The Whisperer Remembers ... Richard "Batman" Wood.

When he came out of high school in New Jersey, folks thought he was out of his mind when he headed west; way out west to play for USC. Upon arriving on campus Head Coach John McKay saw something special in him, so special that a few years later he would sign him to be a part of the expansion franchise he was hired to lead. McKay needed playmakers and he knew the kid from Jersey was good for a couple per game so, problem solved.

He was a tough SOB, taking nothing from no one, regardless of who you were, where you were from or the last name on your jersey. He talked, oh boy he talked and his word game was as good the field game as he played. The man was the type who would tell you he was going to do it before he did it and then reminded you that he did it once it was done ... yeah, that was him.

You knew it was him because no matter where he went, he had the distinctive Batman logo attached somewhere on his uniform. No need to flash the Bat Sign commissioner, he was always on the spot and ready to pounce and for that…we say thank you.

Whisperer Nation let’s talk about it and let our big personalities hang out in the process…as we remember the greatness of former Tampa Bay linebacker…Mr. Richard “Batman” Wood.