Mar 26 2024
Author John J. Miller, "The Big Scrum"
Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks! This week, our special guest is John J. Miller, author of “The Big Scrum: How Teddy Roosevelt Saved Football.” We discuss John's book, which takes a deep dive into the violent, nearly lawless days of late 19th century football and the public outcry which almost led to the sport being banned. But thanks to President Theodore Roosevelt’s intervention, who loved the sport, football was saved. That led to the creation of the NCAA, the innovation of the forward pass, a vital collaboration between Walter Camp, Charles W. Eliot, John Heisman and others, and, ultimately, the creation of a new American pastime. You can find "The Big Scum" on Amazon! In the second half of the show, our topics include: In a wild first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, Greg Kampe's Oakland Golden Grizzlies became America's sweethearts by beating Kentucky and was an OT away from making the Sweet Sixteen. Tom Izzo and Michigan State once again lost to their nemesis, North Carolina. And the Michigan Wolverines hired a new basketball coach, Florida Atlantic's Dusty May. Shohei Ohtani's interpreter ran up $4.5 million in illegal gambling debt to a bookie, which was somehow paid via wire transfer, possibly with Ohtani's involvement. Ohtani claims the money was stolen, but the whole thing stinks to high heaven. The Tigers will not start the season with Matt Manning in the rotation, who was sent to Triple-A Toledo. Javy Baez is having a horrific spring at the plate. The Lions cut Cam Sutton one day after they learned last season's starting corner had a warrant out for his arrest for domestic battery by strangulation. Sutton has gone silent and police have been unable to contact him. As Dylan Larkin goes, so go the Red Wings. A month ago, the Red Wings were 10 points up in the wild card race and all but a playoff lock. But Larkin's injury sent the Wings into a 3+ week tailspin which currently has them one point out of playoff positioning. Thanks to injuries, incompetence, a mismatched roster, and all round bad play, it's getting very, very ugly with the Pistons. We also play Greg's Birthday Game and name our respective Jerk of the Week! Subscribe to The Knee Jerks Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Radio Public, Gaana, and YouTube. Visit us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter aka X Nick's TwitterX: @NickMilanovich Greg's TwitterX: @GregEno Greg's Substack: Out of Bounds Al's BlueSky: @Albeat
