Brad Lampley

From our crew to yours, Happy 250. Blessed to live in the greatest country on Earth. #USA

This is a terrific follow if you’re a fan of American history. It’s reporting the events of this date in 1776, as if in real time. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s reports.

On this day in 1776, the United States was actually born. Not July 4. July 2. That's the day the Continental Congress voted to break from Britain, and John Adams was so certain of it that he predicted July 2 would be the great American holiday forever. He nailed everything except the date. The vote came down to the wire, and one man had to ride through the night to save it. Delaware's delegation was split, one for independence, one against, which meant the colony's vote canceled itself out. The tie-breaker, Caesar Rodney, was 80 miles away in Delaware. He got word that he was needed and rode all night through a summer thunderstorm, sick and in pain, boots and spurs still on, and made it into Philadelphia just in time to cast Delaware's vote for independence. The other holdouts fell into place too. In Pennsylvania, the men most opposed, including John Dickinson, deliberately stayed away from the chamber so their colony could swing to yes. South Carolina came around for the sake of a united front. When the roll was called, twelve colonies voted for independence and not a single one voted against. New York simply abstained, waiting on permission from home. And so, on July 2, 1776, it was done. The colonies had legally, officially declared themselves free. The next day Adams wrote to his wife Abigail that this day "will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival," with "pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations." Fireworks and all. He was describing the Fourth of July two days early. So why do we celebrate the 4th? Because that's the day Congress approved the final wording of the document explaining the decision, the Declaration of Independence. The vote to be free happened on the 2nd. The paperwork got finished on the 4th, and history remembered the paperwork. The country was actually born in a rainstorm and a roll call on July 2, thanks in part to one sick man who refused to let a tie decide the fate of a nation.

“If you want to hate America, watch the news. If you want to love America, drive through it” ~German World Cup fan

There are millions of reasons to love being American (and Southern), this week I’ve realized one of them is that every SEC Saturday is pretty much like a World Cup day that comes around once every four years.

Outside of my personal family, no other family has had a bigger impact on my life than the Haslam’s. The same would be true for the State of Tennessee and for The University of Tennessee. Today is just another great example. Thank you, Jimmy and Dee for your continued investment in the future of UT.

Big Salute to everyone involved!!! Personal salute to my brother .@RamonFoster who I watched grind in this media space since retiring from the league. Well deserved and I'm proud to see you elevate with integrity the way you have. No shortcuts!! #Savage

One of a kind. Growing up I just knew him as “Uncle Louie,” who played a lot of golf. I had no idea he’d won the U.S. Open. A true gentleman in every way.

It’s just about that time. Best Day of the Year. Happy Derby, everybody. #KentuckyDerby

Further Ado So Happy Golden Tempo Best Day of the Year!

@BPACKERVOLS Or put another way, you recently stole them from @CoachWebbUTVols and slipped them into her bag.

What an amazing “good luck” my wife found in her bag today for the final round of the Georgia State Four Ball. ❤️❤️🟧⬜️🟧⬜️🟧⬜️🟧⬜️🟧

@BALampley79 You mean like this????? 😂😂😂

“Hello Friends”…..I think everyone’s morning coffee is going to taste just a little bit better today.

Proud dad.

The Great Pat Summitt!!! Is and will always be the greatest!!! Class personified!!!!

One of the top five biggest influences in my life and professional career, and one of the finest men I’ve ever known. I know countless other VFL’s feel exactly the same way. Absolute legend.