It isn't easy to get something over on Bret Bielema, Arkansas' head football coach, who is known for his eye for detail.
Simmons Bank and David Bazzel, executive director of the Little Rock Touchdown Club, managed to do it Monday, almost shocking Bielema.
Bielema's close friend, country music star Justin Moore, made a surprise appearance at the Little Rock Touchdown Club kickoff luncheon Monday, and while he didn't sing -- he's wanting to write a song about the Razorbacks but hasn't had time -- he did lead the wall-to-wall crowd of football fans in a resounding Hog call.
Moore, who is from Poyen, is so much of a Razorbacks fan he has a huge Hogs logo on the back window of his touring bus. He also will perform a free concert the night before the Oct. 24 game against Auburn in Fayetteville.
Bielema wore a black Aloha shirt with the Razorbacks logo -- and if those who sell Razorbacks gear don't have them in stock they should, because folks liked it -- and gave one of his best talks, receiving several ovations from the crowd.
Bielema always wins the news conference.
Even two years ago, when the Hogs were suffering loss after loss -- and he admits those news conferences were tough -- he would find a positive nail to drive home in the foundation he was setting.
Several columnists who write about SEC teams commented on how much they enjoyed Bielema when he spoke at the SEC football media days in July.
It is his passion and honesty.
It is his energy and enthusiasm.
It is just him, a guy who sees the glass and wants to make it overflow.
He's funny, he's personable and, most of all, he has become a Razorback.
It is as if he played for the Hogs, graduated from UA and has come back to coach his alma mater. He has respect for the tradition and history.
He even did his own impersonation of Frank Broyles when he talked about Arkansas playing Texas in the Texas Bowl last December.
Before he got into a rundown of the offense and defense, Bielema gave a brief description of the way he runs a program.
He talked about discipline and how not all players understand it at first. He talked about blind leadership and about how when some of the kids were getting discouraged -- he mentioned Trey Flowers by name as one who was really disappointed after the loss to Mississippi State last year -- he had to find ways to teach.
Now, he doesn't have players who are planning their Saturday nights on Dickson Street. They are thinking about how they can improve and get better as individuals and as a team.
He talked about core values and used the term "blessed" three times.
Bielema talked about growing up in a large family that worked hard, about how the first time he left the state of Illinois it was to attend a hog show in Minnesota and "I thought it was a big deal."
Then he talked about this year's team and pretty much told people to quit fretting about quarterback Brandon Allen, who has to be better because he is surrounded by better players.
Bielema said Alex Collins has dropped some weight, toned up and is the fastest he's seen him. He talked about Kody Walker and Rawleigh Williams III being talented running backs.
He ran down the list of receivers and said, "We'll actually catch the ball this season."
The offensive line being solid was already a given, and he said the Razorbacks are deeper on the defensive line, the linebackers have been impressive and the defensive backs are much better.
From start to finish he used the words "we," "ours," "us" and "we'll."
It was a great talk and a great LRTDC lunch, with the surprise of a big-time country music artist in attendance.
Sports on 08/25/2015