Learning To Fly

Davante Adams and the Freebirds are flying high for now, but coming down will be the hardest thing

Freebirds knock the Mayors from their perch

GAINESVILLE, FL - In a BDFL neutral site game to honor Tom Petty in the Sunshine State, the Black Creek Freebirds knocked off the previously unbeaten Magic City Mayors from their lofty perch (37-24) like they were booing the Governor back in Sweet Home Alabama. From the first time I heard Don't Do Me Like That in 1979 on an 8-track tape in Fieldstown, Alabama to when I saw Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers live in 2008 at Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Arizona, Tom's music has spoken to me like nobody elses. Petty's music is like a masterful highwire act, always teetering between driving guitar rock 'n roll and catchy lyrics with an underlying message. Tom was an artistic triple threat. He could play, write and perform. He was a true Rebel who stuck to his guns through thick and thin. Yes, he cashed in, but he never sold out. His music was relevant for 40 years and if I had to guess, it will be relevant 40 years from now. He will be missed dearly, but will always have a special place in the BDFL with an honorary team named the Gainesville Breakers. Back to Week 5 action... After being kicked from their nest to start the season with a new nickname, the fledging Freebirds are still flying high atop the Green Horn Division with a league-leading 171 points, but as Tom always said "Coming down is the hardest thing". Learning To Fly by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers