Ray Bellamy trying to pave the way for Southeast product A.J. Love

Ray Bellamy offers advice

As an undrafted free agent A.J. Love is  a long shot to make the Minnesota Vikings opening day roster.

But in Ray Bellamy, Love is learning from a person who could be the master of long shots.  It helps that both are receivers, but it's the history here that could prove invaluable to Love, the Southeast grad who had to overcome two ACL surgeries during his career at USF.

When he came out of old Lincoln High in 1966 during segregation days, Bellamy did what most would consider the impossible.

Major college football in the South during that time was all-white. Bellamy and the University of Miami had a dream that they turned into reality.

Bellamy broke the color barrier for major college football in the South in 1967. It was an enormous task, but so were the other things he did.

Bellamy become the first Africa-American president of the University of Miami Student Government. The fact that he was an excellent student despite coming from parents who were not educated was another one of his great achievements.

"I just believed I could do certain things that most people considered impossible," is one way Bellamy sums up his accomplishments.

Bellamy believes in Love and likes his work ethic. He won't make a prediction about his future, but
says anything is possible and insists staying positive is crucial.

NCAA probation doesn't stop football programs

Being put on probation by the NCAA is akin to a slap on the wrist; a post season ban can hurt an FBS program (formerly I-A) for awhile, but won't stop a team from winning a national championship.

Since the first BCS title game in 1999, ten of the 36 teams that participated in the game were on probation at least five years prior to the game and one within six years. Six were on probation within three years of the game.

Five of the those BCS title game winners were on probation within five years of the game and two within at least three years. Click here for full story.

Sam Shields attends Dick Vitale Gala

The Dick Vitale Gala on Friday night didn't just involve basketball players coming to raise money for pediatric cancer research.

One of those in attendance was Green Bay Packer rookie sensation Sam Shields who stunned the pro football world in 2010.

Shields was one of the best feel good stories in the NFL last season, coming out of nowhere to earn a spot on the Packer secondary as a cornerback after spending nearly his entire career at Miami as a receiver.

He was one of the most highly touted receivers in the country coming out of Sarasota Booker and is considered one of the best pass catchers the Manatee-Sarasota County area has ever produced.

"I've been back at the University of Miami working out with some of the players since the lockout," Shields said. "The lockout is what it is. It's something I can't control and I am just waiting for the decision by the judge and hopefully we can get back to work. I hope it ends before the regular season starts.

"Right now I have a three year contract with Green Bay so I don't know if anything will affect me directly. Hopefully, I can have a good year next year and go back to the table and talk.

"Since the Super Bowl things have been great for me. It's been a long journey to get there and it's been a blessing and I thank my family for helping me.

"I am here tonight to support Dick Vitale. My aunt passed away some years back from cancer and it is close to me."