Let’s
play student, for a moment, and pretend we are in Dr. Kimmel’s class. Professor
Kimmel to answer your question “to be a real man “at what age or phase are you
referring since there are significant differences or variables that must be
addressed. For instance, as infants, the
only noticeable difference between the sexes is a penis. However, when I
interviewed Tom Curtis, Frank Gusich, Thom Darden, Jim Brandstatter, Fritz
Seyferth, Gary Moeller, Mike Keller, Jim Betts, and Reggie McKenzie, I got a
very different description of them when they talked about the year 1969, and
Michigan football compared to today.
In 1969, these testosterone driven men were
put through a series of unorthodox training and conditioning challenges by the
newly hired Coach Bo Schembechler. With high testosterone levels [aggressiveness,
ability to build muscle, bone strength etc.], these men pounded and beat up
each other in the boxing ring with conditioning drills like “slap and stomp.”
In one episode, of this drill, first string defensive end Cecil Pryor got
pissed off when a teammate hit him the wrong way. The physically aggressive
Pryor responded and knocked him out of the boxing ring. Quickly, Coach
Schembechler jumped into the same ring, and aggressively looked Cecil in the
face and retorted, “If you want to fight someone, fight me.” That got Reggie
McKenzie’s attention along with others and he then realized, that this man is
the boss and totally in charge.
Frank
Gusich told me that he thought to himself about how difficult and brutal the
conditioning and practicing sessions were. He believed that it would make him stronger
and that he would be able to excel in the fourth quarter of the football games
as a result of his excruciating ordeals. Reggie McKenzie learned that he had to
work his butt off despite all the sadistic and harsh swearing, he received from
Coach Schembechler. From that U of M experience, Reggie carried that to the
pros .He incorporated the idea that he had to physically and mentally destroy
his opponents. These young athletes needed all that testosterone to help them
release more aggression, dominance, coupled with the mental strength and
ability to tolerate mental and physical pain and injury. Expressions like “full
of piss and vinegar;” “sewing his oats;”
“boys will be boys;” and “he thinks with his little head not with his
big head” pertain to this age generation.
Today,
with less testosterone and injuries sustained from the brutal game of football,
we get a different picture of these men. Reggie McKenzie, a physically giant of
a man, was primarily responsible as a member of the Buffalo Bills for assisting
teammate OJ Simpson in breaking or smashing the NFL rushing record. In the
pros, head coach Chuck Knox referred to Reggie as the enforcer. Currently,
Reggie runs the Reggie McKenzie, Industrial Materials Incorporated. However,
Reggie’s physical aggressiveness is expressed when he hits a white golf ball.
He cannot run but he can slowly walk. My friend and teammate Ed Budde of
Michigan State and Kansas City Chief Fame during his playing days with a
dominant left guard on the Super Bowl winning Chiefs. Among other things, this
left guard helped protect quarterback Lenny Dawson’s blindside. Ed played 14
years and totaled the second most games in Kansas City Chief history. Ed’s
testosterone level remained high not only on the field, but off the field as
well with numerous brawls. He had a reputation. In fact, Hall of Fame Howie
Long for the Oakland Raiders told the story that after he broke Brad Budde’s
nose in the game, he was afraid that Brad’s father Ed was going to come after
him, and do him harm. Today, Ed can light up and smoke a good cigar and slowly walk
his dog. However, physically he is hurting.
So
young men in their 20s and 30s present one picture. I recently researched men
and women, age 65 and older, who were still physically, competitively competing
in sports. In my book “It Has Nothing to Do with Age,” I learned a lot about
Russ Kiernan, Jim Steere, Lew Hollander and Jack Sholl. Russ Kiernan, in his
late 70s is called the Dipsea legend. The Dipsea is the third oldest running
race in the United States behind only the Boston Marathon, and the Beta
Breakers. Dr. Jim Steere, at age 80, completed the Tevis Cup. He was the oldest
to complete this feat. The Tevis is the oldest 100 mile one day equestrian race
in our country. Dr. Lew Hollander at age 83, became the oldest to complete, the
Hawaiian Iron Man. Jack Sholl in his 80s was the ultimate rower and still
racing in international Masters Crew races. Although, their testosterone levels
have declined [Lew Hollander would like to be able to run the marathon distance
faster], their, motivation, competitiveness and mental toughness continue to
run strong. These men have also determined and made good health style choices. On top of that, these individuals
[outstanding females were also interviewed] have found meaning, passion,
inspiration, and have enriched their life greatly. They can and are able to
look to the future .None of these men are physically fighting with others
today.
These
men are not grumpy old men, like so many in their age group. We know that
because when individuals engage in diminished exercise, poor nutrition, smoking
and drinking in their lives, their health is nothing to brag about. In fact,
with poor health, men get to look forward to meds, doctor visits and death as a
result of heart disease, cancer, stroke, kidney disease, diabetes and more. The
future for these souls do not look great. Chances are they didn’t find meaning
or passion in their lives.
In
conclusion, professor Kimmel, the study of men has many variables. The starting
point or socioeconomic beginnings of parents; the physical and mental health of
the two parents; religion or faith; political environment; capitalistic
economics; physical and mental health; location reared in the United States;
rural or urban; educational level achieved; amount of stress; damage to brain and
the ratio of positive to negative lifestyle- health style decision and
choices made along the way. These factors determine at different phases or
different ages, “What it’s like to be a real man?” And professor, I would add
that these factors and variables also determine “What it is like to be a real
person?”
By the way, join us in Ann Arbor on September
17, from 6 to 8 PM for a book signing of Bo’s Warriors. Our event will be
hosted by Jim Betts, the newly elected president of Michigan Football
Association Network [MFAN] and Joe Sesi of Sesi Lincoln-Mercury. Wine and hors
d’oeuvres are on the menu.
Go Blue!
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