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(12-13-2012 02:14 PM)BlazerGold09 Wrote:  

(12-13-2012 01:44 PM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  Pete Gray played major league baseball despite having one amputated above the elbow.

He played the outfield, not pitcher.


I'll save you the trouble - it was 1945 and a lot of guys were in the service. Still... MLB. Outfield.

Fair enough.
Having to guard at this level with 1 hand is a major disadvantage. Rebounding is where he would be hindered the most.

I agree. We don't recruit for PR. We recruit to win games.

I'll say it one more time, as I have in many other threads - "We need more D-linemen!", whatever.

I'm going to trust the coaches to know what the team needs and to assess talent. If Coach Haase thinks the kid is worth a scholly, I'm going to take the position that he knows a little more about it than I do.

PR sure would be swell though.

Me too on leaving it up to Haase to determine.

(12-13-2012 02:28 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  

(12-13-2012 02:14 PM)BlazerGold09 Wrote:  

(12-13-2012 01:44 PM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  Pete Gray played major league baseball despite having one amputated above the elbow.

He played the outfield, not pitcher.


I'll save you the trouble - it was 1945 and a lot of guys were in the service. Still... MLB. Outfield.

Fair enough.
Having to guard at this level with 1 hand is a major disadvantage. Rebounding is where he would be hindered the most.

I agree. We don't recruit for PR. We recruit to win games.

We don't recruit anything...leave those decisions to the coaching staff.

According to this article...he's getting interest from Alabama as well.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/video/20...ayer-video

My Dad had one arm. He tied his shoes with one hand. He could drive nails one handed. He drove a stick shift one handed. Dad played golf, tennis, baseball. He never, once, complained or mentioned the fact that he had only one arm. My Dad was an inspiration to all who knew him. He was my Hero.

My opinion? Sign him, regardless of the naysayers.

If he can play (and get and stay qualified), sign him up.

No, if he is the best player available to us, meets our needs, can get and stay qualified, then sign him up.

His handicap should not be a determining factor, and if he is signed, I hope UAB doesn't use it for PR or make a big deal out of it.

I remember an NFL field goal kicker who had a disabled kicking foot, he wore a special square toe shoe that enabled him to kick, turned out to be a good kicker.

(12-14-2012 09:31 AM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  No, if he is the best player available to us, meets our needs, can get and stay qualified, then sign him up.

His handicap should not be a determining factor, and if he is signed, I hope UAB doesn't use it for PR or make a big deal out of it.

THIS!

If he can help us, sign him up. If not. then don't. I for one am not going to knock his ability or potential due to a handicap. He has my respect regardless if we sign him or not.

(12-13-2012 01:08 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  See the ABILITY, not the DISABILITY.

BIG +1!!! Tom Dempsey comes to mind as well...He kicked that very first 63-yard FG in NFL history straight-away style (which is far more difficult than the present day soccer style kick) with a so-called "club" foot.

(12-14-2012 09:37 AM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  

(12-14-2012 09:31 AM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  No, if he is the best player available to us, meets our needs, can get and stay qualified, then sign him up.

His handicap should not be a determining factor, and if he is signed, I hope UAB doesn't use it for PR or make a big deal out of it.

THIS!

If he can help us, sign him up. If not. then don't. I for one am not going to knock his ability or potential due to a handicap. He has my respect regardless if we sign him or not.

Well put, by both!

UAB had a one handed cheerleader in the early 80s

(12-14-2012 06:56 AM)TheGORILLA Wrote:  My Dad had one arm. He tied his shoes with one hand. He could drive nails one handed. He drove a stick shift one handed. Dad played golf, tennis, baseball. He never, once, complained or mentioned the fact that he had only one arm. My Dad was an inspiration to all who knew him. He was my Hero.

My opinion? Sign him, regardless of the naysayers.

Thanks for sharing that. But I'm trying to picture someone hammering a nail one handed. I have a hard enough time doing it with two sometimes. Obviously, how he got the nail started was the key. Can you explain how he did that, please?

(12-13-2012 02:33 PM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  I'll say it one more time, as I have in many other threads - "We need more D-linemen!", whatever.

I'm going to trust the coaches to know what the team needs and to assess talent. If Coach Haase thinks the kid is worth a scholly, I'm going to take the position that he knows a little more about it than I do.

What we need is a big bruising 240 pound running back....

U take the nail and put it in the claw with the head against the shaft. I can Also drive a 16 penny nail in one lick without starting it. For a small nominal fee I will be happy to show anyone this trick. Yes I am a carpenter. Well I used to be before I got into Management.

(12-15-2012 10:02 AM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  U take the nail and put it in the claw with the head against the shaft. I can Also drive a 16 penny nail in one lick without starting it. For a small nominal fee I will be happy to show anyone this trick. Yes I am a carpenter. Well I used to be before I got into Management.

My Dad would pick up the nail, put it between his index and bird finger and pick up the hammer, and start the nail by placing the head of the nail against the side of the hammer, not the head, and start the nail, then drive it home, all in a split second.