Reader scoffs at 'high school article.' I've heard much worse as a columnist | Adams

The slowest time of the year for me is between late July and the start of football season. Time drags by.

Then, there’s a kickoff, and the season zooms by. Next thing you know, the College Football Playoff is upon us.

One of my emailers points that out rather rudely while critiquing my literary effort ranking SEC fan bases. Of course, as you know, rudeness is welcome here.

Mike writes: Your attempt to fill the time slot between the SEC meetings and the start of fall camps is so predictable by you and the rag you write for. Gee. What a surprise.

In a sense, it is understandable to write this high school article at this time.

EVERY fan base, in the SEC, with the exception of Vandy, has the best fan base, at their home games. Nothing like pandering to your home base while guaranteeing to alienate every other school.

Enjoy (Tennessee’s) recent climb to 2nd, 3rd, or 4th place in the East. I'm sure this is a 2 decade high for Tennessee. Enjoy your self proclaimed title.

My response: That’s just the response I was looking for. Thanks, Mike.

Dan writes: Your literary contributor Jim may want to see an optometrist. Carlos Alcaraz doesn’t look anything like Santiago Vescovi, but he does look a lot like a young Jerry Lewis — not the piano-playing Jerry Lee Lewis but rather the guy who used to hang around with Dean Martin.

My response: I preferred Jerry Lee and Dean to Jerry Lewis. However, Lewis’ boundless energy was amazing. Imagine how those relentless Japanese impersonations of his would be received today.

Mark writes: You said, "I’ve talked to NIL insiders and coaches who say how exaggerated NIL money often is."

I want to know more about what that means.

My response: If you are asking me to reveal sources, no can do. I would go to a Russian prison before giving up a source.

On second thought, that might be a little too strong. Let’s rewind.

I would go to jail in my hometown of Clinton, Louisiana, before revealing a source.

Rob writes: I read your article about ranking the fan bases. The line that caught my attention was about the boosters being impatient and coaches being fired.

I’ve heard for years that’s “Auburn being Auburn." I don’t buy in to that. Everybody wants to win now. All you need to do is look at how many coaches that each school has had in the last forty years. From 1982 Alabama has had 9 coaches. Auburn, 7. LSU has had 10. Florida, 9.

My response: Your totals are higher than mine, but I’m not counting interim coaches who finished out the seasons of fired coaches.

Most schools have prominent boosters who become involved in athletics. Some become too involved. Auburn has a history of boosters being too involved.

Dick writes: I was a sportswriter in Florida and was at that game (Florida State at LSU in 1982) and can attest to being fired upon by oranges. I was hit in the shoulder. Thanks for the memory - I think.

My response: Fortunately, I was hurriedly writing a column on deadline and didn’t have time for postgame interviews. So, I wasn’t on the field when the oranges were flying.

ADAMS: How to qualify for my Literary Contributors Hall of Fame. Don't complain like me.

If those fans had been sober, they probably wouldn’t have been tossing oranges. But Tiger Stadium isn’t known for sobriety.

I remember when a fan threw a whiskey bottle at longtime LSU coach Charles McClendon. Luckily, the fan missed.

Mike writes: I think we are all stunned to learn that Jeremy Pruitt will be returning to teaching at his former high school. The only thing that would have made that announcement even more surprising would have been if it had been announced that Jeremy would be teaching English.

My response: Based on how he wore that COVID mask, I would have been more surprised if he were teaching health.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Reader scoffs at 'high school article.' I've heard much worse