Another Friend Gone

I have been kicking around this world in sports radio and TV since 1971.  Along the way I have crossed paths with many a person in the radio and TV business.  I spent 18 months in Roanoke Rapids when a group of Ahoskie Business men opened a radio station there in 1974,  Working in radio or any media organization it is much like a fireman, policeman that your job gets in your blood and it will be there for ever.  I like so many others have had a hard time escaping the haunting of radio, TV even after I quit full time and I have continued part time in sports announcing or anything related to it.

It was 1974 and as we were about to put WPTM on the air a gentleman who was a supervisor at J P Stevenson 3rd shift was hanging around wanting to be a salesman part time.  His name was Earl Telliga.  Long after the Stevens plants shut down Earl has been in radio.  1989 I had a sales job where I set my own appointments and from 6am to 10 everyday I was the Morning man on the Murfreesboro FM station and after I got off went and sold my goods unrelated to radio.  When I left the radio job Earl Telliga took my place in Murfreesboro and he has been there ever since. Near 1999 he became station manager and morning man until the day he died.

I have done over the years several games on the radio from the football field in Roanoke Rapids.  The first time I ever did a game on radio I sat beside their PA announcer.  That guys name was Earl Telliga.  43 years he did Roanoke Rapids PA and never missed one game.  I have been doing games both on radio, TV and PA and I have missed several games for some reason over the years.

Last weekend Earl passed from this world after he learned in the summer of 2015 he had Colon Cancer.  He worked the morning show right to the end.  The older I get my friends keep leaving this earth and another one has gone to the press box in the sky.  Earl was 78.  He had started in radio at the age of 16 working at WCBT radio in Roanoke Rapids  and gets 62 years credit in the business.  If I ever do another game from the press box in Roanoke Rapids it will not be the same hearing that nasally voice no longer.  So Long good friend.

Today my children are giving me a Christmas present as we are going to Charlotte to see the Carolina Panthers play the San Diego Chargers.  I  follow the Chargers because of Philip Rivers.  If I can make any kind of personal link with any professional I follow them closely.  Once Rivers retires I will not care one thing about the Chargers but this is only the second time San Diego has played in Charlotte since Rivers began playing professional football.

That was 2004 his rookie year and he never got off the bench as the third string quarterback.  I was there when they opened the gates and during warm ups he and second string quarterback Doug Flutie played a game.  Each stood on the 40 yard line and threw 10 balls aiming to hit the cross bar on the goal post.  Flutie not all that big of a player had to take a running start to fling the ball 50 yards never hit the cross bar once while Philip smacked it four  times standing rather flat footed.  Of course that made my day just seeing him do that and the Panthers won the game 17-7.  I will be in Wolfpack Red hoping that Philip goes 30-35 510 yards and 5 touchdowns and no interceptions .  I don't care if they lose I want Philip to have a great day since this will be the first time I have seen him play in person since N C State.

Is it time to go yet?