Area man upset to see players
enjoying themselves after Rose Bowl

COUNCIL BLUFFS -- An area landscaper expressed outrage Wednesday after witnessing a trio of Cornhusker football players enjoying themselves at a local family-style restaurant.

"It was about 8:30, I suppose. My family and I had just gotten done with our Oreo Heaven Sundaes," said Bob Grimoskas, 52, recalling the recent incident at a Council Bluffs T.G.I. Friday's. "And in walk these three guys. Something about them seemed kind of familiar, like I knew them from somewhere ... that's when it hit me. They were wearing those red letter jackets ... hell, they were Husker football players."

Grimoskas said the players, who appeared to be defensive lineman LeKevin Smith, running back Thunder Collins and reserve defensive back Pat Ricketts, were seated at a table near his family's booth. Before long, the trio of Huskers were laughing, joking and obviously showing outward signs of having a decent time at the restaurant, he said.

"I have to tell you, I was pretty offended at their display," the Omaha man said. "Here, these fellas just came off a three-touchdown loss in the national championship game, and now they're out catting around looking for a good time. It was downright infuriating." 

Grimoskas said he thought the players showed "incredibly poor form" by having a good time in public, especially because they had to know that everyone in the state of Nebraska was extremely upset over losing the Sears Trophy three months ago to the Miami Hurricanes.

"I'm thinking of writing a letter to Frank Solich about this group's attitude," he said. "In the days before the game, I kept seeing these news reports of the team hanging out at Disneyland or wandering around Hollywood. Why weren't they getting ready for the Rose Bowl? Cripes, who's running this program, that surfer-boy Rick Neuheisel? 

"They need to remember exactly what it means to play for Nebraska. Where's the commitment here?"

Grimoskas, who was so angry he shuttled his family out the door without leaving his waitress a tip, said he suspects the players decided upon a restaurant just across the state line so they would not be easily recognized.

"They're pretty naive thinking that, if you ask me," he said. "There are a lot of Husker fans who live in Iowa, and we're always watching. Point is, no matter where these players go, they need to represent the university well -- and I'd appreciate it if they would have seemed the least bit sorry for that disappointing showing on Jan. 3."