Texas Football, it’s the best in the nation
The Texas University Interscholastic League, UIL, is asking citizens of the Great State to cast their votes for their favorite players to make up their team of the Century. I’ve found that the one thing most Real Texans agree on is that they do have an opinion on their favorite players in nearly any sport, but most especially football. Heck, the older I get, the better I was.
When nearly any group of guys get together and the conversation turns to football, they can remember specific plays from decades ago that they either participated in or viewed in person or on TV. I would guess nearly every male reader of this blog can see in their mind’s eye Earl Campbell heading around the right side of the field and meeting an would be tackler head on near the goal line. Earl knocked the guy straight backwards in what we call a ‘pancake’ and then proceeded to run right over him to the goal line.
That was a big hit. We remember things like that.
I didn’t know Earl personally, but I am good friends with one of the nominees for best ever quarterback in the last 100 years. Put your thinking caps on and think who your favorite Texas high school quarterback of all time was. Where did he go to school? I already voted for my favorite at the UIL site. It was Joe Barnes. Joe was quarterback of the Reagan County Owls football team, a class A or AA high school back when he played. Joe went on to become starting quarterback at Texas Tech University and was All Southwest Conference QB his senior year. He was drafted by Chicago, but played most of his pro career in Canada. He was fantastic and was what we call ‘ball smart’. He was a good guy then and he’s a good guy now. He got my vote in a heartbeat.
Another personal friend of mine got my vote for the best linebacker to ever play high school football in Texas. Just think back in your 
mind’s eye. This person also went on to be a two time All-American and was a first round draft pick and first pick overall of the Atlanta Falcons. When we were in Atlanta last summer, he invited us over to his house for a visit and was a great host. We talked a little football, a little business, and just generally had a good time over the period of a few days there. He still loves to come to Texas, but he is active with the Falcons organization. He said he is still Texan in his heart and in his bones. By now you’ve guessed my pick for best ever linebacker was Tommy Nobis. The hard hitting Texan from San Antonio still talks admiringly of Coach Royal and his fellow team mates both Longhorns and Falcons. You can choose Tommy Nobis or your favorite 3 or four top linebackers to ever play high school ball in Texas.
You can vote in the football poll right now through November 7 so go on over to the UIL site and cast your votes. The visit is sure to rekindle some old memories of some great plays, players, and teams. Tell your friends who might be interested in participating also.
I don’t know how I missed being on the list, but you can write me in at either fullback or linebacker. The only problem is, as good as I was, there were others who were better. If you have a particular favorite who did not make the list, there is a way to write them in.
Have fun with your favorite picks.
Here’s the voting schedule:
Voting will be available on this website during the dates indicated below.
Football – Voting open now through November 7, 2009.
Volleyball – Voting open now through October 31,2009.
Girls Basketball – Voting open from October 21, 2009 to February 13, 2010.
Boys Basketball – Voting open from October 28, 2009 to February 20, 2010.
Track & Field – Voting open from February 1, 2010 to April 17, 2010.
Baseball – Voting open from February 19, 2010 to May 4, 2010.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
The link to vote does not seem to work.
Thanks Jerry, the top two links worked, but the last one did not. Hopefully it is fixed now. Good to hear from you as always. Enjoy your vote.
Those two got my vote also. I also voted for Lawrence Elkins as one of the receivers. I met Lawrence years ago when I was coaching at Grandfalls with his half-brother, Robert “Bigfoot” Moore.
You can cast an excellent vote for SAMMY BAUGH, placing him in any position other than lineman. He may have been the greatest football player that ever lived. In today’s world, no other quarterback could stand in his shadow. Nor punter, or defensive back.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sammy_Baugh