Cheap Seat
When PSLs became “The Catch”
Some of the most famous plays in NFL history are now linked with the most infamous power play of the last 15 years - the propensity of NFL owners to pick up and leave, abandoning loyal fans in the pursuit of personal fortunes.
It’s all part of an ad campaign in Tennessee designed to stir ticket sales for the Houston Oilers’ move to Nashville. TV spots try to lure prospective fans into purchasing “permanent seat licenses” with video clips featuring Pittsburgh’s Franco Harris making the “Immaculate Reception,” the Steelers’ Lynn Swann making a spectacular catch in the 1976 Super Bowl and San Francisco’s Dwight Clark making “The Catch.” The music accompanying the ads is “All I Have to Do Is Dream” by the Everly Brothers.
They apparently couldn’t get permission to use Pink Floyd’s “Money.”
Don’t bother Chicago’s royal family
Sonics fans who were brushed aside when they asked for Michael Jordan’s autograph shouldn’t take it personally. His Airness, who made his annual visit to Seattle when the Bulls played the Sonics on Nov. 27, says he’s not signing autographs anymore. This couldn’t have anything to do with Jordan signing a deal with a card company, could it?
“I don’t want to be put on a pedestal,” His Airness claimed, exhibiting the discipline of a champion by somehow maintaining a straight face. “I’ve gotten away from signing autographs. I try to just talk to people because to me, that’s more valuable than something scribbled on a piece of paper.”
Say what? “Some people don’t understand,” Jordan continued, “but you have to force the issue.”
Our gentle neighbors in the Great White North tend to be more mannerly, more reticent about approaching their athletic gods, but they also expect some consideration in return. The Vancouver media, perhaps accustomed to the genial off-ice conduct of most NHL players, didn’t react kindly when the Bulls brushed off Vancouver.
It seems several players, including Scottie Pippen, Jordan and Dennis Rodman, wouldn’t give interviews after practice. And coach Phil Jackson didn’t return the local media’s phone calls.
Observed Vancover Province columnist Tony Gallagher: “Arrogance comes in a good many packages, but some of the proctological specimens on the Chicago Bulls have honed it to an art form.”
Just a thought
With Terry Donahue leaving UCLA for the CBS broadcast booth, Woody Woodburn of the Ventura (Calif.) Star Free-Press says: “Just once I’d like to see a college or pro football team steal someone from a TV studio to become the head coach.”
If it happens, don’t look for Jimmy Johnson to name Brent Musburger as his offensive coordinator.
Geography for a hundred, Alex
Indianapolis’ victory over the San Diego Chargers on Sunday marked the Colts’ first playoff victory since 1971, when the team played in Baltimore and featured a quarterback named Unitas. But current Colts players understandably had little need for history on a day they made Indianapolis truly proud for the first time since moving there from Baltimore in 1984.
Defensive tackle Tony Siragusa put Sunday’s win in perspective, his University of Pittsburgh education notwithstanding: “When I first came here, I thought Indianapolis was in New Jersey. We’ve come a long way since then.”
The last word …
“I understand that he interviewed Ken and Barbie and made them both cry. If ESPN ever starts thinking budget cuts, it could begin by losing one of the chairs on (Roy) Firestone’s set. He always ends up in his guest’s lap anyway.”
- Syndicated columnist Norman Chad, in April 1995 GQ magazine
, DataTimes