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AFM Magazine

AFM Magazine


1999...Out With A Smile

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Throughout the years I have written letters to begin each issue of our magazine, I have seemingly always focused on serious and, oftentimes, somber subjects such as a coach's suicide, dealing with troubled players, burnout and more. But as I contemplated how to end the 20th century, I thought, "Why not go out with a smile?"

So, for this special end-of-the-century look at football, I have decided to relate a story that I hope will bring a smile to your face and a chuckle to your hearts.

A few weeks ago, a good friend of mine called me in the middle of the night and told me that he had a terrible dream that he just had to share with someone. He said his dream began as the Grim Reaper appeared out his door and informed him that his time was up.

Obviously, my friend, Joe, was distraught. He asked the Grim Reaper if he was going to heaven or hell. The messenger of death said, "Joe, you are one of the few cases that are right in the middle. . . you are literally on the fence.

"You can choose your place for all eternity," the dark figure continued. "So, I need to take you to both heaven and hell and have you decide."

Joe, being a coach and natural-born pessimist, chose to look at this worst option first: "Let's go to hell," he said.

The Grim Reaper took Joe to hell — a huge, somewhat ordinary building. As they opened the door, they immediately entered a room filled with tables, leather chairs and a huge bar. At one table Bear Bryant was playing checkers with Woody Hayes, laughing, and every few minutes, getting up to diagram plays on the chalkboards that were on the wall. Across the room, Bud Wilkinson and Bob Devaney were discussing the good old days of the Big 8 and their Thanksgiving weekend games. The greats of the game were everywhere: Knute Rockne, Pop Warner, Amos Alonzo Stagg, et al.

Joe turned to his guide and said, "I've seen enough, let's go look at heaven."

When they arrived at heaven, a beautiful angel met them and escorted them into the most magnificent mansion Joe had ever seen. The place was gorgeous. The furniture was immaculate. And everyone was reading books, listening to music, and mostly relaxing.

Joe turned to the Grim Reaper and calmly said, "Listen, this place is nice, but I really think I fit better in hell. . . "

So, off they went, returning to the building in hell. The doors opened, heat came blazing out, and flames were present everywhere.

Joe turned and said, "Hey, what happened to the rooms, bars and coaches?"

The Grim Reaper smiled and said, "Well, Joe, that was first recruiting trip."

I'm sure you can all understand that story.

Happy Holidays and best wishes to each of you in 2000.

Sincerely yours,

Barry Terranova
Publisher






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