From time to time, Owen gets to co-host the Sports Bite on ESPN Radio 1280 The Ticket in San Luis Obispo. Last Thursday was one of those times. He talked about concussions and shared his concussion story, brought-in Mike Abram over the phone, and talked some Cal Poly basketball with the Tribune’s Lucas Clark.

The is year is 1995.  I am a senior in high school (please don’t do the math to figure out how old I am), graduation is coming up, and soon, I will be a freshman at Cal Poly. At this point in my life, I had grown up a Los Angeles Rams fan. My family were season ticket holders. We used to wait around after games hoping to run into players. My favorite player was current USC Athletic Director Pat Hayden (and if you know how much I hate USC, you know how insane that last statement was), and one of my fondest birthdays was on my eighth birthday when Eric Dickerson broke O.J. Simpson’s (remember he played football) single season rushing record.  So, you can image what I felt when on a cold (this was Orange County, so not cold.  Let’s say brisk), no brisk, March night when I learned that Georgia Frontiere decided to move my Los Angeles Rams to St. Louis.

There she is. If you look closely enough, that Georgia Frontiere smile is actually a mosaic of thousands of sad Orange County Rams fans. By Jamal Farmer, via Wikimedia Commons

I was more than a little heartbroken.  This was my team.  These were my guys.  Jerome Bettis. The Battering Ram.  The Rams had just finally benched Jim Everett.  I mean things were looking up for us, and then, it was gone.  For those of us who have had a team leave you, it’s just like a lover leaving you for someone else.  You are all alone, yet you look over and you see your former lover smiling and having a good time.

Why do they get to have all the fun?   Why do they get to run their trucks through a fake finish line, as if the Rams were in a race to get the hell out of Southern California?  Well, I guess I could become a Raiders fan?  Wait, what, the Raiders are moving too?  Well, I wasn’t really a Raiders fan anyway.  So what did I do?

I was too hurt to still support the Rams in another city, so I thought well, San Diego is only an hour away, so I guess I’ll become a Chargers fan. I have to say it was hard to get with the Chargers at first, especially in 1997, when they had Jim Everett on their roster, and God, if that didn’t bring up some scars. I tried to follow my new team, but like a person in a rebound relationship, it was hard to be all-in on the Lightning Bolt. I mean, it was exciting in some ways, but some of my heart had gone to St. Louis.

And then came the greatest show on turf, the 1999 Super Bowl.  It was the dating equivalent of your girlfriend having sex with her new boyfriend in front of billions of people.  That was hard to watch. Add in a trip to St. Louis a few years later, when I told fans that I used to be an LA Rams Season ticket holder, and was met with only chants of, “they’re our team now”, I decided it was time to close the book on the Rams, and just be a Chargers fan. There were a lot of great seasons as a Chargers fan. We had Flutie, Brees, Rivers, Tomlinson, Gates — Hall of Fame players. There was a string of playoff runs, and the only bump in the road was the fact that I couldn’t stand Norv Turner as a coach. But I was happy as a Chargers fan. I even went to watch them practice at the StubHub Center in Carson. (side note: watching an NFL team practice is CRAZY BORING).  And this became my favorite sports themed song.

Then, about a year or so ago it started.  Stan Kroenke bought some land in Inglewood, and there were talks about the Rams coming home to LA, and the Chargers moving from San Diego to Los Angeles (the Raiders were also involved in this, but as previously stated, I am not a Raiders fan).

A wave of mixed emotions came over me. My former lover, and my current lover both vying for me love? I couldn’t take it. I checked out. I didn’t really follow the NFL too closely (not even the Bolts), because I didn’t want to get my hopes up. Seriously. I did this. I quit paying attention. Guys, I have told you in the past, I am a total weirdo, and in this case a somewhat shellshocked one. I didn’t want to invest too much time in the NFL because I had been hurt once, and I did not want to get hurt again.

And then it happened. Last week, it happened. The Rams are coming home!

Leading into the meetings with the league, I didn’t really think it would bring up some emotions in me when the Rams came back, but it has. I have such great memories of going to Rams games as a kid. You know that token memory of walking into a ballpark for your first baseball game, that they use in about two to three car commercials each year? That was the Rams for me. Maybe because they played less games than a baseball team did, but every time we went to a Rams game it was special, and all of those good feelings came back right away. All my favorite players were Rams, Jackie Slater, Pat Hayden, Kevin Greene, Eric Dickerson, and Pete

“mother f***ing” Holohan.  Not many people latch- on to Pete Holohan when it comes to famous LA Rams, but to me Pete Holohan is pivotal to my Rams experience growing up because having season tickets, we sat in front of a man who was probably the President of the Pete Holohan fan club, and every down on offense, this man would yell, “Give the ball to Holohan!” Every down. So it’s hard for me to not think of the Rams without thinking of tight end Pete Holohan.

So thinking about Holohan, and Dickerson, and those great times going to Angels Stadium with my Dad and brothers, I have to say, I am excited about the Rams coming back to LA. My lover has come home, and while she may have had some good times with her last boyfriend, I know that she really loved it with me the best. Now, with the Chargers maybe coming too, I may have both of my teams in one place. It’s like your old-girlfriend comes home and is cool with your new girlfriend, and you get to date both of them. A dream scenario. However, there is something special to having my childhood team, that I literally grew up with (they left when I was 18, which is legally an adult). I am even thinking about putting a $100 deposit down for season tickets, so I can carry on the tradition from my family. I’m excited for the Rams to be back. You should be too.

Let’s RAM IT!

Nick Dzubnar (right) here with his brother Colin, is officially a member of the San Diego Chargers. By Owen Main

After offseason mini-camp and an impressive training camp, undrafted free-agent Nick Dzubnar has made the 53-man roster for the Chargers. Dzubnar, a starting linebacker at Cal Poly for the past three seasons, was a tackling machine in San Luis Obispo. Dzubnar tallied 414 tackles in his Cal Poly career, including a single-season record 167 tackles in 2015.

Dzubnar’s ability to pick up the Chargers’ system and his nose for the ball reportedly contributed to his success throughout preseason. We’ll try to get in touch with him, though I’m sure we aren’t the only ones. He’s an NFL player now, and a great story as an undrafted free agent.

To my San Diego friends — you got a good one.

Nick Dzubnar returns an interception at Sacramento State last season. By Owen Main

Nick Dzubnar is really good at finding and tackling people. Those of us in San Luis Obispo know it. The Big Sky Conference has found out about it over the past few years. Now, the San Diego Chargers are starting to find out that Dzubnar’s nose for the ball might be something worth holding onto.

While the Chargers have something of a glut of linebackers, including former Notre Dame star Manti Te’o, the team and fans have been pleased with what they’ve seen from Dzubnar.

Last night, he led the Chargers with seven tackles, five solo, and a sack.

This ESPN.com write-up of last night’s game calls Dzubnar “a surprise performer who looks amazing.”

SDBoltReport.com projected Dzubnar making the team as the final rostered player way back in June.

Dzubnar was part of a Cal Poly defense who came up with big stop after big stop en route to a Big Sky Conference title and FCS playoff berth three seasons ago. The linebacking corps of Dzubnar, Cameron Ontko, and Johnny Millard two seasons ago was one of the most underrated around.

The Mustangs have had other linebackers too over the past few seasons — Kenneth Jackson comes to mind.

There is still a big question as to whether or not Dzubnar will make the Chargers team, but for at least a night, the NFL had the “Sasquach” unleashed. We’re all better for it.

Dzubnar had a good night last night. http://t.co/I4WnEzxtbj via @sharethis

— fansmanship (@fansmanship) August 24, 2015

How was it for Dave to meet Vin Scully? Listen to find out.

Dave Hovde is probably the most engaging personality on local television, and it’s not an accident. The Fargo, North Dakota native came to the Fansmanship Podcast studio and talked about his love for sports, why he’s passionate about being a meteorologist, and how he ended up in San Luis Obispo. How did the Dodgers become his favorite baseball team? What does he think about the Adrian Peterson situation? Why shouldn’t men be allowed to wear flip flops to the grocery store and throughout every day life?

That last one was one of his Hovde Rules — simple edicts that (he believes) civilized people should abide by. After an hour with Dave, I’ll say this: he’s every bit as friendly and warm as you see on television. I was a big fan before, and even bigger now. Hope you enjoy listening half as much as I enjoyed the conversation.

Like everyone else I thought to myself, “why?”

Why did Seattle throw the ball there? With Marshawn Lynch and plenty of time to run two or three more plays, why would you throw the ball?

This was one of the most unanimous responses to anything sports-related on my twitter feed, so I thought I’d share some of it. Just seemed like the right thing to do.

Crazy. Seahawks had that game and then shit themselves. Maybe that pooping celebration was a harbinger.

— Ann Killion (@annkillion) February 2, 2015

Why the hell would you throw the ball there?! Run it!!!

— Rich Kurtzman (@RichKurtzman) February 2, 2015

Why – not – Beastmode?

Time to fire your offensive coordinator…

— Beth Balbierz (@bethbalbierz14) February 2, 2015

Yeah let's not let the greatest red zone running back punch it in.

— Stephan Teodosescu (@steodosescu) February 2, 2015

Why are you not running the ball?

— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) February 2, 2015

Like legitimately the worst play call I've ever seen in any sporting event in my life. #SuperBowlXLIX

— Matt SantaMaria (@MattSantaMaria) February 2, 2015

Entire legacies just turned on that play.

— Jim Rome (@jimrome) February 2, 2015

You deserve to lose if u have the best RB in the game and don't give him the ball

— Mitch Haniger (@M_Hanny19) February 2, 2015

Ned Yost would have bunted.

— D.J. Short (@djshort) February 2, 2015

Worst play call in the history of sports. Pete Carroll face

— Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) February 2, 2015

On my death bed I will wonder why they didn't give it to Marshawn

— Flea (@flea333) February 2, 2015

I for one can not wait for Marshawn Lynch's postgame press conference. #SuperBowlXLIX

— Matt SantaMaria (@MattSantaMaria) February 2, 2015

Lynch was averaging 4.3 yards per carry and had 102 in the game before that pass play

— Pat O'Rourke (@BayAreaBias) February 2, 2015

Text from buddy: "I'm in shock right now. Seattle scores, I win 15k in my box pool."

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 2, 2015

That is the worst play call at the end of a Super Bowl ever. Ever.

— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) February 2, 2015

Who the F made that play call?!?!? Are you kofding me? That was our game to win and we just blew it.

— Ashley Ryan (@AshleyLolaRyan) February 2, 2015

Worst Play Call, greatest ending EVER! …unreal #SB49

— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) February 2, 2015

YOU GOT MARSHAWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE JUST RUN IT!!!!

— Qadry Ismail (@QadryIsmail) February 2, 2015

Yes. Worst play call ever. But give rookie Malcolm Butler credit for a brilliant play.

— Jim Rome (@jimrome) February 2, 2015

Greatest Super Bowl finish EVER.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) February 2, 2015

Worse call in NFL History. Pete Carroll will never recover from this. Give the damn ball to MarShawn Lynch. Horrible! Horrible! Horrible!

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) February 2, 2015

Grady Little has company.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) February 2, 2015

Hmm I bet Lynch has something to talk about now!

— ryan nece (@ryannece) February 2, 2015

That was the worst play call I've seen in the history of football.

Why throw the ball from the two? #QuestionThatWillHauntPeteCarolForever

— Les Lukach (@LesLukach) February 2, 2015

SEATTLE BRAIN-FART.. ON PATS ONE…. GOT TIME.. BEAST-MODE.. RAJIN… YA THREW A LOOK-IN PASS? WORST CALL ON FOOTBALL HISTORY..

— VIC THE BRICK JACOBS (@vicfeelingyou) February 2, 2015

Why the hell would you throw the ball there?! Run it!!!

— Rich Kurtzman (@RichKurtzman) February 2, 2015

 

]]> https://www.fansmanship.com/my-twitter-feed-says-the-seahawks-should-have-run-the-ball/feed/ 0 https://www.fansmanship.com/podcast-episode-118-rich-seubert-2/ https://www.fansmanship.com/podcast-episode-118-rich-seubert-2/#respond Fri, 16 Jan 2015 18:58:59 +0000 http://www.fansmanship.com/?p=16349 Super Bowl champion Rich Seubert joins Owen in-studio for the first podcast of 2015. We talked about his professional career, what brought him to the central coast, and how the owner of the Giants treated him when he broke three bones in his leg when he was stepped on in a game. Seriously, you guys. […]]]>

Rich Seubert spent this past season coaching high school football at Mission Prep. By Owen Main

Super Bowl champion Rich Seubert joins Owen in-studio for the first podcast of 2015. We talked about his professional career, what brought him to the central coast, and how the owner of the Giants treated him when he broke three bones in his leg when he was stepped on in a game.

Seriously, you guys. What kind of a stud do you have to be to come back from some ridiculousness like this? (Don’t watch the video unless you want to see someone’s leg break in 3 places…).

 

]]> https://www.fansmanship.com/podcast-episode-118-rich-seubert-2/feed/ 0 Super Bowl champion Rich Seubert joins Owen in-studio for the first podcast of 2015. We talked about his professional career, what brought him to the central coast, and how the owner of the Giants treated him when he broke three bones in his leg when h... Super Bowl champion Rich Seubert joins Owen in-studio for the first podcast of 2015. We talked about his professional career, what brought him to the central coast, and how the owner of the Giants treated him when he broke three bones in his leg when he was stepped on in a game. Seriously, you guys. […] NFL – Fansmanship 49:52 https://www.fansmanship.com/podcast-episode-113-johnny-millard/ https://www.fansmanship.com/podcast-episode-113-johnny-millard/#respond Thu, 20 Nov 2014 17:18:12 +0000 http://www.fansmanship.com/?p=15931 Johnny Millard has been a busy guy since graduating from Cal Poly last year. The former Cal Poly linebacker went undrafted in the 2014 NFL draft, but had a productive training camp with the St. Louis Rams before he was cut prior to the start of the season. Wanting to keep his skills honed, Millard got […]]]>

Johnny Millard makes a tackle in a 2013 game against Weber State. By Owen Main

Johnny Millard has been a busy guy since graduating from Cal Poly last year. The former Cal Poly linebacker went undrafted in the 2014 NFL draft, but had a productive training camp with the St. Louis Rams before he was cut prior to the start of the season.

Wanting to keep his skills honed, Millard got an opportunity in a start-up developmental league called the FXFL, where he helped the Brooklyn Bolts to an undefeated four-game season.

Millard is now back in California, staying in shape and waiting for a team who needs a linebacker to fill-out a roster to give him a call. We talked this week about chasing the dream, his thoughts about the Cal Poly football program, and what playing a little running back in the inaugural FXFL season was like.

]]> https://www.fansmanship.com/podcast-episode-113-johnny-millard/feed/ 0 Johnny Millard has been a busy guy since graduating from Cal Poly last year. The former Cal Poly linebacker went undrafted in the 2014 NFL draft, but had a productive training camp with the St. Louis Rams before he was cut prior to the start of the sea... Johnny Millard has been a busy guy since graduating from Cal Poly last year. The former Cal Poly linebacker went undrafted in the 2014 NFL draft, but had a productive training camp with the St. Louis Rams before he was cut prior to the start of the season. Wanting to keep his skills honed, Millard got […] NFL – Fansmanship 28:43 https://www.fansmanship.com/espn-suspends-the-sports-guy/ https://www.fansmanship.com/espn-suspends-the-sports-guy/#respond Thu, 25 Sep 2014 03:50:30 +0000 http://www.fansmanship.com/?p=15531 When Bill Simmons became an ESPN employee, I think all reasonable sports fans who follow the Sports Guy were excited. Simmons does a fantastic job of toeing the line between being a journalist and a sports fan with an opinion. Simmons’ strong takes bring readers who are passionate and excited about their teams. Simmons is […]]]>

The Sports Guy spoke his mind and gave a great take on the frustration fans feel about the NFL. He’s been smacked down for it. By David Shankbone (Own work), via Wikimedia Commons

When Bill Simmons became an ESPN employee, I think all reasonable sports fans who follow the Sports Guy were excited. Simmons does a fantastic job of toeing the line between being a journalist and a sports fan with an opinion. Simmons’ strong takes bring readers who are passionate and excited about their teams. Simmons is able to make deep analysis of multiple sports easily digestible and has one of the most popular sports podcasts out there.

When I first read Simmons years ago, I thought he was an unrepentent Laker-hating troll. I still pretty much think that, but he’s grown on me because he, for the most part, has done a nice job of being transparent about who he actually is. He doesn’t have any kind of fake pretense, which is where he departs heavily from his current employer.

ESPN has gone from becoming something I thought was hip in the late 1990’s to being something that makes me feel icky for consuming.

Here’s a confession: I haven’t had cable at any time over the past two years or so, and I’ve still kept up with sports. In fact, I get my sports news more efficiently than ever. AND, I’m in charge of what’s important in my sports world. I consume sports how I want to, through sources I feel give me the best information. I think I’m pretty savvy about where I get this information and can tell the difference between something being actually reported on versus an agenda a network like ESPN tried to push on me.

I’m pretty sure only ESPN employees I follow at this point are ones related to Grantland. Aside from live sporting events, which ESPN does a great job with, Simmons’ Grantland is the last bastion of content worth consuming on ESPN’s platforms.

Simmons was reprimanded for not living up to ESPN’s sometimes-enforced standards of journalistic integrity. In a weird way though, he held tight to his real morals. Simmons expressed the anger of so many fans of the NFL, ripping into Roger Goodell and expressing the bad feelings every fan has about the league right now.

By suspending Simmons, ESPN showed itself again as an organization that’s not in touch. ESPN hired Simmons, empowered him to do things like exactly what he did on his podcast this week, and then suspended him. Suspending Simmons is not what’s good for consumers of sports or the NFL and I don’t think that it’s good for the network either.

So, here’s to Bill Simmons. Good job Sports Guy. I hope that when you come back, you can still keep being who you are. Even though I’ll probably read it less now (the site is owned by ESPN after all), I hope that Grantland can still be a thing that I can actually respect — there are some really great people there and the content is still fresh and readable.

ESPN and the NFL are giants of the sports industry. They have both once again failed me as a fan. I’m a fan of neither tonight.

"It's not like Ray Rice bad-mouthed his wife on a PODCAST." — someone high up at @espn, apparently. #FreeSimmons

— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) September 25, 2014

Worldwide leader in cowardice and hypocrisy @espn #freesimmons

— A.J. Shearon (@PATSbasketball) September 25, 2014

Here's the excellent OTL piece @BillSimmons was talking about. Read it before ESPN disappears it too. #FreeSimmons http://t.co/adau8Av2Nm

— Ted Friedman (@tedfriedman) September 25, 2014

This @BillSimmons suspension is mind blowing. He's the best talent @espn and deserves to be heard. #freesimmons http://t.co/W58BqtezvL

— Tanya (@MissTanya) September 25, 2014

WILD SONG OF THE NIGHT FOR #BillSimmons: "Gimme Some Truth" by #JohnLennon #FreeSimmons

— David Wild (@Wildaboutmusic) September 25, 2014

]]> https://www.fansmanship.com/espn-suspends-the-sports-guy/feed/ 0 https://www.fansmanship.com/when-is-there-no-way-back/ https://www.fansmanship.com/when-is-there-no-way-back/#respond Sat, 13 Sep 2014 03:45:33 +0000 http://www.fansmanship.com/?p=15457 A lot of people have been idiots lately. Actually, a lot of people have been idiots always. People have done stupid things, made dumb statements, and exercised poor judgment for as far back as human history goes. One could say that making bad choices is part of the human condition. Recently, lots of people in the […]]]>

Roger Goodell is on the hot seat. By SSG Teddy Wade [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

A lot of people have been idiots lately. Actually, a lot of people have been idiots always. People have done stupid things, made dumb statements, and exercised poor judgment for as far back as human history goes. One could say that making bad choices is part of the human condition.

Recently, lots of people in the sports world have made really bad choices or done sub-par jobs. Danny Ferry got in trouble for statements he made. Roger Goodell sure didn’t handle the Ray Rice situation well. Three times. 

That these people acted in a wrong way is indisputable. My question is, where is the line that will cost people their job?

Let me put it this way.

The NBA that has shown some level of institutionally horrific judgment. Donald Sterling continued to own a franchise despite a history of racist abuses. Everybody knew what Sterling did and nobody called for anything to change until the “public” got mad and demanded change. Sure, the NBA has “banned” Sterling for life, but I’m note sure anything really changed inside the NBA’s culture beyond owners understanding they need to be more careful about who they talk to and who is taping them.

Atlanta Hawks’ General Manager Danny Ferry’s comments seemed like they came in the context of an acceptable level of discourse at high levels of the league. Owners recently sent a letter to commissioner Adam Silver to urge Ferry’s dismissal. While Ferry went out on an indefinite leave of absence today, Silver seems to have drawn a line, separating Sterling’s actions and Ferry’s. Ferry’s comments (whether or not he was just reading something someone else wrote) are a reflection of a culture the league at-best turns a blind eye to and at worst actively perpetuates. On the other hand, Sterling, ousted Hawks owner Bruce Levenson, and owners at large have been responsible for building that corrosive culture.

In the NFL, Roger Goodell is on the hottest of seats. Goodell has lost fan confidence at this point — his enforcement of rules neurotic at best. As commissioner, he has simultaneously infuriated players by coming down with an iron fist and incensed fans and the public with his leniency on other issues — like the Ray Rice situation.

The longer Goodell’s incompetence is tried in the court of 2014 social media public opinion, the closer he will become to being ousted from the head of the most powerful sports league in the nation.

In situations like this, I do believe in some subtlety, details, and context. It’s easy in this case to say Goodell was a buffoon who didn’t know what was going on in his organization. A week later, the Ravens and NFL are super easy to write about. The standard bashing of the idiots in the NBA is an easy thing too.

Here’s what isn’t easy — a real discussion about how to change the underlying culture that, on some level, accepted Ferry’s comments. What isn’t easy is a conversation about how the NBA’s culture, under decades of David Stern’s rule, turned a blind eye to Sterling’s craziness without finding a way to put a different ownership group in place.

What won’t be easy is a true discourse and dialogue about the violent culture in the NFL and how that relates to the behavior of its players off the field. What isn’t easy is a true exploration about how the culture and customs of the NFL as an organization need to really be changed, because simply changing commissioners is not the only part of the equation. Simply-put, a commissioner change in itself would do nothing to assure me that any of the systemic issues at the NFL are being addressed.

Even a more difficult question is where the line of no return is. Where do we think that a person can no longer be in a position of leadership in an organization or league? Where do we draw that line for the league’s rank and file? Is it in a different place than for the leaders?

At what point do we still, as fans, lose our belief in second chances or a person’s ability to change a culture? Do we think that people in leadership positions have much capacity for real, change — systemic and cultural? When is enough enough?

I’m not sure about the answers to all these questions. I’m not embedded in the nuanced specifics of the NFL’s investigations. I don’t have access to the back-rooms at NBA ownership meetings.

For me, the measuring tool for whether things have changed will be when I hear sincere public discourse and dialogue about the realities that have occurred and are taking place. Realities of crimes being swept under the rug. The reality that the organizational value of controlling the public relations message is more important than doing the right thing.

I’ll know we’re on the right track when I hear better plans and more real transparency in that context. Like I said before, I believe in context.

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