:10—U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Booker, a man who has served both his country and community well, not to mention corporate America, is in a perfect position to set the wheels in motion here in Pittsburgh for what is clearly sweeping the country. A nationwide boycott against all NFL football until Colin Kaepernick is given a fair and deserved opportunity to earn a living playing quarterback in the league. If you don’t know the Kaepernick story, shame on you for being the least-informed rock in the pile…Google it, man! But you need to know about Sgt. Booker. A track man out of Wilkinsburg during the glory days of the late ‘60s and ‘70s who decided to serve his country, and serve he did, up close and personal in Iraq and other conflicts. Homecoming became marriage to the lovely Charmaine, two great kids and the lifelong addiction to basketball, highlighted by his legendary role as the voice of the nationally-recognized Connie Hawkins Pro/Am Summer Basketball League (when he wasn’t playing and coaching in the little time he had available.). All that being said, not a greater Steeler fan has been born on Earth, but his love for the Black and Gold and all other parts of the NFL stops “Right Here…Right Now!” Booker is boycotting the NFL, the Steelers and you for that matter until, and I quote, “This unfair, racist, hypocritical and planned blackballing of Kaepernick comes to an end!” I, for one, am joining the brigade and here’s why. No. 1, Kaepernick is no bum. He was in Super Bowl XLVII against the Ravens. No. 2, he was exercising his first amendment right to speak or, if you will, not stand for something! No. 3, what he was protesting against was important and meaningful. No. 4, he’s better than 75 percent of the backup quarterbacks in the NFL. No. 5, he said if he signed, he would not protest again. Hey, where’s that Rooney rule when you need it? I’m just askin’!
:09—OK, here we go with your Steeler report. Ya know you want it. You love it. You want more of it. No. 1, James Harrison is still the miracle man. No worries there at all. I share your same concerns. When oh when, dear football gods, will we ever have a defensive secondary that can stop the pass. If we don’t pick up Kaepernick, then Dobbs is your backup. Speed solved a multitude of problems. No. 2, don’t worry, Le’Veon Bell is coming. He watches TV. He sees James Conner running just like me and you. No. 3, you just gotta love Ryan Shazier…nuff said! Hey, they lost to a good, not great, Indy team (Aug. 26), but again, it’s only preseason.
:08—The fight was OK. No surprises. Mayweather did what he do. Control the tempo of the fight, smart, in shape, pinpoint. McGregor, not used to long rounds, ran out of gas. A 40-year-old legend beat a nobody to the boxing world…it was OK. That’s all I can give ya.
:07—But all you old school cats know you miss the conventional old school boxing game. Ali, Frazier, Holmes, Foreman, Moore, Sugar Ray, Hearns, Hagler, Duran. C’mon man!!!
:06—I don’t care about “no stinkin” Cavaliers. And LeBron’s a bum. (The greatest bum on the planet, but a bum nonetheless. That being said, Kyrie Irving is gone and will make Boston the second-best team in the east. That remains true until they beat Cleveland in playoffs. I’m not sure Isaiah Thomas can play second fiddle to LeBron without issues. He’s a scoring guard. Should be OK. We’ll see.
:05—The Pirates beat the Cincinnati Reds Sunday (Aug. 27), 5-2, which means you still have to hold on. They’re not dead yet.
:04—All I can tell ya is if you weren’t at D. Law and Chandra’s house for the “Just Friends” summer get-together, you didn’t only miss the good conversation, turkey ribs and the yams, you missed the summer breeze on the deck. Man, that’s worth the ride out to…none of your business! Job well done, “House of Law!”
:03—Get ready to get ready. Next week we will release the names of the finalists for this year’s Pittsburgh City League All Sports Hall of Fame Inductees. But in the meantime, know this so you don’t get left out again like you did last year. Friday, October 6, pre-reception party at the fabulous Savoy, 6 p.m. until, $5 cover benefits the H.O.F., free parking, cash bar, cash kitchen, ultimate meet-and-greet reunion, 17 states represented coming home. Saturday, Oct. 7 is the H.O.F. awards, 6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. awards show, $50 adults, $25 youth 12 and under, street and lot parking. Dress to impress, afterparty at the Savoy, 10 p.m. until – no cover – cash bar – free parking, honoring the 1966 and 1971 Schenley City League and State Champion basketball teams, along with 25 of the greatest living legends in City League athletics history. For more information, call Achieving Greatness Inc. at 412-628-4856.
:02—Look back to the fight game a minute. I got Sugar Ray Leonard top welterweight over Mayweather, Hearns, Duran and Hagler, when they were all at their best in that class. My old man puts Mayweather over everybody, but Sugar Ray Robinson. What say you? Text me at 412-628-4856.
:01—Wednesday, Aug. 30! You still have time to get your ride together, go deep in your summer closet for your best black and white combo, and have you and your significant other come on down to the Old School Black and White party/Car Cruise and Show at the top social spot in town…The fabulous Savoy. B&W rolls on from 4 to 9 p.m., inside and out, rain or shine. The car show in the Savoy lot 4 to 7 p.m. Registration is $10 for car show or party admission, proceeds benefit the City League Hall of Fame awards – cash bar – cash kitchen – free patron parking – First, second, third place large trophies for best car on site. No categories – Black and White people, black and white attire. Let’s bring the peace, love and good looks! Call 412-628-4856 for info. Do it. Do it now! (Oh, by the way, free back to school bookbags for the first 50 registered cars.)
:00–GAME OVER.
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