It was another glorious Senior Bowl week in the Port City and with the addition of the new player parade and free concert in Cathedral Square with The Revivalists, I would venture to say it was the best Senior Bowl yet. I know that is a bold statement, but I stand by it!
The perfect weather on Saturday brought out record attendance — inside and outside of the stadium — and as we like to tritely say, “a good time was had by all.”
Anyway, there were plenty of huge NFL names patronizing our local watering holes in the days leading up and I have all of that scoop, too.
So let’s not get a delay of game. It’s time to load up on all this super Senior Bowl-sized gossip, brought to you by Reese’s (not really, but Boozie is accepting any and all sponsorships).
Let them eat … gumbo and crawfish dip
Our spies were out and about looking for all the NFL coaches and scouts and such last week. It is always easy to spot them, as they are large and are sporting athletic attire with their teams’ logos, but some are easier to identify than others.
The spies in the OGD spotted Denver Broncos General Manager John Elway, New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick and former Cowboys QB-turned-TV-analyst Tony Romo in Callaghan’s.
No word on if Romo was able to order a delicious Cally’s burger for his companions before they even decided what they wanted, but all signs point to yes.
Alabama football royalty was also in the house on the corner of Charleston and Marine, as University of Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban stopped in, as did Auburn University Coach Gus Malzahn. I use the term “royalty” with Malzahn loosely, as I am not sure if everyone is on or off the “Gus Bus” this week. It changes so rapidly.
Anyway, we hear Belichick was really making the rounds, because he and his offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels, were in the Royal Scam earlier in the week. We are told Belichick had a bowl of gumbo.
Down the street at Heroes Sports Bar & Grille, where you expect to see sports dudes, new Carolina Panthers Coach Matt Rhule was there, enjoying their “award-winning spinach and crawfish dip.” I’m told he said, “If there was a Super Bowl for dips, this would be it.” He 100 percent did not say that, but it is true nonetheless. Yum!
The big day
Folks started off by tailgating in their cars in tents around Ladd-Peebles Stadium or in the Corporate Tent Village. All the usual politicos were seen roaming about, including Mayor Sandy Stimpson and Councilpersons Gina Gregory and Fred Richardson.
But the college mascots really made an impression this year, especially the Oklahoma State Cowboy. I am told he was not quite as creepy as Clemson’s sad tiger mascot that gained so much notoriety after the National Championship game, but pretty close. The Oregon Duck and Oregon State Beaver were also crowd-pleasers. And in a race they had for the assembled crowd, the duck won. Who knew ducks were so fast? I’m told creepy cowboy did poorly.
Anyway, it was a great day for the city of Mobile, and we can’t wait to see all of the things they cook up next year!
Congrats to Executive Director Jim Nagy and staff! Well done!
Baby got back!
Last Thursday night Soul Kitchen in downtown Mobile was jam-packed with lip-synchers out to win glory and raise money for the Fuse Project. Fuse has been known for its dragon boat races over the past several years, but switched gears for a lip-synch jam this year, which appears to have gone over swimmingly.
The teams put on an amazing show. There was Sir Mix-a-Lot and a number of young ladies singing “Baby Got Back,” Guns N’ Roses made an appearance and there was even a rather large, hairy Reba McEntire to contend with. Organizers said the event was very close to a sellout, and they have their eyes on this becoming an even bigger annual event, so start practicing in the mirror!
Well kids, that’s all I got this week. Just remember, whether rain or shine, dramatic or scandalous or some plain ol’ Belichick gumbo lovin’, I will be there. Ciao!
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