Some Thoughts on Gary Papa - Philadelphia Fans - The Iran Crisis
The death of Gary Papa at such a young age spotlights the relationship that local viewers develop with long time TV personalities. People view this loss as the loss of a part of their own daily lives. Gary arrived at Channel Six four years after I left the station. He came to town as a sports reporter and eventually replaced Don Tollefson as the station’s main sports anchor. I did not know Gary, except to say hello now and then at a chance meeting. But people who I have worked with, especially in the sports field, have deep and affectionate feelings about him.
One of Gary’s close friends is Jeff Asch. Jeff is a long time sports journalist, and currently a weekend sports standout at KYW Newsradio. His words of affection for Gary reflect much of what is being said: Gary was a giving guy who cared a lot about the people he worked with. but most especially his family. He learned, as I have along with many others, that the people of this region, as tough as they are described by jaded national journalists, are intensely loyal to the people who stay here and make a life here. Commitment to the community is very important. And Gary Papa became, over the years, a real and genuine Philadelphian.
Some years ago, I was out to dinner with my family, when we ran into Gary and his wife and two children. They are a beautiful, young and vibrant family. I think of them now as they endure such a deep personal loss.
ED SNIDER: ON THE FANS
My special interview with Ed Snider on Voice of Reason running this week on the Comcast Network and Comcast Sportsnet was revealing. It wasn’t just Snider’s assessment of his long tenure here, but his remarks about Philadelphia sports fans that made me think a bit about the big picture. Snider said that his work with the Flyers and now the Sixers would have never been possible without the true grit and unwavering support of sports fans here. He should know. He’s been around longer on the sports scene than anyone in this town, except the venerable and respected Stan Hochman who has been reporting for the Daily News for 50 years. One of Snider’s first lessons, back in the 1960’s was understanding that losing is not an option for most fans. But there was another lesson: that the fans cared more about the team’s will to win, and the owner’s desire to do everything possible to make that happen. It’s very simple. Give them everything you’ve got, and win or lose, they will respect you forever.
IRAN-
Whatever the outcome of the current mini-revolution, things will never be the same in Iran. The Mullahs who run the country will always be watching their backs. Their paranoia about the West will grow. Will they try to be more accountable to the masses who are demonstrating? Doubtful, but, in the end, this outburst of emotions may cause enough fear to bring a slight tild toward reform. In the meantime, the world is watching, and the ultra-militant extremists who run that country know it. That’s a good thing.

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