Tre' Evers

Last fall, as my 86-year-old father-in-law lay dying of cancer at his home in Lakeland, Florida, the pool guy told my wife—who was tending to her dad—that he was owed $2,000 for past services. He claimed that he’d left my father-in-law’s check “out in the rain” and it had been ruined. Although distraught over her father’s situation, my wife is a sensible person and asked to see the “ruined” check before writing a new one. Weeks pass, and the pool guy starts to get pretty aggressive about demanding payment, before he finally produces the “ruined” check on which he also claims to have spilled ink (!)—and shows her many other similarly “ruined” checks. My wife logs into her father’s bank account and sees that the check—in perfect condition—had been cashed by the pool guy months earlier. So he’s obviously trying to take advantage of her vulnerable situation to scam her. We were outraged and concerned that he’d pull this stunt on others, so we immediately contacted the Polk County Sheriff’s Department. We were assigned a Detective to whom we presented the evidence: emails demanding payment, the copy of the bogus “ruined” check, and the bank’s copy of the intact check that was cashed. Alas, they’ve now ghosted us since we last reached out 3 months ago asking for an update. And that brings me to my point: I don’t know what’s happened in our country, but our law enforcement agencies and prosecutors seem more interested in doing their paperwork than in actually enforcing the law. I hope we can change this before people stop bothering even to bring wrongdoing to the authorities’ attention, as has happened in many other countries. The rule of law requires enforcement of the law!

The dynasty continues. 🥇

Louis Leo “Lou” Holtz, legendary college football coach, Hall of Famer, bestselling author, and one of America’s most influential motivational voices, has passed away at the age of 89 in Orlando, Florida, surrounded by family. Born January 6, 1937, in Follansbee, West Virginia, Holtz rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most respected figures in college athletics. Over a remarkable five‑decade career, he led college programs at William & Mary, NC State, Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame, and South Carolina.  He transformed every team he inherited and captured the 1988 National Championship with the Fighting Irish. Holtz was preceded in death by his beloved wife of more than 50 years, Beth, with whom he shared a life grounded in faith, devotion, and service.   Holtz is remembered for his enduring values of faith, family, service, and an unwavering belief in the potential of others. His influence extended far beyond the football field through the Holtz Charitable Foundation and the many players, colleagues, and communities shaped by his leadership. He is survived by his four children, nine grandchildren, and two great‑grandchildren. Funeral arrangements, including a Mass of Christian Burial at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame, will be announced as details are finalized. The Holtz Family

Stick to sports. You’re at least half-right there. Your whiny-ass ain’t going to an Iran battlefield anytime soon. It’ll be poor kids from where I grew up. Life must be pretty comfy in your suite. Stick to judging your favorite pizzas. The adults will sort out the wars.

Jack Hughes, who scored the game winning goal for the United States: “This is all about our country. I love the USA.”