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September 05, 2006
Olson's nickname, other tidbits
I've seen it referenced a few times here on this blog and in some emails I received. I'm talking about how some folks have decided a cool nickname for quarterback Ben Olson is Southpaw Jesus. It seemed a little bit too much when I first saw it, and I still feel that way, so I decided to ask Olson about it. Let me just say he was not thrilled about it.
"It's obviusly a great compliment, but that is not somebody I would ever liked to be compared to,'' he said.
Keep in mind, Olson is a deeply religious person. Therefore, when referring to him on this blog, please do not use the nickname any more, or I will delete the post.
As far as other tidbits, it looks like the Bruins will hold Michael Norris (knee) out of practice this week and try to get him ready for Sept. 23 at Washington. Norris didn't practice Tuesday.
Also, the secondary depth is again a question because of the concussion Aaron Ware sustained against Utah. Ware didn't practice. UCLA coach Karl Dorrell is hopeful Ware can play Saturday. If not, the secondary, which is already missing Norris and Robert Kibble (multiple sclerosis), will be further depleted.
And thanks to those who made the correction. The top 25 ballot I viewed did not have UCLA on it. Thanks again to those who found the right one.
Posted by Brian Dohn at September 5, 2006 08:49 PM
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Comments
i think thats a mistake at ESPN. according to http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/usatpoll.htm we are actually 27th with 56 votes
Posted by: westwoodjoe at September 5, 2006 09:43 PM
You do now realize that the coaches poll you reference is incorrect. UCLA actually received 56 votes and finished 27th in the rankings while Utah had 5 votes and finished 40th.
Posted by: LFBruin at September 5, 2006 11:19 PM
Thank you, Brian
Posted by: Chris at September 6, 2006 06:41 AM
Dohn,
I'd like to discuss the circumstances under which you questioned Ben Olson about the Southpaw ***** nickname because I asked him the same question in May and got a completely different response. I've also heard feedback from his family and church which was all accepting of the nickname. You're going to need to post audio.
Thanks,
alcor805
P.S. Let me know how your job hunt is going.
Posted by: alcor805@yahoo.com at September 6, 2006 09:58 AM
After this weekend, with a solid win, we should crack the top 25. At this point in the season, it really does not matter. Let's hope we're there in the end.
Posted by: Vinnie at September 6, 2006 10:37 AM
I don't need to post audio of my question. It was simple. I asked him about the nickname. He looked incredulous, then I asked him if he had a response. Again, I don't need to post audio of it.
As for the job hunt question, what are you talking about?
Posted by: Brian Dohn at September 6, 2006 11:11 AM
The nickname might have been OK with Ben back in May, but here we are in September and it has recieved a lot more publicity and, well, I think Ben and a lot of us fans are over it.
Back on the topic of UCLA football, Dorrell mentioned that Everett might take up punt return duties instead of Markey. Any thoughts on that?
Posted by: CalPolyBruinFan at September 6, 2006 02:23 PM
Word at the Rose Bowl on Saturday was that folks around practice have been calling him Ben Aikman.
Posted by: Tyler at September 8, 2006 02:57 PM
Southpaw ____ is simply unacceptable, especially being spoken by Bruins. I sure it sounded funny in that drunken stupor, but it's beyond stupidity in my mind for a Bruin fan to use such idiocies referring to one of our boys. It's not even acceptable for use on opponents, ast least in my opinion.
Ben has never been anything but gracious. We are extremely lucky to have such a worthy leader for our team.
Based on an interview with a Bruin, I will think of him as Uncle Ben, which is aparently how some of the younger Bruins are referring to him.
can't even believe this conversation has to be held in the first place...
Posted by: Ward at September 8, 2006 08:57 PM
I think it's great that you're letting the fans know how Ben feels about this. I think especially given his religious convictions, the nickname is probably more than over-the-top...maybe insulting. I can't see why any of us should insist on referring to him by that moniker.
BTW, love the blog. At a time when UCLA football is pretty much an afterthought in the media, it's nice for us to "have our own" site to turn to. Also, I predict UCLA will no longer be an afterthought by the time we reach the end of the season. Karl Dorrell's work will come to fruition this season (moreso than last year).
Posted by: Bryan at September 9, 2006 10:34 AM