On December 2, 1975, Ohio State University running back Archie Griffin becomes the first player in history to win the Heisman Trophy two years in a row. Following in the footsteps of his three older brothers, all football stars, the young Griffin trained hard to get in shape and lose the nickname "Tank" given to him by his childhood football coaches. He had an impressive high school career, rushing for 1,737 yards and scoring 29 touchdowns during his senior year at Columbus Eastmoor High School in Columbus, Ohio. At OSU, Coach Woody Hayes hesitated before putting Griffin in the starting lineup, but relented after he put in a tremendous 239-yard performance off the bench in a come-from-behind victory over North Carolina during his freshman season.

From that point on, Griffin started every game for the Buckeyes. During each of his four years at OSU, the team won or shared the Big Ten title and went to the Rose Bowl. In 1974, Griffin became only the fifth player to win the Heisman, the coveted trophy given each year to the most outstanding player in college football, as a junior. He won in a landslide that year, receiving more than four times the number of first place votes as the runner-up, Anthony Davis of Southern California, and winning all five regions (East, South, Midwest, Southwest and Far West).

During his senior season, far from slumping, Griffin extended his stretch of 100-plus-yard games to 31 (during which the Buckeyes went 29-1-1) and amassed an NCAA record-breaking 5,177 career rushing yards. He triumphed in Heisman voting by a slightly smaller margin, taking four out of the five regions (Chuck Muncie of California took the Far West). His uniform number (45) was the first one ever retired by Ohio State.

Good Luck to all that participate.
SportsTailgaters.com

Now the big question since the Rangers are going to the World Series.  Where is ZZ Top?  I remember when I was younger that they said if the Texas Rangers ever win the World Series, that they would shave off their beards.  The hunt is on for the legendary band.  I hope they stick to their words.  I don't think anyone could imagine ZZ Top without beards driving a classic car.  It would be nice if they come out of retirement.   I can hear the chants now "ZZ!!  ZZ!!  ZZ!!"  Will they donate the hair for Locks of Love.  LOL   Give us a holler ZZ if you plan to fullfill your promise. 

Sean

Sportstailgaters

Online Game Gives Fans a Chance to Compete for Daily Prizes and
Exclusive Experiences from Some of College Football’s Most Popular Schools

ATLANTA, August 30, 2010 – What if Coke Zero could make your college football fantasies come true?  Can you imagine leading the “Tiger Walk” as Auburn University players enter Jordan-Hare Stadium to face rival Georgia?  How about a VIP experience and tickets to a mid-season USC game as it takes on a conference foe? Want to have dinner in the press box, visit the locker room or get sideline passes to watch your favorite team in action? Thanks to the Coke Zero Playbook of Possibilities, it’s possible, and the distinct prizes and once-in-a-lifetime experiences don’t stop there.

This fall, Coke Zero is putting college football fans’ decision-making skills to the test with its new Playbook Challenge game at CokeZero.com. The online game challenges fans to use their knowledge of and passion for the game to create their own plays for chances to win exciting prizes from some of the most popular football schools in the country, as well as a grand-prize trip to the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta on Dec. 31.

In a fun twist, fans playing the Playbook Challenge game aren’t designing conventional on-field plays. Instead they must make quick choices to determine their own path to solve dilemmas to which football fans can relate.  For example, what do you do when you’ve left your game tickets at home, or how do you keep your cool when you’re seated next to an annoying fan?

Players accumulate points based on how quickly they react to various scenarios and whether they make the right choices to successfully resolve the situation. The Playbook Challenge game runs from Aug. 31 through Oct. 25, and players can participate every day for a chance to earn more points and more chances to win.

“With its Playbook of Possibilities, Coke Zero is giving fans a way to enjoy the college football game day in a whole new way,” said Bill Kelly, Senior Vice President, Coca-Cola Trademark Brands, Coca-Cola North America. “Just as Coke Zero defies convention by offering Real Coke Taste and Zero Calories, we’re giving football fans a chance to win great prizes and experiences when they explore new possibilities.”

The payoff for Playbook Challenge winners includes a variety of prizes to enhance the way they enjoy their favorite sport, including:

Ø Daily prizes such as game tickets, autographed merchandise, and tailgating bag toss game sets

Ø Weekly prizes such as VIP game experiences, motorized Coke Zero cooler scooters, team meet-and-greet sessions and chances to serve as honorary captain, lead a team onto the field and conduct the coin toss

Ø A VIP grand-prize trip to the Chick-fil-A Bowl Game in Atlanta on Dec. 31

All daily prize winners will be notified instantly online. Weekly prizes will be awarded based on the highest cumulative scores posted each week. At the end of the eight-week “season,” the Chick-fil-A Bowl Game grand prize will be awarded to the player with the highest cumulative number of points. Fans can play the game every day for a chance to win, and frequent players improve their chance at winning weekly and grand prizes.

About The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world’s most valuable brand, the Company’s portfolio includes 12 other billion dollar brands, including Diet Coke®, Fanta®, Sprite®, Coca-Cola Zero^TM, vitaminwater®, Powerade®, Minute Maid®, Simply® and Georgia Coffee®. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company’s beverages at a rate of 1.6 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

Do you go crazy for the Chargers? Are you all about tailgating before the big game? If you’ve got team spirit and want to put your BBQ skills to the test, we’re looking for you!

You and a teammate of your choice will go head to head with two other tailgate-tested teams to huddle up around the grill and prove who the MVP’s will be in this competitive cook-off.

You’ll need two dishes to score your touchdown! So put down the playbook, pick up the cookbook and get ready to run your drills behind the grill on Backyard Blitz! Cash Prizes and Big Surprises!!!

Send the following information for you and your teammate to backyardblitzcasting@gmail.com:

NAME, PHONE NUMBER, 2 PHOTOS, FAVORITE PLAYER/S and HOW YOU AND YOUR TEAMMATE KNOW EACH OTHER.

A few hours remain for tonights location and there is another one tomorrow.

DESPERATE for Charger Tailgaters!!Tonight:
THE TIPSY CROW 770 Fifth Ave. SD 92101
4-9pm

And another tomorrow at:
SEAUS'S THE RESTAURANT at the Westfield Shopping Town 1640 Camino Del Rio North SD 92108
4-8pm.

Come on Charger fans - head on out and show them what you got.  Tell them SportsTailgaters sent ya.

PortoPong

We recently had the pleasure to give PortoPong a try at at graduation.  This product delivered the fun times.  We absolutely had a blast playing beer pong in the middle of the yard.

The product was shipped in a small, compact box.  It comes with a carrying bag for storage and transportation.  PortoPong has a choice of colors to purchase.  Assembly - well its rather simple.  Pull it out of the bag, and blow it up.  Now I would recommend an automatic blower if you have one, but it is not really necessary.  We had the young ones blow this up so we could continue to enjoy our beverages.

Once we had the air filled, we chose to just set the game on a table.  It comes with built on hooks to hang with string to a tent or trees or whatever happens to be close by.  And obviously, you can also play in the pool as the game board is essentially a pool float. 

Pull out your cups, fill them up with your beverage of choice, and start playing.  The game board has the cup holders build in so all you need to do is drop the cups in.  There is also a spot for your rinse cup.   Bounce shots are bit difficult, but can make it WAY more challenging if you are up to it.

Overall - this is a great portable product.  Perfect for backyard fun, cookouts, and while tailgating at your favorite lot.   Go out and get yours today.  You will not regret the purchase.  Visit PortoPong to see more details, pictures, and purchasing your piece of the action today.