Once again, John, you have set yourself apart from the pack. Your ability to capture the essence of life in your writing is unmatched. I'm an admirer and a guy who doesn't often get emotional, but you have captured me once again. Thanks for bringing sports and the human interest stories together. They mean a lot. Happy Holidays, John and family.
I too have dedicated this season to my father, Jess Scott, who passed away December 16 of last year.
Driving to Eugene from Portland for games, I would always call him on the way there, on the way back, or both. When the Ducks were on the road, I would call after the game to laugh or cry depending on the outcome.
The emptiness I felt after Oregon's bowl game last January when I had no father to call was palpable.
He took me to my first Duck game at Hayward Field in 1966, a year before Autzen opened. He also took me to my first Civil War game in 1971, when the Ducks lost 30-29 with Jr QB Dan Fouts and Sr RB Bobby Moore, who was playing in his last game at Oregon.
That was the first of 48 of 52 Civil War games I attended, all because of him and that game. I was beyond hooked.
You brought out so many memories with this column John, thank you. Dad is watching this season with a huge smile, and so am I, with an occasional tear.
Hey Dale, good to hear your voice. You were always the 'star' of our Lane Co umpire trainings in the 80s--great stories! I started watching the Ducks in '78, at Autzen. Kinda sorry I missed the Hayward experience, so thanks for the reminder. Holiday best to you and yours.
Thanks Dale, Sorry about your dad. Lost mine (WWII vet, three years in the Pacific) in 1980. Huge Dodger fan--I still am. He died before I was old enough (smart enough) to have those meaningful conversations. Still miss him. Still wish I'd had those conversations, so I try to have them now with grandsons. You had lots of years with your dad. I know you treasure them.
Despite the general daily news, there really are a lot of lovely people; we all just have to be more aware of them, even when it seems we have nothing in common. We always do.
Thanks for this wonderful column, John. You are so right -- college football is really about the fans, and family, and making memories. I cherish all the memories I have of going to UW Husky football games with my father, who died in a hiking accident in 1996. At least he got to see that undefeated 1991 team and go to a few games that year with me. So special.
And, even though I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Husky fan congenitally conditioned to hate the Ducks, I totally respect the passion of their fan base. It's the same up in Seattle for the Dawgs. Even though I now live across the country in Florida, I still rep UW in the local sports bars and watch every game. That's what we passionate college football fans do.
But what I really wanted to post about was my uncle, John Joyce. John was a huge Ducks fan and former season ticket holder. He was also the nicest, most unassuming man you'd ever want to meet. John served his country in the Vietnam War (Navy, I believe), but he never talked about it. He just wanted to talk about Oregon and college football. He was married to my Aunt Patty (my mom's sister) for more than 45 years. I attended many UW-Oregon games with John, and they are some of my best memories of him.
We lost Uncle John to cancer a few months ago. He was 82. But I like to think that, although he didn't make it to the end of this season, he's up there watching every game that his beloved Ducks play (and win). His sons, my cousins Brian and Kevin, carry on the family tradition and were in attendance together at the Ohio State game in Eugene earlier this season. I only wish their dad could have been there with them.
I can't say I wish for the Ducks to the win the natty, but if they do, I'll think of my dear Uncle John. I'll think about how happy he would be, and I'll be okay with it. Appreciate this chance to leave a little note about what he meant to me here. Love your writing -- keep it going.
This. Just this. I love this. This is what makes the world a brighter place. A tribute to people that are connected by the love of a team. Here’s to Walt & Beth Smith, Nathan Reid and his father Richard, and Charles Jones. Memories are precious and priceless. Thank you John, for this.
John, Thanks for "getting" it. Where sport fits into our lives, that we all share. Once again there are tear drops on my laptop. This is what really matters. Thanks, John for these reminders!
You have proven yourself beyond reasonable doubt that you’re not just a sportswriter, and all your human interest stories in my opinion is deeply profound.
Thank you for being a great guy and a storyteller.
Walt Smith was my junior year English teacher in '60-'61. While memory has faded a bit, i remember him as a friendly, interesting and fun teacher. Glad to hear he lived a full and productive life.
Small world: I know the Reid family. I did not know Richard who is a few years younger than me. They lived down the block and attended my grade school, junior high and high school. I know Tim Reid a bit. He was two years younger and would have been Richard's older brother. Their father was a veterinarian and I believe so was his grandfather (own Reid Veterinary Hospital). So sorry to hear about Richard's passing. My mom probably taught him to swim as she taught all the neighborhood kids to swim at our community pool. And yes, all of this is much more important than a fleeting national championship
Once again, John, you have set yourself apart from the pack. Your ability to capture the essence of life in your writing is unmatched. I'm an admirer and a guy who doesn't often get emotional, but you have captured me once again. Thanks for bringing sports and the human interest stories together. They mean a lot. Happy Holidays, John and family.
John,
You need to include warnings that your eyes may develop leaks on posts like this..
I too have dedicated this season to my father, Jess Scott, who passed away December 16 of last year.
Driving to Eugene from Portland for games, I would always call him on the way there, on the way back, or both. When the Ducks were on the road, I would call after the game to laugh or cry depending on the outcome.
The emptiness I felt after Oregon's bowl game last January when I had no father to call was palpable.
He took me to my first Duck game at Hayward Field in 1966, a year before Autzen opened. He also took me to my first Civil War game in 1971, when the Ducks lost 30-29 with Jr QB Dan Fouts and Sr RB Bobby Moore, who was playing in his last game at Oregon.
That was the first of 48 of 52 Civil War games I attended, all because of him and that game. I was beyond hooked.
You brought out so many memories with this column John, thank you. Dad is watching this season with a huge smile, and so am I, with an occasional tear.
Hey Dale, good to hear your voice. You were always the 'star' of our Lane Co umpire trainings in the 80s--great stories! I started watching the Ducks in '78, at Autzen. Kinda sorry I missed the Hayward experience, so thanks for the reminder. Holiday best to you and yours.
Thanks Michael, happy holidays!
Thanks Dale, Sorry about your dad. Lost mine (WWII vet, three years in the Pacific) in 1980. Huge Dodger fan--I still am. He died before I was old enough (smart enough) to have those meaningful conversations. Still miss him. Still wish I'd had those conversations, so I try to have them now with grandsons. You had lots of years with your dad. I know you treasure them.
Hey Dale, I saw Bobby Moore running like a deer at Autzen too and I had a no 12 Fouts jersey.
What a lovely column about these lovely people.
Despite the general daily news, there really are a lot of lovely people; we all just have to be more aware of them, even when it seems we have nothing in common. We always do.
This is why I subscribe and read your work! I love the human interest pieces, and they all are really human interest stories, aren't they?
Keep up the great work John! We are counting on you! Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Thanks for this wonderful column, John. You are so right -- college football is really about the fans, and family, and making memories. I cherish all the memories I have of going to UW Husky football games with my father, who died in a hiking accident in 1996. At least he got to see that undefeated 1991 team and go to a few games that year with me. So special.
And, even though I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Husky fan congenitally conditioned to hate the Ducks, I totally respect the passion of their fan base. It's the same up in Seattle for the Dawgs. Even though I now live across the country in Florida, I still rep UW in the local sports bars and watch every game. That's what we passionate college football fans do.
But what I really wanted to post about was my uncle, John Joyce. John was a huge Ducks fan and former season ticket holder. He was also the nicest, most unassuming man you'd ever want to meet. John served his country in the Vietnam War (Navy, I believe), but he never talked about it. He just wanted to talk about Oregon and college football. He was married to my Aunt Patty (my mom's sister) for more than 45 years. I attended many UW-Oregon games with John, and they are some of my best memories of him.
We lost Uncle John to cancer a few months ago. He was 82. But I like to think that, although he didn't make it to the end of this season, he's up there watching every game that his beloved Ducks play (and win). His sons, my cousins Brian and Kevin, carry on the family tradition and were in attendance together at the Ohio State game in Eugene earlier this season. I only wish their dad could have been there with them.
I can't say I wish for the Ducks to the win the natty, but if they do, I'll think of my dear Uncle John. I'll think about how happy he would be, and I'll be okay with it. Appreciate this chance to leave a little note about what he meant to me here. Love your writing -- keep it going.
I'm so thankful for pieces like this John. It keeps things in perspective!
This. Just this. I love this. This is what makes the world a brighter place. A tribute to people that are connected by the love of a team. Here’s to Walt & Beth Smith, Nathan Reid and his father Richard, and Charles Jones. Memories are precious and priceless. Thank you John, for this.
John, Thanks for "getting" it. Where sport fits into our lives, that we all share. Once again there are tear drops on my laptop. This is what really matters. Thanks, John for these reminders!
I was a classmate of Richard, sad to hear of his passing, but a great tribute by his son. Great column today!
It's all about the people. Thanks for continuing to remind us of that.
Another excellent article John! 👏
You have proven yourself beyond reasonable doubt that you’re not just a sportswriter, and all your human interest stories in my opinion is deeply profound.
Thank you for being a great guy and a storyteller.
Walt Smith was my junior year English teacher in '60-'61. While memory has faded a bit, i remember him as a friendly, interesting and fun teacher. Glad to hear he lived a full and productive life.
Small world: I know the Reid family. I did not know Richard who is a few years younger than me. They lived down the block and attended my grade school, junior high and high school. I know Tim Reid a bit. He was two years younger and would have been Richard's older brother. Their father was a veterinarian and I believe so was his grandfather (own Reid Veterinary Hospital). So sorry to hear about Richard's passing. My mom probably taught him to swim as she taught all the neighborhood kids to swim at our community pool. And yes, all of this is much more important than a fleeting national championship
❤️👍👌