Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Bob Davie Met With Media Today...



It's the first time Bob Davie has met with the media to talk about his recent medical situation -- and Saturday's game against Notre Dame...

Nick Martin Is Now #15 On Notre Dame List...


With today announcement of Nick Martin's contract extension with the Houston Texans -- he's now moved up to 15th on the list of former Notre Dame athletes (football, basketball, baseball and hockey) who will be paid the most as a professional athlete:

  • Jeff Samardzija:  $127,625,000 -- guaranteed contract to 2021
  • Zack Martin:  $102,308,800 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2024 
  • A.J. Pollock:  $76,397,500 -- guaranteed contract to 2023 
  • Anders Lee:  $75,044,038 -- guaranteed, contract to 2026
  • Kyle Rudolph:  $74,173,950 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2024 
  • Golden Tate:  $71,478,749 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2022 
  • Jaylon Smith:  $69,159,293 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2024
  • Troy Murphy:  $66,000,000 
  • Stephon Tuitt:  $64,760,551 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2022
  • Harrison Smith:  $63,666,546 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2021
  • Brad Lidge:  $55,335,000
  • Bryant Young:  $44,000,000
  • Justin Tuck:  $43,248,463
  • John Sullivan:  $40,050,021
  • Nick Martin:  $36,673,840 -- not guaranteed, contract to 2022
  • Jerome Bettis:  $35,122,500
  • Jeff Faine:  $34,456,892
  • Ronnie Stanley:  $33,354,331 -- guaranteed, contract to 2020
  • Kyle Palmieri:  $30,192,154 -- guaranteed, contract to 2021
  • Tim Brown:  $28,432,686
  • Matt Carroll:  $28,437,349
  • Joe Montana:  $26,000,000
  • Ian Cole:  $23,049,694 -- guaranteed, contract to 2021
  • David Phelps:  $19,233,850 -- guaranteed, contract to 2020
  • Michael Floyd:  $19,080,535 -- free agent
  • Rocket Ismail:  $18,000,000

The next big contract negotiation still sits with Ronnie Stanley and the Ravens.  Baltimore picked up Ronnie's "fifth year" option at $12,870,000 -- as they work on a new longer term deal.  STORY

OT: My Friend Fred McLeod -- Left For Heaven


If you're a Detroit Pistons or Cleveland Cavaliers fan -- you'll know who Fred McLeod is...

I received a text this morning from Matt Freeman (Irish Sports Daily) that my friend had died of a heart attack last night.  The news was a shocker for me.

I mourn through storytelling -- so let me share with you my favorite Fred McLeod story.

Fred and I became friends during his time in Detroit.  We would often play golf at Walnut Creek Country Club in Wixom, MI -- where I had a membership.  Our conversation one day centered on Fred's desire to get the Cleveland Cavaliers' play-by-play role for TV.

At the time, Fred had a TV gig with WDIV Detroit and the play-by-play role for the Detroit Pistons' TV games.  Fred had half of the schedule, sharing the duties with Notre Dame alum George Blaha, who had the other half of the Pistons' TV schedule.

Fred wanted a full-time TV play-by-play gig and Cleveland was his hometown team -- and he let me know this.

What Fred didn't know, was I had a way for him to be introduced to the Cleveland Cavaliers' owner, Dan Gilbert.  A friend of mine, Pat McGinnis was one of Gilbert's closest friends and colleague at Rock Financial.

Pat had extended the opportunity for me to jump on Gilbert's private jet with Dan (a few times) to go see a Cavaliers' game -- and sadly my schedule (I commuted / worked in New York City) never allowed me to take him up on the offer.

On learning this, Fred asked me to "promise him" that if I ever got asked again to jump on Gilbert's plane and can't go -- please ask to see if he could take my spot...

Well, a few months later, Pat McGinnis calls again and asks me to join him and Dan on Gilbert's private jet to go see the Cavaliers play -- and once again, my schedule would not allow it...

So, I asked Pat -- would it be okay if Fred McLeod took my spot on the trip?

Pat, said sure -- so I called Fred up and told him about the opportunity.  Thankfully, Fred could go.

So here's what happens...

Fred arrives at Oakland Country Airport, where Dan Gilbert kept his plane.  He walks out on the tarmac and climbs the steps onto the jet to learn he's the last one to board.  Sitting on the jet are; Pat McGinnis, Dan Gilbert and some guy named Bob Ritchie (better known as KID ROCK).

Well they're not in the air five minutes when Dan Gilbert says to Fred "you don't remember me, do you..."  Fred's thinking to himself (you're Dan Gilbert, owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers and many other companies) -- while Dan continues on...  "I was a college intern at a TV station in Flint (MI) that you used to work at, and no one was nicer to me, I've never forgotten that.  If there's anything I can ever do for you -- you just ask..."

Fred remembered "Danny the intern" -- what he didn't know was that intern now owned the Cleveland Cavaliers...

Well, Fred jumped on the opportunity.  He quickly replied to Dan;  "well, if you're serious about the offer, there is something you could do for me someday.  If the Cleveland Cavaliers' play-by-play position on TV ever opens up, I'd like to be considered for that job..."

A few months later in 2006 -- Fred got that gig.

Ten years later -- this happens...


 

Fred McLeod was kind to everyone he ever met -- including that college intern...

I haven't seen Fred in a few years, we have talked on the phone and texted each other.  It's sad we'll never cross paths again here on Earth.

Fred, enjoy Heaven's broadcast location -- it doesn't get any better...

LINK:  FRED'S FUNERAL SERVICE

Will Fuller Makes Great Catch on MNF!

 

The former Notre Dame football star made a great catch in the first half of last night's Monday Night Football game...