Mrs. Wilkie and the Iron Bowl

(Photo courtesy trackemtigers.com)

OK, first of all, in case our faithful readers did not know, Jon Nelson - founder and president of OSG Sports Media - got married over the weekend (which is why OSG was a little silent - we were all at the wedding festivities).

I tell you this to set up one of the funniest moments of the weekend.

Brother Wilkie, Mrs. Wilkie, and I were standing at the reception, admiring all of the Auburn fans in attendance. Brother Jon's wife is a HUGE supporter of the Atlanta Auburn Club, and I think the entire town of Ozark, AL was there for the wedding. The reception band came all the way up from Auburn, Alabama.

They even played War Eagle during the reception, and worked it into the wedding processional. I'm not lying, Auburn was in the house! Brother Jon is a diehard FSU fan, and did have a flaming spear on top of his groom's cake. There was SOME diversity.

Mrs. Wilkie said, "Ya know, I should go up to the new Mrs. Brother Jon and ask her if I can join the Atlanta Auburn Club. I like these people."

(NOTE: Mrs. Wilkie was born and raised in upstate New York. Trust me; it matters.)

Wilkie goes, "You don't need to join. Just say War Damn Eagle at the top of your lungs and you're in!"

Me, being the kindhearted person I am, and knowing that Mrs. Wilkie is not the biggest football fan in the world, I decide to offer my brand of advice.

"Mrs. Wilkie, here's the deal. all you have to do is walk up to any Auburn fan here, take in a deep breath, and say "Roll Tide!" as confidently as you can."

Wilkie immediately shoots me a glance, and we both smile. Mrs. Wilkie innocently said, "OK, I'll do that!"

As I'm brandishing a cheshire cat grin, a very well lubricated Auburn fan came up to Wilkie, pointed his finger at him, and said, "I heard what you said."

Wilkie immediately started backpedaling, saying "I said say War Eagle...I said say War Eagle...that wasn't me!"

Then the Toomer's Corner alum turned to Mrs. Wilkie and said, "It was you. I heard what you said."

With an innocent grin, Mrs. Wilkie said, "What did I say?"

The fan shared with Mrs. Wilkie that, "Those words...Roll Tide...have NEVER brought joy to anyone's hearts...you best stop saying those words."

At this point, Wilkie and I are literally in tears due to extreme laughter, as Mrs. Wilkie is now surrounded by Auburn faithful - getting an earful about why Auburn is better than Alabama. It was like blood in the water, and these Auburn fans were trying to convince Mrs. Wilkie (who kept saying, "I'm from New York...I don't care about football"...still with that innocent grin on her face). She let them talk...and talk...and talk...and we kept laughing our butts off.

Brother Phil comes up and asks what we're laughing so hard about.

"She's getting a crash course about the Iron Bowl!" Wilkie squeezes out between rolls of laughter (yes, I used that word on purpose).

I guess the moral of the story is this. If one is surrounded by Auburn fans, and there are adult beverages around, one must never ever mention "Roll Tide" - even in jest.

Unless you're saying you want them to roll the hell back to Tuscaloosa.

(NOTE: Everyone does know that Alabama just won back-to-back National Championships, right? And three out of the last four? Just saying...)

I'm sorry, Mrs. Wilkie. That was not the way I intended to show you the importance of the Iron Bowl.

Bobby Bowden: I was treated for Prostate Cancer in 2007

Bobby Bowden

((ht: usatoday))

The soon-to-be Hall of Fame former Florida State coach made it public this morning in an interview on Good Morning America. He's a cancer survivor.

Bowden said he was able to keep it hidden from everyone but family since the diagnosis in 2007. He says he was afraid it would be used against him in recruiting.

 Bowden won 377 games in a 33-plus year career and retired, albeit forcefully in 2009. He was diagnosed at age 77.

According to USA Today, Bowden was diagnosed during a routine physical and after undergoing a procedure to help root out the cancer, he has been cancer-free since.

Read the entire USA Today Story RIGHT HERE

We applaud Bowden for finally coming out about what happened, which corresponded with a role as a spokesperson for a national cancer education initiative. It is also amazing in this day and age of instant information, that he was able to keep it quiet for 4-years.

We truly hope he can reach people who wouldn't normally check or get treated for a potential prostate problem to at least get a check up. It's a problem that doesn't take care of itself and far too many people die from it.

The GMA interview is here:

Could FSU be joining Texas A&M in the SEC?

FSU Mascot Chief Osceola

((ht: OrlandoSentinel))

Well, this is one scenario we hadn't really thought much about, though Brother Jon did bring it up in a discussion when the A&M story started leaking out.

Could Florida State bolt the ACC and head to the SEC?

It seems to be a topic more popular on the Internets than we thought. Oddly, we are rather well versed in most topics Sports related here on the Internets, but we had not heard this discussion, yet according to the Orlando Sentinel, it exists.

Read the Sentinel story by clicking RIGHT HERE

**UPDATE**12:09 pm.--The Palm Beach Post quotes a source as saying about the move "This is real". Interesting.

Read the entire story RIGHT HERE

In some ways this does make some sense. FSU has been a bit of an odd fit in the ACC, a conference known very well for its basketball heritage, but somewhat of a punchline in football.

For their part, FSU dominated the ACC in football when they 1st arrived in 1991. They haven't dominated it much in the past few years. Though we will say, they'll be awfully good this coming season.

Basketball wise, they are good, not great like most SEC schools.

If you think about it, logistically, it makes perfect sense. With A&M, the SEC needs a school to keep the number of teams even. It also would balance the whole east/west thing.

Do we think it will happen? No. But we (actually me), have been wrong about such things before.

The Sentinel makes a somewhat convincing argument, but we think it is just throwing stuff against the wall and seeing what sticks. The site "Noles247" says "No way", they are a subscription site, so we can't read why they say it...and we've never heard of them either.

So, while the SEC has a ton of money to throw around and attract teams, ultimately, FSU will stay loyal to the ACC. Commissioner John Swofford will help find another revenue source to keep them around. As intriguing as the thought is, the ACC will find a way to keep them happy...and we aren't so sure they aren't happy now.

**UPDATE**12:09 pm.-- But then again, if enough people are saying FSU is intrigued by the money, the shoe definitely fits. We've got no problem going out on the limb in the previous paragraph, but in the interest of covering our proverbial rears, we'll add that we did say it makes a lot of sense.

Either way, we guess only time will tell.

Seminoles.com gives us a Fall Practice Report from Thursday:

Jimbo Fisher's Family Fight

((HT: WCTV))

From Florida State University their own selves...

Florida State University football head coach Jimbo Fisher and his wife, Candi, today announced the creation of a new national fund to fuel the quest for a cure for Fanconi anemia, a very rare life-threatening disorder that afflicts their 6-year-old son, Ethan, and many others.

“One thing I’ve learned as a football coach is to never accept defeat,” Coach Fisher said. “We are in this to win the fight against Fanconi anemia on behalf of all the children who share this struggle with Ethan.”

Money raised through a new campaign called OnaKwest for a Cure will support research into Fanconi anemia at the University of Minnesota, one of the leading universities pioneering better ways to treat the disorder, in advance of finding a cure. The campaign will raise research dollars for the Kidz 1st Fund, just established by the Fishers, through the sale of t-shirts, wristbands and other products and through online donations. Coach Fisher said he will donate all fees associated with his public speaking engagements to the fund.

This type of hereditary anemia, primarily a blood disease, can affect all systems in the body and leads to bone marrow failure. For decades, the disorder was thought to be untreatable, but promising advances in medical research have improved the prognosis. To extend their lives, most children suffering from Fanconi anemia will require a stem cell transplant, either bone marrow or cord blood, yet many wait years to find a donor who is a perfect match – or never find one.

For that reason, the Fishers also are making a widespread appeal for people to join the National Marrow Donor Registry to determine if they are a match for any of the thousands of people whose lives depend on a bone marrow transplant.

“The news that Ethan has this disease is a call to action for us, and we hope to use our situation to improve the chances of every child whose life may be extended and improved by advances against this illness,” Candi Fisher said. “We ask for your prayers, your participation in the bone marrow donor registry and your contribution to speed up the race for a cure.”

Leading Fanconi anemia researcher Margaret MacMillan, M.D., a pediatric blood and marrow transplant physician at the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital, said the fundraising efforts planned by the Fishers could be “a game changer” in the fight against Fanconi anemia.

“Through research, improvements are made each year in treating patients with Fanconi anemia, improvements that have changed the survival rate after unrelated donor bone marrow transplant for this disease from less than 30 percent to greater than 80 percent in the last 15 years,” said Dr. MacMillan. “It is with research that we have changed what’s possible for children just like Ethan. But there is much more to do. We will not stop until we have 100 percent survival. To this end, we are investigating safer treatments --even treatments that may eliminate the need for transplant in the future. Our team has already changed the practice of medicine for Fanconi anemia and other diseases, and we aim to do it again. With philanthropic support, we can give patients like Ethan and his family hope for a healthy and happy future.”

FSU Athletics Director Randy Spetman said the Fishers have the prayers of the FSU community. “They have the support of the entire Seminole family, and we all are teammates for Ethan as he courageously battles this disease,” Spetman said.

The Kidz 1st Fund, fighting Fanconi anemia, is affiliated with the Alma Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit charity that primarily supports children and family causes, distributing more than $5 million to date.

The OnaKwest for a Cure campaign is dedicated to raising awareness about Fanconi anemia and helping to fund research for finding a cure. The Fishers have established the Kidz 1st Fund so that dollars raised through generous donations, online contributions and during special events will go toward finding a cure. To learn more about the fund and donate to the cause, please visit www.kidz1stfund.com.

Here's the first part of the presser from the FSU campus...
((HT: WCTVEyewitnessNews))

VCU Knocks Off Florida State In OT To Get To Final 8

Now, they get Kansas...
The Jayhawks had no issue with Richmond
((HT: CBSSports/NCAA))


Others that moved to the next round included North Carolina- who get Kentucky after their upset of Ohio State...

The Tarheels had no issue with Marquette...
((HT: CBSSports/NCAA))


Here's the end of the Kentucky-Ohio State game...
Until it gets pulled...
((HT: CBSSports/NCAA/youtube))


More when we know more...

OSG High: Schools Have To Cease And Desist With "Seminoles" Logo

((HT: AJC/Boone))

The HQ figured that this would start happening sooner or later...

Colleges and universities are, after all, big business and that includes all their marketing, licensing, and logo-based revenues. When you go to your favorite high school games, the logo your favorite school has may be amazingly similar to one at the collegiate or professional level...

Once again, not a surprise...

But now, the blanket use of the logo and nickname may be curtailed by a huge margin after Collegiate Licensing Company sent out a cease and desist letter to an Atlanta-area school district on behalf of Florida State University.

Rockdale County's School System's letter from CLC says that the appearance of the Seminole spear logo on their helmets "may cause consumers to erroneously believe that the university has authorized Salem High School to use its marks. Additionally, it will dilute the distinctiveness of the marks that the public associates with the university."

Notice CLC didn't use the word "fan." They used the word "consumer."

And to be perfectly honest, people may not give a tinker's damn about where the logo came from. There may be a fleeting thought about its origins and a just-as-instant association, but since they're a part of the fabric of these communities, the thought about the logo and its origins is now more a thought than previously ever.

Betcha... and its only brought out by the C&D order.

Now the school system, already looking at a deficit has to remove logos and other elements from every piece of work associated with the logo by August 1- just in time for football season. The school system accepted a settlement offer from CLC. It lets Salem High School and/or Memorial Middle School keep the name, but they have to ditch the Indian head and spear associated with, collegiately, FSU...

There are a handful of other schools within the state of Georgia that have to switch out as well. No word on whether they're taking the settlement or challenging in court.

Whaddya wanna bet they all switch to Gators or 'Canes...???
Jus' axin'...

Here's what they can't be anymore...
((HT: ESPN/youtube))

FSU takes down Duke...again

And your new number one will be Ohio State. This really wasn't a huge surprise, there were quite a few people expecting Florida State to play out of their minds at home Wednesday night versus Duke. They'd already beaten Duke 3 different times when they came in ranked first.

Really, most teams do when the Dookies come visit. Love 'em or hate them, Duke brings out the best in everyone.

They came into Tallahassee with a 25 game winning streak and ranked number one. FSU, lost to lowly Auburn a little over a week ago and wasn't considered much of a threat in another weak ACC Basketball season.

Well, Leonard Hamilton had his 'Noles ready and they took care of business. 66-61. 22 points from Derwin Kitchen, 18 from Chris Singleton and a crappy (30%) shooting night for the Blue Devils. A big win. And yes the obligatory rushing of the court. Something we don't condone because as someone who's worked the floor of a basketball game like this, it can be more than a bit scary.

Here are your highlights from our friends at ESPN:

TWTW Bowling: FSU Finds Way To Win In Atlanta

((HT: WSPA-TV))

EJ Manuel threw a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to lead Florida State to a 26-17 victory over turnover-plagued South Carolina in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

The guys from Columbia had five on the night... turnovers, not points... although it felt like it...

Chris Thompson ran for 147 yards and a score. Dustin Hopkins kicked four field goals for the Seminoles (now 10-4), who reached 10 wins for the first time since 2003.

Manuel took over for oft-injured Christian Ponder, who left early in the second quarter with a concussion. South Carolina lost running back Marcus Lattimore when he was hit hard on the Gamecocks' first drive by Greg Reid, and their offense was somewhat handicapped for the rest of the night.

South Carolina (now 9-5) was seeking its first 10-win season since 1984.

Here's CBS7's wrap-up from Atlanta...

TWTW: FSU Goes "Wide Right" Again...

((HT: WCTV-TV Thomasville, Tallahassee))

And they didn't even play Miami, damn it...

The HQ can rattle them off like nothing: Derek Schmidt, Richie Andrews, Danny Mowrey, Gerry Thomas, Xavier Beitia...

We can now add Dustin Hopkins to the list...

Hopkins missed a potentially game-winning field goal as Florida State blew their chance to beat North Carolina on HOMECOMING 37-35...

North Carolina quarterback T.J. Yates finished the game with 439 yards and three touchdowns. Dwight Jones was his leading target- grabbing eight passes for 233 yards and one TD.

Connor Barth did what Hopkins could not- knocking in a field goal with 55 seconds left in reglation for the lead and, eventually, the win...

WCTV's Sam Lane has the post mortem...


Christian Ponder went 24 of 34 for 264 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore wide receiver Willie Haulstead had a career-high 10 catches for 154 yards and one touchdown.

Next up for FSU is Clemson...

Bobby Bowden Is Selling His New Book, Selling Out Florida State

[HT: Associated Press, Orlando Sentinel]

Bobby Bowden is going public about how he was treated by Florida State. Here's the interview the Associated Press did with the Seminole legend. (Thanks AP/youtube.com)



Oh by the way, he's trying to sell his new book "Called To Coach, Reflections on Life, Football and Faith." Bowden co-authored with Mark Schlabach.

First of all I thought Florida State was about as creative you could get with head coaching titles. Last year Mickey Andrews was the associate head coach, Rick Trickett was the assistant head coach, Chuck Amato was the executive head coach and Jimbo Fisher was the head coach in waiting. Ambassador coach? That's just a little extreme.

Bowden also talked to The Sporting News which will be in the magazines August 30th issue. In his interview with Matt Hayes of TSN Bowden describes his meeting with then FSU President T.K. Wetherell and how it went down.

“First thing he says is, ‘This ain’t gonna be pretty.’ It went downhill from there,” Bowden said. “Those were his first words; I couldn’t believe it. He said, ‘You have two options: One is to stay on as an ambassador coach for one more year. You can still be the coach, but we don’t want you to go on the field.’ I’d get paid for doing nothing. That’s stealing from FSU. I said, ‘That’s out, forget it. What’s the other option?’ He said, ‘We don’t renew your contract.’ ”

Read a preview of the Bowden interview and watch TSN's Matt Haynes talk about that interview by clicking the link below.

http://link.cinesport.com/services/player/bcpid260821017001?bctid=593381546001

Former FSU president T.K. Wetherell responded in an e-mail to the Orlando Sentinel. In his response Wetherell agrees with Bowden's side of the story but it's clear his sacrificed their friendship for the good of Florida State University.

"I haven’t seen anything that is new in his book or the papers, There were basically two options and neither were going to come out good. The whole idea of an Ambassador Coach made no sense to me or him when we talked through it but I told some of the Board of Trustees and Boosters I would present it—but was not committed to it and didn’t think Bowden would want it either. To his credit, he dismissed all variations of it right off the bat.

“That left option 2 — not renewing his contract. It is not all that complex—just that simple. Option 3 of one more year or 400 wins (which probably would mean 2 more years) would not have moved the program forward and hindered the Presidential search that I knew was coming so Bobby chose to announce his retirement. End of story — end of friendship."

Those of us at the OSG HQ knew this would get ugly once the facts came out in regards to Bobby Bowden stepping down as head coach. We do agree that it was time to make the change but just wished that didn't go down the way it did.

DEVELOPING: Seminoles Dismiss Fortson

((HT: ESPN/Schlabach))
So much for Christian Ponder having a target he thought he was going to have...

FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher dismissed WR Jarmon Fortson from the football team for, what Schlabach's sources tell him were, "multiple failed drug tests..."

"He has been dismissed for a violation of team rules," Fisher told Schlabach. "We wish him the best in everything he does. We love him."

Fortson, a grad of Carver-Columbus High School, was the Seminoles' third-leading receiver last season- 45 catches for 610 yards with four touchdowns.

At least now Nigel Carr has some company...
More when we know more...

Here's some of what Fortson did when he was on the field...
((HT: NCAA on CBS/BXSportsCenter))


The HQ would, officially, like to call you a genius, son...
We know your high school coach, Dell McGee, will have more than an earful for you when you decide to see him next...

Bobby Bowden Has A New Career

Acting...
Genius...
Thank you... thank you...

The recently retired head coach at Florida State has time to kill, so he recently appeared on the A&E show, "The Glades," as himself in an episode involving the "Muck Bowl" high school football game.

Watch his work here... dadgummit...

In the interim, here's Bowden in his earlier career...
((HT: ESPN/ACC/DeaconSports))


Dadgum...

FSU has another problem child....

Well, that didn't take long. New Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher already has a player in legal trouble to deal with. Unfortunately, that has been a pretty regular occurrence in Tallahassee over the past several years.

Nigel Carr, supposed starting linebacker for the 'Noles, is now facing mulitple felony charges. The list of charges he's facing include: two counts of auto burglary, criminal mischief, credit card theft and fraud. Nice!

More from CBS4 in Miami RIGHT HERE

((Nigel Carr in Garnet and gold//Courtesy: reidcompton.com))

Oh...he was arrested 4 days ago for possession of marijuana too.

Needless to say, we are guessing that Carr isn't currently in Greensboro, North Carolina at ACC Media Days with Coach Fisher. This is a bit more serious than a misdemeanor. The charges could easily involve some jail time. We'll see if it involves losing time on the field now...won't we?