Boomer Esiason On Food Fight Bowl

My rookie year with the Cincinnati Bengals, in 1984, was the first year the team and the League saw the full effect of the “No Huddle” offense.  In 1985, I started at QB and the “No Huddle” was in full swing.  Since we were the only team using the fast moving offense, our opponents were at a big disadvantage, and we led the NFL in most of the offensive statistics for years. 

 We learned an important lesson early: when you want to be the best, you have to work harder and make fewer mistakes.  We really believe the Bengals were going to be in better shape, better prepared, and more determined to win than any opponent we faced.

The August 23rd Food Fight Bowl, between Easley and Pickens High Schools will demand the same dedication and focus by the students and players from each school.  Students will be conducting fund raising events, asking businesses for support, and making out right requests for donations so their school can raise the most money for Pickens County Meals on Wheels. 

This is the BIG GAME on the grid iron.  Easley has won the last two battles, after Pickens went 3-0 when this Trophy Game began six years ago. 

The really big surprise is that Pickens has won the fund raising battle every year with the exception of 2011 when both schools raised over $60,000 together, with the difference being so slim (less than $100!) that a draw was declared.  Too much hard work went into that year to have a loser.  The pride of the student bodies has to work even harder this year with school staring after the game is played. 

As a sports analyst on CBS each Sunday, I have to ask:  How can the smaller town have that much success against the bigger community year after year?  Every penny of the money raised goes to one of the most important charities in the County. 

On the winning teams I’ve been a part of, that would be all the incentive I needed.  Just win baby--just win!  Good will and good luck to Easley and Pickens this season!

Boomer Esiason

NFL Pro Bowl Quarterback -- Bengals, Cardinals, Jets