The major point here is to write a bit more about Peyton Siva on the occasion of his elevation to U of L assistant coach.
But first a few disses and datas.
* * * * *
U of L is going to honor a couple members of the AFROS.
Which is, let’s be honest, one of the great acronyms in the history of college football.
America’s Finest Receivers On Saturdays.
Which is what Cardinal wideouts dubbed themselves in the late 90s.
On November 14, Arnold Jackson gets the well deserved kudos.
300 career catches. 3670 yards.
15 grabs one day against Cincy.
On 11/29, it’s homie DeVante Parker getting his due.
In ’13 alone, he caught a dozen TD passes, and totaled 885 total yards. 156 snares and 2775 for his career in the Red & Black.
The acknowledgement of these AFROS had me delving back into the archives of how-can-Seedy-turn-this-into-a-self-indulgent-story-on-himself. Which follows.
* * * * *
Oh the memory of that day at the LEO office.
The latest issue had just dropped and the relatively new copy editor assigned to me had crafted another dismissive header to my latest Culture Maven column.
Something to the effect of “Another Stupid Column About Nothing.”
Not the exact wording which I don’t remember, but that is the gist.
Livid, I scurried downtown to our offices then at Billy Goat Strut and stormed into Editor in Chief Cary Stemle’s office. Cary, a good guy, long time friend and great editor, had given up some copyediting duties to free up his time for the big picture.
The fellow he’d hired to copyedit others and me was pedantic. No sense of humor. Didn’t get me. His writing was ponderous. We didn’t get along from the get go, and I’d had enough. Cary hadn’t taken notice of the headline, which he agreed was uncalled for, and agreed he’d copy edit me again moving forward.
I went to guy’s office to advise him. At which point, we started yelling at each other when I realized he was editing my sports article for the next week.
Which was about the AFROS.
The guy thought I’d made up the name and he considered it racist and not politically correct and intended to edit it out without making inquiry.
So that not so pleasant hardly interesting memory returned upon the announcement that AFRO stalwarts Jackson and Parker are to be honored at home games during the upcoming season.
Very cool.
Most assuredly deserved.
If only I could remember that idiot’s name and contact info, so I could throw it in his face.
Not that I’m still resentful or anything decades later.
* * * * *
The 502 groundswell of impetus for Louisville to reclaim the ’13 NCAA hoops title continues to grow.
Maybe the school should do what Auburn just did viz a viz football titles.
The school had always claimed two nattys. In 1957 and 2010.
Well, they just added 7 more, for a new total of 9.
1910, 1913, 1914, 1958, 1983, 1993 and 2004.
Boom, just like that.
Their AD: “For too long Auburn has chosen the humble approach.” No more, obviously.
* * * * *
Louisville b-ball has announced a neutral site tilt against Cincy in late November.
The Bearcats will be without the Jizzle. Former star, recently dismissed from the squad, son of Edgerrin James. Jizzle James.
Before which dismissal, UC had this All Backcourt in America. Jizzle James and Day Day Thomas.
* * * * *
Peyton Siva.
I’m on record as being of the opinion he played the best, most significant single game in Cardinal history.
His monumental effort and leadership against Michigan in the ’13 championship battle.
I have now comfortably arrived at the understanding he is my favorite Cardinal hoopster ever.
Not that I love Wes and Grif and Charlie and Goldstein and Caster any less, mind you.
Just now realize I cherish Pey Pey more.
As to why, I shall defer. Step aside to send you where it’s been set out definitively eruditely by Eric Crawford.
You can read his piece on Peyton Siva here.
— c d kaplan
