OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
KIENHOLZ HAS AREA TIES
Because Ohio State's starting quarterback Kyle McCord entered the transfer portal and then announced he will play for Syracuse next fall, and backup Devin Brown injured his ankle midway through the second quarter, true freshman Lincoln Kienholz was forced into action against No. 9 Missouri in the Cotton Bowl on Saturday in Arlington, TX.
While the Kienholz name out of the Olivia area was familiar to me through sports, I had no idea Lincoln was the son of former BOLD standout football player Peter Kienholz until it was pointed out by Minneota boys' basketball and football coach Chad Johnston this past weekend.
I covered Peter Kienholz during my time as sports editor at the West Central Tribune in Willmar.
Peter Kienholz then attended Southwest Minnesota State University where he was a freshman tight end in 1993 when Johnston was a senior defensive back. Kienholz later roomed with Johnston's brother, Ryan, at SMSU.
I hadn't spoken to Peter in many years, but reconnected with him on Facebook, after speaking with Johnston, to catch up a little bit.
After congratulating him on Lincoln getting to play on a big stage on national television, he said, "Wasn't a pretty game but exciting for Lincoln to get the opportunity."
Missouri defeated No. 7 Ohio State 14-3. Kienholz, who had not seen action all season, completed 6 of 17 passes for 86 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.
Kienholz will compete next season with Brown and 5-Star prospect Air Noland for the Buckeyes' starting quarterback job.
JANUARY 1 HISTORY FACT
We celebrate the coming of a new year and look back at the previous year every January 1. We have parties, snacks, watch football games and parades on television. Schools are closed. State offices and some other businesses are also closed.
One hundred and sixty years ago, January 1 was thought of for a different reason. One that would change the course of history.
As by now, most readers are aware of my fascination with Abraham Lincoln. I've written about the Lincoln Funeral Car that ended up in Minnesota, only to catch fire and was destroyed. I've written about my large Lincoln collection of busts, paintings, books, coins, stamps, plates and anything else that bears his likeness. Many readers have generously added to my collection and for that I am forever grateful.
Here is one more bit of information that ties my Lincoln fascination to New Year's Day.
On Jan. 1, 1863, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that "all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free."
Initially, the Civil War between North and South was fought by the North to prevent the secession of the Southern states and preserve the Union. Even though sectional conflicts over slavery had been a major cause of the war, ending slavery was not a goal of the war.
On Sept. 2, 1862, Lincoln issued the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, which stated that enslaved people in those states still in rebellion as of Jan. 1, 1863, would be declared free.
This was Lincoln's mind working in a way he felt was good for everyone involved. His issuance came just a few days after the Union's victory in the Battle of Antietam. His hope was that this Proclamation would inspire all Black people, and enslaved people in the Confederacy, to support the Union cause and to keep England and France from giving military aid to the Confederacy. By the end of the Civil War, nearly 200,000 Black soldiers and sailors had fought for the Union.
NEW YEAR'S HUMOR
On New Year's Eve, a man was in no shape to drive, so he sensibly left his car in front of City Hall Bar & Grill and started to walk home. As he was wobbling along, he was stopped by a police officer.
"What are you doing out here at two o'clock in the morning?' asked the officer.
"I'm on my way to a lecture," the man answered.
"And who in their right mind is going to give a lecture at this time on New Year's Eve?" the officer inquired.
"My wife," the man replied.