Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > July > 14 > Entry
Graham tackles ‘wild blue yonder’
LUDWIG AT LARGE dedicates this song to Shayne Graham:
“Off We Go Into the Wild Blue Yonder”
http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/lyrics/offwego.htm
IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO HARNESS
SHAYNE “MOONLIGHT” GRAHAM
I have to tip my ball cap to Cincinnati Bengals placekicker Shayne Graham.
The dude is absolutely fearless.
Personally, I think he’s gone crazy, nuts and cuckoo.
No way would I ever dream of attempting what he’s going to do on Tuesday, July 15, 2008.
He’s going to fly in an F-16 jet at the Springfield (Ohio) Air National Guard Base.
Graham will get a physical exam. He’ll be fitted with flight gear. He’ll learn emergency exit procedures.
And then he’ll take off in the two-seater jet at Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport on a journey into the “wild blue yonder.”
Love this quote from the eighth-year NFL veteran and 2005 Pro Bowler:
“I’ve done some research on it, and from what I’ve read, it’s a very maneuverable, high G-force-type fighter plane. It’s very nimble. There’s going to be a lot of chances for me to get sick in that thing.”
Know this: Graham won’t be alone in the jet. He’ll be accompanied by a pilot from the 178th Fighter Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard.
The son of a Vietnam War veteran, Graham’s love of the U.S. military — and flying — is deep-rooted.
He created commemorative Matt Maupin dog tags to honor the Cincinnati-area soldier who was recently pronounced killed in action in Iraq after being missing in action for four years.
Graham also makes numerous visits to Veterans hospitals in Cincinnati and his native Virginia.
He’s flown Cessna aircraft before. But nothing quite like this.
My only message is this: “Godspeed, Shayne.”
FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO OBTAIN MATT MAUPIN DOG TAGS, GO TO:
Contact CHICK LUDWIG at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By D8Nken
July 14, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
Chick, about your article this morning where the Bengals are starting a week later for training camp. This seems like a good thing to me. One less week of the CJ drama. One less week to suffer through what will be a lousy season. And best of all, now they can blame the league for their 4-12 season.By Troy
July 14, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
Oh my how foolish have we become. Its so easy to blame Chad 85# for this teams problems. CJ can not play defense, or tackle. I will blame Marvin if this season goes down the tubes not CJ.By D8Nken
July 14, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
Troy, I agree, #85 is far from the only problem on this team. It is the problem that will get 95% of the attention though and we will be sick of it very quickly. I did not mean to imply he was the only problem. This team will be lousy with or without CJ.By Troy
July 14, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
I with you, lets hope they can win a couple of games early and who knows. Chad better watch out cause Andre Caldwell will be right on his heels.By Phill
July 14, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this
Chuck, I would like to know more about J. Shirley signing. Is he a good addition. I seen tape of him and some times he can beat up anyone who is in front of him with easy and other times he is easily beat up. I seen the dedication on offense to players like raw talented Andrews, why is not there that same dedication to the defensive line?