When HG was a wee lad pro football players had tough guy names. For example: Bruiser Kinard, Bronco Nagurski, Bulldog Turner, Tuffy Leemans, Ace Parker). Even those without nicknames sounded tough. Here are some last names: Younce, Cuff, Blozis, Cope. Today’s quarterbacks have vaguely aristocratic names (Peyton, Brett, Drew). African-American players have imaginative, exotic names (Marshawn, LaDainian,etc.). HG doesn’t think yesteryear’s grid tough guys would do very well against today’s 325-pound behemoths and 235-pound speedsters. HG had these deep thoughts as he watched ten miuutes of TV football this weekend: the last five minutes of Seattle-New Orleans and the last five minutes of Colts-Jets. Wow. Talk about action. Marshawn Lynch sealed the Seattle win by running through New Orleans tacklers who performed like a bunch of lyric and symbolist poets. And, the Jets launched an improbable last-minute, come-from-behind win culminating in a final play field goal. To be snarky, it was appropriate that the foot figured in the win given the foot fetish porn rumors that have been (to carry the metaphor too far) tiptoeing around the Jets coach and his wife. The Jets remain HG’s favorite team. Neurotic. Exasperating. Surprising. Kinda like New York itself. HG’s football weekend culminated in a four star Filipino chicken dish called Chicken Adobo. Spicy and lush. Look up the recipe at nytimes.com. HG promises: This will be your “go to” dish.
More football tonight as Auburn and Oregon battle. Dinner in front of the TV. Spectacular take-out (menudo, green chile stew, pork posole) from the wonderful El Parasol. Since HG will be rooting for the Oregon Ducks, confit should be on the menu. However, HG resides in New Mexico. Not Paris. C’est la vie.
What’s In A Name?
January 10th, 2011 § 2 comments
Hmmm….Tiddle….specifically Y.A. A tough name? I think not!!! Unitas? Highly suspect. Czonka. That’s a tough name. Upshaw! Tougher. Umenyiora, Seau, Palepoi! 800 lbs of Somoan crushing power…that’s toughness!!!
The tough guys HG mentioned played in the 1930’s and 1940’s. Guys like Tittle, Unitas, Czonka were a later generation. Size and skills became greater. Names became gentler.