); and, secondly, when his roommate, Darryl Stingley, was paralyzed by a Jack Tatum hit in August 1978, the Patriots tried to cancel Stingley's medical insurance. Francis was the first teammate at Stingley's side immediately after the hit, and he has said it was tough to play after that. Francis was traded to the defending Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers for a draft pick that the Patriots used to select future Hall of Fame linebacker Andre Tippett.

After leaving the Patriots, Francis got a job with ABC Sports. While in Hawaii for the Pro Bowl, Francis interviewed Bill Walsh, the 49ers head coach. Walsh told him this was the only time in his life he would be able to play football, and that he would never get these years back and should not turn his back on this chance. Francis came out of retirement, after sitting out the 1981 season, joined the 49ers and eventually won a Super Bowl ring as a member of the 1984 49ers. Francis played a key role in San Francisco's win over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XIX (5 catches for 60 yards). In 1985, Francis had a career-high 44 receptions. After being waived by the 49ers during the 1987 season, Francis signed with his old team, the Patriots, before the season's final game. His second tenure in New England was less successful than his first, however, and he played just one more season. Francis spent 1989 injured before being waived and retiring.

Condolences to his family and friends and may he Rest in Peace.

This article was directly sourced using Francis' Wikipedia page.

On 8/10/2023 at 6:07 AM, IbanezJem said:

RIP. Heard this when I was about 12, years before I knew anything bout The Band or involvement with Bob.  Loved it then, still do. 

I was about 56 when I first heard it. That's groovy man. 😎 Thanks.

He wrote "The night they drove old dixie down" right? So different. Amazing the same person wrote both of them. Love that song. 

He wrote the lyrics too? Wonder how he got the inspiration being from Canda? Talented fellow. 

On 7/16/2023 at 10:28 PM, treeduck said:

Been over 10 years since i saw this but I remember Harris giving a very good portrayal  and being a pretty good interpretation of scripture imo.

pretty bad ass

And Mars Attacks!  Love that movie! 

And yes his highlight film is fun to watch!

On 5/7/2023 at 4:25 PM, Nova Carmina said:

I remember having that guy's baseball card and being fascinated by his cool name. Later, he signed with the Royals for a couple of years. A great baseball character.

 

Thanks for the memories.

 

RIP

Yep had the cool name.

I don't have alot of cards maybe 200 -300 from my youth but I'm pretty sure he is one of them. Saw him on TV more than a few times. Always threw a good game.

Inside Man

with Clive Owen, Denzel Washington, Jody Foster

Awesome movie.

43 minutes ago, invisible airwave said:

I specifically said front curbside for my edibles on weedmaps and the delivery car goes to back alley instead of making a U turn.

 

Reading is fundamental.

Yeah, what's that guy been smokin'. 

10 hours ago, Inthend said:

 

So true. I also am missing my short-haired tuxedo, Lash. A fixed female that was a really cool cat. A very well balanced personality. Was never real big on cats and hadn't had one for about 20 years but got talked in to taking her and her her soul sister Peeps about 6 years ago. They were kittens of two separate liters (12 kittens total) nursed in the same garage only a week apart that my good friend begged me to take. She enjoyed staying outside during the day (Peeps likes inside always) and I often would let her out while away at work. She would always greet me on my return, but didn't 3 days ago. 😥 

Traffic is not much of a concern. Coyotes are around but during the day? I don't know? Whatever her fate I'm thankful for sharing my space with her and learning what she had to teach. 

😇😊 She showed up this morning; not a scratch on her! 

On 2/28/2023 at 10:47 AM, The Cat 3 said:

 

Dear Rhyta,

 

I am so very sorry for your loss of Rusty.

 

I know I only know you from a rock sight in a little corner of cyberspace, but I am certain that you and your husband transformed

Rusty's life by giving him all the love and affection that he wouldn't have known if not for his adopted human companions.

 

I know his life was all the better from wandering into yours, as I am sure that you and your husband's lives were bettered, likewise.

 

My thoughts and prayers are with you today.

On 2/28/2023 at 3:28 PM, Rhyta said:

Oh how lovely, that picture looks so much like him.  Bless you for this.  I can take some comfort in knowing we gave him a warm home and lots of love and he paid us back more than we ever could have imagined. 

So true. I also am missing my short-haired tuxedo, Lash. A fixed female that was a really cool cat. A very well balanced personality. Was never real big on cats and hadn't had one for about 20 years but got talked in to taking her and her her soul sister Peeps about 6 years ago. They were kittens of two separate liters (12 kittens total) nursed in the same garage only a week apart that my good friend begged me to take. She enjoyed staying outside during the day (Peeps likes inside always) and I often would let her out while away at work. She would always greet me on my return, but didn't 3 days ago. 😥 

Traffic is not much of a concern. Coyotes are around but during the day? I don't know? Whatever her fate I'm thankful for sharing my space with her and learning what she had to teach. 

6 minutes ago, treeduck said:

3 minutes ago, goose said:

Damn!

She is stunning!

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/video/cindy-williams-star-of-laverne-shirley-dies-at-75-thr-news/&ved=2ahUKEwjPu-rJvvj8AhUUZTABHeuaClUQ0PADKAB6BAgSEAE&usg=AOvVaw069VzP2bjSxO4mYF57HTrP

Certain I probably had a crush on her as a teenager. 

Laverne and Shirley was a funny show. 

Lenny and Squiggy. Lol

Some good laughs. 

Thanks Mrs. Williams.

Hope to see ya later.

1 hour ago, Principled Man said:

The Packers’ fool of a head coach is doing his best to lose the game so far.  

That play called on 4th and inches was a head scratcher.

Incredible ability by Goff to deliver that bomb to the 1yrd line. 

But GB knocking again. 

Check that.. TD!

3min Lions down by 3. Can they stop the final drive? 

5 hours ago, goose said:

I saw something similar on YouTube last night soon after he was taken to the hospital.   Think of all the chest shots guys take, the number of broken ribs, yet guys walk away.

 

I've long been wondering why the offensive player is still allowed to lower his head or shoulder like a weapon when defense is now flagged for the same.  Maybe this will drive a rule change in that regard

While quarterbacks are especially in need of protection, players in all positions are at risk of severe injury, Wasserman noted.

“For all the focus on rules surrounding quarterbacks, the essence of the game at all positions remains embedded in its violence, with the expectation of injury being virtually universal,” he wrote.

Replacing tackling with the use of flags “may be the game’s only hope,” he went on, adding:

The violence lovers will whine that the sport is going “wimpy.” But in the long term, the whole game must be overhauled and made less brutal. The grotesque parade of seriously harmed young stars being carted off the field is not sustainable.

Is that what you want? Flags?

 🤣 

Yeah flags aren't wimpy.

It was the first Album of Rush I ever purchased.  A friend had the cassette and we played it every day on my "boombox" during a week at Myrtle Beach. I had just turned 16. That must have been the summer of '83. Loved it so much i bought the CD not long after returning home. 

On 10/4/2022 at 9:18 PM, Fordgalaxy said:

This started out as a blown play but worked out well in the end. Who knew Butkus could catch so easily? Also, check out the announcer and the score at the end.

 

 

Dick Butkus is an ass. 😆 

Yeah I remember seeing that play on TV live. Terry Bradshaw owes him a lot for making that play. 😆 

It does epitomize the Never Say Die attitude of sports competition. And I'd say that attitude had a lot to do with Harris's success. Yeah I was a Cowboy fan growing up but Franco always came across to me as a decent guy and good role model. Thanks for a very cool memory, Franco.

Sorry to hear she passed. Fleetwood Mac one of my very favorite bands. LOVED McVie's voice. So soothing. Definitely an equal part in making FM the elite superband it was. Hope to see you again, songbird. 

On 10/11/2022 at 12:41 PM, Principled Man said:

Davante Adams shoved some guy after his team's dumb loss to the Chiefs, but he apologized afterwards.

 

That was nuthin'.  Way back in the day, the Bengals had just lost to their arch-enemy, Jerry Glanville and the Oilers.  Fights broke out right afterwards.  It was a bad scene, and the TV announcers were quite appalled.  Bengals offensive lineman Joe Walter was walking towards the tunnel, and a cameraman got too close to him.  On live TV, Walter smacked the guy and his camera and yelled, "Get that f-cking camera out of my face!!"    

 

After several seconds of silence, the one TV announcer said, "I don't think Joe Walter wanted that camera in his face!"  As the broadcast was ending, the announcers said, "On behalf of our broadcast crew....and Joe Walter....thanks for watching!"         

 

 

 

 

And charged with  misdemeanor assault. Really? 

News Flash... Tom Brady would have been sacked in 4th quarter giving Atlanta chance to win except he was tackled around the waist and brought to the ground which is of course illegal when tackling a quarterback especially Tom Brady. 

Today's high was 92°. Tomorrow's forecast 75°. Got real breezy this evening. Felt like my favorite season had finally arrived. 

Well it didn't take long for a Touching the Passer call to make me cuss the TV and football in general. Cleveland given 15 free yards plus stopping the clock allowing them just enough time to kick game winner against Carolina. Worse thing is  Replay shows it was Cleveland blocker's arm who touched quarterback's helmet. 

Was even worse call than the Tackling the Passer call in the first quarter when some of the defender's body touched the quarterback when they both fell to the ground. 

Happy anniversary Rick!