HOUSTON – It is the time of year that millions wait for every summer. Yes, it's time to make sure the dog and cat have plenty of water and don't let them sleep on the 300 degree concrete. You are busy buying school clothes for the kids that includes live saving water bottles and ice packs that fit around their little necks. Your family outing includes putting Uncle Earl in the ice tub because he isn't used to the heat. Earl, has lived in East Texas his whole 87 years, but heat still comes as a surprise.
In between chugs of ice tea and cold beer it means only one thing. It's time for football. Your friends will say it time and time again, "I am sure ready for football." Here it comes. The most overhyped event in all of sport, the NFL Training Camp. The Texans will train in severe heat getting ready to play under conditions they will never play in. Bill O'Brien will scold any of his charges who aren't ready to deal with the heat and the humidity. While those losers like Green Bay and the Patriots train in 75-80 degree comfort, the Texans will work out as if they are going to play Dubai instead of the Bears.
As that old football genius, Bum Phillips, once said, "I don't like getting used to being miserable." Of course, his teams trained in San Angelo, which isn't Duluth-like, but Bud Adams controlled that thermostat. I maintain my 36-year stand that football players in Houston shouldn't pass out from the heat. They should only pass out if they make the Super Bowl.