A Poetic Tribute to Big Green Football Great “Blue” Bonner

A Poetic Tribute to Big Green
Football Great “Blue” Bonner
(by Dan Mulhearn, from the collection of Joe “Buck”
O’Donnell, The Valley Gazette, April 1973)

We know who you are
With that big fat cigar
That serves as a smoke and a chew;
Your were christened James
With some other names
But everyone knows you as “Blue.”

On a picture like this
You just reminisce
Of the days that you played in your prime;
Although you were clever
There was no player ever,
Who won over old Father Time.

‘Tis plain to be seen
Since the days the “Big Green”
Fought for their friends in the stands;
That time has erased
Your once slender waist,
And now your old belly expands.

No player was lazy
Who worked under “Casey”
Whose guidance no one could approach;
Like a band of young rebels
On a field full of pebbles,
You practiced without any coach.

Time marches on
And the good days are gone
Since you were the region’s sensation,
And now you enjoy
Each time you employ,
A worker with full compensation.

Yes, we know who you are
With that big fat cigar
That serves as a smoke and a chew;
Just keep in condition
On the Industrial Commission
And you’ll always be honored as “Blue.”

Cordially yours,

Dan Mulhearn

“Blue” Bonner passed away in 1964.