Sidney Thornton will always rank among the great running backs in NSU history, and now he’s working on a great comeback too.
In Tuesday’s Alexandria Daily Town Talk (www.thetowntalk.com) sports section, award-winning writer Bob Tompkins profiled the man once known as the “Thundering Bull” for his powerful build and sprinter’s speed.
The “Tales from the Crossroads” story is entitled “Fallen Bull.”
It is an unvarnished account of Thornton’s life, which has been a turbulent journey since his days on the NSU campus as an All-American running back and MVP of the Blue-Gray All-Game in 1976, running for 151 yards and two touchdowns.
Thornton, 52, is recovering from a major stroke and living in Shreveport. There, former NSU teammates Kenny Meeks and Rudy Hines are among those who are very close to Sidney.
Among those quoted in the story: former players Butch Ballard, Meeks and former NSU assistant coach Gene Knecht.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Monday, September 18, 2006
From Running Back Popper to Human Back Popper
One of the best parts of being the "Voice of the Demons" is meeting the players and coaches. There are so many guys that I have had the pleasure to meet and talk to as players, and it is especially gratifying to see some of them as they get into the "real world."
One of those opportunities came Saturday night after the Demon footballers defeated Delaware State. During the second half, our sideline reporter, Jack Brittain, tracked down former walk-on safety turned integral starter and recent graduate Bruce Woods. On the various flights that we had taken, Bruce had become one of my favorite players. Always fun to talk to, with the kind of voice (deep and rich) that 99% of the broadcasters in America would die for.
I caught up with Bruce after the game and got to hear about how he is in Dallas making his way through school to become a chiropractor. He loves the talent on this Demon team and thinks they could be one of the best teams in a while once they get some seasoning and get settled in.
The thought of chiropractors has always unnerved me a little bit, with the loud pops and cracks and twisting and wrenching of the various joints. However, Bruce promised me that he would "take care" of me once he gets finished with his schooling.
If Bruce Woods is half as good a chiropractor as he is a person, then I will take him up on that offer.
One of those opportunities came Saturday night after the Demon footballers defeated Delaware State. During the second half, our sideline reporter, Jack Brittain, tracked down former walk-on safety turned integral starter and recent graduate Bruce Woods. On the various flights that we had taken, Bruce had become one of my favorite players. Always fun to talk to, with the kind of voice (deep and rich) that 99% of the broadcasters in America would die for.
I caught up with Bruce after the game and got to hear about how he is in Dallas making his way through school to become a chiropractor. He loves the talent on this Demon team and thinks they could be one of the best teams in a while once they get some seasoning and get settled in.
The thought of chiropractors has always unnerved me a little bit, with the loud pops and cracks and twisting and wrenching of the various joints. However, Bruce promised me that he would "take care" of me once he gets finished with his schooling.
If Bruce Woods is half as good a chiropractor as he is a person, then I will take him up on that offer.
Not Your Ordinary "Coach"
Sometimes in life, you’re lucky to meet people in the spotlight, or, celebrities, so to speak.
Most of the time, it’s just a handshake and a polite hello… and then they’re gone.
This past Saturday night when the Northwestern State Demons opened their home football season against Delaware State, I got to meet one of those celebrities and was quite surprised by how down-to-earth he was.
The game was televised nationally on CSTV and doing the play-by-play was none other than Jonathan Coachman, or, better known as “Coach”.
Many people have never heard of Coach, but if you’re an avid World Wrestling Entertainment fan like myself and fellow co-workers Ronnette Pellegrin and Stacy Morgan, you’d know Coach very well.
Coach’s current role on the sports entertainment program is the Executive Assistant to WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. He's the "brown-noser" who kisses up to the boss and loves to make all the fans hate him.
To be able to talk to Coach outside of his character was very enjoyable and such the opposite as his on-air persona.
During the 15 minute conversation prior to the kickoff of the football game, Coach was more than willing to talk about, not only his “acting” gig, but also is aspirations of becoming a full-time sportscaster.
He told me he just signed a new 2-year contract with the WWE, but after that, would like to go into television broadcasting as his career. He said that he’s engaged to be married and would like to start a family sometime soon, but is not able to take that step in life since he’s on the road 51 weeks out of the year.
He talked about the personality of the billionaire mogul McMahon and stated that he’s a tough guy to work for, but really takes care of all his employees. Coach noted that all the wrestlers are great to work with and did take notice that the chair bashing, table breaking, chest-slapping moves are real and they do hurt. He pointed out two inch-and-a-half scars on his head as proof.
After Saturday’s game, Coach headed back up to Shreveport where he was to catch a red-eye flight to Atlanta and then on to Toronto, Canada where he took part in Sunday night’s WWE Unforgiven pay-per-view.
You’ll be able to catch him live on the USA Network for WWE Raw tonight at 8 p.m.
Most of the time, it’s just a handshake and a polite hello… and then they’re gone.
This past Saturday night when the Northwestern State Demons opened their home football season against Delaware State, I got to meet one of those celebrities and was quite surprised by how down-to-earth he was.
The game was televised nationally on CSTV and doing the play-by-play was none other than Jonathan Coachman, or, better known as “Coach”.
Many people have never heard of Coach, but if you’re an avid World Wrestling Entertainment fan like myself and fellow co-workers Ronnette Pellegrin and Stacy Morgan, you’d know Coach very well.
Coach’s current role on the sports entertainment program is the Executive Assistant to WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. He's the "brown-noser" who kisses up to the boss and loves to make all the fans hate him.
To be able to talk to Coach outside of his character was very enjoyable and such the opposite as his on-air persona.
During the 15 minute conversation prior to the kickoff of the football game, Coach was more than willing to talk about, not only his “acting” gig, but also is aspirations of becoming a full-time sportscaster.
He told me he just signed a new 2-year contract with the WWE, but after that, would like to go into television broadcasting as his career. He said that he’s engaged to be married and would like to start a family sometime soon, but is not able to take that step in life since he’s on the road 51 weeks out of the year.
He talked about the personality of the billionaire mogul McMahon and stated that he’s a tough guy to work for, but really takes care of all his employees. Coach noted that all the wrestlers are great to work with and did take notice that the chair bashing, table breaking, chest-slapping moves are real and they do hurt. He pointed out two inch-and-a-half scars on his head as proof.
After Saturday’s game, Coach headed back up to Shreveport where he was to catch a red-eye flight to Atlanta and then on to Toronto, Canada where he took part in Sunday night’s WWE Unforgiven pay-per-view.
You’ll be able to catch him live on the USA Network for WWE Raw tonight at 8 p.m.
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