Happy Birthday Flea Flicker

Two years ago this very day the Flea Flicker was born. I owe that start to Mrs. Flea Flicker. All that's found here was once spewed at her. She didn't need that. No one does. There's just too much football flowing through me. Always. It's a real stretch to say that the Flea Flicker saved our marriage but Mrs. Flea Flicker likely avoids me a little less. I can't thank her enough for guiding me to this outlet and always inspiring me.

Every aspect of football interests me. From the days when football first stepped away from rugby to George Halas printing tickets, signing players, coaching them, selling tickets, even playing some football for his beloved Chicago Bears to the Baltimore Ravens winning their second title. Form the Hall of Famers and those that should be to the players that barely had a sniff of professional football. From the trainers to the commissioners. The equipment managers to the officials. Every single one of these people have played a role in the football script. Each has had a part in making football great.

Before a Cal football game a few years ago, I had an opportunity to have a little chat with Reggie Camp. He was a terrific defensive end for Cal in the early '80s. He was drafted in the third round of the 1983 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. He played for the Browns from 1983-87 and played one final year with the Atlanta Falcons. Camp had a nice six-year NFL career. He also carries the interesting distinction of playing in three of the most iconic games in football history. He played in the 1982 Cal-Stanford Big Game. The game with "the Play." He was on the winning side of that one. He also played in the 1986 and 1987 AFC Championship games between the Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos. Games better known as 'The Drive" and "The Fumble." He was on the losing side of those two. Reggie Camp shares the distinction of having played in these games with John Elway. It was extremely interesting to talk to Camp about these games, his career, his coaches, and his peers. He's clearly proud of his time in football and he should be. Very few players make it to the NFL let alone play for six years. I just got the feeling that without the great acclaim, the great attention that he didn't see his career meaning much in the grand football scheme. It does and Reggie Camp did. Every single player helped make football the great game that we know and love today. Reggie Camp will always be remembered in the Flea Flicker. So will John Elway.

Thank you for everything Mrs. Flicker. You are the best.