Rather than discussing budget shortfalls and tax plans, Alabama state Sen. Trip Pittman, R-Montrose, thinks another issue would be more pressing for legislators to consider: early morning football games.
During Wednesday morning's state Senate session, Pittman offered a resolution to encourage college football teams to stop scheduling kickoffs before noon local time.
"I think going forward it's important that the managers of the universities across the state start to consider the fans," Pittman said. "The reason for this could be two fold. For one, Auburn doesn't play well before noon."
Pittman, who graduated from Alabama, went on to say he thought early start times hurt attendance.
Auburn, then ranked No. 6 in the country, went to double overtime against FCS opponent Jacksonville state last weekend before winning 27-10. The game, coincidentally enough, started at 11 a.m. Central.
Pittman's measure didn't go anywhere, with senators recessing before they could take it up. That didn't stop some from criticizing its inclusion in what has been a tense special session.
"We have a ridiculous ability to come into this chamber and talk about football," Sen. Paul Bussman told al.com. "I'm ashamed to be in this body right now."
Even though Pittman's measure seems dead for now, he can rest assured in the fact that Auburn's game Saturday against LSU kicks off at 2:30 p.m. and Alabama's game against Ole Miss doesn't start until 8:15 p.m.
Watt waiting
He's got freakish athletic talent, is considered one of the best defensive players in football and is one of the most popular players in the NFL. Despite his chiseled good looks, one thing Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt doesn't have is a girlfriend.
Watt, who met childhood crush Jennifer Anniston earlier this year and was rumored to be dating tennis star Carolina Wozniacki for a while, told NFL.com he doesn't have much success dating at all.
"People [I know] think that I've never dated before, or whatever. But I'm trying. I'm just unsuccessful. My schedule's so crazy and life's so busy, it just hasn't worked," Watt said.
Watt said the lifestyle he wants in the future is different from the one he has now, meaning his girlfriend would have to make changes too.
"When I picture myself after football, it's down home, coaching high school football, just a relaxing, normal life," Watt said. "And the problem with that is, I still have this life now. So you can't have somebody that's just gonna be OK in that life, 'cause you have to deal with all this craziness right now."
Watt went on to say he wants to have a wife and children some day, but he wants to wait until the time is right.
"You have to find the right situation, and you have to be in that right mind-set where you can give everything you have to that. I want to be the best husband. I want to be the best father. And I need to make sure that I have figured out the proper balance in my life so that I can give the proper time and energy that's needed for that situation," Watt said.
Sports quiz
How many touchdown passes has J.J. Watt caught for the Houston Texans?
Answer
Three, all coming last season.
Sports on 09/18/2015