Hey, guys. Who is in charge of declaring the end to pandemics? Anyone?
I’m kind of OCD and I’d like an official end date on this thing and move on to the next issue that may mean the demise of the human species. I’m ok with declaring COVID the winner of this round. We’ll try harder, get in the weight room and throw more money at the next virus. We’ll be ready. Maybe.
I took my wife on a romantic trip to very southern Louisiana last Friday to see Arch Manning play a game of football at South Plaquemines High School. Well, it wasn’t really romantic if you don’t get all mushy over good quarterback play, but I did buy her some beef jerky at a convenience store. Anyway, you don’t care about my vacation stories or romantic secrets, but I will share a couple of tidbits I learned/observed.
Arch Manning is the son of Cooper Manning. Cooper is the one son of Archie Manning that did not play professional football. He had to quit football because of spinal stenosis. But Cooper’s kid may become the best of them all. Looks like Peyton in a football uniform, without the big forehead. He plays for a private school in New Orleans that Peyton, Eli and Cooper all played at as well. The game we attended was an hour and 20 minutes from New Orleans. There was no sighting of Eli or Peyton, but I will say these parents travel in style. They arrived in three chauffeured Mercedes Benz vans and tailgated outside the fence. Some carried their red solo cups into the game, which is a new one for me.
The local team, which appears to be a very blue-collar type area with lots of refineries, commercial fishing and such, had quite a tailgate right outside the gates as well. Deep fryers and loud rap music were abundant.
Strip away the basic social differences and lack of country music, it looked (and sounded) like most Friday nights I’ve seen in Missouri; just warmer.
Here are the two things that I learned for you on the trip. (1) Arch Manning is good at football. You will see him on your TV very soon. (2) Cargo ships were backed up along the Mississippi River for nearly 30 miles of the 52 miles I drove along Hwy. 23. I mean, ships just stacked and sitting. I’m not sure what they were carrying, but it may have something to do with heating your house this year or the perfect Christmas gift you had planned for Junior. Plan accordingly.
I personally was always taught to sneak liquor drinks into high school events in a Sonic cup, but to each their own.
I remember the dads of my youth would pass a Schnapp’s bottle along the sideline fence. Gin for the big games. I suppose COVID or common sense has put an end to sharing bottles. Those were the days. Nothing like sucking a shot of Gin & Juice after your buddy has slobbered on the bottle.
One other fun fact. Cooper Manning is really rich and did not have to run from large men trying to kill him on Sundays to become rich. He is an energy trader, and his net worth has been pegged at around 15 million smacks. That’s enough to get you a chauffeured Mercedes Benz trip about anywhere. Teach your kids to trade energy.
(Guy Speckman can be reached at gspeckman@me.com or worrying about cargo ships backed up in the Mississippi River)