BAMA anin't never gonna hire no coons....
kurtrasmussen wrote:
Newsome plans on homecoming
Ex-football star hopes to leave Ravens' front office one day to return to Alabama
Saturday, May 14, 2005
By TOMMY HICKS
Sports Reporter
POINT CLEAR -- It's safe to say Ozzie Newsome still has his "Wizard of Oz" abilities, even though his playing days ended in 1990.
The former Alabama All-America tight end, who defined the position in his 13 seasons (1978-90) with the NFL's Cleveland Browns, has proven to be just as valuable off the field. He's currently general manager and executive vice president of the Baltimore Ravens, a team he helped lead to a Super Bowl title in 2000.
There is a strong contingent of Alabama supporters who would like to see the Muscle Shoals native return to the Capstone and apply his experience and success to the Crimson Tide program, and Newsome admits that is something he would enjoy doing -- eventually.
"At some point I'm definitely coming back home," Newsome said during a break in play Friday at the McDonald's-Cornelius Bennett Celebrity Golf Classic at Lakewood Golf Club's Dogwood course.
"My son is in the eighth grade and I'd like for him to finish high school where he's at now."
As for any job offers from officials at Alabama, or others connected with the school, Newsome said there have been "feelers" but nothing more.
"It's good to be wanted," he said, "but with the experience I have gained playing the game and working on the administrative side, I think I could be an asset.
"But there hasn't been any pressure placed on me. I think people respect me and the job I have and what I'm doing. And that's nice."
Aside from his record-setting playing career -- he retired as the NFL's all-time leading receiver at tight end and ranked fourth among all receivers -- he has established himself as a respected and successful front-office man.
He was the first black to be named a general manager in the NFL, and his success has opened doors for others.
"I had a good high school coach, I played four years for coach (Paul) Bryant and I played and worked for an owner like Art Modell, so I've been surrounded by people with a passion for the game and men who were just good people," Newsome said.
"I have learned something from all of them."
He took those lessons and developed his own style and approach to his jobs.
"What (his success) has done is I have blazed a trail for ex-players to remain in the game and let people know we can do a great job," Newsome said.
"Now, ex-players are coming back into the game and that's great to see. When you are a player and you have accomplished some things, that stays with you. That success helps you."
It is a design that has worked for Newsome, who has been named to five halls of fames -- National Football Foundation, NCAA, Pro Football, state of Alabama and Senior Bowl.
The success he has enjoyed doesn't give Newsome cause to enjoy those moments as much as it re-charges his efforts to gain more success.
"It only drives you more," he said. "I'm very envious of New England right now, which has won three of the last four Super Bowls. That's what you work for. That's what all your efforts are aimed toward.
"It's something special to be the last man standing."
It's also special, he said, to see your alma mater on top. Newsome said he has been pleased with the progress the Alabama football team has made recently and expects good things ahead.
"The one thing in our game we can't control is injuries and without the injuries of last season I think they would have won two or three more games," Newsome said. "But to have won as many games as they did and make it back to a bowl game, that was a good job of coaching.
"The program is definitely headed in the right direction. ... I don't know who (head coach Mike Shula) could have called to get advice on the situation he took over. I don't know if there's ever been a situation like that before. He's done a good job.
"But the next steps are important. Obviously, you have to beat Tennessee, Auburn and LSU. That's the standard the University of Alabama has and we have to beat those (teams)."
The McDonald's-Cornelius Bennett Celebrity Golf Classic continues today at Lakewood Golf Course. The event begins with a 9:30 a.m. shotgun start.
There is no admission charge and fans are invited to take photographs and seek autographs from the celebrities taking part in the tournament.
� 2005 The Mobile Register � 2005 al.com All Rights Reserved.
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