Game ball collection shows Wossman’s Williams has career-long HOF credentials

By JAKE MARTIN, Written for the LSWA

One. Two. Three. Four…

Hang on. 

Five. Six. Seven. Eight…

Counting game balls that were bestowed to Pat Williams throughout his illustrious NFL career might take a minute. More than that, actually.

Thirteen. Fourteen. Fifteen…

A 14-year NFL career that began in Buffalo with Pro Football Hall of Famer Bruce Smith saw Williams make a name for himself as one part of “The Package” alongside Ted Washington. In the late ‘90s, the Wossman High graduate squared off against Hall of Famers Dan Marino, Brett Favre and Warren Moon on the biggest stage football has to offer.

Twenty. Twenty-one. Twenty-two…

It can be argued the 6-3, 315-pound nose tackle figuratively, and quite literally, left a massive gap in Buffalo’s defense when he pursued a new team in 2004. After Williams led the front line of Buffalo’s rush defense that allowed 100.3 rushing yards per game in 2004, which was sixth best in the NFL, the Bills allowed 137.8 rushing yards per game (31st) the following year when Williams exited for Minnesota.

Twenty-eight. Twenty-nine. Thirty…

Buffalo’s rush defense worsened, while Minnesota’s rose to the best in the league. In fact, Williams’ tenure with the Vikings featured three consecutive seasons where the Vikings had the best rush defense in the NFL. Minnesota allowed just 61.6 rushing yards per game in 2006, 74.1 in 2007 and 76.9 in 2008 before “dipping” to 87.1 in 2009 when the Vikings reached the NFC Championship Game against the Saints. Over five years and 60 games played, Williams helped solidify a defense that allowed just 80.4 rushing yards per game.

Thirty-four. Thirty-five. Thirty-six. Phew.

“You know, actually that’s all that’s in here,” remembered Williams inside his man cave in his hometown of Monroe that featured one jersey of a Pro Football Hall of Famer after the next. “My son (Pat Williams II) actually has some at his apartment in Ruston. People don’t understand how hard those are to get.”

You don’t spend 14 years in the NFL and garner three Pro Bowl nods while earning the distinction of All-Pro without commanding respect across the National Football League. Williams earned every bit of that with a career that featured 672 total tackles, 20.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles and fumble recoveries and even a game-sealing fourth quarter pick six against the Miami Dolphins that saw the big man rumble into the end zone from 20 yards out.

Scan his man cave and you’ll find gems like Terrell Owens’ signed Pro Bowl cleats, Pro Football Hall of Fame memorabilia and Pro Bowl jerseys from legends like Peyton Manning and Ray Lewis. More than a decade has passed since Williams terrorized running backs like Hall of Fame back LaDainian Tomlinson, and finally at 53 years old, he’s garnered the respect he’s been looking for. 

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame couldn’t elude Williams’ big paws any longer, as one-half of the Williams Wall will cement his legacy beginning Thursday in Natchitoches as part of the LSHOF’s Class of 2026. Information on seven events, culminating with the Induction Ceremony Saturday night at the Natchitoches Events Center and televised live on LPB, is available at LaSportsHall.com or by calling 318-238-4255.

Count Kevin Williams, who represented the other half of that dominant duo on Minnesota’s defensive front, as one of many happy to see Williams finally get his day under the sun. 

“What made him so good was he could do stuff a normal person couldn’t. It was hard to duplicate,” Kevin Williams said. “He had the experience, where he could read the guy was about to overreach for him and shove him by and go behind him. It was a lot of things like that.

“When I tried to do some of those things, I was like, ‘Pat, how are you doing that?’ He was wrong sometimes, but he was right more than he was wrong. It’s the little things that he brought to the game. I think we bonded because were were both hungry and desperate to succeed.” 

Don’t just take his running mate’s word for it. Longtime defensive line coach Karl Dunbar, who most recently served as the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line coach, had the opportunity to coach “Big Pat” in Minnesota. Dunbar had a come-to-Jesus meeting with the hall of fame talent about shedding some weight and being more than just a hole plugger on Dunbar’s defensive line. After Williams put in the work, shed some pounds and excelled at an All-Pro level, Dunbar was sold on his legacy. 

“He’s probably the best nose tackle I’ve ever coached,” Dunbar said. “You need to have an anchor. That’s the lynchpin. If you can get gap movement, they’re going to run the ball on you all night every night. The first three years there, we led the league in rushing defense because Pat was in there.”

Achieving legendary status in the state wouldn’t even be a conversation starter without stern coaching during his youth. 

Tough love under former Wossman head football coach Lonnie Calahan prepared Williams for life, and that’s something he grew to appreciate later on. After playing under Calahan at Wossman, Williams made his way to Navarro College in 1992. That’s where he became a two-time JUCO All-American before finding himself on the campus at Texas A&M.

After signing with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 1997, Williams asked around in the front office about why he wasn’t drafted.

“They told me they thought I had a bad attitude and that I was uncoachable,” Williams said. “I’m always going to learn.”

Williams had his chance to prove that as a rookie behind legendary defensive players like Smith.

“I was sitting in the same meeting room as Bruce, and I’m just like, ‘Bruce is sitting right there,’” Williams said, recalling his time as a rookie. “I was calling my wife every week because it was different back then. We had 100-something guys before they started making cuts. In the middle of the summer, I was like eighth string, and there were no rookies ahead of me. Ted Washington and I had the same agent, so Ted pulled me to the side and said, ‘I don’t know what you’re thinking, but you got a family. You need to do what you’ve got to do.’ Once we talked, I slowly started picking it up and rising on the depth chart.”

Marveling at Smith’s iconic performances was part of that process too.

“I was asking Bruce questions all the time. It was amazing watching him play,” Williams said. “He would take two snaps at practice, pull his hat off and go, ‘Alright young pups, y’all got it.’ Then I would watch him on Sunday’s and be like, ‘How do you play like this?’”

His production for the Bills picked up every year before becoming a full-time starter in 2001. Recognized by USA Today’s All-Joe Team as the NFL’s most overlooked, ignored and hard-working players and later being voted on by his teammates as the Ed Block Courage Award winner in 2003, Williams built a strong reputation in Buffalo before signing with the Vikings in 2005 and earning a couple more duo nicknames with Kevin Williams as the “Williams Wall” and “Williams Wrecking Crew.” Many great backs had issues getting around that wall too. Tomlinson and many others struggled to penetrate the middle of the best rush defense in the NFL. The Chargers’ “L.T.” was held to 40 rushing yards on 16 carries (2.5 yards per rush) in 2007 against the Vikings.

“When I got to the Vikings and was able to play with Kevin Williams and Jared Allen, we just made it fun,” the former Wildcat said. “We didn’t care about who we were playing. We were competing against each other. But we went against some great running backs. I tell my son that all the time. I loved playing against Curtis Martin, Barry Sanders, Marshall Faulk, Clinton Portis and Edgerrin James. I hated Eddie George because my wife loved Eddie George. I would tell her after the games, “You see how he didn’t get any yards, huh? That’s all because of you.’”

Not only did Williams face his fair share of Hall of Fame running backs, but he also went toe-to-toe with some of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the NFL. Some he liked playing more than others.

“We hated Peyton (Manning). We would cuss him out,” Williams said, laughing. “He kept us in our stance all the time. ‘Hike the ball, man.’ Eli was the same way. Hated him too. Tom Brady talked a lot of (expletive). Brett Favre too. He would all the time, and then he came and played with me with the Vikings. My son loved Brett Favre. He used to bother (Favre) all the time in the locker room.”

Pro Bowls and other illustrious honors were nice and all, but there’s still one accolade that evaded him during his playing days that haunts him. The offseason before the New York Giants won the Super Bowl, the team inquired about signing Williams and getting him to play 20 snaps a game. Fourteen years was a long time of playing in the NFL, though, and Williams was ready to hang up his cleats.

“My son still reminds me of that. ‘If you would have signed with them, you would have gotten a ring,’” Williams said. “People don’t understand you have to work out to play. And I was done with that. At the end of the day, I was proud of the longevity of my career because I enjoyed playing. I played out all my contracts. And had an opportunity to sign with the Giants after that, so I’m proud of that.

“I like to think of myself as one of the all-time great (nose tackles). I get mad sometimes because I don’t feel the love in my own state. When we go to Minnesota, they love me there, but I don’t always feel that love (in Louisiana).”

He feels that love at Wossman. How could he not? From donating and upgrading facilities to helping out with the football team, Williams is still an integral part of Wossman High School.

“It’s all about the kids,” Williams said. “That’s how I got to where I am. Through the ups and downs, the teachers and coaches helped me with everything I did in life. If I could do it all over, I’d do it all the same.”

That path has now led him to the recognition Williams so desperately craved – and richly deserved.

Oops… Missed one. Make that thirty-seven NFL game balls for Louisiana’s newest hall of fame talent. 

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It’s time to celebrate: Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame festivities begin Thursday

Three days of festivities unfold beginning Thursday through Saturday for the 2026 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration in Natchitoches.

The LSHOF’s Class of 2026 will be enshrined Saturday night at the Natchitoches Events Center to culminate the 67^th Induction Celebration.

The Induction Celebration will kick off Thursday with the Welcome Reception from 5-7 p.m., free to the public at the Hall of Fame museum at 800 Front Street in Natchitoches. No need to dress up, just come enjoy appetizers, entertainment and the first look at the new items the 2026 inductees have provided for display.

The Friday schedule begins with the Celebrity Bowling Bash presented by BOM at Four Seasons Bowling Center in Alexandria. Lunch is served at 11:30 with a festive warmup session for the bowlers before celebrity introductions and the competition begins about 12:45. Tickets are available at LaSportsHall.com.

The 2026 Rockin’ River Fest, a free concert on the downtown riverbank stage, begins at 6 p.m. and runs until 10:30. In conjunction with the Rockin’ River Fest is the VIP Taste of Tailgating party, a ticketed indoor-outdoor event, with an array of Louisiana dishes and specialty drinks at Mama’s Oyster House and Blues Room overlooking the Rue Beauport riverbank venue.

The slate on Saturday kicks off with the free LSHOF Junior Training Camp led by community relations personnel from the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, along with Northwestern State coaches and this year’s Hall of Fame inductees, on the NSU campus at the Webb Wellness and Recreation Center and Turpin Stadium. This event is presented by Natchitoches Regional Medical Center and is nearing capacity. Free registration for kids ages 7-16 is required and can be easily accomplished at LaSportsHall.com.

At noon Saturday, the Round Table Luncheon presented by the Tiger Athletic Foundation is set for Riverside Reserve on Mill Street. Fox Sports broadcaster Tim Brando emcees an entertaining program.

Festivities culminate Saturday evening with the Induction Reception at the LSHOF museum beginning at 5, followed at 7 by the Induction Ceremony at the Natchitoches Events Center. Northwestern State University and State Farm Agents of Louisiana are presenting sponsors Saturday evening. A few seats are still available.

The VIP Taste of Tailgating, the Bowling Bash, the Round Table Luncheon and the Induction Reception and Ceremony are ticketed events requiring purchase in advance through LaSportsHall.com or by calling 318-238-4255.

The Thursday reception, the Friday evening River Fest and the Junior Training Camp are free.

The Class of ‘26 is headlined by a star-studded group:  Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 2025 inductee Sylvia Fowles, NFL stars Joe Horn, Todd McClure and Pat Williams, Major League Baseball All-Star Jonathan Lucroy and legendary basketball coaches John Brady, Mike McConathy and Dewain Strother.

Alexandria native and LSU baseball hero Warren Morris will receive the Louisiana Sports Ambassador Award, earning enshrinement into the LSHOF. His walk-off home run won the 1996 College World Series for LSU and resulted in the Bolton High School product becoming a lifelong spokesman for college baseball, the CWS and LSU.

LSU graduate and New Orleans native Gil LeBreton and multi-faceted Shreveporter John James Marshall are going into the Hall as the 2026 winners of the LSWA’s Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism. Former Tioga girls basketball coach and nationally-acclaimed high school sports administrator Kathy Holloway is being inducted as the recipient of the Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership Award.

The Induction Celebration will be hosted by the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Foundation, the support organization for the Hall of Fame. The LSHOF Foundation was established as a 501 c 3 non-profit entity in 1975 and is governed by a statewide board of directors. 

For information on sponsorship opportunities and other participation, contact Foundation President/CEO Ronnie Rantz at 225-802-6040 or RonnieRantz@LaSportsHall.com, or Greg Burke, Director of Business Development and Public Relations, at 318-663-5459 or GregBurke@LaSportsHall.com via email.  

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By Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming, M.D.

Louisiana Republicans face an important choice in this Senate runoff election. My opponent and I offer two very different visions for the future of our state and our nation.

I entered this race because I believe Louisiana deserves a U.S. Senator who will fight for our values, challenge the political establishment, and put our citizens’ interests ahead of special interests.

The establishment is investing heavily in this race because they understand what is at stake. They know I will challenge the status quo. They know I will vote based on conservative principles rather than political pressure. And they know I will put Louisiana first.

My opponent, Congresswoman Julia Letlow, is totally controlled by Governor Jeff Landry, whose operatives are managing her campaign and whose allies are pumping millions of dollars of dark money into the race to support her with dishonest advertisements. These insiders oppose me because they know I cannot be bought, bullied, or bossed.

Throughout my career as a physician, small business owner, U.S. Congressman, and Louisiana State Treasurer, I have built a record of service rooted in conservative principles, not political convenience.

This campaign has demonstrated the difference between grassroots leadership and establishment politics. While outside groups and political operatives relied on lies attempting to influence the race, I have relied on the support of ordinary Louisianans who are tired of seeing Washington insiders dictate the future of our state. I advanced to this runoff despite being heavily outspent because voters are looking for authenticity, experience, and conviction.

In this campaign, one of the most important issues is the protection of private property rights. Louisiana landowners should never be forced to surrender property rights to allow private carbon capture companies to profit from federally subsidized projects.

Julia Letlow strongly supported President Joe Biden’s Green Energy and Climate Change agenda, including carbon sequestration. In contrast, I staunchly support MAGA and America First policies and thoroughly oppose dangerous carbon sequestration.

I also believe the federal government should focus on merit, excellence, and equal opportunity, not divisive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. Throughout her academic career, Julia Letlow passionately supported DEI policies, which seek to divide Americans by race, gender, or identity.  In the Senate, I will vote to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not used to support DEI mandates and that federal policies reward achievement, hard work, and individual responsibility.

Louisianans are also tired of seeing elected officials enrich themselves while in office. Public service should be exactly that, service. The American people deserve confidence that their representatives are working for them rather than leveraging their positions for personal financial gain.

Sadly, the Federal Election Commission and the Department of Justice have received complaints from watchdog organizations about my opponent’s alleged campaign finance violations. While serving in Congress, Ms. Letlow admitted to 210 late stock trade filings. In contrast, there is no blemish on my record, and I did not engage in stock trading in Congress.

I have spent my career standing up for conservative values, supporting secure borders, defending the unborn, protecting the Second Amendment, and fighting for limited government.

This election is about whether Louisiana will send another politician to Capitol Hill or a proven conservative fighter who is willing to challenge the status quo.

I am asking for your vote because I will not disappoint you and will always put Louisiana first. Together, we can protect our freedoms, defend our values, and ensure that our U.S. Senate seat belongs to the people of Louisiana, not political insiders.

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I absolutely believe Americans have a lot more in common than what is depicted on the news or via social media. I’m a “glass-more-than-half-full” type of person and I wholeheartedly believe people are entitled to their own opinions and, given an opportunity to discuss those opinions, I can find some commonality with them.  I do not believe that I am in the minority in my thinking. A Pew Research study conducted in 2023 found that only 4% of U.S. adults believe the political system is functioning well or very well, which means an overwhelming 96% of those polled had an unfavorable opinion of American politics. Not surprisingly, the number of Americans that consider themselves to be politically independent is on the rise (45%, news.gallop.com).  

Other things the majority of Americans agree on is that teachers should be paid more (73%, yougov.com); Congress should enact laws to lower healthcare costs (91%, familiesusa.org); corporations have too much influence in politics (76 – 83%, americans-agree.org); and social security should be strengthened (79%, nationwidefinancial.com).

The overwhelming sense that Americans are becoming malcontent is not a result of divisive opinions, but rather the way we communicate those opinions. As we celebrate America’s 250^th birthday, may we all embrace the words of Abraham Lincoln who wrote in a letter to Henry L. Pierce and others on April 6, 1859, “Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it.”

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Parents looking for a meaningful way for their children to spend Friday evenings this summer, and perhaps enjoy a few hours to themselves, are invited to take advantage of First United Methodist Church of Alexandria’s free Vacation Bible School, Road Trip: On the Go with God!

Held on Friday nights in July from 5:30–8:00 p.m., Road Trip VBS welcomes children entering Pre-K through fifth grade for four evenings of fun, faith, and friendship on July 10, 17, 24, and 31. While children embark on exciting adventures with friends, parents can enjoy a date night, catch up on errands, or simply take a well-earned break knowing their children are in a safe, caring, and Christ-centered environment.

Inspired by Joshua 1:9 – “The LORD your God is with you wherever you go”—Road Trip VBS invites young travelers to discover God’s presence wherever life leads. Through engaging Bible stories, lively music, creative crafts, hands-on science activities, games, and snacks, children will experience the joy of growing in faith while making lasting memories.

Guided by the Navigator and an adventurous pup named Scout, travelers will journey to exciting destinations and encounter stories from both the Old and New Testaments. Through the Navigator’s Guide—the Bible—children will discover how God accompanied His people through every challenge and how His promises remain true today.

Road trips are often remembered not only for where they take us, but for the relationships formed along the way. In the same spirit, Road Trip VBS is designed to help children build friendships and deepen their relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Developed by Cokesbury and firmly rooted in Scripture and the gospel of the living Christ, every aspect of Road Trip VBS has been carefully created to provide engaging, age-appropriate experiences that bring God’s Word to life. From the moment VBS begins, each activity is designed to help children encounter God’s love in ways that are joyful, memorable, and transformative.

Children can look forward to singing, games, crafts, science experiments, snacks, and unforgettable Bible lessons, all centered around the promise of Joshua 1:9: “The LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Vacation Bible School is free and open to all children entering Pre-K through fifth grade.

Registration is now open. Families are encouraged to reserve their spots by visiting www.fumca.org/vbs.

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Phonetic: /port·​man·​teau/

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition

is a new word formed by blending the sounds and combining the meanings of two or more existing words

Brunch: Breakfast + Lunch
Motel: Motor + Hotel
Smog: Smoke + Fog
Spork: Spoon + Fork
Sitcom: Situation + Comedy
Podcast: iPod + Broadcast
Chillax: Chill + Relax
Webinar: Web + Seminar

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 Looking down the Hall with appreciation, and an eye for the future

We’re celebrating Louisiana sports this weekend with the annual Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame festivities starting Thursday that culminate with the televised induction ceremony on Louisiana Public Broadcasting Saturday night at the Natchitoches Events Center.

I look forward to attending each year, and one of the things we either take for granted or forget is just how blessed we are to have so many terrific athletes, coaches and administrators and sports writers and broadcasters who have graced our state with their talents and their passion for excellence.

In this piece, I want to gush a bit about the proliferation of talented quarterbacks who have either hailed from Louisiana or emigrated from elsewhere to shine in the sport in the Bayou State.

There are 14 quarterbacks in the LSHOF who have the distinction of being members in at least one of five national Halls of Fame.

There are four in the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Terry Bradshaw, Peyton Manning, Y.A. Tittle and, most recently elected in the Class of 2026 to be inducted at Canton in August, Drew Brees.

There are seven others in the College Football Hall of Fame: Bert Jones, Chris Cagle, Doc Fenton, Lester Lautenschlager, Archie Manning, Abe Mickal and Doug Williams. James “Shack” Harris joins fellow Grambling grad Doug Williams among the state’s elite quarterbacks in the Black College Hall of Fame. 

Matt Dunigan is a Louisiana-bred quarterback in the Canadian Football League Hall of Fame, and Joe Ferguson, a sensational prep quarterback at Shreveport’s Woodlawn before shining in college at Arkansas and in the NFL for three teams in 17 seasons (12 with the Buffalo Bills), is a member of the National High School Hall of Fame.

Data was culled from Pro Football Reference to figure out which states have over- or underperformed based on the expected number of NFL quarterbacks produced. An in-depth analytics study by ESPN, tracking where the best quarterbacks come from relative to state population, ranked Louisiana first in the nation with a score of 450.5, easily beating out second-place New York (315.4) and third-place Indiana (172.2).

Consider, too, we’ve got famous quarterbacks in the state’s shrine who have not been voted into a national Hall of Fame like Eli Manning, Stan Humphries, Jake Delhomme and Bobby Hebert. Steve Foley and Richie Petitbon were both star quarterbacks for Tulane, but they earned their stripes as Louisiana Sports Hall of Famers more for their sensational play as defensive backs in the NFL; Foley, with Denver and Petitbon with Chicago.

Eli Manning has been a modern-era finalist for the Pro Football Hall the last two years, and at first blush it’s astonishing that as a two-time Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl MVP, he has not been a shoo-in.

Only one other retired NFL quarterback who led his team to two Super Bowl victories has not been elected to the Pro Football shrine – Jim Plunkett, who is now 77 and not likely to get elected. Plunkett led Oakland to triumphs in Super Bowls XV and XVIII. He is a former Super Bowl MVP and winner of  Rookie of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year honors, yet he was on only four winning teams as a starter, and he had more interceptions (198) than touchdowns (164).  

Eli is No. 11 in the NFL in both all-time passing yards (57,023) and passing touchdowns (366), but the rap against him is his career record as a starter is 117-117, he never was a first-team All-Pro and he led the NFL in interceptions three times (2007, ’10 and ’13). 

Nonetheless, I think the good outweighs the bad in his case.

Throughout his 16-year (2004-19) career — all spent with the Giants — he achieved numerous franchise records and milestones, including 236 regular-season games played, setting a Giants franchise record, and 210 consecutive starts, which was the second-longest streak by a quarterback in NFL history at the time.

Looking down the line, there are a few more guys who are future candidates for the LSHOF and probably at least a College Hall of Fame: LSU’s two most recent Heisman Trophy winners, Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels; and sensational Mississippi State quarterback and former NFL Rookie of the Year Dak Prescott, homegrown in Haughton.

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Phonetic: /tau·​tol·​o·​gy/

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition

needless repetition of an idea, statement, or word

Rhetorical repetition, tautology (‘always and for ever’), banal metaphor, and short paragraphs are part of the jargon.
—Philip Howard

an instance of such repetition

The phrase “a beginner who has just started” is a tautology.

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Pineville sets budget hearing

By JIM BUTLER

Pineville officials propose a 2026-27 operating budget using about $500,000 of this fiscal year’s General Fund year-end balance.

A public hearing on the proposal will be held at 6:30 the evening of June 30.

Also at that gathering the City  Council will hear comments regarding amendments to the current budget (fiscal year ends that day) as well as any code amendments or modifications regarding officials’ salaries.

According to posted notice the city expects to begin the fiscal year with a General Fund carryover of $1.47 million and reach June 30, 2027 with a $920,000 balance.

Revenue is estimated at $23.95 million and expenses at $24.51 million.

Details of the spending plan are not included in the general hearing notice.

Special revenue fund estimates (rounded) are:

• 1981 sales tax – $6.5 million;

• Property tax – $2.1 million;

• Economic development – $$222.5 thousand; Rapides Cemetery- $3,100; Capital revenue – $4.1 million.

Each fund is expected to have a zero balance at year’s end as dollars are channeled to dedicated uses.

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Clark bars Burns from shot at U.S. Open title

By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

U.S. Open heartbreak had a different feel this time for Sam Burns.

The Shreveport native, a Calvary Baptist graduate, finished runner-up, by one shot – by an inch, you could say — Sunday at the 126^th U.S. Open at Long Island’s Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. And he was choked up speaking to media about it.

A year earlier, it was a sour, bitter ending to a strong week at Oakmont Country Club near Pittsburgh, when Burns led much of the way including 36-and 54-hole advantages and a two-shot edge on the back nine Sunday. But it unraveled following a downpour, after a dubious U.S.G.A. ruling forced him to play from what seemed to be standing water in the 15^th fairway, and he went 4-over in the last four holes, settling for a seventh-place tie. He was diplomatic as possible afterward in rueing the ruling.

This time, Burns almost joined Arnold Palmer for the largest final-round comeback in the championship. Palmer trailed by seven strokes in the 1960 U.S. Open at Cherry Hills Country Club in Denver.

Twice, the 29-year-old Choudrant resident moved within a shot of Wyndham Clark’s lead, the second time after draining an 18-foot birdie putt at the par-5 16th hole. Then it got even more agonizing: a 10-footer for birdie on the par-3 17^th missed 2-3 inches right, and a birdie try from 17 feet on the final hole slid past on the right edge, fractions from falling in. Burns went to his knees and flipped his putter softly.

Playing two holes back in the final twosome, Clark, the 2023 U.S. Open champ, pulled off a minor miracle with a birdie out of a terrible lie on the par-5 16^th, draining a 24-foot putt to turn what could have been a bogey or worse into a two-shot edge. Clark gave one back with a long three-putt bogey on 17. On the tourney’s final hole, Clark needed to two-putt from 59 feet to hold off Burns, and lagged his birdie try within inches of the cup to clinch the outcome.

After his best finish in a major championship, and a close miss of his first PGA Tour win since 2023, Burns was understandably emotional. His dad, Todd, was with him after the round on the practice tee, watching to see if Clark would crack, with Sam staying loose if he did. When Clark survived, father turned to son and told him how proud he was.

Recounting that moment to the media stopped Sam, and it took a few seconds for him to sniffle and gather himself to answer.

“I think we both knew how special it could have been for Father’s Day,” Burns said.

“I would say last year at Oakmont I felt more I lost the golf tournament,” Burns said. “I certainly don’t feel that way today.

“I started the day seven shots back. That’s very difficult to overcome, especially someone who is playing as well as Wyndham has been playing. That was really the difference today.

“If I would have been a little bit closer and maybe could have got ahead of him at some point, I think there could have been a different outcome possibly, but at the end of the day, he played amazing, and it was his week. You got to tip your cap to him.”

Burns said he would probably see his final birdie try taunting his memories as he went to sleep Sunday night.

“I really thought I made that putt,” he said. “It just didn’t go in.”

Burns was brilliant Sunday, making the only serious run at Clark with a closing 67. He began the round at even par, and birdied three of his first eight holes to move past a pack into solo second place.

“To start the day seven shots back, I knew it was going to take something really special,” Burns said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better start.”

Conversely, Clark bogeyed three of his first seven holes made it close. Three-putting at No. 15 put Burns in a difficult spot that he almost escaped to force a playoff.

Burns made one last charge, and was truly edged out of a shot at the title.

This time around, he was able to say without question, “The guy who played the best won.”

Clark collected a $4.5 winners’ payday. Burns got half that, $2.43 million, for his biggest check of the year.

It was his third straight top 10 at the U.S. Open, after last year’s seventh and a ninth-place tie in 2024.

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Alexandria man faces $2 million bail on murder charges

Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

June 21

Aijhae T. Boyd, 28, Alexandria – nine counts contempt of court, $39,000 bail;

Savanah Mestas, 22, Pineville – possession of CDS, possession of marijuana, two counts paraphernalia, $1,500 bail;

Felicia Lanique Walters, 53, Alexandria – OWI first offense, driving under suspension, open container, two counts contempt of court, disturbing the peace, $4,450 bail.

June 20

Terry John Boyer, 36, Pineville – violation of protective orders (second/subsequent), no bail data;

Tempi Jean Louella Carter, 20, Alexandria – OWI first offense, careless operation, $1,100 bail;

Terra E. Lavalais, 34, Pineville – OWI with child endangerment, improper lane usage, driver’s license not in possession, $1,200 bail;

Tyler Wayne Oblanc, 32, Pineville – theft, criminal trespass, $1,000 bail;

Jacquelyn Nicole Sigler, 45, Alexandria – criminal trespass, three counts contempt of court, $15,500 bail;

Joseph Martin Smith Jr., 47, Alexandria – aggravated second degree battery, two counts contempt of court, $2,000 bail;

Marcus Christopher Wilson Sr., 48, Pineville – five counts contempt of court, $31,000 bail.

June 19

Tristian Lane Blankenship, 26, Pineville – theft of a motor vehicle, possession of drug paraphernalia, $1,500 bail;

Gregory Keith Brown, 60, Alexandria – OWI third offense, required turning at intersections, contempt of court, $100,100 bail;

Chelsie Layne Dauzat, 27, Boyce – two counts contempt of court, $100,000 bail;

James Brewster Guinn, 59, Cheneyville – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, $2,000 bail;

Patrick Bobby Harris, 36, Alexandria – simple burglary, possession of drug paraphernalia, contempt of court, $10,500 bail;

Dominic Davon Knight, 38, Pineville – possession of CDS, contempt of court, $6,500 bail;

Joseph Raymand Larochelle, 28, Pineville – domestic abuse battery with child present, $5,000 bail;

J’lon Damon Quinney, 21, Alexandria – producing manufacturing distributing CDS, illegal carry firearm with drugs, $50,000 bail;

Albin Louis Rabalais, 79, Alexandria – aggravated assault, terrorizing, $51,000 bail;

Mason Wayne Taylor, 21, Hineston – carnal knowledge of a juvenile, $100,000 bail.

June 18

Laken Nicole Afeman, 40, Hineston – three counts contempt of court, $36,000 bail;

Mark Dayne Bailey, 29, Lecompte – taking contraband to and from penal institutions, $25,000 bail;

Daniel Lee Burns, 42, Lecompte – two counts simple burglary, four counts contempt of court, parole violations, $42,000 bail;

Landon Blake Byer, 20, Boyce – criminal damage to property, battery of a dating partner, $5,500 bail;

Deddrick Markice Clark, 30, Pineville – illegal possession of stolen firearm, illegal use of weapons, concealed negligent carry, possession of marijuana, possession of firearm by convicted felon, intentional littering, safety belt, resisting an officer, probation violation, contempt of court, $27,600 bail;

Michael Wayne Collins Jr., 23, Alexandria – two counts second degree murder, second degree battery, five counts second degree aggravated battery, two counts second degree battery, two counts simple battery, $2.25 million bail;

Demarcus Maurice Davis, 35, Alexandria – possession of firearm by convicted felon, resisting an officer, riding bicycles not astride, failure to appear, parole violations, $21,600 bail;

Christopher Lewis Griffis, 57, Pineville – possession of CDS, probation violation, three counts contempt of court, $9,000 bail;

Tyrese Deon Hagan, 21, Alexandria – home invasion, two counts simple battery, domestic abuse aggravated assault with child endangerment, parole violations, $126,000 bail;

Jacorius Kijuan Issac, 25, Alexandria – two counts second degree murder, two counts second degree battery, attempted aggravated battery, possession of firearm by convicted felon, obstruction of justice, $620,500 bail;

Terrance Anthony Jynes, 43, Alexandria – simple burglary, $5,000 bail;

Emma G. Mathews, 21, Boyce – Louisiana fugitive, two counts contempt of court, $10,000 bail;

Terrick Gwayne Sewell, 37, Alexandria – criminal conspiracy, transactions involving proceeds from drugs, parole violations, $50,000 bail;

James Deane Shelfo, 25, Boyce – cruelty to juveniles 8 and under, $10,000 bail.

June 17

Kari Elaine Beard, 43, Pineville – possession of CDS, parole violations, contempt of court, $3,500 bail;

Brandon Deangelo Bryant, 38, Alexandria – producing manufacturing distributing CDS, four counts contempt of court, $125,000 bail;

Alexis Jonae Carter, 28, Alexandria – improper headlights, two counts contempt of court, probation violation, $10,100 bail;

Kimberly Maine Coutee, 41, Boyce – illegal possession of stolen things, criminal conspiracy, simple burglary, obstruction of justice, three counts contempt of court, $47,500 bail;

Jamie Lea Hicks, 39, Alexandria – unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, Louisiana fugitive, $25,000 bail;

Michael Devon Dewayne Laneheart, 22, Alexandria – simple battery, contempt of court, $3,000 bail;

Devacheay Tray Martin, 25, Pineville – attempted second degree murder, simple battery, possession of marijuana, possession of fentanyl, simple escape, possession of firearm by convicted felon, three counts taking contraband to and from penal institutions, $606,000 bail;

Marissa Elizabeth Martin, 39, Alexandria – possession of CDS, drug paraphernalia, $2,000 bail;

Eric Smith, 17, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery, possession of marijuana, $2,500 bail;

Henry Nelson III, 25, Alexandria – three counts attempted second degree murder, $1.5 million bail;

Robert S. Paul, 42, Deville – theft, criminal damage to property, criminal trespass, $6,000 bail;

Tiffani Sharae Smith, 29, Alexandria – reckless operation of a vehicle, flight from an officer, $500 bail;

Tyreke Travese Taylor, 25, Alexandria – improper headlights, no driver’s license, contempt of court, $3,200 bail;

Tammie Janene Whitsine, 50, Alexandria – burglary of inhabited dwelling, contempt of court, $7,500 bail.

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Phonetic: /taw·​dry/

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition

cheap and gaudy in appearance or quality

tawdry clothing/jewels
tawdry furniture

“Well, I found myself seated in a horrid little private box … I looked out from behind the curtain and surveyed the house. It was a tawdry affair, all Cupids and cornucopias, like a third-rate wedding-cake.”
—Oscar Wilde

Any trip there carries with it more than its share of drabness, tawdry hotels and second-rate service, all of which tax the forbearance of the most patient traveler.
—John F. Burns

morally sordid, base, or distasteful

a tawdry scandal
a tawdry love affair
a tawdry attempt to smear his opponent

Setting aside the tawdry manner in which his marriage had (publicly) unraveled, the mayor’s combative style had begun to grate on many New Yorkers.
—Jonathan Mahler

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 Legal costs mount in Diocese bankruptcy

By JIM BUTLER

Legal costs in the Diocese of Alexandria bankruptcy case have passed $400,000 since the October 31 filing.

The Diocese on filing for Chapter 11 protection estimated its legal cost could run as high as $2 million.

Latest request for payment is by Werner, Weiss & Madison, counsel for the Committee of Unsecured Creditors.

The requested payment would bring to about $149,000 the sum paid the firm for compensation and expenses since its appointment December 1.

Should there be objection to the payment request a hearing will be held July 14 in Shreveport.

According to the March 31 operations statement filed by the Diocese, its counsel, the Gold Law Firm of Alexandria, had been paid about $$264,000 through that date.

Parties in the case held an initial mediation session earlier this month.

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LSU’s John Brady was making connections for his future before he even knew he had one

By GLENN GUILBEAU, Written for the LSWA

Former LSU men’s basketball coach John Brady wanted to be a coach back when he was at McComb High in the early 1970s.

But little did he know that the contacts he would make by chance would lead to the promised land of the 2006 Final Four, induction into the LSU Athletics Hall of Fame last fall, the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame last May and now, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches.

Brady is part of a 12-member Class of 2026 going into the LSHOF to culminate three days of festivities Thursday, June 25-Saturday, June 27, with seven events (six in Natchitoches, bowling in Alexandria). For participation information, visit LaSportsHall.com or call 318-238-4255.

For example, how would he have known that the Hattiesburg High guard who defended him in high school games and in junior high – Tim Floyd – would become a college head coach and one day hire him?

Or how he happened to catch on with Mississippi State basketball coach Kermit Davis as a graduate assistant and become friends with Kermit Davis Jr., who would later become his top assistant coach at LSU and a lifelong friend.

Or that one of his best friends in his early 20s would happen to be the son of Joe “String Music” Dean of SEC basketball television fame, a Converse shoes marketing executive who would one day become LSU’s athletic director — and would hire Brady as the Tigers’ basketball coach.

“I’m telling you, the dominoes were falling, and I didn’t even know what was going on,” Brady said. “I had no idea. It’s crazy now.”

There were also coaching mentors he would learn from, such as his McComb High coach, Bobby Nelson, and his college coach at Belhaven in Jackson – Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame coach Charlie Rugg.

And the head coaches he would learn more from as an assistant – like Kermit Davis as a grad assistant at Mississippi State (1976-77) and as an assistant under Bob Boyd at Mississippi State (1982-86), Richard Williams at Mississippi State (1986-90) and Floyd at UNO (1990-91).

From each, he learned similar old school fundamentals.

“Bobby Nelson is a great guy and had a big influence on me,” Brady said. “Charlie Rugg was at Belhaven and had a huge influence on me. I always thought about coaching when I was playing, because it was the only thing I really felt comfortable as far as what I was going to do.”

But he had to get the jobs first.

So, after graduating from Belhaven with a business degree in 1976, Brady enrolled at Mississippi State for a master’s degree in education to coach. He sent a resume and letter to coach Kermit Davis, who hired him. There he met Joe Dean Jr., who had just finished playing at State and was a graduate assistant.

“Joe Dean Jr. and I became best friends,” Brady said. “I used to go home with Joe on weekends to Baton Rouge and hang out at his house with his dad. It’s amazing how that all worked.”

Soon, Joe Dean Sr. was the star of Brady’s resume.

“It changed my life,” Brady said. “Joe Dean was the Converse shoe man. He knew everybody. My connection with Kermit and his dad changed my life, too. That all played a huge part in me coming to LSU.”

But first, Dean helped Brady land the coaching job at Crowley High in 1977. Brady won at Crowley and was named the Louisiana Sports Writers’ Association Class AAA coach of the year in 1981.

“He embraced a collegiate blueprint as though we were in college,” said James Moore, who played on Crowley’s 1980-81 team. “He put Crowley on the map. He promoted his teams all over Crowley at grocery stores, churches, businesses.”

Brady also attended many LSU basketball games as coach Dale Brown took the Tigers to an SEC title in 1979, the Elite Eight in 1980 and the Final Four in 1981.

Brown recruited Crowley, and so did that Hattiesburg guy, Tim Floyd, a Don Haskins assistant at Texas-El Paso who recruited Crowley forwards Jerome Batiste and Greg Lazard.

“I went over there for players and ended up finding one of the greatest hires I ever made,” Floyd said. “I suggested to coach Haskins we hire him.”

But Brady instead returned to Mississippi State to coach under Boyd, who was USC’s coach from 1967-79 and a nemesis of UCLA legend John Wooden. The two players came with Brady to State. Neither stayed, but Brady did and learned with fellow assistants Richard Williams and Larry Eustachy, who would become head coaches.

“Bob Boyd taught me how to communicate the game to players,” Brady said. “Bob was the best communicator I’ve ever been around in terms of details in his teaching. And he held players accountable.”

When Boyd retired in 1986, Williams replaced him and kept Brady. Brady later moved to UNO to coach under Floyd in 1990-91.

“Tim reiterated what I always believed in — defending without fouling, rebounding, taking care of the ball, getting a quality shot,” Brady said.

After one season with Floyd, Brady got the head coaching job at Samford in Birmingham, Alabama, over bigger names like Mark Gottfried and Matt Doherty. Why? Dean.

“Joe Dean helped me get every job I ever had,” Brady said.

Brady quickly turned around Samford, which was coming off six straight single-digit-win seasons. Brady went 17-10 in his first season and won back-to-back Trans America West titles in 1996 and ‘97.

“That place was asleep,” then-Birmingham News columnist Kevin Scarbinsky said. “I remember John counted the number of people at his first game. It was in the low hundreds. He vowed that he was going to fill the building, and eventually he did.”

Brady never took Samford to the NCAA Tournament, but he did become Cinderella on Dec. 2, 1996. Boyd was an assistant on LSU’s staff at the time and had warned Brown.

“You better be ready,” Boyd said. “That SOB could come in here and cut us up.”

And Samford won, 53-50.

Brown had announced before the season that the 1996-97 season – his 25^th – would be his last. And Brady struck while the victory was still hot. He called Dean the next day.

“I want to be the next basketball coach at LSU,” he said.

“John, I love you like a son,” Dean said. “But I can’t hire you at LSU from Samford.”

Brady said to keep him in mind anyway.

At this time, the NCAA was investigating LSU over its recruitment of star Baton Rouge forward Lester Earl. And one-by-one, the top candidates removed themselves. It came down to Ole Miss coach Rob Evans or Brady.

“If Rob doesn’t take it, I’m sending the plane to pick you up,” Dean told Brady.

“I was pumped. I didn’t care if they were going on 10-year probation,” Brady said. “And I got the call.”

But Brady took over a program coming off four straight losing seasons, too.

“I talked to him the night before he went down there,” Scarbinsky said. “And he told me he could get LSU to the Final Four. He had such confidence.”

But not many players. He inherited seven, but three quit during his first team meeting.

“Any ideas?” Brady asked assistant coach and old friend Kermit Davis Jr.

“Yeah,” Davis said. “Let’s not have any more team meetings.”

Brady had losing seasons in 1997-98 and 1998-99. Then the NCAA sanctions hit and LSU lost six scholarships through 2002. Still Brady and assistants Butch Pierre and Davis signed one of the top players in the country in Shreveport forward Stromile Swift. As a sophomore in 1999-2000, he led LSU to the Sweet 16 with a 28-6 finish and first SEC title since 1991 at 12-4.

“I appreciate you coach,” Swift told Brady at a 25-year reunion of that team in Baton Rouge as both choked up. “I needed a coach like you. He was a tough coach, and he made us better.” 

Once the sanctions stopped, LSU returned to NCAA Tournaments in 2003 and ’05 before a magical 2005-06 when the Tigers won another SEC title at 14-2 and reached the school’s first Final Four since 1986 and finished 27-9.

“I didn’t like John Brady at first,” Brown said just recently. “But I grew to admire and respect him as a coach and a man. He did a wonderful job with his Final Four team and really should’ve got to coach longer. I’m proud of him.”

Floyd felt the same way.

“I always respected his journey. He didn’t take any shortcuts,” he said. “His greatest strength was holding great players to a standard and making them accountable.”

He got that from Boyd.

“He was not afraid to be direct with his players. He coached with his gut. And accountability was everything to him,” Floyd said.

The magic quickly ended, though, as Brady fell to 17-15 and 5-11 in the SEC in 2006-07. He was fired midway through 2007-08 at 8-13 and 1-6 in the SEC. Never mind that his best player – forward Tasmin Mitchell – was lost for virtually all of the season with a leg injury. Center Chris Johnson also missed seven games with a broken hand.

“And 18 months before he was at the Final Four? You’ve got to be kidding me,” Floyd said, still angry 18 years later. “His best player was out. I didn’t agree with the firing at all.”

Brady quickly got another job at Arkansas State for the next season and won two Sun Belt Conference West titles before retiring in 2016.

He received a third SEC championship ring from LSU a year after he left in 2009. Trent Johnson, the coach who replaced him at LSU, thought it only fair as Johnson won the SEC

in his first season with Mitchell, Johnson and other top players left by Brady, such as guard Marcus Thornton and Temple, playing major roles.

“Tasmin and Garrett might have asked him to do that, but he did it,” Brady said. “And I really appreciated it.”

Brady would get one more SEC title ring when coach Will Wade won the league in 2019 with Brady as the LSU Radio Network game analyst, where he remains as Wade returns.

“So, I got four and only won two,” he laughed. “I didn’t leave LSU all mad. And coming back to do radio helped my legacy by people seeing me in a different light. It’s helped me go to this nice place with LSU people now, which I’m blown away by. I’m just so humbled by it and these Halls of Fame. I’m a lucky guy.”  

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