Bill Bradley will attend the TLSN Legends golf tournament, and plans are underway to finalize details for him to autograph his book.

Bill Bradley's book has been published.

Blue-Eyed Soul Brother: The Versatile Football Life of Super Bill Bradley Hardcover – October 1, 2024
by William C. Kashatus (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars (9)
See all formats and editions
Blue-Eyed Soul Brother tells the life story of NFL All-Pro free safety Bill Bradley, who was known on the gridiron as much for his fierce competitiveness as he was for his whimsical nonconformity off it. Bradley was among the first NFL players to hold out for a bigger salary and challenge the status quo with his long hair, bushy mustache, and free-spirited lifestyle.

Beginning in high school, Bradley stood up for the civil rights of his Black teammates and was instrumental in breaking down the color barrier in Texas high school football. A highly recruited scholastic quarterback, Bradley played for the University of Texas Longhorns for three seasons. Unable to run the Wishbone offense, Bradley was demoted and switched to defensive back, where he reinvented himself as a ball hawk. After being drafted by the lowly Philadelphia Eagles, he became a triple threat who punted, returned, and played free safety and was the first player to lead the NFL in interceptions in consecutive seasons.

After a thirty-year coaching career in the World Football, Canadian Football, and National Football Leagues, Bradley retired to his native Texas. There, he and his wife, Susan, cared for their son, Matt, a talented college quarterback who became a paraplegic after a savage assault by a drunk college student. Matt made a heroic eleven-year effort to regain the use of his voice and motor skills before he died in 2020. Today, Bradley is engaged in another struggle, this one with memory loss and other cognitive impairments caused by the many concussions he suffered during his nine-year playing career in the NFL. But he is determined to live his life to the fullest.

Blue-Eyed Soul Brother is the inspirational story of a man whose contagious enthusiasm for life raised the spirits of those around him in both good and bad times—a story about the resilience of the human spirit in the face of personal tragedy, and a story to remember when life doesn’t appear to be going your way.

The backstory of the movie “My All-American” and the movie have driven over 50,000 viewers to the TLSN website. While I was invited to many of the production events for the Steinmark movie and have some knowledge of the movie’s production, Billy Schott and Tom Campbell had a much more significant role in the movie’s making.

I hope each of you will share your memories of Freddie. so TLSN can capture to share on the TLSN website and the TLSN Facebook page. I had no part in the production of the piece but I did take photos of the special events that preceded the movie’s opening. I have many photos, that can be viewed at the following link. Enjoy this trip to the past via the camera lens at https://texaslsn.org/the-back-story-of-the-the-movie-my-all-american/.

When Tragedy Strikes*

NO LONGHORN SHOULD BE LEFT BEHIND

Tyres Dickson will be the Honorary Captain at the pending TLSN Legends golf tournament hosted by TLSN on September 15, 2025

Tragedy struck Tyres Dickson in 1998. He was 20 years old when he was hit by a drunk driver, which left him paralyzed from the chest down. He was on his way from Houston to Austin to begin Spring training under Mack Brown. His story is decades long and filled with years of hospital stays, rehab, sickness, wheelchairs, and many operations.
What’s remarkable is how he transformed that tragedy into a story of inspiration and resilience. His journey—from recovery to advocacy—embodies the spirit of “Texas Fight” in a way that transcends the field. Nothing can mitigate the pain Tyres has had to overcome for decades. However, he was able to convert tragedy into a notable achievement, being recognized as Goodwill International’s Achiever of the Year in 2013.
The TLSN mission to "leave no former Longhorn student athlete behind is embodied in the life of Tyres Dickson. His story is deeply embedded in the history of Longhorn sports. Coach Mack Brown and many influential Longhorns raised funds to support Tyres after his car accident. "Alcalde" followed with an upbeat story about Tyres many years ago.
Still, as years passed, donations dwindled, and Tyres was left to fight the battle alone. Over the past 25-plus years, he has spent half of his time in a hospital bed. Tyres reached out to TLSN for help, not a handout, and we have offered support ever since. Helping those who qualify and have suffered a tragedy, such as Tyres, is the mission of TLSN.
* When the Houston Touchdown Club honored him recently, TLSN Board members picked him up in a handicap van with a lift. It was the first time in nine years that Tyres attended a social event. All other times when he left his apartment, he was going to the hospital.
After the Touchdown Club luncheon, we took him to a restaurant where we pleaded with him to enjoy a Bloody Mary. Initially, he declined the drink but finally acquiesced. All eight of us at the table smiled joyfully, watching as this one drink enhanced his wonderful personality.

Photo above left to right Chair of the Board of Directors of TLSN Beth Coblentz, CFO Jim KAY, Billy Dale, and Sportswriter Kirk Bohls with Tyres Dickson.

The TLSN Board members love him because even in pain his spirit shines and his smile is contagious. For the pending TLSN Legends golf tournament, Tyres will be the TLSN Honary Captain. If his health holds up , he will join us at the tournament as a reminder that

"No Longhorn should be left behind."

To read his whole story of his TEXAS FIGHT SPIRIT please visit the following TLSN links.

https://texaslsn.org/either-greg-ploetz-or-tyres-dickson/

https://texaslsn.org/tyres-dickson/

https://texaslsn.org/tyresdickson-thankyouletter/

P.S. While TLSN will honor Tyres at the tournament, there are 18 others TLSN mission have supported. TLSN takes pride in lending a helping hand to Longhorn families when they need it most. The TLSN Board of Directors strongly believe in the healing power of the family unit and remain dedicated to offering unwavering support when help is needed.

THE WAIT FOR MANNING IS OVER
by Larry Carlson https://texaslsn.org

Arch Manning was not scheduled to meet the main media group until 4 pm here at the College Football Hall of Fame.
The SEC was gonna keep us waiting for the new marquee name. Manning knows something about waiting. Following four years as a high school starter in The Big Easy, Arch waited two years on the Forty Acres sidelines in the shadow of Quinn Ewers. Today, he was only waiting for his duties behind the media microphones in Atlanta.

Connor Petroziello was waiting, too. Positioned behind the velvet ropes by shortly after 7:30 am, the 13-year-old was sporting his burnt orange, number 16 Manning replica jersey. His parents, Jason and Jill, drove him up from their home in Senoia, GA, an hour south of Atlanta.
"Just how he plays," is how Connor answered when I asked him what made him into an ardent Arch fan. "And he's nice."
Connor and his folks weren't pulling for Arch or Texas until his auspicious debut as a two-game starter and key spot player last fall.
Now, father and son, historically Georgia Bulldog fans, will be in the stands come November. That'll be when the Horns visit the Dawgs in Athens, Connor in burnt orange and Jason prepared for a friendly rivalry for one big game. Today, they said they were here to show up for Manning. The whole family agreed that there were no expectations for an autograph or even a nod. It was enough for young Connor to anticipate a glimpse of his favorite football player.
*****

For the rest of Larry's article about Manning click on https://texaslsn.org/the-wait-for-manning-is-over/

More on the Longhorn Legends golf Captains who will lead their teams into battle for the championship at the TLSN Legends Classic golf tournament.

The link to all the Legends Captains is at

https://texaslsn.org/1september-15-2025-tlsn-longhorn-legacy-golf-tournament-captains/

Captain Dan Neil

Dan Neil played offensive line for the Texas Longhorns from 1993 to 1996, starting 49 consecutive games—one of the longest streaks in school history. He was a two-time first-team All-American and a consensus pick in 1996. .

He was also a team captain, MVP, and a finalist for the Outland Trophy, which honors the nation’s best interior lineman. After college, he was drafted by the Denver Broncos and played in two Super Bowls with them.

Captain Glenn Blackwood

The native San Antonian was a valuable piece of winning teams at every level of organized football for two decades. He played for Churchill High's first two district champion teams, then excelled for the Longhorns and went on to a distinguished career in Miami, an absolute steal in the eighth round of the '79 draft.

Blackwood played two years for Royal and Campbell, two more for Fred Akers and DC Leon Fuller. As a junior in 1977, Akers' first season as boss, Texas went 11-0 before losing to Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl. Blackwood was in the defensive backfield with three other future NFL performers, Johnnie Johnson, Ricky Churchman, and Derrick Hatchett.

Glenn's interview is at https://texaslsn.org/glenn-blackwood-football/

Captain Anne Schweitzer- Bennett

Annie Schweitzer Bennett began her academic and athletic career at the University of Texas in 1983, where she proudly represented the Longhorns in track and field. A standout distance runner, Annie captured individual Southwest Conference (SWC) titles in 1985 and 1986, and helped lead Texas to team championships in 1984, 1985, and 1987. She dominated the 3000m and 5000m events, winning each three times, and claimed the national title in the 5000m in 1987, setting a collegiate record on her hometown track at LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Annie still holds the Texas indoor 3000m record and held the 5000m record until 2014, when it was surpassed by Olympian Marielle Hall.

Captain Brooks Kieschnick

During his time at Texas, Kieschnick batted .360, hit 43 home runs, and drove in 215 RBIs. As a pitcher, he had a 34–8 win-loss record with a 3.05 ERA. His versatility made him one of the most unique players in the history of college baseball. Brooks Kieschnick was a legendary two-way player for the Texas Longhorns baseball team from 1990 to 1993. He was a three-time All-American and the only player to win the Dick Howser Trophy twice (1992 and 1993), an award given to the best collegiate baseball player.

Brooks interview is at https://texaslsn.org/2024-brooks-ki/

Captain Rudy Tomjanovich

While not a Longhorn, Rudy Tomjanovich has committed to serving as a team captain in the TLSN Legends golf tournament. For anyone who doesn’t know Rudy, he was an All-American at Michigan (and still holds the career rebounding record there) before becoming a stalwart of the Houston Rockets as the #2 draft pick from 1970 to 1981. He was a 5-time NBA All-Star. Following his playing career, he served as an assistant coach for eight years before becoming the head coach of the Rockets from 1992 to 2003. As head coach, he led the Rockets to two consecutive NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. In 2000, he coached the American Olympic team to the gold medal at the Sydney Summer Olympics. He also coached the Los Angeles Lakers during part of the 2004–05 NBA season. He was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2021 and the Croatian American Sports Hall of Fame in 2024.

Rudy's TLSN podcast is at https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftraffic.libsyn.com%2Fcdogg%2FS05E11.mp3&data=05%7C02%7C%7C557a1b69b48844d485ba08ddd44afcb1%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638900140715004788%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=LKCqZ2cgjykXRAiU1ouHbEOlaD1FmfaFP2Fat2oVoh8%3D&reserved=0

Kaysie Smashey's podcast is at
https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftraffic.libsyn.com%2Fcdogg%2FS05E11.mp3&data=05%7C02%7C%7C557a1b69b48844d485ba08ddd44afcb1%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638900140715004788%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=LKCqZ2cgjykXRAiU1ouHbEOlaD1FmfaFP2Fat2oVoh8%3D&reserved=0

Captain Ovie Dotson

Ovie Dotson was a standout basketball player for the Texas Longhorns in the late 1970s. He helped lead the team to two Southwest Conference Championships and was part of the squad that won the 1978 National Invitation Tournament (NIT) title. Dotson was known for his incredible leaping ability and powerful dunks, making him a fan favorite.

After his college career, Dotson played for the Harlem Globetrotters for eight seasons, traveling to over 100 countries and entertaining crowds with his spectacular slam dunks.

Captain Keith Moreland

Keith Moreland was a standout baseball player for the Texas Longhorns from 1973 to 1975. He played third base and was a three-time All-American, helping Texas reach three NCAA College World Series berths and win the national championship in 1975.

Moreland was an exceptional hitter, finishing his college career with a .388 batting average and hitting .410 over a 62-game schedule in 1975. His performance earned him a spot on the College World Series All-Decade Team for the 1970s.

Captain Kirk Dressendorfer

Kirk Dressendorfer is National Freshman Player of the Year and an All-American in 1988, 1989, and 1990. Posting a career record of 45-8, including a single-season record of 15 complete games. Kirk was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in July 2009. He holds the record with 100 strikeouts a season for 3 years in a row.

Captain Cindy Sampson Shipper

Cynthia Sampson Shipper was a standout tennis player for the Texas Longhorns from 1978 to 1982. She served as team captain during her junior and senior years and led the 1981 squad to the school's first Southwest Conference title. In 1982, she was named the team MVP. After graduating with honors in journalism, she built a successful career with Wilson Sporting Goods, earning the prestigious Jack Kramer Award in 1987 for excellence in the Racquet Sports Division.

David Ash

David played in 29 games with 22 starts, achieving a 15-7 record as a starter. He ranks eighth on the UT career passing yards list with 4,728 yards and 10th in total offense with 5,107 yards. His 31 touchdown passes place him seventh in Texas history. Unfortunately, his career was cut short due to concussion-related injuries, leading to his retirement in 2014.

The Definition of Destiny

Playing sports teaches athletes that destiny isn’t preordained but something that must be earned. It’s achieved through effort, not simply given.

Webster gives us a choice of defining destiny. The one I choose is "Narrative or Personal: A sense of calling or life's path, shaped by choices, values, and circumstances." Achieving one’s destiny is a blend of hard work, a little luck, perseverance, timing, passion, determination, inspiration, a strong will, and support from friends and family.

Other definitions of destiny by Webster are as follows:

Destiny is one of those timeless concepts that straddles philosophy, spirituality, and storytelling. At its core, it refers to:
A predetermined course of events believed to be beyond individual control—something that is bound to happen.
But it’s more than just fate in the abstract. Depending on how it’s viewed, destiny can carry different shades of meaning:
- Philosophical: The idea that all events are fixed in advance, often tied to determinism.
- Spiritual or Religious: A divine plan or purpose—what one is "meant" to do or become.

An athlete's sense of destiny is derived from emotional forces that motivate them to push their limits, maximize their talents, and achieve success through hard work and discipline.

I’ve felt the powerful pull of destiny throughout my life, guiding me in pursuits that have allowed me to become the best version of myself with the talents God gave me.

Here are some updates on the September 15th, 2025, TLSN legends golf tournament. For full details of sponsors and more visit HTTPS://TEXASLSN.ORG

Covert Auto Group will give away a car to the first hole-in-one player at the TLSN Legends golf tournament.
Track star Bill Elliott is snack and beverage station sponsor.
Jenn and Samuel Bassett are beverage cart sponsor.
Doctor Tyrell Burrus is sponsoring the Koozie
An Anonymous presenting sponsor has donated $25,000. The Sponsor will be revealed in the next TLSN newsletter.
Wilson's sponsorship will contribute.
4 sets of Women's Golf Club Sets with a Golf Bag
Dozen golf balls for each player
5 Men's golf bags
5 Pro Tennis Racquets
There are 16 $1000 sponsors for fairway signage. Most of these sponsors are individuals, not corporations.

Breakfast and lunch are included in the cost of playing, and a tax write-off is available for a portion of the cost to play (Check with your CPA to confirm the write-off amount.)

Here is a link to the Captain Legends who will be participating, as well as the registration form to participate in the golf tournament. 14 of the 23 fivesomes are now complete.
https://tlsn-legends-golf-classic.perfectgolfevent.com/
https://texaslsn.org/1september-15-2025-tlsn-longhorn.../
If you have questions about the tournament, please contact our Chair of The Board Beth Coblentz at beth.coblentz@yahoo.com, or Jim Kay at Jim@jgkay.com

Sponsor Callaways is supplying complimentary caps for the players in the TLSN Legends golf tournament.

TLSN Captains of the Legends golf tournament