October 6, 2022
GOD BLESS UKRAINE AND THE USA!!!!
ROAD WARRIORS
The end of a 4-week road trip! Coach Brett Beard’s Denham Springs Yellow Jackets, at 4-1, go on the road to face Live Oak HS tonight (Thursday night), as District play commences. Sport N Center Yellow Jackets Warmup comes your way at 6:00 pm this evening. Josh Ward and Mitch Covington are on the call. I’ll be contributing to pre-game, half-time and post-game. Tune in to Family Radio, 91.9 FM, Baton Rouge or on the net at JonFineProductions.com
ESTEEMED GUESTS
I’ll be interviewing Denham Springs HS Athletic Hall of Fame Secretary (former DSHS teacher—she tried to teach Mitch Covington!) Kathy DeGeneres on Sport-N-Center Jackets Warmup. The A&A Discount Tires Half-Time Report will include an interview with Ralph Sellers Chevrolet Parts Manager (and former DSHS athlete and Denham Springs radio color commentator) Jim McChristian.
HALL OF FAME BANQUET
The Denham Springs HS Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet will take place on Thursday, October 13, 6:30 pm at Forrest Grove Plantation.
SPORTS PUBLICATIONS GALORE!
ArrestedDevelopmentMediaGuides offers media guides. programs and baseball cards. Please visit JonFineProductions.com and click on icon to get to our EBay store. Check out a full array of New Orleans Saints media guides and LSU media guides and programs and publications from much of the entire sports world. Over 7,000 publications listed.
TODAY’S COLUMNS:
Fine Ideas covers a number of topics
Please scroll down below.
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FINE IDEAS
2 sports commissioners not doing their jobs.
The Tua Tagovailoa tragedy should have been avoided. The emerging 3rd season star quarterback for the Miami Dolphins was clearly concussed in his last 2 games. Both games, when he clearly was cognitively impaired, he, nevertheless, returned to action. The NFL concussion protocols failed to be properly executed. The NFL says that the protocols need to be revised. To me, that is not the problem.
The issue is that the NFL failed to properly follow its own protocols. The Tua incident(s) are not isolated. They’ve created the most (adverse) publicity/attention. But, there have clearly been other times when NFL players have prematurely returned to play in NFL games, despite, euphemistically, having their “bell rung”. The high profile Tua concussions are just bringing this abdication of NFL medical responsibility to the forefront.
The NFL needs to prevent players and teams from themselves. A competitive player, naturally, will want to return to the field, possible negative health implications be dammed. Short-sighted clubs do not look out for the long-term best interest of their players, wanting the instant gratification of their warriors returning to action ASAP to help them reap the “rewards” of a victory that day. Enhanced chance of a win for their team, but to the detriment of the well-being of the player. So, in Tua’s case, the immediate responsibility lies with the Dolphins organization, and, in particular to coach Mike McDaniel for allowing his obviously brain-addled star quarterback to return to the game 2 consecutive weeks. To show how clueless McDaniel was, he was quoted as saying that “the best news we can get is that everything has checked out. That he did not have anything more serious than a concussion.” Ultimately, this falls on the shoulders of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
The sad thing is that we won’t get verification of the impact of the Tua damage until after he is no longer with us… that is unless advancements in medicine should intervene in the interim. At present, there are no diagnostic tests for the effects of concussions on brain injury resulting—Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) until they are administered posthumously.
After a 10-month investigation into the actions of Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver, the NBA determined that he oversaw/was the key conspirator to a corrosive workplace environment. Employees were bullied, women were sexually harassed and the N word was often used. The NBA suspended Sarver for one season and fined Sarver $10 million. Sarver has since indicated that he will sell the team.
The problem is that the NBA did not compel Sarver to put the Suns on the market. This development—perhaps orchestrated by the NBA-- occurred organically. The $10 million dollar fine? Peanuts for Sarver, who gets to sell his franchise for about 1.6 billion, after buying them for about 400 million in 2004. The victims of Sarver’s reign of terror/error are probably not mollified. The NBA did not have their backs. Commissioner Adam Silver bears this responsibility.
In a perfect world, commissioners should serve the best interest of their sports, overseeing their business and entertainment entity, while operating in the best interest of not only the owners, but the players, coaches and an often overlooked group—the fans that, ultimately, are paying the freight for the sport’s owners/employees to reap the multi-million/billion (million for players, coaches and front office, billion for owners) dollar reward for their involvement in the fun and games department—professional sports. Right now, pro sports commissioners (don’t forget about Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred, who should not be overlooked) are basically lackeys for their owners, for whom they often serve at their beck and call. The sports world deserves better.
I don’t believe coach Ime Udoka got a fair shake from the Boston Celtics. He was suspended for a season for having an improper consensual relationship with a female staffer. The operative word is “consensual”. I’m sure that the Celtics (perhaps the NBA) contractually stipulates that superiors are prohibited from having relationships with their underlings. Yet, if this Celtics employee was in a “full court press” (ouch… bad metaphor) of her own volition, there should not be an issue. Yes, it is on the books that such actions are verboten, yet a common-sense interpretation needs to be applied. If there is any indication that the employee was forced or pressured into being with Udoka, then the suspension should not be applied, because, under those conditions, Udoka should be immediately terminated. If on the other hand, if it was strictly consensual, which the NBA and the Celtics seem to indicate it was, then the Celtics are infringing upon the rights of Udoka and his female companion.
I hate to bring race into this matter, but I must. I’m wondering if the lady involved was White. Udoka is Black. Boston’s race relations are nuanced. The biggest city in the only state that voted for George McGovern for president in 1972, a city that houses several progressive liberal arts universities, also is known for being a racist city—largely documented for such with its sports teams. (The late Celtics great Bill Russell often spoke up about this. The Red Sox were the last team to integrate Baseball (Pumpsie Green). Their owner, Tom Yawkey, was an avowed racist.) So, although this is completely speculative to question whether race entered into this equation, it is a fair question.
Wondering how long-term Packers fans feel about their quarterback Aaron Rodgers calling Patriots coach Bill Belichick the greatest of all-time. The Packers play at 1265 (Vince) Lombardi Avenue. And for geriatric Packers fans, their stadium is known as (Curly) Lambeau Field. Wondering how many of them decided to R E L A X when Rodgers was showing love for Belichick.
Saints fans (and media) need to R E L A X. I’m not saying the Who Dats will bounce back and make the playoffs. Yet many claimed their game with the Vikings was a must-win. That is ludicrous. Had they won, their 2-2 record would not have qualified them for the playoffs. With their doink-doink loss on the English pitch, their 1-3 mark does not relegate them to absence from post-season play. On the other hand, if their lackluster start is foreshadowing, there have to be some Aints paper bags that Saints fans can unearth to wear to the Superdome. And, Bryce Young Saints jerseys might be on the market in April.
Broadcasting great Al Michael once compared Chiefs qb Pat Mahomes’ various arm angles as being reminiscent of Royals submarine closer Dan Quisenberry. After watching Mahomes’ spin and then free throw kind-of sort-of like 2 yard touchdown pass to Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the Chiefs victory over the Buccaneers, Basketball Hall of Famer Earl “The Pearl” Monroe comes to mind. To further this association, Earl The Pearl’s backcourt mate on the 1972-73 NY Knicks Championship team was Walt “Clyde” Frazier. (And, Mahomes veering to the right in some imbecilic minds (hate to self-incriminate!) conjured up Clint Eastwood telling his chimp “Right Turn Clyde” in Any Which Way You Can)
Go Jackets!
DENHAM SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL IS BACK ON THE AIR!
PRESS RELEASE
The 2022 school year marks the 27th season that Jon Fine (Sports) Productions will have the privilege of producing and calling play-by-play for Denham Springs HS Football radio broadcasts. In 2022, the broadcast slate will include the Jamboree, all 10 regular season Denham games, and every playoff game. Broadcasts can be heard on Family Radio-91.9 FM Baton Rouge. All broadcasts can also be heard on the Internet at JonFineProductions.com (click Listen Live on the Denham Springs Football PBP page). The Jamboree air time is 5:30 pm. Subsequent broadcasts will air at 6:00 pm. The first broadcast is Friday, August 26 when the Jackets visit Walker HS in a Jamboree.
After a one-season sabbatical, Josh Ward returns as the play-by-play announcer of the Jackets. Ward will be joined by Mitch Covington as the color commentator. Producer Jon Fine will contribute to the pre-game, half-time and post-game programming.
“Sport N Center Jackets Warm-Up” will feature an interview with Jackets Football Coach Brett Beard conducted by Josh Ward. Jon Fine will speak with a prominent Denham Springs community and/or sports figure. Ward and Covington will also offer a preview of that night’s game and other pertinent information.
The “A&A Discount Tires Half-Time Report” will include Fine interviewing another Denham Springs personality. In addition, Ward and Covington will provide a recap of the first half and a look ahead at the second half of action.
During the “Ralph Sellers Chevrolet Post-Game Show”, there will be an extensive game recap, final stats and a look ahead.
When Denham Springs picks up a first down, they’ll achieve a Big Mike’s Sports Bar & Grill First Down. When the Jackets score, the scoring drive will be recapped on the Brandy Robertson State Farm Insurance Scoring Drive. The coach Beard interview is being brought to you by SERVPRO of Livingston. When the Jackets have secured a victory, Ward will indicate that the victory is in the bank, brought to you by Bank Plus.
Sport-N-Center owner Stacy Phipps (Baseball) and Big Mike O’Neal (Football) were athletes at Denham Springs HS. Ralph Sellers Chevrolet Parts Manager Jim McChristian, a former Jackets color commentator, says he was an athlete at Denham Springs HS, but we have had a difficult time verifying this claim! lol
Fine expressed that he is especially appreciative of the loyal commercial and name mention sponsors the broadcasts have had on Jon Fine Sports Productions’ Denham Springs HS play-by-play broadcasts throughout the years. Many have been with the broadcasts on a year-in, year-out basis. Fine expressed hope that listeners will have the opportunity to patronize these businesses and let them know they heard about them on DSHS Football radio broadcasts.
Jackets play-by-play announcer Josh Ward, a Denham Springs HS graduate, was a Yellow Jackets assistant basketball coach. He is an executive at Guaranty Broadcasting. Much to the regret of several ladies in the Greater Baton Rouge area and points unknown, he is single.
Mitch Covington, a 3-sport star at Denham Springs HS, would later serve as a Jackets assistant football coach. He is presently the head football coach at Denham Springs Junior High School. He is a graduate of McNeese State, where he played baseball. He is married and has 2 children.
Jon Fine co-hosted and produced daily 2-hour drive-time radio sports-talk programs in the Greater Baton Rouge area for close to 20 years. His programs (first SportsTalk, which changed its name to SportsGumbo), aired, at times, in New Orleans, Lake Charles, Monroe and Alexandria, in addition to the Baton Rouge market. His company, Jon Fine Productions, has produced numerous Denham Springs HS and area HS sports programming on television, radio and internet. Fine presently has an EBay store—ArrestedDevelopmentMediaGuides. He is a native of Valley Stream, New York and a graduate of Penn, where he majored in Marketing. Much to the delight of several ladies in the Greater Baton Rouge area and points unknown, he is single.
For more information on Denham Springs HS Sports programming and Jon Fine Productions, please visit JonFineProductions.com.
DENHAM SPRINGS HS FOOTBALL RADIO BROADCASTS ARE A JON FINE PRODUCTION ON FAMILY RADIO, 91.9 FM, BATON ROUGE and JonFineProductions.com.
JON IS THE OWNER OF AN EBAY STORE. ArrestedDevelopmentMediaGuides, SELLS SPORTS PUBLICATIONS. YOU CAN LINK TO IT BY VISITING JonFineProductions.com