Omaha used to be known as “I-Back High” -

[Omaha Cowboy]

A very interesting and in depth piece written by Dirk Chatelain of the W-H. It parallels two stories emphasizing Omaha’s rich history of supplying quality High School football prospects to Division 1 colleges (mainly NU)..and once known as being a pipeline for quality running backs for NU football, why this “Omaha well” has seemingly run dry.. From the W-H piece:

“What happened to Omaha’s tradition of blue-chip, no-brainer, everybody-in-the-country-wants-him prep All-Americans?

Gale Sayers and Johnny Rodgers. Dave Rimington and Larry Station. Ahman Green and Eric Crouch. Where are those guys?

“Shoot, that’s a great question,” Omaha Creighton Prep coach Tim Johnk said. “Everybody talks about that. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anybody come up with a solution for why it has fallen off.””..

The complete story link-

https://www.omaha.com/huskers/plus/once ... 9a9d0.html

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Coyote]

Leodis Flowers , I haven't heard that name in years.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I had also forgotten the entire Barry Switzer/Leodis Flowers recruiting controversy in the mid 80’s..

A trip down memory lane for sure...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[bigredmed1]

Interesting topic.

Coaches blew off the local high schools and blew off recruiting kids who were not stars but could be a solid 3rd string position player and keep the team from having to play 1st and 2nd strings all day, so that they were still fresh in the 4th quarter.

Their blowing off of these kids meant Wyoming, SDSU, USD, NDSU, and the Iowa schools could sweep them up. Now the pipeline goes elsewhere.

Next, with the cost of school being so high and the overall unimpressive academic offerings at UNL, why play walk-on football when you could go to Wyoming or ISU on a scholarship?

Last, we have smaller families and families that are more aware of the long term risks of football, and have moved kids in to other sports. These sports have become very demanding, such that HS soccer is not happening for your kid if they aren't playing in a travel league outside of school and then getting some private coaching. This means that soccer or other sports have filled the menu and prevent the smaller number of boys entering HS each year from even going out for football.

[GrandpaaSmucker]

The inner city of Omaha has got to be 3 times rougher and tougher now then it was in the 70's, 80's or 90's. I imagine that would correlate somewhat to the odds being much greater that inner city youths end up in drugs and crime and dropping out instead of High School sports. That is the major leak in that pipeline truth be known. I will now await my inevitable thrashing from the PC crowd.

[Dundeemaha]

The inner city of Omaha has got to be 3 times rougher and tougher now then it was in the 70's, 80's or 90's. I imagine that would correlate somewhat to the odds being much greater that inner city youths end up in drugs and crime and dropping out instead of High School sports. That is the major leak in that pipeline truth be known. I will now await my inevitable thrashing from the PC crowd.

Not sure why you think anything is "rougher and tougher" now than during the 3 worst decades for crime in US history.

From 1991 to 2013, there were 743 homicides in the city Omaha. That’s an average of 34 each year.
455 out of the 743 homicides were in north Omaha (63%).

30 homicide victims in Omaha in 2017, a total on par with the 29 killings recorded in 2016

Clearly we're not making a ton of progress but it certainly doesn't seem 3 times worse.

[nebugeater]

The inner city of Omaha has got to be 3 times rougher and tougher now then it was in the 70's, 80's or 90's. I imagine that would correlate somewhat to the odds being much greater that inner city youths end up in drugs and crime and dropping out instead of High School sports. That is the major leak in that pipeline truth be known. I will now await my inevitable thrashing from the PC crowd.

Not sure why you think anything is "rougher and tougher" now than during the 3 worst decades for crime in US history.

From 1991 to 2013, there were 743 homicides in the city Omaha. That’s an average of 34 each year.
455 out of the 743 homicides were in north Omaha (63%).

30 homicide victims in Omaha in 2017, a total on par with the 29 killings recorded in 2016

Clearly we're not making a ton of progress but it certainly doesn't seem 3 times worse.

Need to take population into account to compare the time periods.

[Omaha Cowboy]

An off topic comment about Omaha homicides- The 2016 and 2017 totals were after a record 50 homicides were recorded in 2015. This years total thus far is 18..and it could have been far worse than that because thankfully, the uptick in shootings since June have not been as lethal (non life threatening wounds)..

In any case, relating to the topic and article- Another thing I found interesting was the comment by one of the local football coaches- that in years past, it was common to see kids playing football in the neighborhood fields/yards etc (I can say for me as a kid, growing up in Omaha in the 1970’s, I ALWAYS played pick up games of football).. But today, we don’t see nearly as much of this. It appears many kids are making basketball (or to a lesser extent Soccer) their sport of choice..and the multi sport high school athlete is far less common today...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Uffda]

Nebraska high schoolers are turning away from football and embracing ... cross country?


In 2017, Auburn had 27 boys running hills in the fall, just two fewer than the football roster. The Bulldogs represent why cross country has been Nebraska’s fastest-growing high school boys sport the past decade. It’s now fifth-most popular, leaping soccer and golf over the past decade.

Since 2006, high school football participation has dropped from 14,452 to 12,038 — a 17 percent decrease. During the same period, cross country participation has jumped from 2,427 to 3,374 — a 39 percent increase. Nearly half of football’s losses have gone to cross country.



https://www.omaha.com/huskers/plus/nebr ... 2426e.html

[bigredmed1]

Nebraska high schoolers are turning away from football and embracing ... cross country?


In 2017, Auburn had 27 boys running hills in the fall, just two fewer than the football roster. The Bulldogs represent why cross country has been Nebraska’s fastest-growing high school boys sport the past decade. It’s now fifth-most popular, leaping soccer and golf over the past decade.

Since 2006, high school football participation has dropped from 14,452 to 12,038 — a 17 percent decrease. During the same period, cross country participation has jumped from 2,427 to 3,374 — a 39 percent increase. Nearly half of football’s losses have gone to cross country.



https://www.omaha.com/huskers/plus/nebr ... 2426e.html

You might have to pay for knee or ankle surgery, but you won’t be dealing with a kid who has closed head trauma. All sizes can play and it is a life long sport that is healthy and doable without lots of other guys and equipment.

I wonder about hockey and lacrosse’s combined impact.

I treat boys with hemophilia. In the 90’s I would have dad’s react like their kid had a terminal illness when I told him no football. Now, it’s a shrug at best. I wonder if we are seeing a culture change?

[Greg S]

I always associated the nickname I Back High with Central, not Omaha in general.

Greg

[Omaha Cowboy]

I always associated the nickname I Back High with Central, not Omaha in general.

Greg

Certainly Central High has supplied multiple i-backs for NU football’s past. No question about that. But it’s not limited to Central..

For example- Clinton Childs- Omaha North, Damon Benning- Omaha Northwest, Ken Clark- Omaha Bryan, George Achola- Omaha Creighton Prep, Phil Bates- Omaha Burke.. You could even say Omaha Tech High’s Johnny Rodgers (who played mostly wing back at NU), also lined up in the backfield as an i-back from time to time.. There are other examples, but these are the ones I remember off the top of my head...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Greg S]

I always associated the nickname I Back High with Central, not Omaha in general.

Greg

Certainly Central High has supplied multiple i-backs for NU football’s past. No question about that. But it’s not limited to Central..

For example- Clinton Childs- Omaha North, Damon Benning- Omaha Northwest, Ken Clark- Omaha Bryan, George Achola- Omaha Creighton Prep, Phil Bates- Omaha Burke.. You could even say Omaha Tech High’s Johnny Rodgers (who played mostly wing back at NU), also lined up in the backfield as an i-back from time to time.. There are other examples, but these are the ones I remember off the top of my head...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Yeah there was definitely talent at other schools in Omaha but I had just never heard that term for the city until this article. I've only heard it used for Central, one because of the number that came through there and two because they ran the I formation with those backs.

Greg

[Coyote]

This would go along with the idea of recruiting local talent, which has been a big topic lately.
Nebraska can build a certain type of talent. Back when NU ran a certain offense, every HS ran that offense,
Then Nebraska thought Solich was boring and brought in coaches that ran offenses that were exciting but didn't fit the local talent, so that local talent went elsewhere. Nebraska dreamed of California/Texas/Florida 5 stars and shot their own feet.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I always associated the nickname I Back High with Central, not Omaha in general.

Greg

Certainly Central High has supplied multiple i-backs for NU football’s past. No question about that. But it’s not limited to Central..

For example- Clinton Childs- Omaha North, Damon Benning- Omaha Northwest, Ken Clark- Omaha Bryan, George Achola- Omaha Creighton Prep, Phil Bates- Omaha Burke.. You could even say Omaha Tech High’s Johnny Rodgers (who played mostly wing back at NU), also lined up in the backfield as an i-back from time to time.. There are other examples, but these are the ones I remember off the top of my head...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Yeah there was definitely talent at other schools in Omaha but I had just never heard that term for the city until this article. I've only heard it used for Central, one because of the number that came through there and two because they ran the I formation with those backs.

Greg

It’s always amazed me, the number of quality running backs Central High has produced over the years. Extremely impressive array of high quality prospects..

Regarding the W-H piece, the other area that raised my eyebrows was the commentary that the number of young men playing High School football in the state is decreasing.. and perhaps in favor of basketball and soccer..

Just from my own “eye test”, I certainly don’t see any kids outside playing a pick up game of even touch football anymore.. As I stated before, when I was growing up, weather and time permitting, I played football a lot of the time (along with pick up basketball). Certainly things have changed in this regard over the years...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[bigredmed1]

It’s always amazed me, the number of quality running backs Central High has produced over the years. Extremely impressive array of high quality prospects..

Regarding the W-H piece, the other area that raised my eyebrows was the commentary that the number of young men playing High School football in the state is decreasing.. and perhaps in favor of basketball and soccer..

Just from my own “eye test”, I certainly don’t see any kids outside playing a pick up game of even touch football anymore.. As I stated before, when I was growing up, weather and time permitting, I played football a lot of the time (along with pick up basketball). Certainly things have changed in this regard over the years...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

As I mentioned earlier, the reaction to no football from my hemophilia dad’s used to be a sense of hopelessness. Now, it’s barely a shrug. We see a growing message in sports medicine that football isn’t really a good idea (same with girl’s soccer). The concussion and repetitive head trauma risk for both is not getting better. With the need to be a year round player to even get onto a team for many of the sports that used to be just a part of a high school sports career, the kids just don’t have the time to play a full time sport like football if they are busy with their track club or soccer club and their private coaches.

I look for football to drop in national relevance significantly over the next 20 years.

[Omaha Cowboy]

It’s always amazed me, the number of quality running backs Central High has produced over the years. Extremely impressive array of high quality prospects..

Regarding the W-H piece, the other area that raised my eyebrows was the commentary that the number of young men playing High School football in the state is decreasing.. and perhaps in favor of basketball and soccer..

Just from my own “eye test”, I certainly don’t see any kids outside playing a pick up game of even touch football anymore.. As I stated before, when I was growing up, weather and time permitting, I played football a lot of the time (along with pick up basketball). Certainly things have changed in this regard over the years...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

I look for football to drop in national relevance significantly over the next 20 years.

I’m going to say- Not Likely.. As the NFL, by FAR, is the most popular spectator sport in the United States..followed closely by College Football..

But time will tell...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Busguy2010]

It’s always amazed me, the number of quality running backs Central High has produced over the years. Extremely impressive array of high quality prospects..

Regarding the W-H piece, the other area that raised my eyebrows was the commentary that the number of young men playing High School football in the state is decreasing.. and perhaps in favor of basketball and soccer..

Just from my own “eye test”, I certainly don’t see any kids outside playing a pick up game of even touch football anymore.. As I stated before, when I was growing up, weather and time permitting, I played football a lot of the time (along with pick up basketball). Certainly things have changed in this regard over the years...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

I look for football to drop in national relevance significantly over the next 20 years.

I’m going to say- Not Likely.. As the NFL, by FAR, is the most popular spectator sport in the United States..followed closely by College Football..

But time will tell...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Usually people keep playing football because they LOVE playing the game. Now, I think as a parent, it is just as wrong to push a kid who doesn't want to play, as it is to not even allow them the opportunity. I grew up not allowed the opportunity to play and now I do feel like a part of me is unfulfilled. I think I would have been a baller, but I'll never know. But anyway, you only need something around a thousand players to keep the NFL churning and it would be practically impossible not to find a group of 1,000 men more than happy to play football for money. However, I do think the group of parents with whom football doesn't even cross the mind is growing. So in that respect, I guess football could deflate some, but I don't think it'll ever get to a point that the sport dwindles in relevance.

[bigredmed1]

Consider how 5-10 years ago, the husker sell out was manifested by a packed stadium. Now, you routinely see large parts of the stadium that are “sold out, but empty.
And recall that the waitlist for season tickets is gone.

You have the fans who quit watching the NFL last year and at Super Bowl time talked about the number of things they did instead and how much money they saved by not watching the NFL.

Give someone a reason to find something else to do and that will be new thing and football will be the schedule breaker.

[Omaha Cowboy]

The Memorial Stadium “empty seat” condrumdom has been solved, for the time being, with the Scott Frost hire. It’s doubtful we’ll see empty seats at an NU sellout for several years to come..

As it relates to the NFL, last season many fans were soured over the players “kneeling for the anthem” debacle.. I sense that won’t be as much of an issue this year and the NFL should benefit from higher attendance and TV ratings.. Remember, we’re talking about the clear #1 popular spectator sport in the United States...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Coyote]

Pro Football Hall of Famer with Omaha roots Gale Sayers honored with statue



Gale Sayers, the youngest person ever inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, is revered as one of the best running backs in history.

[Coyote]

Gale Sayers statue to be unveiled at Central High School

The Central High School Foundation and alumni plan to honor Pro Football Hall of Famer and Omaha Central grad Gale Sayers later this month.

[Greg S]

Central's alumni association is selling shirts for this:

https://www.omahacentralalumni.com/shop/


Greg

[Coyote]

Omaha high school unveils statue honoring Gale Sayers

In front of a large crowd of family, friends, faculty, current students and alumni, a Gale Sayers statue was unveiled Friday evening. The statue sits right outside the entrance of Central High's Seemann Stadium. Sayers, the former Chicago Bears star and youngest person ever inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was a member of Central High's class of 1961.

[Coyote]

Omaha Central unveils statue of Gale Sayers

Omaha Central unveils statue of alum and NFL hall of famer Gale Sayers

[Coyote]

Hall of Famer Gale Sayers to be honored with North Omaha street sign



Gale Sayers will no longer be just a household name in Omaha. Nearly three years after his passing, his name is going on a street sign near where he grew up. Tuesday, the Omaha City Council voted unanimously to commemoratively rename Pinkney Street near Kountze Park in North Omaha from 24th Street to Florence Boulevard.

Sayers attended Lothrop Elementary School and played in the Kountze Park area just a couple blocks east. His older brother, Roger, believes if kids see Gale’s name on a street sign right near where they went to school, they’ll get inspired. “It’s a reminder that they can accomplish the same things that he did,” said Roger.