re: 32 years ago tomorrow: The Brawl In Birmingham

quote:

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bsolutely classless by Tennessee. I’ve hated them even more ever since this little stunt they tried to pull.

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If we are being honest, that wasn't a particularly egregious foul. It was absolutely intentional. But it wasn't one of the more physical contacts Shaq had to endure that year.

Shaq was as dominant a physical force as the game had seen in a long time and opponents were almost helpless to stop it. What happened that night was Shaq and Dale reached a breaking point where a relatively minor contact finally broke the camels back. Groves just happened to have the misfortune of being the guy upon whom Shaq snapped. He didn't really want the smoke. And Shaq, after a brief outburst, didn't escalate the fight. That was Dale.

But you know what. Despite all of his worldwide fame and success Shaq has NEVER felt he was too important for LSU. Ever! I'm certain that is because he knows Dale truly cared for him as a person, not just a conduit for Dale's personal success as great player. That moment was just the most obvious display of such.