In 1984, the Phil Collins’ power ballad and feature film “Against All Odds” were released, and there is a sports connection.
Actor Jeff Bridges plays aging professional football player Terry Brogan, who is cut by the fictional Los Angeles Outlaws and is hard-pressed for money.
In the end, a love triangle forms between Brogan, nightclub owner Jake Wise and his girlfriend Jessie Wyler. Former Detroit Lion Alex Karras, who played on the same team with Saint Jo’s Harley Sewell in the late 1950s and early 1960s, also appears in the film.
“Against All Odds” is one of the most dramatic pieces of music the sports editor has ever listened to, and it helps us cover this week’s theme: Odds.
There is a website called scholarshipstats.com, which features a page called, “Odds of a high school athlete playing college sports.”
It also describes much more than that, covering the chances of you becoming a professional athlete, too.
In Montague County, opportunities have been few and far between for athletes to reach the professional level.
Brandon Workman was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies; but, he bypassed that chance to play for the University of Texas. Eventually, the Boston Red Sox drafted Workman and he signed with them.
Currently, Workman is playing at the Triple-A level and he’s been called up to the major leagues three times this season.
However, seemingly, no matter how well Workman pitches for the Paw Sox, it’s been virtually impossible for him the shatter the glass ceiling and return to MLB permanently.
Before Workman, current Iowa Park assistant baseball coach Heath Taylor showed promise in the Cleveland Indians’ organization. However, an injury derailed his career and he entered the teaching profession.
Back in 1958, Bowie basketball player Temple Tucker was fresh out of Rice University when the Philadelphia Warriors chose him in the National Basketball Association draft.
At a time when the salary of professional athletes was nowhere near exorbitant, Tucker made the decision to enter the working world instead.
Even Nocona great Jack Crain’s chance of playing professional sports was cut short because he joined the military and served the United States in World War II.
So, as you can see so far, the odds of you becoming a pro are not that favorable for you. Read more from this column in the July 8 Bowie News.

Editor’s Note: The Storm Center column is the expressed written views of sports editor Eric Viccaro and not The Bowie News.

Bowie’s Gabe Allen (4) is one of the few high school athletes to make it to the college level. Allen recently joined the baseball program at Ranger College. (News file photo by Dani Blackburn)