Author: Scott Adamson

I would’ve been a fan of the Birmingham Patriots

As a fan of the New York Jets, I can’t imagine ever rooting for the New England Patriots. In fact, I’m pretty sure I’m legally required to loathe them.

Out of Left Field is written by Scott Adamson. It appears weekly and sometimes more frequently if he gets up in the middle of the night and can’t go back to sleep. Follow him on Twitter @adamsonsl

But the Birmingham Patriots?

Yeah, I’m guessing I could’ve gotten behind them, even if it meant I had to drop Joe Namath, Don Maynard and the Flyboys to my No. 2 spot.

New England rallied to defeat Jacksonville on Sunday in the AFC Championship Game, again advancing to the Super Bowl and adding another chapter to the legend of Tom Brady and legacy of Bill Belichick.

You can hate the pretty boy QB and evil genius coach all you like, but theirs is a dynasty unlike any other with five Super Bowl conquests.

And if about 40,000 more fans had shown up at Legion Field back in September of 1968, the American Football League’s Boston Patriots might have morphed into the National Football League’s Birmingham Patriots – and I would’ve been wildly celebrating the win of my hometown team last weekend.

I suppose a bit of background is in order.

Boston was having stadium issues at the time (they played their 1968 home games at Fenway Park), and owner Billy Sullivan threatened to move the team if a suitable stadium wasn’t built. In fact, as part of an impending merger with the NFL, which became official in 1970, each AFL team was required to have a venue that seated at least 50,000.

That led AFL commissioner Milt Woodard to suggest the Patriots play a “test” game – which would be an actual regular season contest – somewhere else.

Legion Field seated 68,821 and, at the time, was one of the top facilities in the United States. So Sullivan decided to play a home game there against the New York Jets.

If a big crowd showed up, it might be enough to convince him to take his team to the Deep South.

The pot was sweetened since Namath, a University of Alabama product, was quarterbacking the Jets. Surely that would entice mass numbers of Crimson Tide fans to pack the stadium.

Sadly – at least for those of us who longed for an NFL team in the Magic City – Broadway Joe’s appearance did not have the desired effect on attendance.

A day after 63,759 fans watched Alabama beat Virginia Tech 14-7 at Legion Field, only 29,192 made a return trip to the “Gray Lady” to witness the Jets beat the Pats, 47-31.

Obviously, there’s no guarantee that the Patriots would’ve moved even if a capacity crowd had shown up to cheer them on.

Owners like to use cities as pawns, and a market the size of Boston would’ve been a tough one to leave. Plus, there would have been plenty of other suitors lined up. (Ultimately, Sullivan got his new stadium and the franchise has lived happily ever after).

Still, the less than enthusiastic response knocked Birmingham out of the running. In retrospect, that brief window half a century ago was arguably the last real chance the Ham had of landing a franchise in an established, United States-based professional football league.*

*Birmingham did have a team in the Canadian Football League in 1995, one of the rare times the franchise died while the league survived.

When the World Football League folded midseason in 1975, both the Birmingham and Memphis clubs petitioned for admission to the NFL, but that mini-merger was never seriously considered.

Besides, the NFL had already announced that Tampa Bay and Seattle would join the league in 1976.

So while Birmingham has also been home to the United States Football League, World League of American Football and XFL, it can likely forget about ever becoming part of the NFL.

Therefore, instead of wearing an oversized blue jersey and tricorne while supporting the Birmingham Patriots on Sunday, I cheered wildly for the Jaguars (a team I otherwise care nothing about) simply because there is no team in professional football I like less than New England.

Man, jealousy sucks.

 

 

Greenville FC hopes to build new soccer tradition in Upstate

By Scott Adamson
Adamsonmedia.com

The motto, “Yeah, That Greenville,” emphasizes the Upstate South Carolina city’s uniqueness, as well as its rise as one of the top tourist destinations in the south.

Marco Carrizales hopes there will come a day that when people hear that catchphrase, they’ll also think about soccer.

Carrizales is the CEO and president of Greenville FC, the city’s entry in the National Premier Soccer League. The expansion club will begin play this spring, competing in the Southeast Conference.

The NPSL is a grassroots league that functions as a fourth division in the United States soccer pyramid.

“For us, (joining the NPSL) made the most sense when looking at the viability and long-term sustainability of this club,” Carrizales said. “We are in no rush to become the next FC Cincinnati, but do understand we have that capability. We simply need time to grow into that. We plan to stick around for many years and hope to become engrained in Greenville’s fabric, but to jump to the conclusion that the road will be an easy one is a misunderstanding of the current nature of soccer in the United States.”

Sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation, the NPSL features franchises that are individually owned and operated. Entry fees are reasonable and the NPSL’s goal is to grow the game by creating an “all-for-one” philosophy among its members.

They are rivals on the field, but partners in business.

“We are thrilled to see Greenville FC joining the NPSL family,” NPSL chairman Joe Barone said in November. “They are a wonderful addition to one of our country’s most competitive conferences. Soccer fans in South Carolina should be very excited about GVL FC.”

Carrizales says joining the circuit – which fielded 96 clubs nationwide last year – is the perfect fit for Greenville.

 

“We are at the ground level and are extremely comfortable exploring innovative and strong partnerships that will only enhance Greenville FC as well as soccer in the Upstate,” Carrizales said. “The NPSL offers something unique in its operating model, and also placed us into one of the strongest conferences in the league and country, with Asheville City SC and Chattanooga FC leading the pack. We are excited at the opportunity to grow our club with their already well-established clubs.”

Carrizales is no novice when it comes to the Beautiful Game. A native of Dallas, he was selected by Dallas FC in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft and started his college career at SMU before transferring to Furman.

“Coming from Dallas, one of the biggest hotbeds in youth, collegiate and professional soccer, I had the luxury of being amongst some of the most professional clubs out there,” Carrizales explains. “I was fortunate enough to have been an integral part of the inaugural years of FC Dallas Development Academy system, which is ranked in the top five academies in the country on a yearly basis. Coming to the Upstate really opened my eyes to the potential here. I see local players all the time and am amazed at the level of talent that, unfortunately, doesn’t have access to the platforms I was accustomed to.”

Certainly, Greenville FC will look to find the best available players to compete for roster spots – regardless of where they’re from. However, Carrizales is confident the fledgling NPSL team can write homegrown success stories.

“Some of these players can be great, it’s just a matter of getting them proper and professional training that will get them to that next level,” he said. “I hope Greenville Football Club can provide them with that clear pathway to the next level and I hope we are that next step for some of that talent here in the Upstate. I plan to bring my expertise and connections to Greenville to place soccer at the forefront.”

Only 23, Carrizales admits the business side of the game wasn’t on his radar as he plied his trade as a midfielder.

“Growing up seriously committed to the sport as early as 7 years old, my Plan A was always to play soccer at the highest level,” Carrizales said. “I didn’t have the time nor effort to think of a Plan B. I was fortunate to have played at the highest youth, collegiate and professional level, while all along I think I was being molded by those experiences for this opportunity. Not to say it has been a seamless transition, but it definitely has been something I’m comfortable saying I feel like I’ve always been a part of.

“Being at the ground level is exciting for us because we have no traditions or any standard to uphold, so we have the flexibility to hopefully become that innovative club teams will look to emulate.”

Carrizales said the team will announce its coaching staff and venue in the coming weeks. The NPSL season begins in May.

“Through my time in Greenville, I have had the pleasure of growing a strong connection with local clubs and universities as well as local talent that I plan on bringing into the club,” he said. “I hope to have a little say in the choosing of our roster, but ultimately I think it’s important for our staff to be the decision makers in crafting our inaugural roster.”

I’ve yet to take advantage of senior discounts

For two years now, I have been eligible for senior discounts at fine dining establishments.

Brain Farce is an alleged humor column written by Scott Adamson. It comes out basically whenever he feels like writing it. Follow him on Twitter @adamsonsl

And for two years now, I have yet to take advantage of a single one. I just can’t do it.

No doubt it’s silly … why not enjoy that sweet 10 percent discount that some places offer when you get the chance? I mean, living to age 55 should count for something, right?

And when you consider the fact that young people are now snacking on detergent pods, you realize fewer and fewer people will ever make it to that age.

Still, there’s something unsettling about a restaurant staff that throws you into the “senior” category. Because once workers find out you’re 55 or older, they start calling you “sweetheart” and “honey” and immediately tell you where the restrooms are located.

Screw that.

My date of birth is 1960, but I’m still counting on my expiration date being many, many years away. And while there might be a certain expectation of how 55-year olds are supposed to look, act and eat, I refuse to live down to them.

Yet there are seniors who happily take advantage of their discount. And many cheerfully order from a “senior menu.”

Next time you get a chance, take a peek at what’s available for us old folk.

It’s not nearly as good as the regular menu stuff, and it comes in small portions.

If it’s the day before you’re 55th birthday, you’re encouraged to go the whole meat-and-three route, plus dessert.

But then the next day – because you grew up in an ancient world – you order a grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of tomato soup because, apparently, that’s what 55-year olds are supposed to eat.

There is even one restaurant, which shall remain nameless, that actually offers discounts to those of us 50-years old and over.

The catch?

You have to order from the children’s menu – I kid you not.

There’s nothing the wife and I enjoy more than going to a restaurant and eating processed chicken nuggets in the shape of clowns with a side of mac and cheese and a juice box.

Why not just put us in high chairs and throw a jar of Gerber at us?

Sure, the crayons and coloring book are a nice touch, but I still have a hearty appetite.

And that’s another thing about this smaller portion nonsense. When you go to bed at age 54 and wake up at age 55, does your stomach shrink overnight?

Do you tastes magically change?

No … they most certainly do not.

Look, I don’t mean to sound like an ass. It’s always good to save money and restaurants don’t have to offer discounts of any kind, so the fact that they do is a nice gesture.

They’re simply trying to throw a bone to the “Matlock” and “Murder She Wrote” crowd.

But sometimes niceness can be misplaced, and “senior menus” oftentimes perpetuate a stereotype.

I am acutely aware that there are 55-year olds who wear polyester pants up to their teats and long for the good old days when phones were plugged into walls and the coolest cat on television was Arthur Fonzarelli.

And if you are that person and you want to order the oatmeal with fruit and have the manager burp you when you’re done, great.

Enjoy your meal and be sure to leave a quarter for a tip.

There are many of us, however, who may be chronologically challenged but still want to look, act and eat like the cools kids.

So if you’re in the marketing business and work for a restaurant chain, keep this in mind. Perhaps at your next meeting you might consider making the senior menu less about age and more about tasty options.

Keep the coloring books, though.

I’m almost to the point where I can stay inside the lines.