Remembering 1963. That is the actual year I want to recall after Papa double checked his memory to disuade himself of 1962 as a point of reference. Time for Papa to think back because of the recent news of gambling indictments with NBA connections. Gambling and sports is not new. Baseball had its Black Sox incident in the 1920’s. (Say it ain’t so Joe.) College basketball in the early 1950’s had its share of the limelight out east. Shady dealings even touched the near perfect “Ivory pure” Packers in 1963. The star of the team, the Golden Boy, Paul Hornung admitted to betting of football games. (Never against the Packers.) His bets ranged up to $500. He was suspended for one year as was Detroit Lion Alex Karras who was not as contrite. Hornung’s biggest issue in 1964 was not getting off suspension by the NFL but back in the graces of Coach Lombardi.

In recent years Papa has marveled at the ease in which the desired barrier between sports and gambling was being erased. Squeaky clean as the NFL was trying to project itself in 1963, it was turned on its head with this century’s version which is often sponsored by betting services and programing. It didn’t take a brainiac to know that betting on outcomes of sporting events was inviting trouble. A missed free throw here and there. A fake injury at a citical junction of a match. Or, as in The Harder They Fall (1956…black and white) out right bribery. Different methods, same aimed for result equals corruption. It makes one wonder. With all the adoration and money why would any pro risk cheating? Sports is awash with dough. Much is being bet on outcomes. Why wouldn’t participants be tempted to skirt the boundaries of morality/laws? Pollyannish to assume bets are all on the up and up. Or, that a team or league is immune from corruption. The 2025 sports betting/gambling scandal is nothing new. Just a ton more money is involved.

Time for Papa to sit back and wait for other such shoes to drop. In the meantime, I’m sensing that there might be a spring or two left in my step. If there is betting on an Octogenarian Pickle Ball League, is it too late to learn the game?