ShowIt Online Slide Show - Bruce Matthews HOF 2007This slide show honors Bruce Matthews and the two days of events. The 188 image slide show is large so be patient for the download.
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Name: Bruce Matthews
Position: Guard/tackle/center
Career: 1983-2001 Houston Oilers/Tennessee Oilers/Titans
Accomplishments: Played 19 seasons in the NFL. Played in more games (296) than any positional player in NFL history. Played at every position on line. Named to record-tying 14 consecutive Pro Bowls (nine at guard, five at center). All-Pro nine times.
Thank you Dave Samarzich for allowing me to photograph your event honoring Bruce Matthews, Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee. Photographing began on Friday with an Arcadia High School event where Bruce Matthews addressed the current Arcadia football team. Coach Salter, Bruce's former high school coach, was in attendance. Coach Salter was admired with Bruce's former teammates in the Arcadia High School gymnasium.
From the gym we traveled to a local "hang-out" called Taco Lita. It seemed everyone from the old team was present. I just bet that after practice most of the players made there way over to this place to eat and enjoy school buddies. We must have had 50 people inside this small establishment... lots of fun watching the reunion.
Mary and I had their tacos and got a large drink for our next adventure. Dave Samarzich arranged a golf tournament at the Santa Anita Golf Course with the guys from the old team, Class of 1979. I believe around 166 people participated in the tournament. The golf balls had nothing to worry about with these guys... the real victims were the beer cans.
Later than evening, the golfers enjoyed a sit-down dinner at the Santa Anita Golf Course in honor of Bruce Matthews. I was so impressed how Dave Samarzich pulled this entire day's event off. GREAT JOB DAVE!!!
On Saturday, Matthews' No. 74 Tennessee Titans jersey was be hung at the Arcadia Historical Museum in a private reception. Afterwards a program was arranged at the Arcadia Community Center with many big-name speakers on hand to honor Bruce Matthews. Following the private reception was a dinner attended by 355 paying customers, with the proceeds going to the Special Olympics.Among the notable speakers: Master of ceremonies Petros Papadakis, Steve Watterson, the Titans' strength and conditioning coach for 26 years, Hall of Famer Mike Munchak, who will present Matthews in Canton, Arcadia mayor Mickey Segal, former Arcadia principal Richard Cordano, former USC head coach John Robinson, Samarzich, and Hall of Fame linemen Ron Yary and Jackie Slater.
Sam Samarzich said it so well, "...Bruce Matthews does not need to be enshrined into the NFL Hall of Fame to define who he is, but the NFL Hall of Fame needs his enshrinement to define what it is and what it should represent."My Personal Thoughts:
My wife and I were touched by how humble Bruce is and how much he loves Jesus Christ. After hearing others and being around Bruce and friends, his life is a testament to the life changing power of God. Bruce's extended family has united around each other through many difficult, family struggles. Bruce is married and a father of seven children. Bruce's legacy off the field makes his legacy on the field even that much sweeter. Way to go Bruce... you have become Arcadia's Hometown hero and mine too!!! Thanks to everyone for allowing me to document the past two days with my camera. Please support the Special Olympics with your time or money. I was blessed to meet the football players of Arcadia high '79 and the NFL past and present.
One last thought goes out to coach Salter from Arcadia High School. Coach Salter was a coach of all coaches. He gave his entire career to molding the lives of young people, it was evident in the way his old players came back and gave him hugs. Coach Salter was a firm and demanding coach that gave hope and strength to boys needing to become men. As a teacher myself, I will reflect back on coach Salter throughout my upcoming years when times get tough. You inspired me to "keep the faith" and believe that my life will make a difference in young people like you did for Bruce, "Sam", and the thousands of others.
Feel free to leave a post for others to read about any of these pictures, event stories, past memories, or inspirational comments to Bruce, Dave, or others.
4 comments:
Bill - I LOVE this work - what a total blessing!!! It looked like the most fun in a long time and the body of images are just outstanding. I have this feeling that Bruce Matthews and the whole hometown gang will be so happy when they see the memories from this special day. You and Mary really covered it!! I especially love the detail shots/memories, the black and whites on the golf course and the "cigar shot" (classic - should be in a magazine) - Great job Bill and congratulations to Bruce Matthews!!! God Bless!! deb :)
Michael,
I love those photos you took. they are so exquisite with detail everywhere!!!
And the best thing about your pictures is that they are creative and fun to look at, and you wont get tired at looking at them a lot.
These pictures were INCREDIBLE....
Great feeling and they will help make this incredible reunion of sorts be long, long remembered.
AWESOME
What you documented will long be remembered not just because of the reunion of long time teammates but the images that you captured were legendary.
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