Yo it’s my turn, I demand my respect. Give me my burn, or get slammed in your neck. ‘Cause it’s my turn, I’ma reach to the top. Gimme my burn, I’ma speak with the glock. -Big Pun
Public Service Announcement: Ok, here we go! What’s quack-a-lacking sports fans? Word has it, the Pittsburgh Steelers are shutting down Big Ben Roethlisberger. Word has it, after a knee to the head late in the Steelers’ overtime loss to the Chiefs last Sunday, Big Ben has been experiencing “exercise induced headaches.” With Charlie Batch now out anywhere from two to six weeks with a broken left wrist, that can only mean one thing. That can only mean the starting spot will be taken by former Oregon option quarterback Dennis Dixon. Hooray Dennis Dixon. I’ve always loved this cat. Top Cat! The indisputable leader of the gang. He’s the boss, he’s a pip, he’s the championship. He’s the most tip top, Top Cat.
I’ve always thought Dennis Dixon deserved the Heisman. I’m not saying Tim Tebow was not deserving. I’m not saying he was not a good football player. Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound! All those touchdowns. I get it. I’m just saying there was someone better. She dreams in color, she dreams in red, can’t find a better man. Can’t find a better man.
I’m just saying there was someone who never got a chance. I ain’t ever gonna get a chance to fight the best there is. And you know somethin’, I’m better than him. I ain’t never gonna get a chance. Dennis Dixon was better. Dennis Dixon never got a chance. Dennis Dixon never got a chance because he got hurt. Dennis Dixon got hurt because of a poor decision by his coach to start him on a banged up knee. Start him on a banged up knee against an unranked team. Dennis Dixon banged up his knee after single-handedly carrying his Oregon Ducks into the heart of the national title race. Dennis Dixon singhandedly carried Oregon into the heart of the national title race by throwing four touchdown passes in three quarters against then undefeated Arizona State.
At the time, it was Oregon’s second consecutive victory over a Top 10 team. At the time, Dennis Dixon was the best player in college football. At the time, he reminded me of another Heisman winner, Charlie Ward, who reminded me of another Heisman winner, Doug Flutie. Those guys could run. Those guys could throw. Those guys could lead. And most importantly, those guys could win.
Oregon had started the season unranked. Oregon was picked to finish sixth in the Pac-10. Behind Dixon, all that changed. Behind Dixon, Oregon rose to number two in the nation. On top of the world looking down on creation. More fun that 101 Dalmatians. Behind Dixon, Oregon was a 45-point per game scoring machine. Behind Dixon, Oregon smashed Michigan. Behind Dixon, Oregon manhandled USC. Behind Dixon, Oregon looked like one of the two best teams in the country. Behind Dixon, Oregon looked like a more than deserving opponent for LSU in the National Title Game.
In week one, Dixon rumbled, bumbled and stumbled for 141 yards rushing. The most ever by an Oregon quarterback. Quack! The following week against Michigan, Dixon threw for three TDs and ran for another. Generated 368 yards of total offense. Named Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Week. Named USA Today National Player of the Week. Quack, quack! All tolled, Dixon completed 67.7 percent of his passes for 2,136 yards, 20 touchdowns and four interceptions. Yowza! All tolled, Dixon ran for 583 yards and nine touchdowns. All tolled, Oregon was 8-1 and Number Two in the countrywith Dixon. But then, without even being touched, Dixon’s left knee crumbled.
One minute, against Arizona, Oregon was leading, 8-7. One minute, against Arizona, Dixon was ripping off one breathtaking run after another. One deathtaking run after another. One crystalmethtaking run after another. One minute, against Arizona, Dixon was well on his way to a breakout-performance, live on national television. A Heisman winning performance, live on national television. The next minute his knee crumbled as he tried to plant on an option carry. Down goes Dixon! Down goes Oregon! Down goes the Heisman! Yes, Tim Tebow won the award, but we all know who the best football player in the nation was. We all know it was Dennis Dixon.
Public Spectacle:
Peace out homies. Six two and Even!
Need More? Ben Roethlisberger, Dennis Dixon, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers
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