Jim Reese, who has been writing for both CompuSports and Florida newspapers for ten years, recently published a book entitled, “Sports Stories-Old School.”

Jim, a former quarterback at the University of Minnesota and a past high school and college coach, reminisces about the times and people he has met in a fifty-five year journey through sporting fields, locker rooms and lives, ranging from his relationship with Vince Lombardi, to an unheralded second-stringer on a losing high school football team who was determined to play college football.

Jim’s book Sports Stories-Old School is available now in eBook and paperback format. His past articles can be found under the Inside the Hash Marks category, and his ebook How to Win at Flag Football is available here.

Below is one of the stories from his new book.

Webmaster’s Note: Last week we received Jim’s new book and could not put it down with out first scanning the titles and reading a number of stories. This story about Jim’s encounter with Tony Dungy validated the respect and admiration that many have developed over the years for Coach Dungy.

TONY DUNGY
by Jim Reese

I wanted to go to IHOP’s for dinner because I knew there was always a shot at seeing George Steinbrenner in the booth right behind the register. But my wife wanted to go to Chili’s because they have a more diversified menu.

So we compromised and went to Chili’s.

While being led to our booth by the hostess, my wife turned to me and said, “There’s Tony Dungy right there.” Now, one must realize Dungy is an icon here in Tampa, beloved by everyone as much for his winning a Super Bowl in Indianapolis as for putting together a winner here before he was ignominiously fired the year before the Bucs won it all with his players, a fact that coach Jon Gruden, to his credit, acknowledges.

Finding myself but a scant three-feet away from Tony, I was stricken with a sense of panic. I had no time to contemplate my move-I was too close. Almost as if by instinct, I made an athletic move to my right, stuck out my hand, looked the future Hall-of-Famer right in the eye, and said, “Hi, Coach, my name is Jim Reese.”

He looked at me rather defensively, affecting a visage of “Who is this guy?” but nonetheless offered his hand in exchange and said “Hello.”

It was then that I struck with my best offensive weapon, as neatly executed as a Peyton Manning pass to a speeding Marvin Harrison. I said, “Tony, you and I have something in common.”

He unenthusiastically said, “Oh, what’s that?”

“You and I are the only men living in the Tampa Bay area who were starting quarterbacks at the University of Minnesota”.

Well, that got him. He lit up. “When, when was that?” he asked excitedly. I said 1958 and told him that Murray Warmath, a great man, had been our coach. He said that he had seen Murray at a reunion last year and he seemed to be doing well. Coach Warmath turns ninety-five this year.

We discussed other Gophers from past years and he told me Bobby Cox had escorted him on his recruitment visit to the Twin Cities back in 1972. I averred as to how I played quarterback between the departure of Cox and the arrival of Sandy Stephens. I told him that Cox was a pre-season All-American and Sandy was a post-season All-American and I was assuredly neither.

I told him how I was happy to see that he had decided to coach at least one more year for the Colts-I said I’d much prefer it were here in Tampa and he chuckled.

His food was arriving-he was there with his son-and I began to leave. I told him how great it would be if we could get together for a cup of coffee when he is in town. He still lives here even though he coaches in Indiana. He said, “Here, Jim, let me give you my cell phone number.” Peggy quickly found a receipt from the drug store and he wrote his name and number on the back. I thanked him and we went to our table.

I have had the piece of paper laminated and it will remain in my wallet forever much like one keeps a yellowed news clipping recounting his first home run. I’ve run into Tony at subsequent football games and he has been equally as gracious.

I look forward to having that cup of coffee with Tony.