Nebraska...not feeling Frosty anymore

[drok]

Oh I agree. I was just surprised that an article that did a good job describing actual problems instead of symptoms ended up finishing with a symptom of the problems listed above.

[entropy]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20130402/HUSKERS/704029846

Mentors back home help keep an eye on Huskers' Anderson

[entropy]

Profile in Courage – Dave Humm Gets A Blackshirt

by Randy York

Dave Humm celebrated birthday No. 61 today with something he never dreamed he would ever touch, let alone own – an honorary Blackshirt, the symbolic Nebraska defensive jersey that is pulled over the heads and onto the shoulders of physically and mentally tough athletes who share a pledge to make teams earn every yard and every touchdown.

As a record-setting quarterback in Tom Osborne’s first two years as Nebraska’s head coach, Humm more than meets the minimum standard for overall toughness. He’s faced a third-and-long situation for nearly a quarter century now and is still fighting for his life.

Because of multiple sclerosis, Humm has been in a wheelchair for nearly 25 years. He hasn’t been able to use his legs for nearly 16 years. He’s in dire need of 24-hour care, but never once has he complained, and even though he can’t shower or shave by himself, he thinks he’s the luckiest man on the face of the earth because he has a daughter who loves him dearly and former Huskers who see his soul and his spirit not in muscles, but in the daily toughness he shows to embrace what he has.

Humm Has Battled MS for More Than 24 Years

“Hummer has gone through more in 24 years than any of the rest of us has gone through in 24 hours,” John Melton said Tuesday night from Nebraska City. “Dave Humm deserves that honorary Blackshirt because he’s tougher than any Blackshirt has ever had to be. Everything is great to him. I talk to him all the time, and if you didn’t know he had MS, you wouldn’t even know he was sick.”

A linebacker coach under the legendary Bob Devaney, Melton recruited Humm from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, beating out Alabama, among others, even though Bear Bryant and Joe Namath both went to Vegas to promote what life would be like with the Crimson Tide. Humm became an All-America quarterback at Nebraska and went on to play nine years for the Oakland Raiders. “David tells me he loves me every time we end our conversation, and I tell him I love him, too,” Melton said. “Only God knows how much I love that guy.”

Jerry Murtaugh can say the same thing because Nebraska’s once all-time leading tackler had to get tough with a tough-minded man. He had to tell Humm how much Husker players and fans loved him. He had to remind him that he’s part of a family that’s one of the biggest in the world. He had to let him know that he’s put together an organization where athletes help other athletes … a group that has Tom Osborne’s blessing and the same kind of loyalty that helps everyone understand why there is no place like Nebraska.

Three Huskers, Humm’s Daughter Present Honor

“We had three players at Hummer’s house today to present him his honorary Blackshirt,” Murtaugh said-. “Rich Sanger, Doug Johnson and Tom Humm (Dave’s brother) were in Las Vegas for the Blackshirt ceremony. So was Dave’s lovely daughter, who is always there for him every day.”

“I am so proud of Hummer,” said Murtaugh, an All-America linebacker and Big Eight Player of the Year who once made 25 tackles in a 21-21 tie against USC in Nebraska’s 1970 national championship season. Murtaugh is president of the Omaha-based Husker Greats Foundation, which helps Husker athletes, Humm, the Hollywood handsome Husker with a rocket left arm, was the foundation’s first major benefactor.

“I’ve known Dave Humm for a long time, and he has the biggest heart, the most determination and the greatest love of life and love for a daughter that I’ve ever known,” Murtaugh said. “When the idea of giving him a Blackshirt first came up, I was a little skeptical because I know David so well. I worried that he might protest when he saw his #12 and his name on a Blackshirt.”

Murtaugh Has Never Looked Up More to a Man

But guess what? Only a few good men can fathom such an honor, and fortunately, Dave Humm is one of them. “He is quite a man, and he proved it again accepting this jersey,”

Murtaugh said. “I have never looked up to Hummer more than I did today when he honored our honor. Dave and I have had our battles for pride, but we both love the same things, and I don’t know anyone who deserves a Blackshirt more than he does. He is quite a man, that Dave Humm … quite a man.”

Murtaugh would not cut the conversation short until he explained another important contributor to Tuesday’s amazing ceremony. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate Jeff Jamrog,” Murtaugh said of Nebraska’s assistant athletic director for football operations. “When I told Jammer what I needed, he didn’t ask when, why or what. He just jumped all over getting an authentic Blackshirt jersey with a #12 on it. Jeff Jamrog knows what Nebraska football is all about, and coming from an old guy, I can’t tell you how important that is.”
The Blackshirt put another smile on Humm, whose continuous smile conceals a toughness that is almost frightening.

All-American Quarterback, Honorary Blackshirt

New England Patriot quarterback Tom Brady once said: “Every quarterback can throw a ball; every running back can run; every receiver is fast, but that mental toughness that you talk about is what translates into competitiveness.”

In Dave Humm’s case, mental toughness goes beyond competitiveness and becomes synonymous with love – from the past, the present and the future. Happy Birthday Hummer, All-American quarterback and Honorary Blackshirt. Display that jersey proudly because you’ve earned every thread in it.

P.S. Murtaugh said a golf tournament at the Revere Golf Club in South Las Vegas on June 17 “will be the social event of the season” and will benefit the Humm family. Murtaugh said interested supporters should call 1-866-791-7626 to reserve a spot in the tournament with a one-night room charge to your credit card. “We want this to be a big success,” Murtaugh said, adding that interested supporters can email Margie Smith at huskergreatsfoundation@gmail.com. Prospective participants also can reach Rich Sanger at richsanger@msn.com or by calling 303-888-2408.

http://huskernsider.tumblr.com/?DB_OEM_ID=100

[entropy]

a photo of Humm and his blackshirt..

https://twitter.com/HuskerGreats/status/319235460813684736/photo/1

[entropy]

April 01, 2013 11:40 pm • By Steven M. Sipple


Things I know and think I know:

Steve Warren was an excellent interior defensive lineman at Nebraska, getting ample playing time beginning as a sophomore in 1997.

Warren played that year in a rotation with senior Jason Peter and junior Jason Wiltz. All three went on to NFL careers.

Oh, my, what Nebraska would do now to have such a talented rotation.

"Thing is, we had guys like me who were being developed along the way," Warren said Monday. "So, by the time we got to be seniors, we already had been in the fire. But as sophomores and freshmen, we weren't asked to start because there often was a junior or senior ahead of you."

Warren, in radio appearances and conversation with Nebraska fans, tries to convey the importance of depth. Depth often separates great programs from the good ones.

"Your defensive line is only as good as your backups," Warren said. "Really, your whole team is only as good as your backups. If you step back and really look at Nebraska right now, beside the 'N' on the helmets, we're not too different than like a Fresno State. At a lot of positions, we're one-deep."

Nebraska's best depth is at cornerback and perhaps receiver. Yeah, times have changed since Warren's days at NU.

He obviously would like to see Nebraska improve its talent in the trenches. He'll be watching those guys closely Saturday during the Red-White Spring Game, although he'll have plenty else on his mind.

The Red-White Game weekend coincides with an important weekend for Warren. His D.R.E.A.M. organization, which he founded in 2006, will play host to a series of events, including a celebrity bowling challenge Friday in Elkhorn and a tailgate party at Nebraska Bookstore (1300 Q St.) before the Spring Game.

D.R.E.A.M. stands for Developing Relationships through Education, Athletics and Mentoring. According to its web site, the organization began in Omaha as an after-school program at Walnut Hill Elementary with 20 students and five volunteers dedicated to making a difference for at-risk youth. It now serves hundreds of youth at seven different sites. For more, check out joindream.org.

The 35-year-old Warren, who played three seasons for the Green Bay Packers (2000-02), pours his heart and soul into D.R.E.A.M., which is why he says this week feels almost like a game week during his playing days.

"(This weekend) honestly has been the way we've survived year-to-year," said Warren, noting $60,000-$70,000 has been raised in past Big D.R.E.A.M. weekends.

Among ex-Huskers expected to partake in various Big D.R.E.A.M. festivities are Prince Amukamara, DeJuan Groce, Frankie London, Keyuo Craver, Zack Bowman, Correll Buckhalter, Jay Foreman, Tony Ortiz, Joe Walker and Jay Moore, to name a few.

"Every year, it gets easier," Warren said. "Guys are usually calling me at the end of January asking me what the plans are for this year."

The ever-popular bowling event begins at 6:30 p.m. at Sempeck's Bowling and Entertainment and is open to the public. Sounds like Groce and London are the bowlers to beat.

"They tend to do the most trash-talking about their skills, too," Warren said. "Some of these guys are pretty serious about their bowling game."

Warren, who had seven sacks in 1999, can become serious when talking about Nebraska football. He'll watch the Spring Game, but keep it in perspective.

"It's different for the players (than the fans)," he said. "They don't get as excited. The Spring Game tells a part of the story, but all the work has already been done before the Spring Game. It's more for those guys who aren't necessarily going to get to play in the season.

"It's also good for the guys who are younger, but who are going to play (this coming season), to get some experience in the stadium. For the older guys, it's just a matter of knocking some rust off and staying active.

"It's fun to see the talent, though."

He just wishes he saw more of it at his old position.

* Nebraska offensive coordinator Tim Beck was uncertain Monday how many series senior quarterback Taylor Martinez might play Saturday.

"He needs to get some work, I know that," Beck said.

Martinez hasn't scrimmaged "live" much at all this spring. I'd say three series should about do it Saturday. Why risk it?

* Let me contradict myself: It's great that Nebraska coaches are now having dynamic junior wideout Jamal Turner return punts and kickoffs, despite the risk.

Beck is all for it.

"It's an offensive play," he said. "You put anybody back there, I think, if it's going to help you win."

* Well, this is easy: Louisville dismantles Wichita State. Syracuse's 2-3 zone stymies Michigan. And, finally, Louisville runs past Syracuse, though not by much. The Cardinals' full-court pressure has been dizzying, and now they have the added focus of playing for a fallen teammate. The chalk prevails. (Disclaimer: I picked Cincinnati to beat Creighton handily).

[Rob F]

#HASHTAG on the waterboy? Whats up with that?

[Rob F]

Looks like a good-weather day a Nebraska's spring game, maybe 40,000 or so #HUSKERFANS there....

(have I ever mentioned how annoying "hashtags" are?
In my day, hash was either something you ate or something you smoked or something you ate several cans of, after you smoked)

:-D

[entropy]

They announced sixty some thousand at the game...

[entropy]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Jmisv1Spck&feature=youtube_gdata_player"]Jack Hoffman with a 69 yard touchdown in the 2013 Nebraska Spring Game - YouTube[/ame]


Best part of the day

[Rob F]

That was---waaaay cool!

[madootra]

With ya on the Twatter thing, Rob.

[THE_WIZARD_]

Jack Hoffman's run at the NU Spring Game may be the coolest thing I have ever seen in sports. Wow!

[entropy]

Stole this from another board...



Nebraska has been trending on Twitter since the play. Here are some posts:


SCOTT VAN PELT:

This week in sports was garbage. A 7 year old named Jack Hoffman & Nebraska reminded us why we love them. Salute to both. Needed new avatar.

(His new Twitter avatar is a picture of the play.)


KIRK HERBSTREIDT:

Hope you've seen 7 yr old cancer patient Jack Hoffman score in @Huskers spring gm. One of the coolest things I've seen in a long time.#class

Then a later tweet from Herbstredit:

If you only do one thing today, watch this: [Link to Video]


NBC SPORTS:

God bless little Jack as he continues his brave fight against this insidious disease. And God bless the Nebraska football program for what they have done, did and will continue to do for that little boy and his family.

Just, wow.


TEDDY GREENSTEIN:

Phenomenal.


ANDY STAPLES:

Awesome


ERIN ANDREWS:

I love #Nebraska, Bo Pelini, and the fball team for allowing that little fan to have a moment like that today! #whyilovesports #touching


LARRY FITZGERALD:

What Nebraska did for that young boy in their spring game is what it's all about!! #respect to all involved!


COLLEGE GAMEDAY:
Simply AMAZING!


PETER KING:
Highlight of the weekend, and of the year: [ame]http://youtu.be/_Jmisv1Spck[/ame] ... Heck of a job, Nebraska.


MARK TEIXEIRA:
Classy move by #Nebraska football team.


CODY GLENN:
People ask me why I'm so passionate about my school, here is a great example why. #nebraska #gbr


JOE SCHAD:
Beautiful moment in Nebraska.


It's just rolling. A bunch of new tweets coming in each minute from around the world. Pro golfers, local media types from other areas, random people....

This will probably end up having a significant impact on Bo's national reputation & how the national media refers to him.



Post Extras:

[lineygoblue]

One of the finest moments in sports this year.

[DennisT]

Good touch. Same thing here a couple years ago in a high school game for a Down's Syndrome kid.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb_4f5nXZdA"]The Ike Special - Varsity Edition (2010) - YouTube[/ame]