Like It Is

There's no shortage of reasons to be thankful

Arkansas coach Bret Bielema talks on his headset in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against UAB in Fayetteville, Ark., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014. Arkansas won 45-17. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston)
Arkansas coach Bret Bielema talks on his headset in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against UAB in Fayetteville, Ark., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014. Arkansas won 45-17. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston)

On this special day, traditionally a feast of food and football, I'd like to take a moment to give thanks for a few things that have made this year or my life better than I probably deserve.

These are not in any particular order.

I am thankful:

• That the Arkansas Razorbacks started winning again. Not because I am a fan, but because I had almost run out of ways to write about losing. Plus, winning football seems to make everyone a little happier. I'm hoping for the Liberty Bowl in Memphis.

• That Arkansas State didn't have much of a drop-off after getting its fifth new coach in five years. I'm hopeful the Red Wolves make a bowl game.

• That the elections are finally over. More than 20 months of mostly negative ads on TV were just too much. I'm no longer convinced that spending millions of dollars on televised advertising helps you win. If you are an incumbent, your voting record is critical. If you aren't an incumbent, the way you lead your life is vital.

• That this newspaper continues to be exactly that, a newspaper, and one of the best in the country. When sports reporters from all over the country come to Arkansas to cover games, they all say the same thing: What a great sports section and newspaper we have. As my friend Jerry Webster says, "Best bargain in the state."

• That I get to work with a team not only in sports but in every part of the editorial operation and from every facet of the operation, from circulation to advertising to promotions and sales. Success always starts with great leadership.

• For Fox Ridge Assisted Living in Bryant. My 91-year-old mom has finally found a home she loves, and they love her. She said the other day she would have moved there five years ago if she knew someplace so wonderful existed.

• For my family. Today we'll have lunch, Monica Timpani and myself, with my daughter, her husband, his parents and sister. Then my whole family will meet this afternoon at my youngest sister's house to celebrate the day with Mom. There will be more than 20 of us.

• For my friends, who are too many to name, but especially Ed Daniel, who smoked my family's turkey. When it comes to smoking food no one is better than Ed, and I'm thankful his wife Richelle put up with us yesterday.

• For Mississippi State. No, I'm not a closet fan, but the Bulldogs have proven this season you don't have to be a huge, rich and powerful school to compete for the SEC championship. Some teams, without the incredible resources and recruiting base, need their fans to realize competing once every four or five years is good enough.

• For Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema's patience. Some people were starting to pound on him until the Hogs shut out LSU and Ole Miss.

• For everyone at KABZ-FM, 103.7, The Buzz. The four hours I do there a week are fun and informative.

• For the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. We have successfully converted the museum into a conference/event/museum. It can now be reserved for parties (the Republican party rented it last summer), including children's birthdays, meetings and other events. My term as president ends Feb. 27, and I will be thankful to hand the reins to Sen. Keith Ingram. Our newest class of inductees will be announced Dec. 7.

• That this newspaper and its annual banquet to honor high school athletes has allowed me to meet and have my picture taken with Peyton Manning and Drew Brees. This summer the guest speaker will be Dick Vitale, one of the great analysts in college basketball.

Sports on 11/27/2014

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