On the 10-year anniversary of The Play in 1992, the Cal Band recreated the entire thing during the Big Game halftime show. 7 laterals, half-hearted tackle attempts, even a bent trombone in the end zone. Starkey's play by-play played over the PA system. It was awesome.
Has the Auburn Band recreated the Kick Six? Are they planning to this year on the 10th anniversary? No, and no.
Sep 6, 2023·edited Sep 7, 2023Liked by Avinash Kunnath
The Auburn play was good, but Bama fucked up and it came back to bite them in the ass. 'The Play' was never expected. It was not a result of a stupid decision to kick a really long field goal. It was a kick off at the end of a game with 6 seconds left (I was there and tackled Ron Rivera in the End Zone after we scored) where a fucking crybaby from Stanfurd named John Elway thought they had won and that they were going bowling. After that play was done there was no bowl game and little Johnny was crying. The best moment in CAL football ever (better than our 28-14 win over USC when I was a freshman on the team in 1975)...even better because Elway cried! I apologize for the expletives, but in the history of CAL football and all plays in the NCAA football history, there was never a bigger and more unexpected play. Thanks to the Stanfurd (ridiculous) band and the tuba player!
Elway, what an asshole, thinking it was all about him.
I thought it was 4 seconds? For a few years after, I remember chanting "4 more seconds!" at the end of every game we were losing (most of them in those days)
I knew Ralph very well and was deeply saddened by his passing. Ralph was a total Golden Bear, not just supportive of our football program, but he would show up to rugby games as well. The last time I saw Ralph was the Spring before he died at a CAL Rugby match at Witter field. Unfortunately he had gained a LOT of weight over time and could barely walk. He was a good man with a great sense of humor and had that baby face. We came in as freshman together (along with Paul Jones, Craig Watkins, Greg Bracelin, Tubby Harrell, Marky Crane, Ollie Hillmon, Joe Rose, Eric Anderson ad I'm sure a few others I have forgotten). Ralph and I would go with other teammates to dance at Big Art's on Friday nights. He owned the room!
Saw my first Auburn fans today in Pismo Beach all geared up, asked if they were headed to Berkeley. Yes, of course, so I told them Berkeley certainly isn't Pismo Beach, and it's definitely not Alabama.
Sep 6, 2023·edited Sep 7, 2023Liked by Avinash Kunnath
"But his knee was down."
-Furd
OMG- I didn't even know a field goal that falls short could be run back. I must admit that was pretty amazing. But, yeah, The Play had so many moving parts and things that could have gone wrong to stop it cold, apart from his "knee being down." LOL
BTW- When one's says "I see a trombonist on the field," is that implying that Furd band member can actually play that instrument? But that's not how a "skat band" works.
Yes Bob, and it pisses me off to no end that we won all of our opening games and after this year the conference of Champions is no more because of a couple of fucking retard programs (sorry for the politically inappropriate language but I'm an old dude now) like USC and UCLA. Flipping UCLA doesn't even comprehend that had they stayed in the PAC12 the LA market media revenue for the PAC12 would most likely put them in a position where there net revenue would be higher than what they will receive from the BIG TEN. But then they are not CAL, they are FUCLA.
Utah moved up 2 spots after defeating perennial powerhouse, but unranked Florida, so, I doubt it. It looks like AP and Coaches alike hate Clemson which dropped 16/12 respectively. TCU was flat out dropped from the rankings. So, it looks far easier to drop than move up.
Watching the abbreviated version (i.e. just the kickoff and score) is never as satisfying. Obviously by Stanford kicking off, they had just scored and taken the lead. But there is something more powerful by actually watching Stanford's last drive and score, taking the lead, and leaving Cal in a desperate spot. And what a drive that was. Elway pulled out a miracle, especially the 4th and 18 deep in the own territory. It's the juxtaposition of Stanford seemingly out of it, then clutching a victory from the jaws of defeat and Elway going out on top, to then getting completely deflated by Cal's miracle runback (and the circus that went with it). That's what contributes to making this the best play of all time.
"There’s Joe Starkey authoring one of the signature calls in college football lore."
The second I started reading, my first thought was the play by play announcing better have a category of it's own, because if it came down to it it would certainly put us on top.
Nothing worse than when something great happens and the commentators are late or lacking the flavor and umph to meet the moment. Starkey undoubtedly added to the lore of this one, and his call is what any non-Cal person I've shared it with over the years immediately comments on and remembers the most.. "Oh the band is out on the field!" (And why ESPN paraphrased it in the special's title accordingly)
It was a great call when you're watching the video. Unfortunately Starkey was the radio announcer. I don't know how anyone listening would know what was happening.
Well In his defense I was in the stands and had no idea what was going on and could not have described it at all. The only thing I said was "hey the band is on the field" as if it needed to be said.
That's generous Bob. One usually doesn't see audio-visual features outside of a protected environment. Perhaps a mobile version of such a statue could be protected while not in use.
I’ve been trying to get an answer in various places without a ton of luck. Does anyone know how one would go about ordering a print of the Bob Stinnet photo the Play statue is based on? His family still owns the rights, but I’m not aware of how to go about actually acquiring it through proper channels. I’ve wanted a framed copy for basically forever.
Honestly by the time you pay to have a photo framed and matted to look nice, you’d probably spend that much anyway. And with Kevin Moen’s autograph? That’s awesome.
One more factor.
On the 10-year anniversary of The Play in 1992, the Cal Band recreated the entire thing during the Big Game halftime show. 7 laterals, half-hearted tackle attempts, even a bent trombone in the end zone. Starkey's play by-play played over the PA system. It was awesome.
Has the Auburn Band recreated the Kick Six? Are they planning to this year on the 10th anniversary? No, and no.
Advantage, Cal.
The Auburn play was good, but Bama fucked up and it came back to bite them in the ass. 'The Play' was never expected. It was not a result of a stupid decision to kick a really long field goal. It was a kick off at the end of a game with 6 seconds left (I was there and tackled Ron Rivera in the End Zone after we scored) where a fucking crybaby from Stanfurd named John Elway thought they had won and that they were going bowling. After that play was done there was no bowl game and little Johnny was crying. The best moment in CAL football ever (better than our 28-14 win over USC when I was a freshman on the team in 1975)...even better because Elway cried! I apologize for the expletives, but in the history of CAL football and all plays in the NCAA football history, there was never a bigger and more unexpected play. Thanks to the Stanfurd (ridiculous) band and the tuba player!
Elway, what an asshole, thinking it was all about him.
I thought it was 4 seconds? For a few years after, I remember chanting "4 more seconds!" at the end of every game we were losing (most of them in those days)
So you knew Ralph DeLoach?
I knew Ralph very well and was deeply saddened by his passing. Ralph was a total Golden Bear, not just supportive of our football program, but he would show up to rugby games as well. The last time I saw Ralph was the Spring before he died at a CAL Rugby match at Witter field. Unfortunately he had gained a LOT of weight over time and could barely walk. He was a good man with a great sense of humor and had that baby face. We came in as freshman together (along with Paul Jones, Craig Watkins, Greg Bracelin, Tubby Harrell, Marky Crane, Ollie Hillmon, Joe Rose, Eric Anderson ad I'm sure a few others I have forgotten). Ralph and I would go with other teammates to dance at Big Art's on Friday nights. He owned the room!
I did not realize he passed. When was that?
Btw, he always said that I was his first Facebook friend. ;-)
Great story. I remember him hanging out in Sproul Plaza hob nobbin' and charming folks. I thought he could have been a model.
"What a beautiful quote. This need to be framed in Memorial Stadium somewhere."
Hmm. 🤔 How about embossed as two lines of text on bronze plaques at the bottom of several trough-style urinals?
I miss those urinals.
Some have argued the Revenge might be better but I’ve never heard of it.
This: "The Play” Recreated in LEGO for 35th anniversary of famed Cal - Stanford game
https://youtu.be/DLGDZMj9cz0?feature=shared
Go Bears! 'nuff said.
https://m.youtube.com/shorts/6LJ-MD0znmY
they did one for K6 too FWIW
Saw my first Auburn fans today in Pismo Beach all geared up, asked if they were headed to Berkeley. Yes, of course, so I told them Berkeley certainly isn't Pismo Beach, and it's definitely not Alabama.
With Auburn: No Bo, no care.
Go Bears!
"But his knee was down."
-Furd
OMG- I didn't even know a field goal that falls short could be run back. I must admit that was pretty amazing. But, yeah, The Play had so many moving parts and things that could have gone wrong to stop it cold, apart from his "knee being down." LOL
BTW- When one's says "I see a trombonist on the field," is that implying that Furd band member can actually play that instrument? But that's not how a "skat band" works.
Yes Bob, and it pisses me off to no end that we won all of our opening games and after this year the conference of Champions is no more because of a couple of fucking retard programs (sorry for the politically inappropriate language but I'm an old dude now) like USC and UCLA. Flipping UCLA doesn't even comprehend that had they stayed in the PAC12 the LA market media revenue for the PAC12 would most likely put them in a position where there net revenue would be higher than what they will receive from the BIG TEN. But then they are not CAL, they are FUCLA.
Here's my question: if we beat Auburn after demolishing UNT 58-21 (it could have been 90-21) should we be ranked?
SHOULD we be? Maybe. Cal won't get ranked until we beat Auburn, Idaho, and Washington. THEN, at 4-0, we'll be ranked.
I think this is it.
Washington is in their house, too.
One game at a time and I am happier when we're not ranked.
no. Looking at the AP poll, Auburn is something like 36th. Maybe if we blow them out and a lot if the 20 somethings face plant.
We haven't played well as a ranked team in a long time; I'm perfectly ok if we're not.
"We haven't played well as a ranked team in a long time; I'm perfectly ok if we're not."
The Cal jinx.
I was at the Cal-OSU game where, had we won, we would have ranked #1.
"Nope!" So sayeth the Lord(s) of Football.
I think it was 2007. The season fell apart after that.
Most likely receiving about 10 votes but unranked in 25.
Utah moved up 2 spots after defeating perennial powerhouse, but unranked Florida, so, I doubt it. It looks like AP and Coaches alike hate Clemson which dropped 16/12 respectively. TCU was flat out dropped from the rankings. So, it looks far easier to drop than move up.
The TCU defense was swiss cheese, classic Dykesian D.
I agree. But I still think Prime is the real deal.
And who is Murray State?
A former teacher college football powerhouse in Kentucky. 😉
They are the Racers, as in horse racing.
Football powerhouse.....uh huh... :-)
Well, FCS.
Fun Fact: Plummer just threw a pick.
It gets better. Plummer just dropped a snap from under center. Then threaded a needle for a catch and run TD
I don't like Plummer's play fake.
Just watched a not so clever handoff.
He's okay to good. IMHO. If he were more mobile, he might still be our QB.
Good guy.
Well clearly, it's The Play.
Watching the abbreviated version (i.e. just the kickoff and score) is never as satisfying. Obviously by Stanford kicking off, they had just scored and taken the lead. But there is something more powerful by actually watching Stanford's last drive and score, taking the lead, and leaving Cal in a desperate spot. And what a drive that was. Elway pulled out a miracle, especially the 4th and 18 deep in the own territory. It's the juxtaposition of Stanford seemingly out of it, then clutching a victory from the jaws of defeat and Elway going out on top, to then getting completely deflated by Cal's miracle runback (and the circus that went with it). That's what contributes to making this the best play of all time.
"There’s Joe Starkey authoring one of the signature calls in college football lore."
The second I started reading, my first thought was the play by play announcing better have a category of it's own, because if it came down to it it would certainly put us on top.
Nothing worse than when something great happens and the commentators are late or lacking the flavor and umph to meet the moment. Starkey undoubtedly added to the lore of this one, and his call is what any non-Cal person I've shared it with over the years immediately comments on and remembers the most.. "Oh the band is out on the field!" (And why ESPN paraphrased it in the special's title accordingly)
Yes, Starkey's play by play and his signature over-modulated voice reminds me of the reporter of the Hindenburg Disaster.
"What a Bonanza" = "Oh, the humanity."
Haha great comparison
I should have made the comparison:
"The band is on the field" = "Oh, the humanity."
Summer of 2022. https://www.si.com/college/cal/news/ralph-deloach-obituary
Joe Starkey made "the play". His broadcast made the play happen to all viewers.
I gotta' be honest, here. I found Starkey's call hard to follow.
"The Band is on the field"
Me: Why is the band on the field? We lost, again, right?
*2 minutes of anxious waiting with Starkey describing how we may have won and how the Furd "band" was on the field.
It was a great call when you're watching the video. Unfortunately Starkey was the radio announcer. I don't know how anyone listening would know what was happening.
That was my experience. I couldn't watch, so, uh, Starkey.
Well In his defense I was in the stands and had no idea what was going on and could not have described it at all. The only thing I said was "hey the band is on the field" as if it needed to be said.
That's generous Bob. One usually doesn't see audio-visual features outside of a protected environment. Perhaps a mobile version of such a statue could be protected while not in use.
I’ve been trying to get an answer in various places without a ton of luck. Does anyone know how one would go about ordering a print of the Bob Stinnet photo the Play statue is based on? His family still owns the rights, but I’m not aware of how to go about actually acquiring it through proper channels. I’ve wanted a framed copy for basically forever.
This is the best I could find -- autographed by Kevin Moen: https://www.sportsmemorabilia.com/college-memorabilia/cal-bears/photos/kevin-moen-autographed-8x10-photo-california-golden-bears-the-play-number-sc3-matted-and-framed/o-16+t-89479284+d-96111744+f-565386643+z-9-2008008244?utm_medium=cse&_s=GPA-ak19kv30-sportsmem&sku=40619822&gclid=CjwKCAjwjOunBhB4EiwA94JWsOx4ASWfn9aG7YtDOwDBN4l0zW3NtAgktACdH28sJ3Rpuk110x-h5RoC3EgQAvD_BwE
Honestly by the time you pay to have a photo framed and matted to look nice, you’d probably spend that much anyway. And with Kevin Moen’s autograph? That’s awesome.
There is no comparison!
The degree of difficulty alone was greater.