RRS NOTES: SEC announces opening dates for hoops schedule; Starr honored; Pro HoF announces ballot
COMBINED REPORTS
The Southeastern Conference has established Dec. 29-30 as the new start dates for its 2020-21 men’s basketball conference schedule while the women’s basketball start date will remain Dec. 31, 2020 as previously scheduled, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey announced Friday.
The 2020-21 SEC men’s basketball conference schedule will be comprised of 20 play dates that would accommodate an 18-game schedule with two open dates. Ten SEC schools will fill one of those open dates with the SEC/Big 12 Challenge in late January. The four teams not participating in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge will play league games that day.
The 2020-21 SEC women’s basketball conference schedule remains at 18 play dates that will fit a 16-game league schedule.
Earlier this month, the NCAA Division I Council approved a Nov. 25 start date for the 2020-21 men's and women's college basketball seasons, when the SEC will begin non-conference play. Teams can begin preseason practice on Wednesday, Oct. 14 and will have a 42-day window to conduct no more than 30 practices.
Montgomery QB Club names Players of the Week
The Montgomery Quarterback Club has announced its Players of the Week for games of Sept. 17-18.
Walton Cherry from Trinity Presbyterian School is the private school Player of the Week and Jalyn Daniels from Tallassee High School is the public school Player of the Week.
While the Club is not holding weekly meetings this fall due to COVID-19, awards will be presented to the players by a group of board members at the time and place selected by the head coach.
Cherry, a senior linebacker, had 17 tackles, four tackles for a loss, and an interception in Trinity’s 26-0 region win over Pike County. Trinity held Pike County to four first downs in the game.
Daniels, a junior running back, rushed for 349 yards on 20 carries for five touchdowns in the Tallassee 49-21 win over Elmore County. Daniels set a school record with a 99-yard touchdown run.
Bart Starr honored with Bobbleheads
Montgomery native and former National Football League legend Bart Starr was honored on Friday with a four-bobblehead set produced exclusively for the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum by FOCO, an official licensee and manufacturer of Green Bay Packers and NFL merchandise.
The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, which is located in Milwaukee, Wisc., opened in 2019. In addition to its museum, the organization produces high quality, customized bobbleheads for retail sale of organizations, individuals and teams across the country.
The four-bobblehead set was originally released in mid-September but sold out and was re-released on Friday.
The first bobblehead is the set features the Packers three legendary quarterbacks -- Starr, Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers, a trio that has helped bring the last seven championships to the Packers. The second features Starr crossing the goal line and scoring the winning touchdown during the famed Ice Bowl in the 1967 NFL Championship Game. The third features Starr sitting in a replica 1967 Corvette Stingray convertible, which he received for being named the most valuable player of Super Bowl I. The fourth has Starr dropping back to pass on a base that includes replicas of his five NFL championship rings with a plaque that lists his many accomplishments.
Each bobblehead is individually numbered and are only available through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s online store. The bobbleheads, which just arrived and ship now, are $50 each, $85 for the triple bobblehead or $225 for the complete set plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order. The “Ice Bowl” and “MVP Car” bobbleheads are numbered to 1,967, the “Career Accomplishments” bobblehead is numbered to 2,019 and the “Triple Quarterback” bobblehead is numbered to 2,020.
“Bart Starr is one of the greatest players in the storied history of the Green Bay Packers and the NFL,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “We wanted to honor Starr with a series of bobbleheads that pays tribute to his remarkable football career and tremendous life.”
Starr played his high school football at Sidney Lanier in the early 1950s before moving on to the University of Alabama under Red Drew and J.B. “Ears” Whitworth. A 17th-round draft pick out of Alabama, Starr played 16 seasons with the Packers. He was the only quarterback in NFL history to lead a team to three consecutive league championships (1965-67). Starr also led the Packers to victory in the first two Super Bowls and garnered MVP honors in both games.
Named the league MVP in 1966, Starr earned four Pro Bowl selections and was selected All-Pro four times. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977, Starr is one of six players to have his number (15) retired by the Packers. Starr also served as head coach of the Packers for nine seasons from 1975-83. Starr, also remembered throughout the country but especially in Wisconsin and Alabama for his off-the-field accomplishments and generosity, passed away in May of 2019 at the age of 85.
Players with state ties named to Pro Football HoF ballot
Seven players with ties to the state are on the 130-man ballot for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021, including four who played their high school football in this state.
Former Ensley High standout Cornelius Bennett, along with Central-Coosa’s Justin Tuck, Vigor’s Willie Anderson and Shaw’s Chris Samuels are on the ballot, along with former Alabama star Shaun Alexander, former Auburn linebacker Takeo Spikes and former UAB receiver Roddy White.
White and Tuck are among those in their first year of eligibility, along with quarterback Peyton Manning, wide receiver Calvin Johnson and defensive back Charles Woodson.
To be considered for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a nominated individual must not have participated as an active player for five consecutive seasons.