Steve McNair

After seeing the funeral broadcast last night, I can finally have some closure. After 16 years of idolizing this quarterback, his life has come to a tragic and bizarre end. Being in the land of Titan fans, I have to really convince people that Air McNair may mean a lot to Nashville, but they forget he’s from my beloved home state of Mississippi.

Long before Steve McNair played for the Tennessee Titans, he was the quarterback at Alcorn State setting NCAA records, putting the state of Mississippi on TV, and being one of the few football players I would absolutely adore. I still remember him watching work absolute magic in front of nearly 68,000 fans in Jackson in the Capital City Classic in 1993. I still remember him being absolutely ROBBED of the Heisman in 1994 by the “superstar” Rashaan Salaam. Steve McNair was rare. He was the last of the great legendary SWAC players before the big business of blue chip recruiting. I guess that’s what made him stand out so much. Like most of the Magnolia State gridiron stars from small towns, Steve McNair was among the most exciting players to ever watch play the game. I sometimes think as I pass by his tiny hometown on Hwy 49 that instead of being at Mount Olive High School in Mississippi, what could have been if he could have gone to nearby Mendenhall, Collins, or even Hattiesburg? Maybe McNair then goes to Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Southern Miss, LSU or another big BCS school just due to his exposure in high school. But I don’t know if that would make the story as fun.

I think in alot of ways Steve McNair was the NFL’s version of Mickey Mantle. Always injured, he would always play recklessly enough to win even if it meant his own body being destroyed in the process. I can’t help but think of the many times he scrambled behind a lackluster offensive line at Alcorn and even for the Oilers so determined to win the game. He had to, he didn’t know how to quit. Of course I’ll never forget his gutsy performance in Super Bowl 34. I still remember where I was and who I was watching that game with like it was yesterday. You sometimes forget that the Rams won the game just due to the magic McNair made on the field that night. He was just that kind of player. I’ll never forget the look on his face walking off the field after losing the following season to the Ravens in the playoffs. I’ll also never forget the image that is tattooed in our minds of him smiling with the MVP trophy in 2003. It was truly the look of a man who had been through the tough times, but had reached the summit.

I was glad to see the emphasis of the charity work McNair did in Mississippi and Nashville in the funeral service. You never saw Steve McNair on the camera or the Steve McNair foundation on TV, but you always heard about the thousands of people he helped. I thought it was appropriate that Don Weatherell, a former college professor of mine, who spoke at the service often spoke of how McNair wouldn’t tell his agency or the media where he was going just because he wanted the people he helped to get what they needed, but didn’t want them to be made a spectacle of. It wasn’t covered, but NO OTHER CELEBRITY did more for Hurricane Katrina relief than Steve McNair. Coach Jeff Fisher also hit the nail on the head by saying that Steve McNair wasn’t just a hero, he was a friend…….to everyone.

However, I can’t leave this without shedding SOME light on the negative aspect of all of this. Obviously, I was not in the inner circle of McNair, nor do I know exactly what was going on with the murderer, nor do I know the extent of his relationship with her. I think the unfortunate and horrible tragedy can be a lesson to everyone. How are his children and wife feeling tonight? What are they thinking about the side of their daddy/husband they never knew? What about his two previous children that live in Mississippi? Will they ever have a positive image of daddy? Yes, Steve McNair obviously made a terrible mistake that wound up costing him his life. However, a misstep in the decision process doesn’t warrant his death, or the complete humiliation of his widow and sons. Those of you who have ever been around me know that I like to tell the children in my summer camp that their decisions do not just affect them, but they affect EVERYONE. Sadly and tragically for all of us, Steve McNair’s bad decision has not only taken away one of my heroes, but one of the guys who made you proud to be a Mississippian.

However, from what I know about Steve McNair, and similar to what Jeff Fisher said at his press conference this week, Steve McNair would want all of us to learn from this and would want all of us to cherish those people we know we can trust. I always really admired how he would use his off the field mistakes as a learning experience for his fans and would take full responsibility for his actions rather than making excuses, so I think he would want the same thing in this.

As I continually travel down my own mental “memory lane”, I finally have closure, I’ve accepted what’s happened and what we can learn from it.

Goodbye, Air McNair, thanks for being a legend, and thanks for teaching us all a lesson.

Truly a legend

The Air McNair I remember before the NFL

]]> http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2009/07/10/steve-mcnair-a-legend-and-a-lesson/feed/ 0 http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2009/03/16/it%e2%80%99s-time-to-support-the-lady-govs/ http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2009/03/16/it%e2%80%99s-time-to-support-the-lady-govs/#comments Mon, 16 Mar 2009 23:00:42 +0000 Greg Pigott http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/?p=17061 “It’s just not exciting.”  “I can’t get into it.” “They don’t dunk.” “They don’t play with passion of men.”

These are all excuses I hear from students and the Clarksville community as to why they can’t “lower themselves” to watch women’s basketball. I have to admit my bias being at LSU during two Women’s Final Four teams got me just a LITTLE bit spoiled, but I find it hard to acknowledge someone as a true fan of the game if they can’t learn to respect and appreciate a well played and well coached game, no matter the gender of the people who play or coach it. 
Yes, the men’s game is filled with larger, faster, stronger athletes and of course has the game “above the rim” which is missed from virtually all women’s games, but the passion, heart, execution, and drive to win is not only matched, but sometimes exceeded on the women’s side just because those ladies have to fight for so much respect from these “fans” who demand so much.

The complete lack of respect and exposure given to this season’s Austin Peay Lady Govs basketball team not only proved to be one of the motivating factors behind the team’s success, but also wound up robbing a lot of people of a story of an inspirational basketball team.

No supporter of Austin Peay, or anyone who even TRIES to call themselves a basketball fan, can say that the performance put on by the Lady Govs in this year’s OVC Women’s tournament was anything short of magical. Sure, I am support the men as well, and I was very sad to see their season end on Saturday night against Morehead State in the OVC Championship Game. Seriously though, let’s be honest. Did the men really have to FIGHT for respect? They returned a fantastic group of core seniors that have lived up to their billing for the most part this season, played in five nationally televised games and were just one win away from a repeat OVC tournament championship.

13 ladies. 1 senior. 1 junior. 11 other freshmen and sophomores on a team that not only graduated 4 seniors last season, but went 6-23 with only 2 conference wins and failed to qualify for the OVC Tournament. Written off by virtually everyone (including AP students and the Clarksville community), the Lady Governors beat Eastern Illinois to win the OVC tournament and qualify for the NCAA Women’s Tournament. In the process, the Lady Govs managed a road win against #4 seed Morehead State, and then a win against conference favorite and #1 seed Murray State before their win in the championship game.

I can’t remember the last time I was this proud of a basketball team that I cheer for. The way that Coaches Carrie Daniels, Laphelia Doss, Marcus Payne, and Charlotte Marshall led this team back to prominence is an achievement that should be appreciated by everyone in the APSU community. Not just because of the success, but because of their eloquent and unwavering leadership they gave their team.

The University and the city of Clarksville should be proud of the 13 ladies that wear the Red and White with our school across their chest, and should honor the fact that they not only proved every women’s college basketball preseason publication wrong this season, but the fact they proved just about everyone who follows AP athletics wrong this season. It is important to remember that these ladies lay it on the line to not only represent themselves and their families, but they represent our entire community. They did all of this with most people either laughing in their face, or not even paying attention at all. Their dedication to winning not only requires, but demands respect.

Every person involved with Austin Peay Women’s basketball should realize that not only did they set a milestone in the history of the University, but just how inspirational that milestone was. Thank you all for showing everyone that with hard work, motivation, teamwork, belief and passion that DREAMS COME TRUE! I am so glad we will get to watch you all finally play on the national stage that you so much deserve.

Coach Carrie Daniels said after the win that “I couldn’t be prouder”. Neither can I, Coach.

Take a bow ladies, it’s time to dance!

Deuce McAllister running the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2006.

After Deuce McAllister was released by the New Orleans Saints on February 17, I wrote the following column regarding my feelings towards my all time favorite football player.

I have to admit it, today was awful. It was absolutely awful. Even if you don’t follow football, or think that “it’s just a ballgame”, today was still awful. My favorite player on my favorite team is no longer with them. Deuce McAllister is no longer a New Orleans Saint.

Jerry Rice, Brett Favre, Walter Payton, Steve McNair, Archie Manning, Drew Brees, Emmitt Smith. Those are my favorite players of all time, but Deuce is in a class by himself. To people who love Deuce as much as I do, today took the wind out of your sails.

Professional sports under all the glitz and bright lights is an ugly business. Deuce is a 30-year-old Running Back (A dinosaur in NFL numbers) with two serious knee injuries (’05, ‘07) in the last 4 years. He’s owed 7.5 million dollars on his contract, but coming yet another off-season knee surgery, he can’t even pass a team physical. So today, we got to see the ugly side of pro sports…..the business side. Today is like having to take a class in college from a teacher you hate. You can put it off and wish it never happens, but at the end of the day, you know it’s inevitable. That’s what today felt like- that and a kick in the stomach.

Deuce McAllister isn’t the kind of guy that would want big headlines over this, because despite being named to back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2002 and 2003 and being the Saints all time leader in touchdowns and rushing yards, he would always remain humble and just be grateful for the opportunity to even wear the black and gold at all.

Greg Pigott and Deuce McAllister pose for a picture in Jackson, MS in 2004.

Football fan or not, you seriously can’t find a reason to not like McAllister. This is the guy who was drafted in 2001 to a team that already had Ricky Williams and was not only told to basically go to h-e double hockey sticks by Williams, but was hazed and humiliated his entire rookie season by the same running back who was supposed to be the “savior of the franchise”. Fast forward 5 years, in 2006 the Saints draft Reggie Bush, another running back with the 2nd overall pick in the draft. What does Deuce do? Does do repeat the childish actions done to him by Williams? No. Deuce took Bush under his wing, taught him the game, taught him the system and instead of being concerned with his own personal stats, he learned to create a formidable backfield tandem that wound up getting one win away from the Super Bowl.

Did Deuce use all of his money to buy big expensive houses, cars, jewelry, and other useless nonsense? No. Deuce took care of his family first. He moved his mother out of her small house in Morton, MS to a house she would be comfortable and happy in. He bought car dealerships in Jackson, MS and endorsed local businesses that showed him support in college. He headed up a group to renovate and rebuild the now defunct Jackson landmark Hotel King Edward just because he wanted to bring a once positive icon and business back to the town to which means so much to him. Did Deuce only sign autographs for the rich season ticket holders? No. Deuce would go out of his way to invite disabled children who will never play football to have VIP seats at Saints practices and would give them all personalized Saints memorabilia. This probably kept me from getting yet another autograph of from him, but sometimes you have to think about how much it meant to those kids that he went out of his way to feel special. It was Deuce who started the “Catch 22″ Organization that gives money through fundraisers and money out of his OWN POCKET to low income children who may not have had the same shot in life or in football that he had. Only people like Deuce who care about where they came from do this.

Thank you, Deuce, for the great memories. Thank you for letting me watch you play in 2003 in the Superdome when you ran over Keion Carpenter and win the game in overtime against the Falcons. Thank you for letting me see your last game with the Saints in person this season against the Panthers. Thank you for allowing me to see you pull off one of the craziest plays in NFL history against the Jaguars in 2003, only to lose the game. I will never forget that look on your face. Thank you for hanging in there when your teammates didn’t care. I’ll never forget your performance in the 2006 playoff game against the Eagles. Thank you for letting me and the world see how tough you really were in 2002 when you ran all over the “unstoppable” Tampa Bay defense on ESPN. Thank you for letting me see you break the Saints all time touchdown record on Monday Night Football in 2008. No one deserved it more than you.

There is nothing that will take away from how much I love Deuce McAllister. He was MY GUY on MY TEAM, and nothing will ever change that. Some of you who don’t like the Saints or even like football may never understand, but as my eyes tear up now, the thought of never seeing my hero play for my team again is a little harder than I thought it would be. I take pride in the fact in knowing that #26 will one day hang from the rafters of the Superdome and that his bust will one day be in the Saints Hall of Fame, but you never wanna see something you love so much end.

Everyone should want to be like Deuce McAllister. Not because of the way he played the game, but because of the way he LIVED. Deuce never did it because it was “cool”, or “sexy”, but because it was RIGHT. I have a feeling that watching the Saints now will be kind of like it was when I saw them “play” two games in Baton Rouge in 2005 on the campus of LSU while Deuce was injured. While Antowain Smith, and *cough* Ki-Jana Carter filled in admirably, something was missing. Now that thing missing will be pieces of Saints fans’ hearts.

Here’s to you, Deuce. You have no idea how much I’ll miss you.

One of the biggest obstacles Americans face today in maintaining a healthy lifestyle is not knowing where to begin. The Wellness Expo offers the community access to information on health, wellness and fitness services and providers throughout the area.

Several Clarksville companies, including health spas, chiropractor clinics, physical therapy clinics, community programs and services, health clubs, among others will be available for demos, gift certificates, product samples, and business information and offer ways in which they can help you or your family make choices that will promote wellness in every aspect of your everyday life.

For more information on the Wellness Expo, please contact Cindy Moore or Lauren Wilkinson at University Recreation at (931) 221-7564, or or .

Greg Pigott officiating a basketball game between Clarksville Academy and White House Heritage High School

It’s a lot harder than it looks…

I admit it, I used to be “that guy.” I was the guy in the stands screaming at the officials. “Are you blind?” “You are the worst ref I’ve ever seen!”  “How much are they paying you!?”

Of course, this ref was only the worst I’d ever seen until the next  person came along. These were all common phrases for me at every game I went  to … until I tried it. Boy, was I in for a big surprise; as I quickly found out, officiating is a lot harder than it looks.

I’ll be the first to admit it, I’ve missed calls, and I’ve been in games with other officials missing calls, and while “the best officials” up in the stands always wanna help out, believe me when I tell you — WE KNOW WHEN WE MISS IT.

It doesn’t matter how much you think you know about a sport or how good you think you are at playing it, until you put the stripes on and do it, you will have no idea how difficult is actually is. I have asked this question of several people, and while they are happy officiating from the stands, they always seem reluctant to put their “expertise” to practice.

It doesn’t matter how much you think you know about a sport or how good you think you are at playing it, until you put the stripes on and do it, you will have no idea how difficult is actually is. I have asked this question of several people, and while they are happy officiating from the stands, they always seem reluctant to put their “expertise” to practice.

I officiate three sports for TSSAA.  If I had time, I would do more. I love it that much. It is just impossible with overlapping seasons and my own work schedule to facilitate that. However, in my 7 + years of officiating football (both tackle and flag), soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball, and basketball. I have come up with several observations; let me share them with you.

Greg Pigott officiating a football game between Clarksville High School and Kenwood High School

Most people have no idea how much we literally LOVE THE GAME. I love being around it — all of it. I love the smell of the grass, the warm-up music, getting to know coaches. I love the principals and athletic directors. Also, I love seeing some great young men and women across Middle Tennessee play the games which we all love. Sure, the money is decent….but sometimes it’s not enough for all the junk we take from people or how bad the game is. If I wanted a part time job, I would go work at a grocery store on the weekends. Sure, it’s great exercise. I lost around 20 pounds last basketball season just from running up and down the court, but I can get on a treadmill if all I cared about was my health. Yes, I have made some great connections through networking, but I can just as easily attend conferences and conventions through work to expand my business network. It takes a special person to officiate.

How many other times in your life are you able to be sole judge and jury? This responsibility itself makes officiating a difficult and challenging job. Ask yourself a question as a parent or a fan. How would you feel if someone was yelling at your child like some people holler at officials? Officials are treated like heartless robots sometimes. What about those men and ladies? Are they completely emotionless and expected to be talked down to? I have met several young men and women over the years that I think have talent to be pretty good officials. Some of them have gone on with my urging to become officials at some levels. Some, however have said “there is no way I could take everyone yelling at me all the time.” Funny how we hate so much what we do to other people.

When I think about unreal abuse to officials, I always think about the story of Kenny Wilcoxen, a highly decorated referee, who in the 1994, missed a critical call in the Illinois state semifinal football game. Not only was he humiliated on TV and by the school reporting him to the state, he was sent hate mail which said things like “you have no heart for children.” These remarks were so hard on Wilcoxen, who also worked as a PE teacher, that Wilcoxen attempted suicide. Now, while Wilcoxen survived and is back officiating, it makes you wonder if people really care about the people that work their butt off to call the game. It makes you wonder where the spirit of sportsmanship that is pushed so hard in this country has gone. Everyone wants to abuse refs, but most casual fans are not informed of the rules enough to even recognize a good or bad call when they see it.

There have been nights that I have missed big calls. There have been nights where I have had trouble sleeping because it hurt me that I hurt the game. There have been nights that I would give anything to have a do over to get a call right. That’s what the casual fan can never understand about an official. We not only love the game, we care about the game. The best officials may not get every call right, but the best officials put just as much effort into their performance as the players do.  You can never expect a player to play a perfect game, so it is completely unrealistic to expect an official to call a perfect game.

I have to say though, that one of my favorite things about officiating is being in a public place like church, the grocery store, an Austin Peay game, etc. Someone will recognize me from calling their kids game and come up and say “hey I saw you over at such and such school the other night. You really did a good job.” I’ve never been big about winning awards for being a ref, but comments like that really make me want to get back out there — even after a bad game. I always love to see the passion fans show towards the game, but you have to wonder sometimes if unwarranted abuse towards officials is good for the kids or good for the game. If I saw my parents talking to the officials like they were trash I don’t think I would really be too interested in pursuing refereeing one day. So, sports fans, next time you want to blast the men or ladies calling the game, will you put yourself in their shoes, or will it just be another case of “the worst refs you’ve ever seen”?

A representative from Star Physical Therapy Group shares some information with an Austin Peay Student

One of the biggest obstacles Americans face today in maintaining a healthy lifestyle is not knowing where to begin. If a family is new to our community, they may not be familiar with what businesses are here in Clarksville and what services or products they may offer for an individual or family to maintain healthy living for their entire family. Also, if an individual is looking to begin a diet or workout program, they might not be aware of avenues that  may or may not be available to them as well.

In this rapidly growing  city, many people may not know of the services that can offer recreation or nutrition assistance for their family. However, on February 19, the 2009 Austin Peay University Recreation Wellness Expo will not only showcase these local companies, but will make the Expo absolutely free for anyone in the Clarksville community who is interested in finding out more ways to maintain or, in some cases, change their personal wellness.

Several Clarksville companies, including health spas, chiropractor clinics, physical therapy clinics, community programs and services, health clubs, among others will be available for demos, gift certificates, product samples, and business information and offer ways in which they can help you or your family make choices that will promote wellness in every aspect of your everyday life.

A representative from Doctors Care discusses their medical services.

Austin Peay University Recreation Fitness Graduate Assistant Lauren Wilkinson said about the event:

“We hope that friends and family of the Austin Peay Community will encourage their friends or coworkers to come along with them to this event. We will be giving away door prizes, so everyone who attends will be leaving with something.”

The Expo will be held in the Foy Fitness and Recreation Center on the campus of Austin Peay from 11:00am to 3:00pm and is free to the general public. For more information on the Wellness Expo, please contact Cindy Moore or Lauren Wilkinson at University Recreation at (931) 221-7564, or or .

Junior Govs Summer Camp for kids 5-12, put on by Austin Peay University Recreation, which will be in its 3rd year this summer, is specifically geared towards APSU faculty, staff, and students, but is open to everyone including Fort Campbell families who are looking for something different for their children this summer.

Staff members Mequel Logan and Cherelle Caldwell lead the campers in a dance on camp field day

The camp has several attributes that make it an affordable choice for families as well as something different for families to experience. The camp is designed to fit a family’s schedule for vacations, summer school, return from deployment, or other camps. University Recreation actually encourages parents to send their kids to the Austin Peay athletics camps while coming to Junior Govs camp on the other weeks. Camp registration is made on a week-by-week basis and does not require a full summer commitment.

Also, the camp hours span the entire day so that a parent can drop their kid off before going to work or going to class and can pick their child up at the end of the work day or classes. Austin Peay student Susan McDuffie, when asked about the convenience of having her children in camp on campus while she was in class, said:

“I was able to take summer classes and not feel guilty about leaving them alone while I was at school. I was also able to easily check in on them between classes. Everyday was a new adventure for them, we look forward to coming back this summer.”

The camp is centered around the Foy Fitness and Recreation Center on the Austin Peay campus and the camp uses many of the building’s features for camp activities. Some of these include a 25 foot indoor rock climbing wall, basketball courts used for several team sports and activities, an outdoor pool for swimming days, an indoor running/walking track, racquetball courts, and a racquetball court transformed into an arts and crafts room.

Dr. Charles Pigott, of Tupelo, MS, talks to campers about how a surgeon can help them in the hospital.

Besides the normal physical activities, Junior Govs also offers an educational aspect in a “non-school” setting that teaches campers about community, life skills, and also introduces them to several aspects of the University at a young age. Speakers from both on and off campus taught the campers about science, the environment, culture, safety, sports, and health.

Lynette Taylor, Assistant Director of Disability Services at Austin Peay, added that :

“I had the opportunity to present a session on disability awareness and also have my son attend the camp. The camp staff made sure the campers were engaged in learning  and ensured a sense of belonging. My son is already asking about going to camp in 2009.”

The camp this past summer also took field trips to the Clarksville Science Museum, Dunbar Cave, and the Nashville Adventure Science Center. Other special camp events were a camp talent show, a family field day, and a carnival day filled with inflatables and carnival midway games for prizes.

Campers dress up as doctors during the camp’s field trip to the Adventure Science Center in Nashville.

Newly elected Clarksville city councilwoman Candy Johnson also commented that:

“My daughter never  wanted to leave when it was time to go home.  The opportunities this program offers for children can not be matched by any other summer camp that I know of!”

For more information about Junior Govs Summer Camp, contact Greg Pigott at (931) 221-7564 or . Also, you can visit University Recreation’s website at www.apsu.edu/recreation for more information. Camp fees include camp t-shirts, field trips, snacks, and most lunches.

Campers taking part in arts and crafts

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