When Alexander Hamilton Swan decided to establish a stockyards operation just South of Omaha in the late 1880’s, he had no idea it would create the greatest Nebraskan’s to ever live. The meatpacking industry drew thousands of European immigrants looking for work and they immediately created their own territories throughout South Omaha. FGI’s roots are firmly entrenched in South Omaha. All but one of our founding fathers attended Omaha South High school and most of us managed to graduate as part of the illustrious class of 1992.
South Omaha may be best known for the stockyards and meatpacking plants, but the community has also produced several transcendent athletes over the years. I know when you hear transcendent South Omaha athletes your mind automatically goes to Spring Lake Football League (SFL) Hall of Famers; however, I am speaking of actual athletes that played at the highest level and made history.
During the mid-1960’s the gifted signal caller Marlin Briscoe dazzled Packer fans and befuddled opposing defenses earning him the nickname the “Magician”. Marlin was drafted by the Broncos in the 14th round of the NFL draft in 1968. The Omaha South and Omaha University standout entered a September 1968 game with Boston at quarterback with about 10 minutes to play. He started under center the next week. In doing so, he became the first black starting quarterback in modern pro football history. established a Denver rookie record of 14 touchdown passes that season.
Every self-respecting Husker fan is familiar with Dave Rimington. A 1978 Omaha South Graduate who went on to become a consensus All-American, finishing fifth in Heisman Trophy voting in 1982. Dave is considered the greatest college football center of all time and is who the Rimington award is named after and is awarded the best center in college football on an annual basis.
Noah Fant seemed destined to be the next great athlete from Omaha South. A talented two sport athlete that shined brightly on a Packer football team often overmatched against Metro powerhouses. In 2015 Noah’s pass catching ability and overall athleticism caught the eye of Division 1 coaches. Most Husker fans felt Noah signing with Nebraska was a foregone conclusion. Unfortunately for us fans, Nebraska was under the control of the Pelini regime. Noah made it clear during the recruiting process that he desired to play offense. The only explanation I can give is Carl Pelini made a cocaine binge induced argument to Bo to recruit Fant as a defensive end. Bo was subsequently fired, Riley’s sprinkles for everyone plea didn’t work, and Noah signed with the enemy!
Although it felt like Noah committed an act of treason signing with Iowa, as a fellow South High graduate I wanted him to succeed. And succeed he did! Fant saw the field as a true freshman hauling in 9 passes for 70 yards and a touchdown. In his sophomore season Noah put the Big 10 and the rest of the country on notice. Fant finished 2017 with 30 catches for 494 yards and 11 touchdowns including a beatdown of his home state Huskers.
A preseason All American in 2018, Noah seemed destined to join Tim Dwight and Brad Banks on the Mount Rushmore of Iowa football. Fant’s and Iowa’s season started off well… maybe too well. Another soft schedule led to a 6-1 start and had Hawkeye fans ready to use their Super 8 rewards points in Indianapolis. You could see Ferentz was troubled. Whenever Iowa managed to move inside of the opponents 40-yard line, Kirk would hear a voice inside his head, “Go for it Kirk”, “but it’s 4th and 2 on the 38!” “You have Noah Fant, the best tight end in the country GO FOR IT!” “I can’t!” Kirk screamed, drawing strange looks from his assistant coaches. “It’s not the Iowa way.”
Kirk had to figure this out. He sought the counsel of legendary Iowa coach Hayden Fry looking for answers. “Why am I having these naughty thoughts?” he asked. “Biscuits and Gravy” replied the now 89-year-old Fry. Kirk left the meeting even more perplexed and confused than before. Upon returning to Iowa City, Kirk set up shop in the team’s film room hoping to find answers. He poured over hours of film starting with the first game. Everything seemed normal at first. An unimaginative and archaic offense for the most part. But one player began to emerge. An incredibly athletic tight end that “specialized” in beating opposing defenses and catching 50-yard touchdown passes. Game after game Noah found his way to the end zone. Kirk heard it again, “that’s him idiot!” “throw Fant the ball!”
An immense sense of relief washed over Kirk as he exited the facility. “I now know what needs to be done.” He said to himself. Iowa was still clinging to hopes of winning the Big 10 West when they took on Northwestern at home last week. This is when Ferentz would implement his plan. The plan went off without a hitch! Iowa punted on 4th down from the Northwestern 38, Fant only played 9 snaps in the second half and had 1 catch for 0 yards! The Wildcats went on to win 14-10 and celebrated a Big 10 West Championship on the Iowa 50-yard line.
Even though Ferentz was satisfied, Hawkeye fan was less than satisfied. May took to Twitter to voice their displeasure. “Fire Ferentz!” “Why didn’t Fant play more?” the fans demanded. A few fans drunk from years of Iowa mediocrity offered up this reason. His blocking isn’t up to the “Iowa Standard”. A quick check of the stats shows Iowa is currently 11th in the Big 10 in rushing average a mere 1 yard more than Rutgers for 12th. It seems Iowa isn’t up to the Iowa standard.
I have a few sources close to the program that tell me Fant has been admitted to the Iowa Children’s Hospital near the stadium to see a “specialist”. Noah will be forced to attend daily sessions lasting one hour and retrained in the Iowa Way. It is unknown how long Fant will remain admitted but there is a plan to have the crowd wave to a dejected Noah Fant staring out of the hospital window after a punt from inside of the Husker 40 during the Nebraska game.