Opening Day Gripe But There Is Some Good News Too
Life is occupied in both perpetuating itself and in surpassing itself; if all it does is maintain itself, then living is only not dying.
- Simone de Beauvoir
The University of Nevada ran over the Grambling Tigers, 49-13, and won their first season opener since 2003. A win is always welcomed but in the upcoming weeks the Pack host Texas Tech and then hit the road to take on Missouri. After three weeks the Pack will likely be 1-2 and as usual in this latest Chris Ault era the pack will playing towards mediocrity.
2007 6-7, 4-4
2006 8-5, 5-3
2005 9-3, 7-1
2004 5-7, 3-5
28-22 .560
In the last four seasons the Pack has managed a mainly mediocre .560 winning percentage and a 1-2 record in post season bowl games.There have always been constant grumbling on the message boards that no one shows up to the games but one must remember that you have to give the fans a reason to come to Mackay Stadium and at this point they aren’t all lot of reasons. Positive showings against Texas Tech and Mizzou could remedy the situation and maybe create some buzz around Reno.
But as the Coach Ault ship keeps drifting in a sea of mediocrity the University of Nevada announced that they will honor their greatest son, Marion Motley. Throughout the 2008 season the Wolf Pack will have an image of Motley on their scoreboard at Mackay Stadium and their website will have various features honoring him throughout the season. 2008 marks the 40th anniversary of Motley’s introduction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Letters to the editor: Motley should have his statue
osted: 9/30/2007
STORY CHAT(read or post comments)
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One of Cleveland’s best matured in Nevada
I have written to the Reno Gazette-Journal before in appreciation for articles on Marion Motley. I am aware of his Nevada tenure only through these articles. I am a native Clevelander and my knowledge of Mr. Motley comes from his playing with the Cleveland Browns.
As a black person growing up in the middle 1940s and early 50s, I learned about people who were heroes to us, like Motley and Larry Doby of the Cleveland Indians — the first black baseball player in the American League.
African-Americans from all over the state would come up to the old stadium to see them play. Teams played in the rain, cold, mud, sleet and snow in those days. Fans knew how to dress to go see them, too — no domes back then! I digress, but you’ve figured out that yes, I believe the Pack should honor Motley in some significant way.
Janet West, Reno
Motley is the greatest Nevada athlete
I grew up in Ohio as a Cleveland Browns fan. As a youngster nothing was more exciting than the greats from that era: Lou Groza, Otto Graham, Marion Motley, just to mention a few of the Browns.
Regarding your Wolf Pack guest column “University should honor one of its greatest (Sept. 24),” not only is he one of the greatest but probably the greatest football player to ever come out of the University of Nevada. A statue of this great man would not only honor his skills in professional football, but his life as a great individual. It would show that the University of Nevada is capable of honoring such a great person.
James Shearer, Hawthorne
Motley deserves more than a banner at Nevada
Your article was right on. I saw Marion Motley play for the Cleveland Browns and he was a great running back. The people at the University of Nevada should put something other than a banner up for this great running back.
Nick Condos, Yerington
We want your opinion. Send a letter to the editor to lgustus@rgj.com to let us know if you agree or disagree with this column, and you could get published.
Pack guest column: University should honor one of its greatest stories
DAVID PATRICK CASTRO
DPC@DAVIDPATRICKCASTRO.COM
Posted: 9/24/2007
The University of Nevada has had many players reach the National Football League — Brock Marion, Nate Burleson, Charles Mann and Frank Hawkins are all prime examples that Nevada can produce NFL talent. But too often their work is relegated to the archives and occasional banter of bar-room chatter.
Nevada has two members of the College Hall of Fame — Chris Ault and Hawkins — yet their greatest son and only member of the Professional Football Hall of Fame, Marion Motley, is relegated to relative obscurity by his own school.
Motley’s legacy on the field is undeniable. The running back/fullback is a member of the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team and the NFL’s 1940s All-Decade Team. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968. But beyond the accolades and rushing stats, his greatest accomplishment is helping to integrate professional football.
Motley made his debut with the Cleveland Browns of the All-America Football Conference in 1946, one year before Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s race barrier.
The administration at the University of Nevada has taken the ceremonious gesture of retiring Motley’s number, one of two players they have so honored (with Hawkins being the other.) However, Motley’s attendance at Nevada is mostly unknown to casual members of the Wolf Pack community.
A glance around Mackay Stadium shows no mention, no marker and no acknowledgment of Motley and one must venture into the background of Legacy Hall to find his recognition by the athletic department. Motley deserves better. To this fan and alumnus, there has been minimal acknowledgement of his glory days with the Wolf Pack football team.
In a bygone era of sanctioned racism and separate-but-equal ideology, the University of Nevada showed that it was forward-thinking and progressive in its actions.
The university was willing to embrace an African-American athlete during a time when they were widely shunned in the sporting world. However, the university now seems to be reluctant to laud what Motley meant to both his school and his society, thus denying the casual Wolf Pack fan from hearing a great, but untold, tale.
Even if you aren’t a sports fan, Motley’s accomplishments as a social pioneer transcend the playing lines, and his legacy needs to be praised so that future generations realize that a social pioneer graced the campus.
Perhaps this can be done with a statue or an oversized poster at Mackay. However the school decides to honor Motley, it is certainly overdue and would be a nice touch to add to the campus on the hill.
Send a letter to the editor if you agree or disagree with this column to lgustus@rgj.com and you could get published.
Nevada’s Choice Cuts In The NFL
University of Nevada quarterback Jeff Rowe was drafted in the 5th round of the 2007 NFL Draft. For any Nevada alumnus NFL stardom is a long shot and Rowe has a tough road ahead of him before carving out his niche in the professional ranks. In light of the recent draft here is one man’s opinion of Nevada’s greatest contributions to the NFL.
1. Marion Motley (1940-42): The only University of Nevada player in the NFL Hall of Fame. Member of the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team. Helped integrate professional football.
2. Charles Mann (1980-82): Four time Pro Bowler and three time Super Bowl champion with the Washington Redskins and San Francisco 49ers. Amassed 83 sacks in 12 seasons from his defensive end spot.
3. Brock Marion (1989-92): A 7th round draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 1993 went to three Pro Bowl in his 12 year career.
4. Frank Hawkins (1977-80): A member of the College Football Hall of Fame and played 7 seasons with the Oakland Raiders. Finished his Nevada career with 5,333 rushing yards, third in NCAA history, 
and his number 27 was subsequently retired by the Wolf Pack.
5. Nate Burleson (2000-02): Parlayed second team All American status by the AP, CNN/SI and the Sporting News into a 3rd round selection by the Minnesota Vikings. Had a breakout season in 2004 with 1,006 receiving yards and 9 TD’s while lining up with Randy Moss.
Honorable Mention: Charles Wright: AKA Papa Shango or the Godfather. Wright never made the NFL but had a memorable pro wrestling career and retired in 2002 from the WWE.
