By David Weinberg
Grandsons Hampton (8), Graham (6) and Nixon (3) wrote letters to Santa weeks ago.
Hampton was hoping to have some Phillies swag under the tree Christmas morning while Graham asked for some Eagles gear.
It was tough to decipher what Nixon was wishing to be left in his stocking, given that he has yet to learn how to write, but he’s made it reasonably clear that he’d love a pair of “Bluey” Crocs to go with a Bryce Harper jersey.
That was along with some other items such as a boat, and a tree house with a slide that dumps its riders into an in-ground swimming pool.
Any mention of prices about said items was quickly rebuked.
“It doesn’t matter how much it costs in the store,” Hampton said. “If Santa makes it, it’s free.”
It’s hard to argue with that logic.
I decided to use that strategy when constructing my own holiday list for my wife: Dear Santa, I have been a good boy this year. If you could leave the following presents under my tree (or in my driveway) this year, it will be a very merry Christmas! Sincerely, David.
- A blue or red 2023 or 2024 Corvette. It might be difficult to get in and out of that car at 66 years old, but it would be worth a knee replacement or two.
- A winter vacation home in Florida, preferably at the 55-and-over Latitude Margaritaville complex just outside Daytona Beach. Four grandsons – Hampton, Graham and Nixon have a 4-month-old brother named Whit – require me to be here for the spring, summer and fall, but it’s getting tougher and tougher to handle the frigid winters. This past week was brutal. Being a Parrothead since the 1970s, it’s the perfect combination of warm weather and cool vibe.
- Memberships to several local golf courses to go with my current membership at Cape May National. As much as I love CMN, I wouldn’t mind teeing it up at one of the area’s top private courses like Galloway National or Atlantic City.
- Tickets to all the concerts in Atlantic City casinos such as Borgata, Hard Rock or Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. I missed out on seeing Earth Wind and Fire at Borgata last week, but recent Kennedy Center honoree Bonnie Raitt is coming to Borgata on April 19, which just also happens to be my birthday.
- Back to golf. I’d love the opportunity to tee it up at Pebble Beach and its sister courses Spanish Bay and Spyglass. Sure, it normally costs at least $500 to play each course.
But if Santa arranges it, it’s free.
Udoh headed to
Arizona State
Former Army running back Kanye Udoh has decided to transfer to Arizona State University.
Udoh, a St. Augustine Prep graduate and Mays Landing resident, will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
The 6-foot, 218-pounder decided to enter the NCAA’s transfer portal after Army’s 31-13 loss to Navy on December 14. He chose ASU after reportedly also considering Missouri, SMU and North Carolina.
“You’re gonna get 110 percent out of me Tempe!” Udoh wrote on X/Twitter upon announcing his decision.
Udoh rushed for 1,117 yards and 10 touchdowns on 179 carries this season for the Black Knights.
He’s viewed as a potential replacement for Sun Devils standout senior running back Cam Skattebo, who finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting last week.
Skattebo has rushed for 1,568 yards and 19 TDs this season for ASU, which will face Texas on New Year’s Day in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta.
“We certainly wish him well,” Army head coach Jeff Monken told Yahoo Sports last week. “We’re disappointed to lose him. He’s a good player but he’s also a really good young man. I really like him (and) his parents, and have enjoyed having him here in the program.”
Udoh grew up in Mays Landing, where he played for the Lakers in the Atlantic County Junior Football League before attending St. Augustine.
The 2022 St. Augustine graduate rushed for 1,498 yards and 17 TDs as a senior in the fall of 2021, helping the Hermits earn a 9-2 record.
At Army, he rushed for 1,641 yards and 11 TDs in two seasons.
“(Entering the transfer portal) was not an easy decision,” Udoh wrote on X/Twitter. “My time at Army has been incredibly rewarding, both on and off the field. I’ve learned and grown in ways I could have never anticipated when I first joined the program, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunities and experiences I’ve had here.”
Local NFL update
Buffalo defensive tackle Austin Johnson (St. Augustine, Galloway Township) registered two tackles and a half-sack last Sunday in the Bills’ 24-21 victory over the New England Patriots.
Arizona rookie cornerback Max Melton (Cedar Creek, Mays Landing) posted three tackles in the Cardinals’ 36-30 loss to the Carolina Panthers.
Green Bay wide receiver Bo Melton (Cedar Creek, Mays Landing), Max’s older brother, entered Monday’s game with five receptions for 73 yards and six carries for 39 yards for the Packers this season.
David is a nationally recognized sports columnist who has covered Philadelphia and local sports for over 40 years. After 35 years with The Press, he has served as a columnist for 973ESPN.com and created his own Facebook page, Dave Weinberg Extra Points.
Send comments to weinbergd419@comcast.net.
