Mark F. Barnes

I don't think McClan made the diagnosis. He's just relaying the information.

And I should have mentioned that I don't believe football had nothing to do with his current conditions. It does. I remember seeing clips a couple years ago of Jerome Bettis walking on a Monday morning. It was not pretty.

At the same time, I wouldn't totally neglect the consideration of his condition.

But did they really talk about it on that HBO special too? Did Costas have anything interesting to say in response, or did he just swallow it?

No Bob Costas wasn't buying it either. They interviewed an orthopedic specialist and he wasn't buying it either. Earl says that's what the NFL doctors told him was wrong. But an independent orthopedist told him it was repetitive blunt force trauma to the spine. Earl just kinda shrugged it off, like he did a thousand tacklers. It was truly sad. He gave his long term life comfort for "Luv Ya Blue". George W Bush when he was the Gov down here made Earl an "Official State Hero", and a life-size bronze statue stands right along side the other six in the Hall of State, Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston, Mirabeau B. Lamar, James Walker Fannin, Jr., Thomas J. Rusk, and William B. Travis. One hell of an honor.

John McClain said on the radio a month or so ago that the reason why he is that way is not b/c of football. He has some spinal condition that they didn't find out about until he was into adulthood. He said if the doctors would have found out about it before he played football as a kid, they never would have let him played.

Oh well hell if Dr. McClain says so than I guess it must be true! John McClain is a sports writer and a fair sports writer at best.

They tried to give the same BS answer during the interview with Costas. Frankly I am not buying it. Earl loves football more than life itself, and will do anything to protect the integrity of the game. Sure he made a decision to play a sport that is in risk of crippling you for life, but to dismiss it as not fault of the game is idiocy. You are saying that at 52 years old Earl would be this way if he'd never played a down of ball? Please, give me a break. Earl is this way as a direct result of the game, they just won't shoulder any blame. There are ex-NFL player scattered all over that can barely walk. They are like race horses, once they are done with them they are put out to pasture and forgotten. You can't legally send humans to the soap factory like you can horses or they would. And pricks like Gene Upshaw sit up in his ivory tower and has the nerve to say he represents the NFL Players Association. Upshaw is the representative for the NFL owners ass, and posing as the other. Sitting on a multi-billion dollar pension fund that does nothing for the players from the past. Upshaw is the Owners house boy, who they pay to keep the current players from ever striking again. That about killed the NFL. They can ill afford to ever let that happen again.

It's funny to see how the Texans' start is viewed by the national media:

"Impressive win over the Chiefs, but the first true test is next week at Carolina."

"Impressive win over Carolina, but the first true test is next week against Indy."

Maybe the Texans are just pretty darn good after all?

At 2-14 the Texans were pretty good. right now they are starting to put together a team. Kube is getting his scheme in place and getting the missing pieces to the puzzle. Indy will be a heck of a test to see how the Defense holds up against a real field general, that reads defenses like most people read the Chronicle, and calls audibles to adjust to them as well as any QB in the league. The ability to adjust is the key to success. New Orleans had Peyton Manning's number in the first half when they played, Peyton took them apart in the second half. The Texans ability to adjust to Indy will be tested, but all teams are tested any time they take the field.

Kube is a student of the game. if the front office leaves him alone and supports all his efforts, he will build a team like Houston has never seen. A team that is in the playoffs every year, not just a flash in the pan.

On a side note, did anyone see the HBO Bob Costas special and the interview with Earl Campbell? That was truly sad to see the most punishing runner ever to strap on pads, reduced to the state he is in now. And the way he takes it all in stride, like it was suppose to be this way is truly amazing. I really lost some respect for Bum Phillips when Costas asked him point blank if he felt he may have run Earl into the ground, or if he felt any remorse. Bum sat there and said "Nope". I just sat there in disbelief at the smug answer. It was truly sad.

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Yeah that photo is from 1977!

This is the only other Phil I could come up with.

Here's some names from the past

There was another racer from Playland Park that has been left out of this...he also moved over to Meyer Speedway after Playland Park. Held more than several records when Meyer shut down the first time and were not broken when it closed the second time...#55 - "Buddy" Evans (started as #8, then moved to #55). "High Points" Champion several years as well as other winnings. How many of you remember the next place I am about to mention. Spent many a late night after the Playland Park races at the (best I can remember) Tam-O-Shanter Inn on OST??? His son went on to follow in his foot steps racing Late Model Sportsman. Thanks for brining up some old memories. I have a VHS Video floating around that has some races from Playland Park, Meyer Speeway, Battleground...bought it at Big "H" when they had the last of the Outlaw Super Modified Sprints

Roddy

On just about any night for many many years, if you looked at the front of the pack, this is what you saw running first and second. Billy Wade #53 and Don Burton #5. These two clown were the one to beat night in and night out.

Here is Don Burton beating out Buddy Evans at the line.

Here is MJ Burton after rolling his car @ Meyers

Page 6 of the 1962 Season Program

West U Native is this your guy?

http://www.guidrynews.com/05Obituary/CruzSantos.htm

Santos M. Cruz, Sr. Obituary

That's definately Bill White behind the wheel, I'd say 61 or 62 is a good guess.

That's Duece Coupe (32 Ford "A" Model) with a small block (283 ci if I had to guess) Chevy in it. And it has a late model Chevy rearend.

Great pictures "V"

I hear the black helicopters coming in!

In 1963 there was a Luby's opened in Dallas at what was then called Lochwood Mall (Jupiter Rd and Garland Rd.) And they had another one at Easton Rd and NW Hwy. My Aunt Melba worked there (Lochwood) for 30 years as a hostess. Mr. Luby drove a big Oldsmobile when he visited that location, I met him a couple of times.

Might staRT WITH THE hURRICANE OF 1900

Whats really strange is they started building a 2-3 story frame for what looked like a motel or? At least I think it was where Gilley's was. They built a huge frame and then it stood unfinished for about 2 years and I think they tore down?

How or why would someone start something and destroy it? Had to be in a legal dispute or something? Again, I am not positive but it seeemed to be right where Gilley's driveway was as you entered.

Like Olivia and John said ...Someone better "shape up" ...hoo...hoo...hooo...hooo

Well if Sherwood Cryer had any dealings in the property before PISD got it, but if he did, there is very a very good chance of his questionable accounting practices could have cratered the deal.

Here's an interesting article on Sherwood:

http://www.houstonpress.com/1997-05-15/new...od-s-rules/full

Guggenheim's that use to be over by the Galleria, made the best Ruben's in the world and had a great Cheesecake collection.

Yes, I think you are absolutely correct ... Los Troncos (The Treehouse)

Los Troncos actualy translates to "The Trunks"

Those were awesome Mark. I'm getting my Part II thread together right now. My ZZ-Top photos suck compared to yours, but I was in the nose bleed section.

Looks like you had some great seats.

The show rocked!!!!

Can't take credit for those. My twins were there, I am in Wyoming working. They had passes to be out on the arena floor, they had a blast, I think there days of Hip Hop are over, They have been ZZ'd by the Reverend Billy G! They emailed me those last night at midnight. They called me on the way home from the show and they were gabbing on and on, like they'd just found the cure for cancer. They weren't gonna go because it wasn't "their kind of music", but they're hooked on crack now. The boys from Texas must have turned out the house. They have more pictures and when I get home I will post them in your Part II section.

Thanks Boris.