Gratifying Announcement: I’m so happy to announce that this month set an all-time high for readers and new readers of Letter From Elba. And I couldn’t have done it without all of you.
Thank you for making me a part of your twice-weekly routine.
Thank you for all your great comments. They really add so much to the content. (And sometimes they’re better than the post!)
Thank you, too, for the wonderful emails you send me. I love to know what you’re thinking. If I’ve struck a chord- or touched a nerve.
And a Jimmy Fallon thank you note must go out to all of you who put up a favorite post on your Facebook wall. Or sent it on to friends and family. Or just used the low tech “share feature” by telling a neighbor or someone in the workplace about something you read and liked.
Thank you to my pioneers- the readers in the blog’s infancy. Your encouragement meant so much when I was just getting lift-off.
And thank you to my newbies, who in some cases, have gone all the way back to the Stone Age archives and read all from the beginning just to catch up.
Thank you for all the inspiration you’ve given me. I might write this in my office alone but no man is an island. (But if I were an island I’d be… well, Elba, of course.)
You’ve all played such an important role in my blog’s life.
And mine.
Mille grazie.
Just a quickie today, dear readers. My mind’s on the big game and I’ll bet yours is too.
My great uncle, Jack Goldie, was longtime trainer for the Chicago Bears. He was brought on board by Papa Bear George Halas and Sid Luckman in 1943.
Ironic Timeout On The Field: In that early, pre-television era, Halas told all of the Bears organization that they would have to hold “square” jobs during the off season. Football, he told them, could never pay enough to support a man and his family.
Ahem.
As trainer, Uncle Jack was in charge of all aches, pains, conditioning, ice packs, bandages and whirlpool baths.
And drug distribution.
Several players constantly complained to him that they could not sleep the night before a big game. And so they begged him for sleeping pills.
A highly contraband substance in the Halas locker room in those days.
“So you know what I used to do, kid?” Uncle Jack asked- rolling the omnipresent cigar to one side of his mouth.
“Nope, what?” I was all ears.
“I used to take this tiny pill and shave off the trademark with a razor blade. Then I told each player that this was illegal and if they were caught, we’d all be out on our cans. I also told them that these little pills were very powerful and highly-addictive and that’s why I could only give them one at a time.”
“It never failed,” he went on to say. “They’d take my little orange pill and sleep like a top.”
“What was the pill?” I was dying to know. “And why did you have to shave off the markings?”
“Baby aspirin. That’s all it was. Just baby aspirin- and the power of suggestion. That knocked these big galoots out like a light every time. Just think about that,” he puffed his big chest out proudly.
I often have. The power of suggestion. What a force.
So today, dear readers, may I suggest that you all have a wonderful Superbowl Sunday with friends and family?
And may I suggest that you sit back, relax, and enjoy the National Anthem sung by opera diva Renee Fleming, the game, the half-time show and the commercials?
And one more suggestion, if I may.
Go Broncos!
Although not being an avid football fan, I also am taken in by all of the hype of today’s game, etc. But every year I keep asking myself the same question; why is this day, this sport, and everything surrounding it -made into such an almost spiritual event? There are reported to be almost 200 million people betting over 10 billion dollars on this one game. The drinking, prostitution, and other off-road indulgences surpass any other holiday or time of the year. I will be going to a Superbowl Party today with a TV on in every room with people talking about a game they could care less about. This is a sport that by no one’s imagination could ever be considered safe, (count the number of injuries today), and certainly will send many of those playing it to states of pre-senile dementia. Reminds me of the Romans watching the gladiators go into action without the thumbs up or down at the end. The rest of the world copies much of what we do, watches our movies, celebrities, fashion, etc. but has forever rejected the idea of football as we know it.
Having said all of that – gotta go and get my final bets in. Thanks for the forum to tell the world how I see things.
I think that most people are just desperate to party in the dead of winter. For most, it’s just a harmless way to blow off steam after months of gloom. But the medical repercussions are so serious for the players. My uncle Jack used to tell me that Bronko Nagurski didn’t like to wear a helmet! We’ve come a long way since then. But just not far enough.
And I would have bet good money that you, out of all my readers, would have mentioned the “placebo effect.” Good thing I’m not a betting man. Jimmy, you’ve added a lot to my blog every week. Glad I could provide a forum.
Millions of people take baby aspirin for the prevention of heart attacks and strokes. Who knows, maybe that little baby aspirin attenuated the onset of the dementia all of those football players are now getting. I say, until further studies prove to the contrary, put all of them back on the aspirin. If nothing else, it will help with all of their post game aches and injuries. Maybe your great uncle was ahead of his times.
Thanks, Doc! Glad you think so. But Letter From Elba Disclaimer: The above opinion is that of Jimmy’s alone. Please check with your physician before you start any course of medication. Thank you, JAMA.
I am 180* opposite of Jimmy Feld (above), I AM an avid football and sports fan. But, I have NEVER watched The Super Bowl……except, of course the 1985 Bears.
Great day to spend the day out………Shopping, restaurants, etc………
It’s not half as exciting as Collegiate Week, I know. Have a great day whatever you do!
Loved your blog as always! I look forward to reading it every Thurs. and Sun. Your stories are touching, serious and always hilarious. Congrats on your amazing readership growth and the numbers are going to continue to grow!! And your great Uncle sounds like a great guy!
Love, A Proud Pioneer
Yes you were there from the beginning. And always a cheerleader. And Rickey has provided inspiration as well. Love you both