by Mitch Albom | Dec 15, 1985 | Detroit Free Press
I would like to write something funny and witty and entertaining and insightful to top my picks for this week, but I am stuck in line at a shopping mall, waiting to pay for a blender. I have been here since Thursday, and I am getting hungry.
So here are the picks.
LIONS 23, PACKERS 12: The Lions are at home. They are very happy. They strut around the Silverdome. “See this?” they say, “this is our turf. And see this? This is our bench. And see this? This is our Gatorade bucket.” They lean back and smile.”We cannot lose,” they say, “we are at home.”
by Mitch Albom | Dec 15, 1985 | Detroit Free Press
It is time to be brave. It is time to be courageous. It is time to get out from under the tire ads on Page 12.It is time for . . . the front page.The front page?”You can do it,” says my boss.”Well. I’m not sure,” I say.”Just pretend...
by Mitch Albom | Dec 13, 1985 | Detroit Free Press
THE LIVE ALBOMOn the first day of Christmas, my sports love gave to me, a wild-card spot in the NFC.Close your eyes. Can you picture the Lions in the playoffs? Well. OK. I guess not.I will say this. If the Lions go 9-7, I vote for Darryl Rogers as coach of the year.On...
by Mitch Albom | Dec 12, 1985 | Detroit Free Press
The morning is cold and rainy. Wilbert Montgomery rises at 7, feeds his infant daughter, heads out. No breakfast. Billy Sims rises about the same time, makes a few phone calls, heads out. They meet in the training room, where shattered knees go for resurrection.
Once they were two of the best running backs in the NFL. Different teams. Same status. Montgomery shouldered a load that helped the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl in 1980. And Sims was the Detroit Lions. That simple.
by Mitch Albom | Dec 11, 1985 | Detroit Free Press
Poor Kirk Gibson.
A baseball star without a contract.
Nobody wants him. Except the Tigers. And he doesn’t want them. Not at their latest offer.
“Hard Times For Free Agents” read the cover of Sports Illustrated last week, above a photo of Gibson. He was looking angry.
Who’d have thought being talented, rich, and handsome could bring so many problems?
Well. I have a suggestion. It is time for action. It is time for Kirk to do as any businessman would. When supply exceeds demand, there is only one answer.
by Mitch Albom | Dec 9, 1985 | Detroit Free Press
FOXBORO, Mass. — Let’s not kid ourselves. The road had nothing to do with it.Children blame a foreign bed when they can’t sleep. Travelers blame foreign food when they lock themselves in the john.But football teams have no business blaming a foreign...
by Mitch Albom | Dec 9, 1985 | Detroit Free Press
FOXBORO, Mass. — “That was the play that beat us, man. Right there. That play was the game.”
Thirty minutes after the Lions’ devastating 23-6 loss to New England Sunday, free safety Demetrious Johnson still was fuming over his interception return for a touchdown that was called back by the officials. More than any other single play, it determined the fortunes of this game.
It was late in the third quarter, Patriots ball second-and- eight from their 38. Quarterback Tony Eason dropped back to pass, and Johnson recognized the play as a tight-end option route.
by Mitch Albom | Dec 8, 1985 | Detroit Free Press
BOSTON — The big chill in football comes with the first shivers of draft day. Goodby college. Welcome to the NFL. Sign here, kid.Big men on campus turn to little boys in rookie camp. The rules are changed. The paycheck shrinks all that college rah- rah down to a...
by Mitch Albom | Dec 8, 1985 | Detroit Free Press
Act casual.Do not get up early. Stay in bed. Pretend it is just another Sunday. Keep away from coffee. Do not bite your nails.When your friend calls to ask if you’re watching “NFL Today” say, “No. There’s this really good National...
by Mitch Albom | Dec 6, 1985 | Detroit Free Press
I refuse to read other people’s mail. I don’t mind writing it, however. Here, then, in this holiday season, are a few letters to Santa Claus from members of the sports world, for whom I will act as secretary.What do they want for Christmas?Dear Santa,A rib...
