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Blair and the Corn Stalks – a fairy tale?
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When attempting to project a slice of Americana, it is not uncommon for a panning camera to suddenly freeze its focus on gently rustling corn stalks. It doesn't matter if it's out in Dyersville, Iowa, west of Dubuque, … or along Ferguson Road in Franklin Township.
What the following embellished tale really needs, though, is a room filled by novelist W.P. Kinsella, military history junkie Scott Patchan and tongue-in-cheek author Mollie Culligan, along with American football video game namesake John Madden and the late radio and television broadcaster Russ Hodges.
And, just for good measure, toss in the energetic Blair Ross – a Franklin Township composite of former NFL czar Pete Rozelle, former International Olympic Committee administrator Avery Brundage, University of Connecticut women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma and boxing promoter Don King.
Wow, what an imaginary script this roomful of colorful and diverse characters surely could produce in collaboration.
Insights into the literary and movie-making possibilities were on display this August, when members of the longstanding Ross Football League enthusiastically assembled at BoileRoss Field in Franklin Township for the 2007 Jersey Kickoff Classic.
Just like financially strapped farmer Ray Kinsella, who built a baseball diamond in the middle of an Iowa cornfield in the movie Field of Dreams on the premise that “If you build it, they will come,” Blair Ross has fashioned his own sports complex. It sits on acreage once dominated by rustling corn stalks. In fact, behind the Ross residence is a ball diamond, a football field, a basketball court, a volleyball layout … and even a grassy area for the recreational sport of croquet.
But on this particular bright, sunny Sunday afternoon – accompanied by clear skies, temperatures in the 90s, and a very slight breeze at 4 miles an hour paying sporadic visits from the southwest – attention turned to 17 participants decked out smartly in gold and red jerseys. Some were there for the first time. Some may have been there for the last time.
The 2007 Jersey Kickoff Classic – commemorating the wearing of colorful new uniform tops and serving to initiate a new RFL campaign – quickly developed into an historic afternoon. Since BoileRoss Field is devoid of bleachers, the attraction quickly turned into a standing-room-only crowd of record proportions. The final turnstile count numbered 22, and most assuredly would have created a run on the concessionaire … had there been one.
While the RFL's commissioner – who else but Blair Ross? – outlined rule changes for the upcoming season, it was immediately obvious that Blair and Betsy Ross, the latter possibly the sewer of the first American flag in the 1 7 7 0s, have something in common. In fact, the Franklin Township Ross probably has needlework specialist Betsy beat in the number of flags he has provided for his league's players in a version of American football that is considered popular across many portions of the United States.
Known as flag football, its popularity extends well beyond the Ross Sports Complex and the cornfield that lies just north of the carefully manicured 60-yard football field. Unlike tackle football, players attach flags around their waist, with defenders pulling out the flag of an offensive player in possession of the football to halt play.
On this special opening day, players ranging from teens to a few of rock ing chair age had been assigned by Commissioner Ross to the Gold and Red team rosters. Whether it be organizing a girls' basketball tournament or coordinating a cross country practice or meet, Blair Ross is known for his organizational skills and attention to details. And so it is with the Ross Football League.
And like the Iowa baseball diamond, where people such as Shoeless Joe Jackson and Dr. Archibald “Moonlight” Graham who had sacrificed parts of their lives are given a second chance, so it is with meticulously lined BoileRoss Field where second chances also are provided. Some participants describe these experiences as opportunities to relive moments of pulled hamstrings, calf tears, sore limbs and challenged cardiovascular systems. It's another testament to the bromide that “once a jock, always a jock!”
The roster alignments in themselves were reminiscent of the Civil War, pitting father against son ( Richard Bruce-Justin Bruce and Blair Ross-Chad Ross) and brother against brother (John Rockey-Conrad Rockey). Left watching from the sidelines were concerned wives and mothers with divided loyalties. A war historian like Scott Patchan could collect enough material for literary volumes.
A rather noticeable feature of BoileRoss Field is that there was only one goal post. It was located at the north end of the field, where both teams took aim for placement kicks following touchdowns. On occasion, a well-launched extra point try would sail into the rows of rustling corn stalks. It was at this juncture that casual observers might expect for Johnny Unitas, … or Walter Payton, … or Reggie White to suddenly emerge from the rows of corn and join the on-field action of the RFL.
It is obvious for those beaten down by the glaring sun at BoileRoss Field that the senses surely had been charred. For example, one sideline nomad mistook PBR initials on yardage cones for event advertising. After all, the Wednesday night CBS boxing matches that originated in New York 's Madison Square Garden back in 1 9 4 8 were sponsored by the Milwaukee beer company that produced Pabst Blue Ribbon. Beer companies, it seems, love an affiliation with major sporting attractions.
Perhaps Russ Hodges, the ringside broadcaster for those popular pugilistic bouts of yesteryear, had emerged from the cornfield and brokered an advertising partner for the Ross Football League. After all, the boxing series was one endeavor that promoted the early interest in television through the use of sports.
When television first came out, it was so costly that individuals had a hard time justifying the expense, so neighborhood taverns would often set up a TV to keep men interested in staying (and drinking) longer. Eventually, after seeing how television looked and after the prices began to decline, men who had seen TV sets in bars bought them for the home. Many of these men frequently watched the boxing matches with, of course, a can of beer – often Pabst Blue Ribbon – in hand.
When Commissioner Ross was asked about the PBR markings on his field cones, he in no uncertain terms clarified that there was – and never will be – any RFL involvement with any beer company. “Those are my initials and stand for Phillip Blair Ross,” he said flatly and with total finality.
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Too bad – not that the Pabst product would represent an appropriate RFL identification. But that perhaps Hodges would have made a high-profile addition as the league's play-by-play sportscaster. He is best remembered as an announcer for the New York Giants and was at the microphone on October 3,1961, for Bobby Thomson's famous Shot Heard 'Round the World. It was Hodges who cried, The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant!”
As for the playing of the 2007 Jersey Kickoff Classic itself, a post-game report compiled by the thorough Ross includes more statistics, more observations and more information than any press box in America disseminates on any single athletic contest.
For the record, on this particular day at BoileRoss Field, the Gold beat the Red 46-26, following a 19-19 standoff at halftime. The winning Gold roster included Justin Bruce, Tyler Ernstberger, Dustin Hayes, Devon Melsheimer, Phil Prewitt, Conrad Rockey, Blair Ross and Ryan Sparks. The disappointed members in the Red lineup included Zach Barras, Richard Bruce, Michael Kinkoph, Mac Flasch, Mark Muston, Doug Pillow, John Rockey, Chad Ross and Gary Straber.
The all-inclusive game report, by the way, included the field condition (dry and hard), elapsed time (2:17), injury report (Doug Pillow, left hamstring) and all scoring plays. It noted the game's longest scoring play – John Rockey's 34-yard pass interception return for a touchdown against the slow-footed Gold team. Also listed was each individual player's win-loss record since November of 2002 – for example, newcomer Muston endured a loss in his inaugural performance, while veteran Conrad Rockey now stands at 15-10.
With all the team and individual records available on the Ross Football League, it is only a matter of time before the equivalent of Madden 2008 hits the streets. Maybe John Madden could be persuaded to provide a Ross 2008 testimonial; he's pretty good on commercials for Ace Hardware, Miller Lite, Outback Steakhouse, Rent-A-Center, Sirius Satellite Radio, Tinactin and Verizon Wireless.
The Ross Football League craze already has joined another pigskin passion. Evidence the mention of fantasy football by former player Mike Coons, whose RFL career was interrupted a while back by a painful calf tear, upon receiving his post-game report on the Jersey Kickoff Classic. Coons penned the following remarks:
Commish,
That is so cool! I have Dustin Hayes and Gary Straber on my RFL fantasy team. Got Hayes in the first round. Straber was a third rounder – a steal at the 2 2 nd pick – very underrated for an old guy. Still has speed, moves and an attitude (in a good way).
Freaking John Rockey killed me with two picks! But I was playing the guy with Chad Ross at QB – who had six picks (ouch!), so I still won. I told him to go with Big Blair Ross – that he dominates the first game and the Red defense looked a tad older, but he didn't listen to me. Blair Ross was my kicker (big disappointment) – you would think he would practice more on his own field (and I bet he will this week!). Guess he's all arm and no leg. If he has another week like that, his kicking days on the “ Sweet Polly Purebreads” will be over!
I really enjoy these game recaps. They give me hope for all you older guys that sacrifice life and ligaments for the pure joy of the game. I would recommend Dollar General for cheap ibuprofen and Icy Hot! It's not name brand – but that just means you have to use more.
Go Old Guys!
– Mike C.
Coons, reportedly, was last heard trying to contact Mollie Culligan to find out how to extract one's tongue from far back in one's cheek.
Blair Ross, on the other hand, was last seen scurrying in preparation for his next RFL “Football Sunday” to be showcased on his very own field of dreams.
Others, meanwhile, are merely content to listen to the rustling of the corn stalks.
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- FTONEWS.com -