I'm a little bit nervous tonight, a bit scatter-brained in fact. The reason? By this weekend, I'm going to make a move into the new millenium. Is my wife having a baby? Nope. Is it my 25th wedding anniversary? (Been there done that a month ago). Did I get the call from ESPN? (hasn't happened in thirty years and Al Jaffe is likely on vacation). The reason for my nerves? I'm making the jump to Facebook and Twitter.
Now before you roll your eyes, please understand that I still have a few DVD machines blinking midnight. The last time I cleaned out my closet I found 8-track cassettes- and I still have a tape recorder I received for a wedding gift. While I am certainly not bone head when it comes to technology, neither am I Steve Jobs. To give you an idea of where I stand, a Fox6 employee recently called on the overhead speaker for a computer expert to go to the newsroom. My wise-guy sports producer got on the overhead speaker and yelled, "Karle will be right here."
So with that as backround, I'm taking the plunge. Come tomorrow I will be on Facebook (that after our IT guy shows me how to upload a picture onto a computer). In the day sthat folllow I will be tweeting (or is it twittering?). Of course I will still be blogging, e-mailing, anchoring sports, doing radio work, and all the while doing my best to help my wife raise the two kids.
So let's think about it: If you want to get in touch with me, it's rather easy. All you have to do is e-mail me at RKarle@GoWBRC.com, send me a message on Facebook, Tweet me (or is it Twitter me?), write me, text me, respond to my blog, or best yet, call me (our office phone here is (205) 583-4340. All this and my 6th grader tells me tonight he needs a cell phone.
Gotta go anchor some sports. When I get home I'll be trying to power up the cable TV while the hard drive sorts things out. And to think my parents gave me an electric typewriter as I headed off to college back in the last 70's. See ya tomorrow!
Rick Karle
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
15 Minutes of Fame
The summer time months for sports, at least on the local scene, can for the most part be a little slow. There are events and stories to cover, you just have to be more creative as a sports reporter. With that in mind, this is a great opportunity for you, that is if you are worthy? Just let us know!
What does that mean? It means we have the time and opportunity to do stories on individuals, teams or events that normally may not get the attention if say it were football season. So keep this in mind, I love to do local stories that are worthy of airtime that can inform or entertain the FOX6 viewers. If the story makes you think this is great or wow it probably deserves some kind of notoriety.
All you have to do is e-mail us at fox6sports@gowbrc.com and give us the information. We will then research the info and see if it is something we wish to cover and if so we just might put it on television.
And who knows you, your team or someone you know may just get their 15 minutes of fame.
Sheldon Haygood
What does that mean? It means we have the time and opportunity to do stories on individuals, teams or events that normally may not get the attention if say it were football season. So keep this in mind, I love to do local stories that are worthy of airtime that can inform or entertain the FOX6 viewers. If the story makes you think this is great or wow it probably deserves some kind of notoriety.
All you have to do is e-mail us at fox6sports@gowbrc.com and give us the information. We will then research the info and see if it is something we wish to cover and if so we just might put it on television.
And who knows you, your team or someone you know may just get their 15 minutes of fame.
Sheldon Haygood
Monday, July 6, 2009
A Lesson Learned From The Steve McNair Tragedy
Said former Tennessee Titans runnng back Eddie George at a Monday news conference in Nashville, "I'm not in a position to judge anyone or to be judged. That is up to God." George was responding to media questions about the "other" life of the late Steve McNair, the 11-year NFL veteran quarterback. And while I have to agree with George, many professional athletes must hear the message loud and clear: Watch yourselves! Keep in mind that authorities have not officially announced that this was indeed a crime of passion, but all signs point to that being the case.
In case you missed it: Steve McNair was gunned down this past weekend by taking two bullets to the head and two to the chest. Police found McNair's 20-year old girlfriend dead from a single gunshot wound to the wide of her head, a gun underneath her. Today, a relative of Sahel Kazemi tells police that the 20-year old purchased a gun only days ago. While this sniffs of a murder-suicide, Nashville police are not doubt exhausting all avenues before releasing what they believe to be a cause of death.
When I first heard the news Saturday, my first thought was "how tragic." Admittedly, my second thought was "Gee- McNair, the married father of four had a girlfriend on the side? Imagine that!". The hard cold truth is that pro athletes by the hundreds have practiced infidelity for years. As a sportscaster for 30 years, I have seen this up close- and while there are hundreds of loving, committed, trusting athletes throughout America, I'm here to tell you something you already know: Many athletes are scumbags who cheat on their spouses and/or have open marriages where their wives actually condone keeping a mistess. Perhaps the most surprising tidbit to come out of all of this is news that McNair's wife Mechelle knew nothing of this affair.
Now I'm not going to go all biblical on you and preach to you that a man will meet an untimely death if he strays. But I'm here to tell you, that while the McNair death is certainly tragic, you wonder how other athletes down through the years have skated by.
Let's face it: With the divorce rate on our country now over 50 perent, infidelity happens, and it's not only pro athletes that are messing around (it also takes two to tango)- it can and does happen to hard-working, normal folks. But the Steve McNair case must be a wak-up call for pro athletes who keep a woman on every city and a so-called "friend" on speed dial. These guys are playing with fire. In the McNair case, it appears the McNair fire blew up- and it cost two people in the prime of their lives.
In case you missed it: Steve McNair was gunned down this past weekend by taking two bullets to the head and two to the chest. Police found McNair's 20-year old girlfriend dead from a single gunshot wound to the wide of her head, a gun underneath her. Today, a relative of Sahel Kazemi tells police that the 20-year old purchased a gun only days ago. While this sniffs of a murder-suicide, Nashville police are not doubt exhausting all avenues before releasing what they believe to be a cause of death.
When I first heard the news Saturday, my first thought was "how tragic." Admittedly, my second thought was "Gee- McNair, the married father of four had a girlfriend on the side? Imagine that!". The hard cold truth is that pro athletes by the hundreds have practiced infidelity for years. As a sportscaster for 30 years, I have seen this up close- and while there are hundreds of loving, committed, trusting athletes throughout America, I'm here to tell you something you already know: Many athletes are scumbags who cheat on their spouses and/or have open marriages where their wives actually condone keeping a mistess. Perhaps the most surprising tidbit to come out of all of this is news that McNair's wife Mechelle knew nothing of this affair.
Now I'm not going to go all biblical on you and preach to you that a man will meet an untimely death if he strays. But I'm here to tell you, that while the McNair death is certainly tragic, you wonder how other athletes down through the years have skated by.
Let's face it: With the divorce rate on our country now over 50 perent, infidelity happens, and it's not only pro athletes that are messing around (it also takes two to tango)- it can and does happen to hard-working, normal folks. But the Steve McNair case must be a wak-up call for pro athletes who keep a woman on every city and a so-called "friend" on speed dial. These guys are playing with fire. In the McNair case, it appears the McNair fire blew up- and it cost two people in the prime of their lives.
Friday, July 3, 2009
A 60 Year Top Five? A Virtual Impossibility
Did you catch our WBRC TV 60th Anniversary Show? Near the end of the program, yours truly, Finebaum, Haygood and Dubberly presented our Top Five most influential sports figures over the last six decades. Now to be honest with you, other than Coach Paul Bryant, this was nearly impossible from the start. We tossed around several names of athletes, coaches, and other sports figures and came up with the following. Let me know what you think.
#5 Auburn football coach Pat Dye. While he did not win a national championship like Gene Stallings, he accomplished some great feats in the world of AU sports. From 1981-1992, Dye won four SEC championships. He was a three-time SEC coach of the year. He stopped the Alabama Iron Bowl streak, bringing AU the respect it so desired, and perhaps most importantly, took the Iron Bowl to Jordan-Hare Stadium. Pat Dye helped Auburn fans feel equal to Alabama fans- and that feeling has been present ever since.
#4 UAB Basketball coach/AD Gene Bartow. Think about it: The UAB athletic program may not exist if it was not for this Hall Of Fame coach. Bartow not only created the UAB basketball program, he created the entire athletic program. Bartow won well over 600 games, bringing respect to a new program. His success in the early 80's (remember Ralph Sampson) was memorable, and don't forget that NIT win over Alabama back in the mid 90's. One of the nation's most well-respected coaches, the man who replaced John Wooden at UCLA took two different teams to the Final Four.
#3 Bo Jackson. While you can make an argument for the likes of Joe Namath, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Carl Lewis, Bart Starr and others, it was the McCalla native who re-invented the two-sport athlete. Bo was unlike most athletes in that when he had the ball, you watched. From his Heisman Trophy, to running over Brian Bosworth, to breaking bats over his knees, to climbing outfield walls, to hitting that MLB All-Star home run, we may never see as much talent wrapped into one athlete ever again.
#2 Bobby Allison. Think of what NASCAR would have been without the pride of Hueytown. Here's a man who moved his family from South Florida to Alabama decades ago. He fathered Davey and Clifford Allison. He brought Red Farmer with him from the swamp, and along the way won 84 Cup races, placing him third all-time behind only Richard Petty and David Pearson. From triumph to tragedy, Allison has seen it all, and our state is richer for it.
#1. Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. Yes, this is a no-brainer, as the Arkansas native not only took Alabama to unparalleled heights, an entire state was lifted up because of him. And what's so cool about it all? WBRC TV was there for all of Coach Bryant's milestones. Tom York covered his hiring and all six of his national championships. Coach Bryant taped his weekly coaches show at the Channel 6 studios (about 6 feet from my current sports desk). Herb Winches covered his funeral, sending it statewide via WBRC TV to a mourning audience. And down through the years, WBRC sportscasters have felt Coach Bryant's impact, from dealing with Bryant protoges to visiting Coach Bryant's grave in Birmingham.
My guess is that you disagree with at least one of our choices. As you give me your feedback, remember that your choice must have starred between the years 1957 and 2009, the years that sports was covered daily by this TV station. Also, the person must have performed in our viewing area, which runs border to border east to west, and from south of Huntsville to north of Montgomery.
Our state's rich tradition is like no other- and if you really want to be overwhelmed, take a trip through the Alabama Sports Hall Of Fame, where we taped out special. Connections to this state run deep- and on behalf of all the sportscasters who have worked here over the last six decades, I speak for all of them in saying that our state's rich sports tradition has never gone unnoticed.
Have a safe holiday weekend! Rick Karle
#5 Auburn football coach Pat Dye. While he did not win a national championship like Gene Stallings, he accomplished some great feats in the world of AU sports. From 1981-1992, Dye won four SEC championships. He was a three-time SEC coach of the year. He stopped the Alabama Iron Bowl streak, bringing AU the respect it so desired, and perhaps most importantly, took the Iron Bowl to Jordan-Hare Stadium. Pat Dye helped Auburn fans feel equal to Alabama fans- and that feeling has been present ever since.
#4 UAB Basketball coach/AD Gene Bartow. Think about it: The UAB athletic program may not exist if it was not for this Hall Of Fame coach. Bartow not only created the UAB basketball program, he created the entire athletic program. Bartow won well over 600 games, bringing respect to a new program. His success in the early 80's (remember Ralph Sampson) was memorable, and don't forget that NIT win over Alabama back in the mid 90's. One of the nation's most well-respected coaches, the man who replaced John Wooden at UCLA took two different teams to the Final Four.
#3 Bo Jackson. While you can make an argument for the likes of Joe Namath, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Carl Lewis, Bart Starr and others, it was the McCalla native who re-invented the two-sport athlete. Bo was unlike most athletes in that when he had the ball, you watched. From his Heisman Trophy, to running over Brian Bosworth, to breaking bats over his knees, to climbing outfield walls, to hitting that MLB All-Star home run, we may never see as much talent wrapped into one athlete ever again.
#2 Bobby Allison. Think of what NASCAR would have been without the pride of Hueytown. Here's a man who moved his family from South Florida to Alabama decades ago. He fathered Davey and Clifford Allison. He brought Red Farmer with him from the swamp, and along the way won 84 Cup races, placing him third all-time behind only Richard Petty and David Pearson. From triumph to tragedy, Allison has seen it all, and our state is richer for it.
#1. Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. Yes, this is a no-brainer, as the Arkansas native not only took Alabama to unparalleled heights, an entire state was lifted up because of him. And what's so cool about it all? WBRC TV was there for all of Coach Bryant's milestones. Tom York covered his hiring and all six of his national championships. Coach Bryant taped his weekly coaches show at the Channel 6 studios (about 6 feet from my current sports desk). Herb Winches covered his funeral, sending it statewide via WBRC TV to a mourning audience. And down through the years, WBRC sportscasters have felt Coach Bryant's impact, from dealing with Bryant protoges to visiting Coach Bryant's grave in Birmingham.
My guess is that you disagree with at least one of our choices. As you give me your feedback, remember that your choice must have starred between the years 1957 and 2009, the years that sports was covered daily by this TV station. Also, the person must have performed in our viewing area, which runs border to border east to west, and from south of Huntsville to north of Montgomery.
Our state's rich tradition is like no other- and if you really want to be overwhelmed, take a trip through the Alabama Sports Hall Of Fame, where we taped out special. Connections to this state run deep- and on behalf of all the sportscasters who have worked here over the last six decades, I speak for all of them in saying that our state's rich sports tradition has never gone unnoticed.
Have a safe holiday weekend! Rick Karle
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
The Olympic Hall of Fame For Barkley? It's News To Him!
Can you believe it was 17 years ago when the U.S Olympic Dream whooped up on opponents by an average of 44 points a game? It's hard to fathom just how good that team was: Jordan, Barkley, Bird, Robinson, Drexler, Ewing, Malone, and that's just the start. Today, the folks with the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame announced that the Dream Team will be inducted into the Hall come August 12th. It's all news to Charles Barkley.
I've known Charles for over 20 years now, and when I called him today, he told me he had heard the Hall of Fame news only this afternoon, and the news did not come from the HOF people. Of course, "The" Hall Of Fame for Barkley means the Basketball Hall Of Fame in Springfield, MA (Barkley was inducted into that a few years back).
When I told Charles that the induction ceremony for the U.S. Olympic Hall Of Fame would be held on August 12th, he told me it would be nice to have heard from the HOF people earlier, as he's a busy guy! This weekend, Barkley is taking part in a celebrity poker tournament in Las Vegas (good to see Charles curb that gambling habit), afterwhich he heads to Lake Tahoe for that big celebrity golf outing (perhaps Charles should curb his golf game for good).
Regardless of what you think about Sir Charles, the man keeps on coming back. Controversy (and jail time) seem to follow him, but the pride of Leeds, Alabama keeps on with his wild and entertaining life. After each brush with controversy, Charles publicly apologizes ("I won't drive drunk again", "I will stop gambling", etc) and continues on.
Now he's eyeing August 12th as a date where he may just get together with old friends like Larry, Michael, and Clyde. That is, if the U.S. Olympic Hall Of Fame induction ceremony fits into his busy schedule.
Have a great 4th of July weekend- stay safe- and enjoy your family!
Rick Karle
I've known Charles for over 20 years now, and when I called him today, he told me he had heard the Hall of Fame news only this afternoon, and the news did not come from the HOF people. Of course, "The" Hall Of Fame for Barkley means the Basketball Hall Of Fame in Springfield, MA (Barkley was inducted into that a few years back).
When I told Charles that the induction ceremony for the U.S. Olympic Hall Of Fame would be held on August 12th, he told me it would be nice to have heard from the HOF people earlier, as he's a busy guy! This weekend, Barkley is taking part in a celebrity poker tournament in Las Vegas (good to see Charles curb that gambling habit), afterwhich he heads to Lake Tahoe for that big celebrity golf outing (perhaps Charles should curb his golf game for good).
Regardless of what you think about Sir Charles, the man keeps on coming back. Controversy (and jail time) seem to follow him, but the pride of Leeds, Alabama keeps on with his wild and entertaining life. After each brush with controversy, Charles publicly apologizes ("I won't drive drunk again", "I will stop gambling", etc) and continues on.
Now he's eyeing August 12th as a date where he may just get together with old friends like Larry, Michael, and Clyde. That is, if the U.S. Olympic Hall Of Fame induction ceremony fits into his busy schedule.
Have a great 4th of July weekend- stay safe- and enjoy your family!
Rick Karle
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Hey Mom & Dad- Chill, Will Ya?
Did you hear about the 13-year old who has verbally committed to the Tennessee Volunteers football team? Yep- 8th-grader Evan Berry, the younger brother of current Vols DB Eric Berry, says he has committed to the Vols. No official scholarship has been tendered by Lane Kiffin, but the young Berry says he's happy with his choice (nice to see he's confident that he will be a college-caliber player in five years).
As the parent of an 11-year old 6th-grader and an 8-year old 3rd grader, this deal has me thinking of a message I'd like more parents to heed: Slow down a bit, would ya? As my children grow (both are into sports of their choosing, not of my choosing, which is a big problem for many kids and parents), I have seen my share of pushy parents living their dreams through their kids. Forcing a child to specialize in one sport as early as age seven? Give me a break! Summer All-Stars, travel teams, 5-day-a-week summer gymnastics classes, 5-day-a-week youth football for kids as early as six?
As you read this, look at yourself in the mirror: Is your child playing a sport he likes or is he playing a sport you like? I will come clean: My son plays in a competitive soccer league (Birmingham United), but while his practices are often grueling, and he does take part in out-of-town tournaments, he plays in the spring and in the fall, with two practices a week and a game (or three) on the weekend. Noah also plays in the North Shelby Basketball League in the Winter. He practices twice a week and plays one game on a Saturday.
And my daughter? Summer Swim League (1 hour practice 4 times a week with 1 meet per week thru August), and basketball in the winters (1 practice and one game a week).
Now my kid's schedules could certainly be alot more hectic, and I am not here to judge what is right for your child. What I am here to say is something that I have had a hard time doing, and perhaps you have too- and that is to slow down. This summer, my son has gone to one 4-day soccer camp. The rest of the time he's being a kid (I pulled him out of winter indor soccer to avoid burnout).
I talk with many college coaches who meet with the parents of gifted athletes, only to see the teenagers burn out by the time college practice begins. The reason? Just too many sports on too many days in too many months. And the culprits? They are usually parents like you and me. A few years back, I attended a season-ending soccer party for 6 year olds. One parent (whose kid still plays at age 10 and is very good), told me then that he was counting on his kid getting a college scholarship. The kid was six! Now I'm all for lofty goals, but this is a perfect example of a parent having his child's life planned without regard for his child's wishes.
And I take you back to Tennessee commitment Evan Berry. I'm sure the kid will grow into a superb football player, and maybe he will wind up at Rocky Top. But if he doesn't, will be think of himself as a failure? If so, will it be because of dangerous expectations brought on by parents and/or coaches?
The moral of my story? Before you sign your kid up for his/her next sports league, why not ask your child what he or she wants to do, rather than deciding yourself? Your kid may love you more for it.
Tell me what you think! Rick Karle/Sports Director
As the parent of an 11-year old 6th-grader and an 8-year old 3rd grader, this deal has me thinking of a message I'd like more parents to heed: Slow down a bit, would ya? As my children grow (both are into sports of their choosing, not of my choosing, which is a big problem for many kids and parents), I have seen my share of pushy parents living their dreams through their kids. Forcing a child to specialize in one sport as early as age seven? Give me a break! Summer All-Stars, travel teams, 5-day-a-week summer gymnastics classes, 5-day-a-week youth football for kids as early as six?
As you read this, look at yourself in the mirror: Is your child playing a sport he likes or is he playing a sport you like? I will come clean: My son plays in a competitive soccer league (Birmingham United), but while his practices are often grueling, and he does take part in out-of-town tournaments, he plays in the spring and in the fall, with two practices a week and a game (or three) on the weekend. Noah also plays in the North Shelby Basketball League in the Winter. He practices twice a week and plays one game on a Saturday.
And my daughter? Summer Swim League (1 hour practice 4 times a week with 1 meet per week thru August), and basketball in the winters (1 practice and one game a week).
Now my kid's schedules could certainly be alot more hectic, and I am not here to judge what is right for your child. What I am here to say is something that I have had a hard time doing, and perhaps you have too- and that is to slow down. This summer, my son has gone to one 4-day soccer camp. The rest of the time he's being a kid (I pulled him out of winter indor soccer to avoid burnout).
I talk with many college coaches who meet with the parents of gifted athletes, only to see the teenagers burn out by the time college practice begins. The reason? Just too many sports on too many days in too many months. And the culprits? They are usually parents like you and me. A few years back, I attended a season-ending soccer party for 6 year olds. One parent (whose kid still plays at age 10 and is very good), told me then that he was counting on his kid getting a college scholarship. The kid was six! Now I'm all for lofty goals, but this is a perfect example of a parent having his child's life planned without regard for his child's wishes.
And I take you back to Tennessee commitment Evan Berry. I'm sure the kid will grow into a superb football player, and maybe he will wind up at Rocky Top. But if he doesn't, will be think of himself as a failure? If so, will it be because of dangerous expectations brought on by parents and/or coaches?
The moral of my story? Before you sign your kid up for his/her next sports league, why not ask your child what he or she wants to do, rather than deciding yourself? Your kid may love you more for it.
Tell me what you think! Rick Karle/Sports Director
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