George Sauer was a talented but conflicted Soul
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The Voice of a New Generation stigmatizes authority figures.
The 1960’s song written by the Beatles, “All you need is love, love is all you need,” was considered by many as the mantra that would create perfection in an imperfect world. For many, It was a song that captured and reconciled all the social, political, and religious upheaval that was ravaging the soul of America ). Many thought that for once in American history, idealism could triumph over reality.
. George Sauer was a 1963 Longhorn national champion and 1969 New York Jets Super Bowl Champion. He was not a “flower child,” but he was a writer, poet, with a quixotic personality. A dangerous combination where ideals control the individual’s persona, but reality intrudes and disrupts the perfect state. The sport of football and his coaches were the reality intruders.
Signing with Texas was the wrong decision for George’s skill set, and from the beginning, George was under-utilized in Darrell Royal’s run-heavy offense. Frustrated with an offense that chose not to pass, George decided to leave Texas early to join the New York Jets. His move was unprecedented in college football in the ’60s. He became the first Longhorn ever to skip a year of eligibility to bolt for a pro contract. DKR, stunned and angry banned Jet scouts from UT premises.
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James Street bronze bust
The pedestal engraving of Donor names and the members of the 1969 National Football Champion team nears completion.
If you were on the 1969 team and your name is missing from the list below (get out you ten power loops out, I can’t make this list larger in this Squarespace format), please contact Williamdale@msn.com.
While Joe Nobis, Tommy Nobis’s younger brother, was a member of the 1967 Longhorn football recruiting class at Texas, he passed away before the 1969 and 1970 national championship seasons. His name will be included on both James Street and Eddie Phillips pedestals.
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Donations are still needed to fund the busts of both Eddie Phillips and Duke Carlisle.
Information on the Vince Young bust is TBD. Click on link below to learn more.
Pedestal shape has not been determined as of 8/01/2020 but pedestal color with gold engraved letters is confirmed.
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The Pandemic of 1918 and lessons not learned in 2020 – Yogi Berra says “It’s like déjà vu all over again.”
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The Charles Bell photo was in a newspaper in 1918. Whatever “it” is is holding a bag full of postponed sports due to the Spanish Flu.
In the 1918 Pandemic, the decision-makers told Americans to practice social distancing, wear masks, avoid theaters, and close schools. Major League Baseball considered canceling the whole season, but President Woodrow Wilson decided the nation needed sports as an outlet. Johnny Smith, a prominent writer, said, “People (in 1918) really want to get back to their lives. Sports are all about the human experience, human connection. We’re not meant to be isolated.”
Those who live in 2020 agree with their ancestors from 1918.
So, the baseball players wore masks — even in the batter’s box — as did the umpires, coaches, and fans. It was “PLAY BALL!”
The Longhorn football team also chose to play ball. The Cliff Morgan Rating Service Selected undefeated Texas as National Champions. Joe Spence (top right inset of photo) the starting guard died that year of the Spanish Flu. The Texas-OU game was canceled, and the SWC decided not to select an All-SWC team.
To read more about the 1918 pandemic related to the 2020 epidemic, please click on the link below.
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Longhorn sports history is best told by those who created it. As of August 1, 2020, 4 former Longhorn student-athletes have agreed to share some of their special memories. Duke Carlisle (football), John Carsey (basketball), Bill Atessis (football), Jim Bayless (tennis), are in the queue.
All Longhorn’s, associated with the U.T. Athletic department, have a story to tell. To that end, I will be reaching out to former student-athletes, managers, and trainers in Track, swimming, basketball, baseball, golf, and softball to share their special moments in the history of Longhorn sports.
Respectfully, Billy Dale
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TLSN is an independent organization celebrating Longhorn Sports History and assisting qualifying Horns who need temporary financial assistance.
The TLSN website is a free, educational, historical, and insightful sharing Longhorn sports history through the eyes of those who created it.
TLSN is not associated with the UT Athletics Department or any organization closely aligned with UT.
Https://texaslsn.org
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