Author: David Shama

David Shama is a former sports editor and columnist with local publications. His writing and reporting experiences include covering the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Gophers. Shama’s career experiences also include sports marketing. He is the former Marketing Director of the Minnesota North Stars of the NHL. He is also the former Marketing Director of the United States Tennis Association’s Northern Section. A native of Minneapolis, Shama has been part of the community his entire life. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota where he majored in journalism. He also has a Master’s degree in education from the University of St. Thomas. He was a member of the Governor’s NBA’s Task Force to help create interest in bringing pro basketball to town in the 1980s.

Impatience with McCarthy by Fans, Media Wrong Approach

Posted on October 12, 2025October 12, 2025 by David Shama

The status of Vikings second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy is an obsession with fans and some media. Correction: it’s even more fanatical than that.

The questions are ongoing. They could be rattled off at the nearest sports bar or your neighbor’s garage:

When will McCarthy play again?

Will coach Kevin O’Connell make him the starter, or will he stay with veteran Carson Wentz?

Is McCarthy ready to perform this fall at a high level after struggling in the first two games of the season?

Will he fulfill the dreams of fans to become the franchise quarterback for the next decade?

How significant still is the ankle sprain McCarthy suffered in the second game of the season against the Falcons?

Whoa. Slow down.

Folks want all the answers right now about the 22-year-old. Understandable in the win now world of fans and the reactionary approach to the latest circumstances on the field or off.

But take a deep breath.

What the unproven McCarthy does or doesn’t accomplish this season won’t be the final chapter of his NFL life. He could play at a high level in 2025, or mediocre, or bomb out.

However, there will be more chapters in his football story.

To elaborate on that point, look at the history of three quarterbacks who were in O’Connell’s gun sights in the last 10 months. Neither Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones or Aaron Rodgers had sustained immediate success in the NFL.

The Vikings experienced a 14-3 season in 2024, with much of the success because of the career best performance by Darnold who had been a journeyman quarterback. Behind Darnold on the quarterback depth chart late in the season was Jones who had failed in his tenure with the Giants and was released by that club. The Vikings also had offseason interest in Rodgers who long ago was eased into the NFL before he ever became a starter.

Darnold was unsuccessful during six prior seasons with other NFL teams before he joined the Vikings. He resurrected his career in his first and only season with the Vikings. The Sporting News and Professional Football Writers Association of America both named him league Comeback Player of the Year for his 2024 performance that included career highs in several passing categories. Now with the Seahawks, he is among the league’s passing leaders with a rating of 114.8.

O’Connell found Jones an intriguing talent. But Jones decided during the last offseason to accept an offer from the Colts where he won the starter competition from Anthony Richardson. Jones’ time so far in Indy has been head turning for both him and the team. He has an impressive career best rating of 105.1 and the Colts are off to a surprising 4-1 start to the season. He has credited his brief time with the Vikings helping to improve his performance.

Rodgers, 41, has contributed significantly to a 3-1 start by the Steelers. The future Hall of Famer is with his third NFL team now having spent most of his career with the Packers. The Green Bay quarterback development formula is not to rush quarterbacks. Rodgers sat behind Hall of Famer Brett Favre for three seasons before starting. The Packers used the same approach with now starter Jordan Love who watched and learned from Rodgers for three seasons.

Darnold and Rodgers would have commanded sizeable contracts to play for the Vikings. Jones’ deal at a reported $14 million is a lot more than the Vikings are paying McCarthy and Wentz. It’s also less than Darnold would have wanted to stay here, and perhaps comparable to a Rodgers Vikings contract. Not sinking a lot of money into the quarterback payroll has allowed the Vikings to spend more on other positions in the last offseason.

Those assets, including in the offensive line, resulted in high expectations for the team and McCarthy going into the season. But O’Connell and GM Kwesi-Adofo Mensah have gambled they can win now with McCarthy, rather than employing Darnold, Jones or Rodgers.

Regardless of final results this season, no one should issue a verdict that pretends to know whether McCarthy can find success in the NFL. That answer can only come over time and requires waiting with patience.

Baseball Notes

A valued Sports Headliners source, knowledgeable about MLB, believes David Ross is the best choice to succeed Rocco Baldelli as Twins’ manager. Ross managed the Cubs from 2020 to 2023 with a highlight being a Central Division title in 2020.

The source said Ross has a “terrific baseball IQ.” He also said the former big league catcher is skilled at developing young talent.

Ross, who has made it known he wants to manage again, played for legendary manager Joe Maddon with the Cubs and has worked as a baseball analyst for ESPN. The 48-year-old’s media experience would be an extra bonus to his hire by the Twins.

It’s suggested that the Twins hire a manager and assemble a staff with proven skills in helping players achieve and maintain success. Find teachers who excel at knowing fundamentals, communication, and motivation. This approach makes sense because the Twins have intriguing prospects, are in a rebuild, and have a history of seeing young talent flame out.

The source mentioned above endorsed the firing of Baldelli, believing the skipper had “lost control” of the pitching staff. His view is the starters thought Baldelli didn’t have confidence in them.

The source is also not an admirer of Derek Falvey being president of both the Twins business and baseball operations. “It’s too hard,” he said about trying to do both jobs.

Here’s a list of recent Twins alumni now playing for teams who qualified for the 2025 postseason: Toronto: Louie Varland; Seattle: Mitch Garver and Jorge Polanco; Philadelphia: Jhoan Duran, Max Kepler and Harrison Bader; Los Angeles Dodgers: Ben Rortvedt; Chicago Cubs: Caleb Thielbar; San Diego: Luis Arraez.

Minneapolis-based attorney and local sports historian Marshall Tanick reminded Twins fans last week that on October 6 it was 60 years prior that Sandy Koufax, the best pitcher in baseball, sat out Game One of the World Series against the Twins because of Yom Kippur. A Brooklyn-born Jew, the Hall of Fame lefty was excused by the Dodgers in observance of the Jewish Day of Atonement in 1965. Don Drysdale started instead, with the Twins winning the game 8-2.

Koufax started Game Two but was the losing pitcher in another Twins win. The Dodgers, though, went on to win the World Series in seven games, with Koufax shutting out Minnesota in the finale. See Tanick’s article in the Minneapolis Times, https://minneapolistimes.com/60-years-ago-baseballs-sandy-koufax-made-history-here/

Isaac Asuma, the sophomore from Cherry, Minnesota who figures to be a key contributor to the Golden Gophers basketball team this season, told Sports Headliners his brother Noah is steadfast in his commitment to play baseball at the U. A future shortstop, the Cherry High School senior has drawn interest from pro scouts.

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Glen Mason Speaks Out about Honoring U Football Players

Posted on October 7, 2025October 7, 2025 by David Shama

It’s Homecoming Week at the University of Minnesota where events lead up to Saturday night’s football game against Purdue. Inside Huntington Bank Stadium the names of five all-time great Minnesota players are prominently displayed for alums and other fans to see.

The more knowledgeable patrons know the famous five have their numbers and jerseys retired—Bobby Bell, Paul Giel, Bronko Nagurski, Bruce Smith and Sandy Stephens. All are deceased except for Bell who plans to attend the Homecoming game and participate in recognition of the 65^th anniversary of the 1960 national championship team.

Bell’s last season at Minnesota was 1962 when he was the Outland Trophy winner and was named an All-American tackle for a second consecutive season. Giel’s last season was 1953, Nagurski’s 1929, Smith’s 1941 and Stephens 1961.

With its rich football history, the athletic department has an opportunity to soon add to the recognition of the greatest ever football Gophers. Greg Eslinger, the superlative 2004 and 2005 All-American center who blocked for some of the best running attacks in school history, will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in December and is deserving of a spot at the Bank.

Glen Mason, Eslinger’s coach, said it’s overdue to retire the number and jersey of the 2005 Outland Trophy and Rimington Trophy winner. Mason told Sports Headliners “I can’t understand” why Eslinger isn’t keeping company with Bell, Giel, Nagurski, Smith and Stephens.

Mason describes Eslinger’s absence as a “pet peeve.”

Eslinger (No. 61) photo courtesy of University of Minnesota

Eslinger’s resume is eye-popping and includes being the 2005 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year (only Gopher ever honored). He was named All-Big Ten three times in his career, and he was awarded the 2006 Big Ten Medal of Honor (the conference’s oldest and most prestigious award). He was also a two-time Academic All-American.

Two other players who Mason coached deserve consideration for having their numbers and jerseys retired. Tyrone Carter won the 1999 Jim Thorpe Award and was a two-time All-American safety. Matt Spaeth won the 2006 John Mackey Award as an All-American tight end that year.

“Why those guys’ names (Eslinger, Carter and Spaeth) wouldn’t be up there is mind boggling to me,” Mason said. “You know, the players’ names that were there up were great players but none better than these guys…and these (five) guys are ancient. Nobody knows who they are. It’s stupidity.”

Mason added “another thorn in my side” is that Spaeth isn’t in the M Club Hall of Fame for Gopher athletes. Spaeth, a two-time All-Big Ten selection who holds the school career record for tight ends of 1,293 receiving yards, was a four-year starter for Mason.

“Outrageous, because I could name a few guys that you could say, what are they doing in there? He’s not in there, it’s embarrassing,” Mason said.

Asked about plans to expand the number of retired numbers and jerseys, an athletic department spokesman said via text “we are continually engaged in conversations about how best to recognize and honor the contributions former football players have made to the program.”

The department will honor Eslinger at the home Nebraska game on October 17. The Gophers also plan to have representation at Eslinger’s induction into the Hall of Fame in Las Vegas in December.

The National Football Foundation sponsors the Hall of Fame which is located in Atlanta. Tickets are available at https://NFF2025.givesmart.com.

Eslinger will join 32 other former Gophers players and coaches in the Hall of Fame, including Bell, Giel, Nagurski, Smith and Stephens. Here are brief capsules on the five and what made them so special.

Bell could have been a great player at multiple positions, perhaps even quarterback. He settled for terrorizing opposing offenses as a defensive tackle on national title and Rose Bowl teams that went 22-6-1 from 1960-1962. To this day, there are Gopher historians who maintain the superbly athletic and instinctual Bell is the greatest football player ever at Minnesota.

Giel was an elusive single-wing tailback who was an All-American in 1952 and 1953. Despite playing on mediocre teams, he finished third in Heisman Trophy balloting in 1952 and second in 1953 when he lost in a controversial vote to Notre Dame’s Johnny Lattner. United Press International, though, named him College Player of the Year. He twice won the Chicago Tribune’s Silver Football Award as the Big Ten’s Most Valuable Player.

Nagurski is one of the most famous names in college football lore. In the late 1920s he played tackle, fullback, defensive and offensive end, linebacker and even quarterback. A beast whose strength was way ahead of his day, he was named a consensus All-American in 1929 at two positions, tackle and fullback. Sports Illustrated named him college football’s best player of the first half of the 20th century.

Smith, also a great tailback in the single-wing, was a back-to-back All-American on Minnesota’s 1940 and 1941 national championship teams. Those teams were undefeated and in the 1940 season he scored three game winning touchdowns. He is also Minnesota’s only Heisman Trophy winner, being honored in 1941. And, oh yeah, Hollywood made a move about him: “Smith of Minnesota.” He was one of the stars, of course.

Stephens finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy balloting after his senior season of 1961. Quite a feat for an African American who was a pioneer at the position. He was the starter on the 1960 national championship team, but his play went to another level in 1961when he made numerous first team All-American teams and was named the Chicago Tribune’s Silver Football Award winner as the Big Ten’s Most Valuable Player. He led the Gophers to a 21-3 win over UCLA in the 1962 Rose Bowl.

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Win or Lose, U Can Make Positive Impression at No. 1 OSU

Posted on October 3, 2025October 3, 2025 by David Shama

Everything seems to line up in Ohio State’s favor for its game Saturday night in Columbus on national TV against the Golden Gophers. Superior talent, home field advantage and history all weigh in on the likelihood of a Buckeyes win on NBC TV.

The Gophers, though, with a victory or defeat, can make an important statement about themselves. Upset the nation’s No. 1 ranked team and Minnesota will record one of its most stunning wins in program history. Hang competitively with the Bucks for four quarters and the Gophers will have played their best game of the season and set themselves up for confident performances in upcoming games at home against Purdue and Nebraska. BetMGM, BTW, makes the Buckeyes a 24-point favorite.

The Gophers, 3-1 on the season, have defeated Ohio State three times since 1965. Minnesota, with wins at home in 1966 and 1981, and a victory in Columbus in 2000, has an all-time record of seven wins and 47 losses against the Brutes from Columbus. No Big Ten foe has historically dominated the Gophers like Ohio State.

The 4-0 Buckeyes are the defending national champions and look to be rolling toward another College Football Playoff spot. They have several players ESPN listed on its preseason roster of the nation’s top 100 college players. That group is led by two superstars, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs, who are ranked No. 1 and 5 respectively. Minnesota has one player against Ohio State’s five in safety Koi Perich ranked No. 42.

The Buckeyes are averaging an impressive 36.3 points per game and giving up a nation’s best 5.5. The Gophers are averaging 33.5 and 16.63, with numbers skewed by a 66-0 win over patsy foe Northwestern State.

For Minnesota to stay in the game, the Gophers will need to slow the Ohio State run game and pressure quarterback Julian Sayin. A repeat performance of seven sacks like in last week’s 31-28 win over Rutgers would be a wish come true for the Gophers.

Offensively, the guess here is the Gophers will play for a third consecutive game without star running back Darius Taylor who has become almost as well known for his hamstring injuries as his running and pass catching. That will leave a lot of burden on redshirt freshman quarterback Drake Lindsey. He was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week for his performance against Rutgers when he completed 31 passes on 41 attempts for 324 yards and three touchdowns (all career highs) with no interceptions as Minnesota rallied from a 14-point deficit to win at home.

The Gophers will need to overcome the crowd chaos of playing in arguably the Big Ten’s noisiest stadium. The “Horseshoe” seats over 102,000 and the decibel can be deafening. Lindsey can forget audibling at the line of scrimmage to change plays. Instead, the Gophers who have practiced this week amidst raucous artificial noise, will rely on hand signals for communications.

Gopher coach P.J. Fleck noted earlier in the week that OSU fans have been asking for a couple of years to see their heroes in a home night game. After fans are tailgating all day, Fleck expects his team to walk into “a really hostile environment.”

“…Our players are just going to have to have incredible poise and execute the small details, and find a way to just continue to get better and go execute the game plan that’s in front of us,” Fleck said.

Fleck refers to the game as both a challenge and opportunity for his team. That includes for individuals like Lindsey, the first-year starter, who against Rutgers further justified the confidence of his teammates and coaches. Fleck already knows Lindsey is a special talent but also realizes the trajectory of progress won’t always be vertical.

If Lindsey on Saturday, though, plays at a higher level than against Rutgers, even BetMGM would like the Gophers’ chances of making an impressive showing at the “Shoe.”

Worth Noting

BetMGM lists the 2-2 Vikings as 3.5 favorites for their Sunday game against the 1-3 Browns in London. Minnesota needs a win, because the next three opponents are the 4-0 Eagles at home and on the road against the Chargers and Lions, both 3-1.

Vikings Donovan Jackson, Ryan Kelly, Michael Jurgens, J.J. McCarthy, Brian O’Neill and Andrew Van Ginkel are ruled out for Sunday’s game, according to the team practice report this morning. Questionable are Tyler Batty, C.J. Ham and Ben Yurosek. Mike Hall is out for the Browns, with Jack Conklin and Greg Newsome questionable.

Viewership of the Steelers 24-21 win over the Vikings last Sunday in Dublin was the second most-watched NFL Network International game ever, with 7.9 million viewers (TV+digital)—trailing only the 2023 Dolphins and Chiefs game in Germany. The total doesn’t include OTA viewership from the Minneapolis and Pittsburgh markets.

It could be the Twins Pohlad ownership group will announce its new minority owners at the MLB Winter Meetings in December.

If the Yankees fire manager Aaron Boone, the Twins would be advised to take a serious look at him to fill their managerial opening.

Veteran sportswriters Jerry Zgoda and Kent Youngblood left the Star Tribune earlier this year. Now Twins beat writer Phil Miller, a terrific reporter, is retiring, too. Last Sunday he posted the following on X:

“Phillies win 2-1 in 10, and that’s a wrap on the Twins’ disappointing 70-92 season — and on my 45-year career in newspapers, which has been the utter opposite of disappointing. To all you Jazz, Utes, Gophers and Twins fans, thanks so much for reading. It’s been an absolute blast.”

Representing the Gopher men’s team at Big Ten Basketball Media Days Oct. 8 and 9 in Rosemont, Ill. will be coach Niko Medved and sophomore guard Isaac Asuma and junior forward Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, Jr. The women’s team contingent will be coach Dawn Plitzuweit and senior guards Amaya Battle and Mara Braun.

Blaze Credit Union, the official credit union of the Minnesota Wild, will have its logo on the team’s home helmets this season. As part of the sponsorship agreement between the two, the Blaze Credit Union’s Hockey Kids4Kids Program will continue. The program encourages youth players to raise funds for kids at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare.

Marc-André Fleury, now in his first season of retirement, was brought to Minnesota in 2022 to be a role model for teammates including now No. 1 goalie Filip Gustavvson. It will be interesting to see if Gustavsson can keep building on past success and have his best season. The Wild open the regular schedule October 9 against the Blues in St. Louis.

The state-of-the-art LaunchPad Golf The Meadows in Prior Lake opens Saturday at 4 p.m. Located close to Mystic Lake Casino Hotel and The Meadows at Mystic golf course, the venue will be a year-round entertainment destination.

It’s the first LauchPad location in the United States, and the venue has 40-heated suites (bays) and will be open even when temps are near 20 below. Each of the suites offers ball tracking technology, along with an auto-tee system that pops up the next golf ball after the last one has been hit. The driving range is 243 yards long and golfers can bring their own clubs or have them provided.

Serious golfers can experience some of the world’s most famous golf courses, including Pebble Beach, Bethpage Black, The Old Course at St. Andrews, and others. There’s also a variety of different games that are fun for golfers of different abilities, including suite linking technology to compete against an adjacent group.

LaunchPad’s offerings create a welcoming social atmosphere with its sports bar and quality dining options that include shareables and dinner entrees. LaunchPad is a sponsor of Gopher athletics and members of the men’s hockey and basketball team recently enjoyed a visit there.

There will be visitation starting at 11 a.m. Monday at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis for Minnesota golf legend John Harris, 73. A memorial service follows at noon at the church. In addition to excelling in amateur and professional golf, John played on the 1974 Golden Gophers national championship hockey team.

The esteemed Twin Cities Dunkers organization started in 1948 as the Minneapolis Dunkers under the leadership of Norm McGrew. Dave Mona took over in 1999 but will step away at the end of 2026 when Dunkers board member and former Twins president Dave St. Peter takes over as the next president and general manager of the civic and business organization whose activities include raising money for the Minneapolis and St. Paul public high schools to support their athletic programs. Dunkers has raised over $1.5 million for the cause.

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