Lou Holtz kicks "A"

Posted October 14, 2008

I like Lou Holtz. It’s as simple as that.

He’s great. Holtz is a 71-year-old coaching legend turned broadcaster who has contributed to the world of football for four decades. Why am I making this declaration you ask? Because I’ve heard time and again people poke fun at and insult Mr. Holtz. I rarely hear anyone say anything positive these days (outside the Notre Dame nation) about this man who has done so much in the sport we love.

I have a theory that this is a direct result of his age.

The man is 71 years young which, in my book, does not deem you suddenly senile. Besides, how much cooler can you get than still kicking "A" and taking names in what you do professionally, especially when most of your peers are fishing off the pier of retirement and waiting for their demise? Lou Holtz is still out there, visible, still analyzing for us and keeping up with every aspect of college ball. Holtz is still serving the game on a level I, as a broadcaster, can only dream of achieving.

Today, I saw a hilarious clip of Lou Holtz with the headline reading something that implied the man had lost his mind. Frustration set in for me because, again, if he was 41 caught in the same moment, no one would suggest such a thing. Instead, I think of this clip as a reflection of Holtz’s still prevalent passion for the game. He still cares enough to get heated in debating over the production of kids on a field 50 years his younger and I love it! Now that I know what Holtz is like when he thinks the cameras are off, I have even more respect for him (Grandpa can bring it!).

I say go on ‘wit ‘yo bad self Mr. Holtz! I respect a man who has gone through so much over so many years. I respect any man in any industry who has survived as long as Mr. Holtz has, despite the adversity and ever changing game. I also respect any man who can go through all those years in a pressure cooker and come out in his latter days with a sense of humor. Lou Holtz, above anything else, is a good sport (here’s some proof for you) and it rocks!

When I grow up, I want to be like Lou!