Back when I was
growin’ up, tunin’ in to 'Leonard’s Losers' on a fall Saturday mornin’ or afternoon
was part of bein’ a football fan in The South. Leonard was a genuine hoot to listen to and such a fun part of fall football life back then.
Each week, in a voice that dripped of Southern fried chicken, grits, and magnolia blossoms, 'Leonard Postosties’, in his comedic rural delivery style, predicted
which college teams would lose that week. Even when he was picking against your own team, he still made it entertainin'. His radio programs always opened with Lester Flatt and Earl
Scruggs’ recording of Foggy Mountain Breakdown, then his sidekick came on to
introduce him:
"This is Percy Peabody tellin' 'ya it's time for Leonard's Losers. With the world's greatest football prognosticator.... tell 'em 'bout, Lenny!"
The 'Water Walker' himself.... Coach Paul 'Bear' Bryant |
“The Super Detergent Salesmen from Tuscaloosa will visit the Sanford Kennels to try out a new Flea and Tick Soap
on Vince Dooley’s K-9s, and
if the Dogs ain’t ready for this wash job they could get a sudsing they’ll
remember for a long time. The Water Walker from Alabama is famous for puttin’ a hurtin’ on the Bulldogs, and he has
the equipment to do it again, but the Bear might be surprised by the new
Bulldog Breed he’ll run into on his trip to Athens . The Red Clay Hounds are hungry and fond of Elephant meat,
so I’m inclined to think the Pachyderms will get lightened up considerably in
their hindquarters. Leonard’s Loser: Bama, by 7."
Georgia Bulldog's legendary Coach Vince Dooley |
But,
then again, when it comes to SEC football... ANYTHING can happen on any given
Saturday. So, Leonard’s prognostication this time around might would actually
sound more like this instead:
“Alabama versus Georgia . This week,
Nick Saban's
Tuscaloosa Tuskers head to the Sanford Dog House where Mark
Richt's Red Clay Hounds plan to throw a blackout of their own
for the under-dog elephants. Still smartin’ from the drubbin’
the Magnolia State Rebs gave ‘em, two weeks ago, the
pachyderms have no intentions of another such on-the-road
repeat. Rivalry is not the only storm brewin’ inAthens , though,
and with all the expected rain, this game is gonna be a
muddy mess. It’ll be a runnin’ game for sure, and if the Dawgs
aren’t careful, they’ll find themselves all wet after the Big Red
Tide rolls in. Leonard’s Loser: Gawja, by 3.”
Tuscaloosa Tuskers head to the Sanford Dog House where Mark
Richt's Red Clay Hounds plan to throw a blackout of their own
for the under-dog elephants. Still smartin’ from the drubbin’
the Magnolia State Rebs gave ‘em, two weeks ago, the
pachyderms have no intentions of another such on-the-road
repeat. Rivalry is not the only storm brewin’ in
and with all the expected rain, this game is gonna be a
muddy mess. It’ll be a runnin’ game for sure, and if the Dawgs
aren’t careful, they’ll find themselves all wet after the Big Red
Tide rolls in. Leonard’s Loser: Gawja, by 3.”
“That's
all for this week. I'll betcha I bagged all the winners, but I wouldn't bet the
house. This is Leonard Postosties sayin’ ‘So
long, neighbors.”
“Get me outta here, Percy!”
Great post as usual Barry, Wish I had seen it before the game, but in hindsight your channeling of ol' Leonard was pretty good. He'd a been proud.
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