In honor of the Masters Raffle, we sang one song where we changed the word "Harrigan" to "Mulligan." It mostly worked. Thank you, Bob!
Due to today's program, there was no sheriff's report and no fines were collected. Save your money for next week!
Tim Crawford introduced Dave LewAllen, who then introduced former Detroit Lion and now current member of the Detroit Lions broadcast team, Lomas Brown. Lomas was the Lions’ first round pick (6th player drafted) during the 1985 NFL Draft, and he played 11 of his 18 years of NFL experience with the Lions. He played in the Pro Bowl seven times. He appeared in two Super Bowls, in a loss with the New York Giants, and in a victory with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002. He is one of four children and initially wanted nothing to do with football, after watching one of his brothers play. He chose to play in the band, which he figured was much safer. The principal, upon seeing him and his size, went ahead and signed him up for varsity sports. After school, he discovered he had been signed up for football. At first it was a challenge, but he grew to love it, and his life was forever changed. He originally stayed with football because he didn’t want to let his principal down. When he speaks to youth, he uses this story as an encouragement to them to be on the lookout for such opportunities when they come along, because they can change your life if you’re willing to try.
Lomas just finished his first year as part of the Lions broadcast team. He spoke of his admiration and friendship with Jim Brandstatter, and his disappointment with how Jim was let go ahead of his hiring. The two of them are friends, and Jim was nothing but supportive of Lomas’ new role with the broadcast team. He said that there has been lots of good learning as he now focuses on the whole game from the broadcast booth. Lomas shared that he lived in Rochester Hills as a player and now lives in Waterford (because his wife likes being on the water). Lomas is the proud father of four daughters, one son, and four grandchildren. Barry Sanders was a frequent visitor to their home, as he so enjoyed Lomas’ wife’s cooking. He spoke glowingly of Barry Sanders and considers him the NFL’s greatest running back. Even plays that ended up with lost yardage were still amazing runs by Barry Sanders.
Lomas then took time answering questions. He spoke of how a strong locker room is key to having a strong team on the field. He believes what held the Lions back during his playing days was not having a stronger locker room. He believes that Matthew Stafford is one of the best quarterbacks that he has seen. He wishes that he could have played with him and admires his strength. In regards to this year’s NFL Draft, he thinks the Lions should draft a corner back or an interior lineman.
He believes that this is one of the safest times ever to play football due to all of the safety precautions. He shares concerns with others in the NFL over the reduction in children playing youth football and the decreasing interest of young people in football. He spoke of Colin Kaepernick’s protest, which he felt was appropriate, and how, in his opinion, it got transformed into something much more than was meant. He believes that work needs to be done to overcome the controversy. He shared with us that one of Mrs. Ford’s frustrations is late arriving crowds, and the team is looking at ways to encourage fan presence throughout the whole game day experience. He closed by sharing how much he enjoys living in Michigan and that our state is second in giving to others. Thank you, Lomas, for a great presentation today!
MASTERS GOLF RAFFLE
Tim Crawford then concluded the meeting with the Masters Raffle.
Brett D and Mike L won the golfballs.
Joseph L and Brett F won the $50 gift certificates
Laurie M won both of the two-somes that were available
...And the winner of the 2019 Masters Raffle is...
Rhonda Panczyk
Congratulations Rhonda!!!
