Quarterbacks Can Have Some Deep Thoughts

Novelist Jack London once wrote, “I would rather be ashes than dust. I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than be stifled by dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor than a sleepy, permanent planet.”

Someone once read those words to Kenny Stabler and asked the former quarterback what they meant. Stabler paused a moment, then said, “Throw deep.”

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Trivia time: Who is the only college football player to finish in the top two in Heisman Trophy voting three years in a row?

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The age game: When 18-year-old amateur Aaron Baddeley won the Australian Open, Mark O’Meara had a word of warning for Sergio Garcia, Spain’s 19-year-old golfing phenom:

“You might be over the hill, pal.”

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Match race: After the Associated Press named A. J. Foyt and Mario Andretti its co-drivers of the century, Foyt suggested, “Let’s race for it.”

“I’d like to do just that,” Andretti responded after PR honcho Doug Stokes offered Irwindale Speedway as the site when Andretti was there last Friday shooting a TV commercial.

One problem would be finding a race car that could accommodate A.J.’s growing girth.

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What’s important: Australia’s women’s soccer team agreed to change its calendar featuring full-frontal nude shots of some players after pressure from the Australian Olympic Committee.

The AOC didn’t object to the nudity, just the use of the word “Olympic” on the front of the calendar.

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Racer’s logic: Like most race drivers, legendary Formula One champion Tazio Nuvolari hated to talk about death and racing.

After being asked, “Aren’t you afraid of dying in a race car?” the Italian retorted, “I supposed you expect to die in bed.”

“Yes, indeed, I hope so,” said the questioner.

“In that case,” snapped Nuvolari, “I wonder [if] you dare to go to bed at night!”

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No defense: Philadelphia 76er Allen Iverson, speaking of himself to Jeff Ryan in the Sporting News:

“I’d never want to have to defend myself. It can’t be done. The only person who can stop me is me, if I take bad shots or rush things. But no individual in the league can stop me.”

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Brittle Bill: Bill Walton, the Clipper announcer, played 13 years in the NBA but was sidelined more than half his games because of leg problems.

“If you dropped a toothpick on his foot he’d have a stress fracture,” said Stan Albeck, longtime NBA coach.

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Trivia answer: Glenn Davis of West Point, second to Les Horvath of Ohio State in 1944, to teammate Doc Blanchard in 1945 and first in 1946.

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And finally: Ricky Williams, after hearing complaints that he kept playing while injured in order to collect more bonus money from the New Orleans Saints:

“I can live off my $8.8-million signing bonus forever. My honor is the only thing I can take to my grave.”