09/06/23 Andy’s not smiling….But Toov is! – Radically Rational

09/06/23 Andy’s not smiling….But Toov is!

I’ve never before seen Andy Reid this tight and testy. Oh, I understand why. He knows his team can’t get back to the Super Bowl without holdout defensive lineman Chris Jones. Joe Burrow, for example, would destroy a Jones-less Chiefs D. And now there’s fear that his offense’s go-to guy, Travis Kelce, may miss at least Thursday’s opener against the Lions—if not a longer stretch—after suffering what was described as a “hyperextended” knee in Tuesday’s practice. For now, the Chiefs say they think Kelce’s ACL is intact. Let’s hope that’s more than wishful thinking.

Look, I’m as caught up in this Detroit Lions thing as the next guy. But until yesterday, I didn’t think they had much of a chance at Arrowhead. Now I’m much less sure.

The bi-polar Astros have clearly re-entered their manic phase. After getting swept by the Yankees, Houston is now giving the Texas Rangers a complex. Through the first third of Tuesday night’s game in Arlington, Jose Altuve was averaging a homer per inning. Yep. Dingers in the first, second and third innings. If you’re scoring at home, Toov hit homers in four straight plate appearances in four straight innings dating back to Monday. That’s also five homers in six plate appearances for Jose. Astros 14, Rangers 1. Remember, it was just a week ago that Altuve hit for the cycle.

Oh, and at least for the moment, make that the “American League West leading Houston Astros.”

TCU linebacker Johnny Hodges says that his team is currently “the laughingstock of college football.” That’s a little harsh, in my view, but there is no doubt that Horned Frog coach Sonny Dykes is gonna have a hard time putting Humpty-Dumpty back together again. See, there was that 65-7 flogging that Georgia hung on the Frogs in last season’s CFP Championship game, followed by Saturday’s 2023 season-opening home loss to Colorado, a roster composed of guys who just met each other about ten minutes ago. The Frogs are already hearing another F-word: Frauds. Understand, I don’t feel that way quite yet. But if TCU loses its next game a week from Saturday at Houston…

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Paul's Bio

I clearly have the attention span of your median fruit fly.Look! Airplane!

Sorry. I’m back.

It’s both a curse and a blessing. I’ve never bought this stuff about, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” But I do think that a wide range of life experiences helps us grow as people, and helps us better relate to other people. I’ve been fortunate. And I am beyond grateful.

I show up on time. I go like hell. I’m a good listener. I hold myself accountable. I own my mistakes. And I have a natural and an insatiable curiosity. I’m never afraid to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t. But then I try to find out.

The flip side is I’m a lousy ballroom dancer and my clothes sometimes fit me funny.

Stuff matters to me. I care. But while I take that stuff seriously, I try hard to never take myself seriously. As a result, I have sometimes been told, “Paul, it’s hard to tell when you’re serious and when you’re just having some fun. Which is it? Serious or fun?”

My answer is “yes.” But I think that is a legitimate criticism. I promise I’m going to work on that.

This has been the quickest and strangest half-century I’ve ever experienced. During that period, I’ve been afforded amazing opportunities in news and sports journalism across all platforms. I have taught wonderful students at the high school and collegiate level. Always, I learned more from them than they did from me. I’ve been a high school administrator. I spent ten seasons as a high school varsity football coach. I’ve been an advertising executive. I’ve hosted nationally syndicated television entertainment shows. In maybe the biggest honor I ever received, I was selected by NASA to be “Chet The Astronaut” for the “Land The Shuttle” simulator at Space Center Houston. (All I can say there, is “Do as I say, not as I do.” I put that thing in the Everglades more often than not.) Most recently, I just wrapped up a decade as a television news director, during which time our teams distinguished themselves in holding the powerful accountable, achieving both critical and ratings success.

What does all that mean? It means I am profoundly grateful. It also means I’m ready for “next.” So here we are. Radically Rational. It’s an idea I woke up with in 2017. I scribbled “Radically Rational” on a piece of notebook paper and used a magnet to stick it on our refrigerator. I saw it every day, and it just would not leave me alone.

I am second in charge at Radically Rational, LLC. My wife, Jo (also known as BB), is the president. Clearly, I have failed in my attempt to sleep my way to the top of this organization.

I hope you will learn that I’m loyal as a Labrador. But I will admit that this doggie can bite every now and then. My promise to you? I will show up on time. I will go like hell. I will listen to you earnestly and attentively. I will hold myself accountable. I will never be the least bit hesitant to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t.

But then I’ll try to find out. Let’s do it.