Jan. 17, 2008

ABILENE, Texas - Longtime Abilene sports personality and Hardin-Simmons radio broadcaster Al Pickett has a new book out titled "The Greatest Texas Sports Stories You've Never Heard" and one of the chapter's is on Hardin-Simmons football coach Jimmie Keeling.

The longest field goal in the history of football was kicked in Texas. But did you know it was love that first led a Swedish soccer player to Texas, where he still lives more than 30 years after his record-setting 69-yard field goal.

Did you know that tragedy on that same day that Ove Johansson kicked his record field goal changed new Baylor coach Art Briles' life forever?

Did you know the greatest high school football coach in Texas history never played high school football himself? Or a case of déjà vu helped a Texan win the Masters golf championship?

It was a Texan who was eyewitness to two of the most memorable moments in World Series history. The last person to die in a NFL game was a Texan. It was a Texan who played an integral but forgotten role in the integration of baseball. The most unusual play in college football history occurred at the Cotton Bowl in Texas.

What about the wildest, wackiest finish to a high school football game ever? Yes, that happened in Texas, too.

After each chapter of "The Greatest Texas Sports Stories You've Never Heard", sports fans in the Lone Star State are certain to say, "I didn't know that."

The book is available in bookstores around the state. It can be ordered from Texas A&M Press at www.tamu.edu/upress or Pickett will direct mail an autographed copy for $20 (includes shipping, handling and tax) to Al Pickett, 25 Glen Abbey, Abilene 79606.