We mine the incredible work of longtime sports photographer Neil Leifer once again.
This one, shot on December 8, 1974, in New York’s Shea Stadium is of future Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Namath chatting it up with someone on his headset. Based upon how muddy the sidelines were, perhaps it was the equipment room wondering if the white pants and socks will be cleanable? Perhaps it was a calling upstairs to make a guarantee as he did before Super Bowl III? Or maybe he was in touch with his old college coach at the University of Alabama, Paul “Bear” Bryant?
The Jets defeated the O.J. Simpson-led Buffalo Bills, 20-10, on this sloppy Sunday afternoon. Namath threw for 131 yards and two touchdowns.
Joe Namath on the sidelines at Shea Stadium, December 8, 1974. (Photo by Neil Leifer)
Just to review, The Fan Teaser comes courtesy of longtime buddy, Pat Schutte. The cropped photo below and the accompanying clue give you an idea as to who or what the image is of. We invite you to use the Comment option to take a crack at solving the Teaser and, if you’re so inclined, participate in some good-spirited banter with your fellow sports fans. The Fan Teaser will appear each Friday morning with the reveal coming to you Sunday.
With my hometown Detroit Tigers long ago on the outside of this year’s Major League Baseball post-season discussion, I found myself more rooting against teams rather than for teams these past 10 days of MLB playoff action.
For example, I’m more than happy that the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, and St. Louis Cardinals will spend the remainder of the playoffs watching from their easy chairs just like me. And if the New York Yankees can join them … well, that wouldn’t stink.
Rest assured, I was also pulling hard for the Seattle Mariners in their 2-for-the-price-of-1, 18-inning, 6-hour, 22-minute marathon from the Emerald City Saturday night when they were ultimately eliminated. Nothing against Dusty Baker, but I’ll be rooting against Houston no matter who its opponent might be come Wednesday.
Legend has it that Dusty Baker (right) and teammate Glenn Burke originated the high-five. Despite this, the author will still root against his Astros the remainder of the playoffs.
Aside from not having an actual rooting interest, I guess I’m unsure why I’m behaving this way?
Is it a natural part of the aging process? I’ve heard tell of my father and others of his generation who behave similarly. Shoot, several of my buddies do the same thing!
And it’s not just limited to the baseball post-season.
On what was truly a pretty remarkable day for sports fans Saturday I also found myself pulling for the Tennessee Volunteers (and I’m ordinarily no fan of “Rocky Top”!) against the Alabama Crimson Tide because … it’s Alabama, duh! And Texas Christian beating Oklahoma State in double-overtime was just fine by me (see Coach Mike Gundy‘s mullet) as was Illinois and Coach Brett Bielema (gulp!) taking down Minnesota and it’s boat-rowing coach, P.J. Fleck.
This transferred to Sunday when, with no Detroit Lions’ action to torment my day, I had cart blanche to root for the New York Jets er, rather, against the Green Bay Packers (J-E-T-S! Jets! Jets! Jets!) as well as the for the Tampa Bay Bucaneers to lose to the Ben Roethlisberger-less Pittsburgh Steelers (a year ago I would’ve rooted for a tie!).
Here’s hoping the hometown Detroit Red Wings keep up the hot start and their NBA-brethren Pistons get off to a quick start against Orlando on Wednesday. Perhaps then can find some joy in rooting for someone again.
