Of Toys and Noise...

Hello and Happy Monday my friends.

I know there were alot of HUGE surprises that transpired this weekend on the gridiron in the NFL, and I will address most of that in a moment or three. Yesterday was truly a day worth looking back on and saying, 'What a way to make a difference' in the life of a child. Where to begin...

Since 1985 the Big Texas Toy Run has been going on. Year after year through thick and thin, good weather or bad, a Toy Run has transpired on the Sunday before Christmas where a donation of ten dollars and at least one unwrapped toy be brought to two starting locations in Dallas and in Ft. Worth. The fun starts when you begin to fathom one motorcycle carrying a toy at a time, and maybe more!

This was my first experience to be anywhere near one motorcycle, much less 30,000. I know I arrived at the Dallas Convention Center at 9 am to get a feel for the procession and buildup. WOW!!!

The next three hours were a constant din and roar as motorcycles arrived with toys a-plenty for underprivileged kids. This caught my attention.

As the motorcycles piled up in droves of rows, my camera got busy. Rock Kitchen performed live and were outstanding for so early in the day under cold conditions. The mood of the crowd was festive if not subdued.

About 12 noon I noticed the tenor of the crowd began to change. It was then I decided to drive to Grand Prairie and take in the motorcycle parade from a distance.

In trying to imagine what thousands of motorcycles look like converging in Grand Prairie from Ft. Worth and Dallas. Oh wow! A roar of engines and horns for over 25 minutes. Try standing in front of that for a moment. What a rush!

The rest of the afternoon was addressing 12 very special children. So many people were involved in this part of the tradition that I won't do this justice. What I will tell you is that Gene Long, Nick Taddonio, Karen Renee Lucchesi, Shades, Todd McEvoy, my colleague Robin Valetutto did an amazing job of entertaining thousands of fans inside QuikTrip Ballpark in Grand Prairie.

Toys, donations, announcements, anonymous donations (I am told) totaled half a million dollars. One group the Chula Chasers made a 38,000 dollar donation. There were so many biker groups from the Scorpions to the Freedom Riders to the Christian Bikers.

I have little knowledge as to who gets along or who don't. I do know that the biggest winners on Sunday were the kids. Many smiling faces as Santa made his presence felt to the 25,000-30,000 strong...

The night of the Margarita Ball (one month ago today) allowed me an insight as to what adults will do for kids. What I witnessed firsthand yesterday helped to confirm it. I believe an Oak Ridge Boys song says it best, 'Thank God For Kids!' Amen.

I had a hell of a time spending this weekend as a makeshift Santa Claus and photographer/reporter. Later today I will be in studio with the 'DFW SportsAngel' to recap the weekend that was, on AM 1160 KVCE or go to www.kvceradio.com and listen online.

So while I was away at play...The Packers LOST, The Colts WON, The Giants and Jets LOST, the Chargers WON, and Tim Tebow LOST???? There's always that one week in the NFL when the last shall be first and the first shall be last. Unbelievable! That's all I can say. To say nothing about Matt Stafford breaking hearts in Oakland and Drew Brees about to become a 5K dude like Dan Marino in 1984. Damn! 

Steelers-Niners tonight in the Bay Area. With Big Ben gimping along, I like San Francisco in this game.

Make it a great day!

Over and out in Big D.

Mr. Will