Flashback: Michigan State Football fans all know Spartans tied for @BigTen title in 1978 and would have gone to @RoseBowl if not for Bo Schembechler-fueled NCAA sanctions, but Spartans (6-1-1) also should have finished in 3-way for first w/Ohio State (7-1-0) & Michigan (7-1-0). Spartans

I grew up in in Big Rapids, MI, home of Ferris State Univ.. Any kid knew about fball/track legend Willie Bouyer. Ferris annually presents Willie Bouyer Leadership Award. I met extended family Garner Trojans v South Garner High School. Nikkie Bouyer (R) is Willie’s cousin. Nikkie, Clemson Athletics

We know Cam Newton is a clotheshorse, but he must have taken a blanket off some horse for that sport coat he's wearing today on @Firsttake and must have found that hat left behind in a women's room at the Kentucky Derby.

Tune in for thoughts on Louisville Football w/Jeff Brahm; Detroit Lions; Stanford Football and Andrew Luck; Indiana Football w/transfer portal; @Jets misery; old NFL QBs (I brought up Earl Morrall); open college jobs and congratulating Pam Oliver on Hall of Fame and much more.

My latest The News & Observer story on top Triangle players features Ebenezer Ewetade, a 4-star DE from South Garner High School South Garner Football who is bound for Notre Dame Football. That's a long road from being cut as eighth-grader from the team. tinyurl.com/2a33u7st

One school did it right celebrating a coach who influenced his sport beyond X's and O's. The other school got it all wrong with its coach. They were both courageous leaders advancing integration in college sports. Carolina Basketball Michigan State Football tinyurl.com/ms7jwmyt

It's so great to see Shohei Ohtani doing more than Barry Bonds ever did and without Bonds' steroids. Embarrassing how giants fans cheered for Bonds hitting home runs. MLB Los Angeles Dodgers

Penn State debacle, Brian Kelly gets comeuppance, Nick Saban as Father Flanagan, Frank Rech as the future coaching model, defending Joe Namath and Billy Sims, Nebraska misses Frank Solich and more.

My latest The News & Observer story on area football. Cary Football has enjoyed resurgence under under the town's landmark water tower while playing w/old-school traditions and the Grena brothers. NCHSAA tinyurl.com/2a33u7st

2 more reasons I enjoy writing Friday Night Lights The News & Observer. Clayton HS Football stars Aiden Smalls & Keshawn Stancil. Smalls NC State Football and Stancil flipped from Clemson to Miami Hurricanes Football Aiden Smalls / tinyurl.com/yc7eya22 @Keshawn_Stancil / tinyurl.com/ycyvmh74