A Few Good Men

If you ever find yourself looking for a few good men then there are three names that I would like to submit for your consideration:

Eddie Dunn

Bennie Blades

Steve Walsh 

Last Friday, these three Hurricane legends were inducted into the University of Miami Ring of Honor, and by anyone's definition or criteria, they are a few good men.

The Ring of Honor was established during the 1997 season as a way to recognize the outstanding players that have played for the Hurricane football program.  A total of 16 players have been inducted into the Ring of Honor, with the first class being selected in 1997, and subsequent classes in 1999 and 2008.  The three players chosen in 2009 comprise the fourth class of players to be inducted into this illustrious group.

The event, which was absolutely top shelf in every aspect, was held at the Four Seasons Hotel on Brickell Avenue in Miami.  Canespace was on hand to capture this prestigious gathering of Hurricane players and fans that was coordinated and sponsored by the UM Hurricane Club.  We met Amy Ferguson, the UM Assistant Athletic Director for Development, who was on hand to help make sure everything went according to plan. 

As a Hurricane fan and Hurricane Club member I have to say that this is a rare and special event that must be attended if possible.  We met UM Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt who welcomed everyone to the event, and WQAM radio personalities Joe Zagacki and Don Bailey Jr. who introduced the players and recounted the inductees' many accomplishments while playing at Miami.

At the event I was able to take photos and record the following quotes from Blades, Walsh and Gary Dunn (seen above) who accepted the honor for his father, Eddie Dunn, who passed away in 1980 at the age of 64.  Gary also played football at Miami from 1973-75 and went on to play 11 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers where he won two Super Bowl rings.

Here are some quotes from former UM Safety Bennie Blades' (1985-87) acceptance speech: 

"I never thought I would have the opportunity to stand before you today and receive such an honor.  I want to thank the University of Miami for taking a chance on some kid from Fort Lauderdale and giving me the opportunity to play football at Miami."  

"I also want to thank my brother Brian (who played WR at UM) who inspired me.  He gave me support and encouragment.  I would never have made it without Brian.  You see, I really wasn't the most talented athlete in the family, that was Brian.  "My parents even joked with me: "Now Bennie, now you might not make it as an athlete" [pause for laughter], but one thing they always did say was: "You better focus on your academics if you want a chance to play."

"I also want to thank my family.  Whenever the Miami game is on, they know not to say anything to me because I take it so seriously.  I have broken remote controls (throwing them), TVs and furniture from being so upset if UM is losing [more laughter].  They put up with me all these years so I want to thank them."

"I remember when I was playing ball at UM my teammate, Jerome Brown would always get me in a headlock in practice and tell me that during games I better make a play.  You see Jerome was a player who didn't want to stay on the field too long.  The whole defense wanted to get off the field quickly, but Jerome especially.  He would get me in a headlock and tell me: "Bennie, you better make a hit or get an interception and get us off this field."  Jerome was a big guy, so I tried to listen to him!"

"My grand kids think I'm old.  I'm only 43 but they think that's old.  They think there's no way I could have ever played football.  But now with my name up there on the stadium they will know that I did play some ball.  I can just point to it up there and say: That's me right up there.  You see I could play."

"I just want to say that wherever I go, I will always be a part of this U."

Quotes from Gary Dunn's acceptance speech on behalf of his father, former UM Running Back, Head Football Coach, Head Baseball Coach and Athletic Director, the late Eddie Dunn (1935-39):

"When Randy Shannon called me to tell me that my Dad was selected to be in the Ring of Honor, I told him to shut up. [pause for laughter]  No seriously I did.  I thought it was one of my friends trying to pull my leg.  He told me like four times before I finally said: It really is you Coach!"

"The first time my Dad played in a game (at UM), the first time he touched the ball on a kickoff return he scored a TD.  The next time he touched the ball as a running back he scored a TD.  Later in the game he threw a TD! That's how talented he was; he was a great, great player."

"In 1938 he played in the first ever game against the Gators.  For 10 years they wouldn't schedule Miami.  My Dad used to call them "The Damn Gator".  Anyway, he scored all three touchdowns in the game that Miami won.  Dad always hated The Damn Gator."

"My Dad was my toughest critic.  He would watch the games or film and break down what you did wrong.  He would always criticize me if I missed a tackle.  He used to tell me that he never missed a tackle during his entire career.  One year when the 1938 reunion team got together they played a highlight film of one of their old games.  And I saw him playing and I saw him miss a tackle (Dunn also played some defensive back at UM).  So I asked him: I thought you said you NEVER missed a tackle?  He looked me straight in the eye and said just as serious as he could:  "That's the ONLY one I ever missed". [loud laughter]

"My Dad was a true leader.  He taught me little things like you should always run onto and off of the football field, you never walk on the football field.  He fought for the orange, green and white.  He always said to me: "Love the U, lift up those that follow U."  My Dad was all about The U." 

Quotes from former UM QB Steve Walsh's (1985-88) acceptance speech:

"Before I get started just let me say that the camaradarie here at Miami is unbelievable.  During my highlight film (they played before the players took the podium) Bernie Kosar was ripping me because they showed a screen pass.  Kosar said:  "That's your highlight film?  Is that the best you got?" [loud laughter]

"Talking about Bernie he inspired me in two ways.  The first time he inspired me was when I saw the UM vs Boston College game in 1984.  Even though Miami didn't win the game it was the passing attack and display of talent that day that made my mind up for me.  I said to myself: I want to go to a school that throws the ball like that." 

"The second time he inspired me was when I came to Miami on my recruiting visit.  I mean it didn't take much coming from Minnesota during the Winter with snow on the ground to convince me that Miami was for me. [laughter]   But I went to eat with Bernie and he showed me his National Championship ring.  I said to myself right then: I have to get me one of those!"

"I want to thank my high school coach up in Minnesota.  Not many schools go to Minnesota to recruit QBs, but my coach had a relationship with (UM QB Coach) Marc Trestman and that's how I got noticed and recruited to Miami.  I also want to thank Georg Mira Jr. who spent time watching me during and after practice.  He would always give me advice and tips on things technique wise that helped me.  He was very intsrumental to my development."

"When I enrolled at UM I became friends with Kenny Calhoun who tipped the pass that won the first National Championship in 1983.  He was the GA (Graduate Assistant) at the time and he would always tell me at practice and in the film room: "Throw it here, don't throw it there".   He was very helpful in my development and gave me the confidence that I could play at this level."

"Gary Stevens is another coach who played a big role in my development.  We would sit in offensive team meetings and it would be like a fire drill!  Vinny Testaverde was the starter when I arrived at UM and Gary would pepper him with a thousand questions: "What coverage are they in?  Where is the weakness?  Where do we want to throw the ball?"  I was overwhelmed, but Vinny would answer all the questions and that's how I learned how to be a QB." 

"As you know Jimmy Johnson was our coach at the time and he led the team.  He got all of the egos out of the way and started the whole "Big T, little me" slogan.  He always emphasized the team and he brought accountability to all of the players.  Jimmy was always known as a great motivator and the biggest thing that motivated me was that I didn't want to let my teammates down.  Compete, compete, compete.  Jimmy always drove that home."

Three good men.  Many more to follow...

Comments

[solarcane]

So seven games in, based on teams performance so far, not pre season rank, have we played the toughest schedule in the country?

peace

[fran]

OUT till end of Magic game at least we in central Fl have a contender in the NBA. Nice to have Vince Carter back home.

[Sebastian]

Fran-
Did you ever get a chance to see him play in high school at Mainland?

[SOUP]

Any word on Ocalacane we miss him & hope everything is ok with him and the Mrs.

Posted by: fran | October 28, 2009 at 05:48 PM

Ocala is FINE! I talk to him weekly.

It's just that his business (investments, insurance, annuities) is dead in the water right now and has hit him hard financially. He and his family are fine, they are just being conservative with how they spend their cash flow. Discretionary spending is limited.

[SOUP]

If we had beaten Clemson, we would still be talking about a shot at the National Championship and a top 5 finish.

After losing, we are talking a decent bowl game and a top 20 finish.

What a difference a week makes...POUT

[Sebastian]

Top 12 after the regular season(10-2)

Then if they can hold up their end of it it will be

Miami v. Notre Shame

A nice top 10 finish to what was going to be an uncertain season

At least this is the thought that made me U-Turn before I reached the Skyway Bridge

[phillyscott]

111

[mr troutman]

I

[Hurriphin]

Hurriphin........

[SOUP]

At least this is the thought that made me U-Turn before I reached the Skyway Bridge

Posted by: Sebastian | October 28, 2009 at 07:00 PM

Put down the keys and step away for the car.

The season is long and the bridge is high.

Let things play out before U decide to jum.........

[Hurriphin]

This has probaly been mentioned a couple times over the past couple days, but does anybody else think that Coach should've just told the media/press to go jump off of a cliff, rather than tell a baldface lie about the whole blown T.O. deal?
Randy seems to need to keep everything black & white.

[JSQ]

The season is long and the bridge is high.

Let things play out before U decide to jum.........

Posted by: SOUP | October 28, 2009 at 07:03 PM

Good advice, 86. Almost sounds like you have talked people out of taking their own lives post-Clemson loss before.

[mr troutman]

WILL ANY MIAMI SPORTS TEAM DO SOMETHING BIG FOR THE CITY. WHO WILL STEP UP THIS YEAR...WILL THE CANES, HEAT , DOLPHINS OR MARLINS BRING US THE NEXT CHAMPIONSHIP....

ONE MORE THING WHYT DO THE HEAT, MARLINS AND DOLPHINS NEVER SEEM TO GET PLAYMAKERS OR MORE SUPER STARS ON THEIR TEAMS...THEY ALWATYS SEEM TO GET CONSERVATIVE WHEN IT COMES TO DIFFERENCE MAKERS...WHY IS THAT????

[Hurriphin]

I mean, he might not care about his credibility in the eyes of others (and he shouldn't have to) but it does matter to recruits, and their parents.
If a kid and his family take notice of this type thing, and then veer away from UM, is it really fair to just write it off as "Oh well, if he didn't come here, he wasn't UM material anyways?"

[miamimike01]

Yea, I admit, I am a 47 year old man hooked like an addict on crack to our CANES!

Posted by: canesteeler | October 28, 2009 at 05:27 PM

Hi, I'm 86Cane, and I'm an addict too.

Posted by: SOUP | October 28, 2009 at 05:34 PM

Hi, I'm Mike, and I'm and al...

... Canespaceaholic!

[SOUP]

Good advice, 86. Almost sounds like you have talked people out of taking their own lives post-Clemson loss before.

Posted by: JSQ | October 28, 2009 at 07:14 PM

I have JSQ, I have.

It took every skill I ever learned, but I was successful at talking my most severe client off of the ledge.

No names: CONFIDENTIAL.

[SOUP]

Hi, I'm Mike, and I'm and al...

... Canespaceaholic!

Posted by: miamimike01 | October 28, 2009 at 07:18 PM

Thanks sharing, brother, we are here for U!

[Hurriphin]

.

[RandyCane]

RandyCane, and yes I'm an addict. Canes football, I gotta have it no matter what. I need my fix everyday several times a day. Can't get nothinin done until 3:30 Sqaturday, hopefully I can make it until then. Canes, Canes, Canes, Canes

[RandyCane]

Sqaturday a new day in the week , now eight days long.

[RandyCane]

A very interesting article on Ring of Honor, who from the current players makes it to the Ring of Honor? Spence, Harris, Johnson, Ray Ray? who?

[mi@mic@ne]

I have A BIG U addiction. I will admit i have turned the games off in the 4th q in the last few yrs cause the euphoria turned to be too much of a downer for me to handle... but this yr i have this suspicion that they are going to bring back that high... its just a matter of time... i cant wait... pleassssssseeee dont make me wait toooo long... i might cry.

[mr troutman]

http://miami.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=986369

THIS IS ON LIVE NOW...GOOD STUFF!

[mr troutman]

THEY ARE SAYING SOME GOOD STUFF RIGHT NOW..TUNE IN

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

I just watched the highlights again and I think we're all overreacting. We played horribly and still should've won. Whipple's playcalling at the end of the game made sense either way because we had success with both throughout the game.

We should run Wake out of the park.

[1SG]

Who is this unnamed Miami official that confirmed the head coach is lying about the conversation with coach Whipple? Why should I believe it?

[solarcane]

We should run Wake out of the park.
Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | October 28, 2009 at 07:52 PM

when it gets to we WILL run Wake out of the park all will be right in the world.

peace

[mr troutman]

THESE GUYS ARE TELLING IT LIKE IT IS!

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

Phin, I think it's Shannon's general policy of trying to keep eveyrthing in house. That was a situation where he lost his cool and shouldn't have. Now the question is how do you handle it. Do you publicly say, "Whip was pizzed with me because I called the T/O too early and I shouted back at him?"

I don't know. You could just to clear the air and stop the questions because it occurred publicly.

But Shannon's general style is down play EVERYTHING. So, at least he's consistent. haha

[mr troutman]

AFTER THE CONSERVATIVE OUTING LAST WEEKEND I KNOW WHIP AND LOVETTE WILL COME WITH IT..THEY HEARD ALL HE CAN HANDLE FROM FANS, EX-PLAYERS, COMMENTATORS ETC..... THEY CAN'T PUT ME IN CHARGE OF THESE GUYS ....I'M OLD SCHOOL....DRILL SEARGENT ALL THE WAY.......MIAMI STYLE

[mr troutman]

U

[mi@mic@ne]

http://miami.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=986369

THIS IS ON LIVE NOW...GOOD STUFF!

Posted by: mr troutman | October 28, 2009 at 07:46 PM

Thanks MT that was in some ways surprising to me.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

So seven games in, based on teams performance so far, not pre season rank, have we played the toughest schedule in the country?

peace

Posted by: solarcane | October 28, 2009 at 06:18 PM

>>>>>>

Hmmm, great question. I'd say so because we only had ONE real cupcake, FAMU. UCF was not a total cupcake because it was at their place and they were amped. Clemson we caught hot and we were sloppy.

UF's schedule has been decent, sort of. So has UGA's. So has TX's and USCs. VT's has been solid as well--Bama, someone else, Nebraska and a cupcake Marshall.

The difference is we had those four games back to back at the very beginning of the season, so the pressure wasn't nearly the same as it was on those other teams.

I'd say ours is significantly stronger than Iowa's, Boisie's, LSU's, Cinci's and a few others ahead of us.

[mi@mic@ne]

Now i am wondering who the slackers on this team are. Certain Lbs?

[DZ8]

Free Berry!

[pb(CSROH10)]

What's the TV status for Saturday? Anyone know?

[86Cane]

Writing a new blog for the RAYCOM site about UM vs Wake. Be back later with the link to post here.

[moneysgirl]

Virgina's butt hole's might be just a little sore on the plane ride home. Ice and a blow up donut cushion should help with that guys.