Brad Cesmat
This and that…
Phyllis George was a BIG DEAL back in the day. As co-host of the NFL Today on CBS Sports in the 70’s, she was the pioneer for thousands of female front facing talent. George passed away over the weekend and I was curious what two women who many of you are familiar with here in the Valley, thought of her impact.
Paola Boivin, Arizona State Cronkite School Professor- Phyllis George was a real trailblazer. When I was growing up, I was so hungry to find females who were involved in sports. I used to put eye-black on my Barbies and do play by play. Just her presence on TV showed a generation of young girls that it was possible. I’m glad the networks moved on from hiring only beauty queens like George and Jayne Kennedy, but they served really important purpose. I’m grateful.
Jody Jackson, Fox Sports Arizona Reporter/Anchor – I never really watched her like I did Gayle Gardner, Robin Roberts, or Linda Cohn. To host a football show in the 1970’s was a first for a woman, so I certainly am grateful for her for breaking though that barrier to show viewers that yes, women can do this too. I loved that she said if you’re from Texas you follow football. I can relate growing up in Miami in the 80’s that’s how it was for our family too.
“The Last Dance” 10-part ESPN docuseries wasn’t completed until after Covid-19 started and wasn’t scheduled to air until later this year at the earliest. Imagine if the producers had more time to work with? In reading deeper on this project, there was over 500 hours of unseen video that was sifted through by producers. You can’t tell me that there couldn’t be another four episodes or more. But, less is more…
David Fulcher and Byron Scott both graduated from Arizona State this past week. I’d take them on my team any day…
Next week marks the 10-year anniversary of the Phoenix Suns LAST playoff game. Of course, we won’t let the landmark occasion slip away. You have to work really hard to miss the playoffs ten years in a row..
Whether the Coyotes come back or not to finish the NHL Season, the front office removal of team President Aaron Cohen should not be viewed as the dismantling of the franchise. Taylor Hall’s contract extension and finding a way to pair down the payroll to get Hall to the number has to be the first item to address in the offseason. You don’t give John Chayka a contract extension last November and then clean house on the hockey ops side…
Former Arizona State head basketball coach Bill Frieder checked in with me from Del Mar, “I guess if you’re going to get stuck, this is the place”…
