My first full-time sports writing job was at the Monroe (La.) News-Star in 1989. I covered Grambling State University and the legendary Eddie Robinson, one of the greatest coaches - and men - in college football history.
A year later, I moved to the Northeast Louisiana (now UL-Monroe) beat, where the Indians were in their second season under coach Dave Roberts. Their quarterback was a senior from Ferndale, Wash., with a lantern jaw and a laser-rocket right arm.
His name: Doug Pederson.
If you would have told me back then Pederson would enjoy a 14-year pro career and at age 50 as head coach lead the Philadelphia Eagles to their first Super Bowl championship, I would have asked you to take a field sobriety test.