Recently I had the honor, and extreme good fortune to speak with Mr.Sham for a few minutes. Mr. Sham is a member of the Texas Radio Hall of Fame having covered the Texas Longhorns, Texas Rangers, Dallas Desperado's, and even the old Dallas Tornado's of the North American Soccer League, in addition to covering America's team for the past 31 years (Only two broadcasters in the history of the NFL have been associated with a team longer!). He has also authored the book, Dallas Cowboys: Colorful Tales of America's Greatest Teams.
Andy: In researching your mind boggling career, I noticed you went to Missouri to get your journalism degree. So who do you find yourself pulling for when Texas (whom you've covered so extensively) and Mizzou play each other (like when they met a few weeks ago)?
Brad: First and foremost I am a Missouri fan. I always made sure to keep that in my pocket while covering the Longhorns over the years. That being said, after Missouri I am happy to root for the Longhorns.
Andy: What was it like being involved with the Dallas Tornado of the old North American Soccer League?
Brad: It was one of the most memorable experiences I've had covering sports. After the Tornado, I had the opportunity to meet with Pele' while serving as the Public Relations Director of the Chicago Sting franchise. Growing up in Chicago and ending up in that position made it that much more rewarding. I also enjoyed covering the Dallas Burn (now known as FC Dallas).
Andy: Like many football fans of my era, I was in awe of Roger Staubach when I was growing up. I'm sure there were many, but can you describe your most memorable 'Roger the Dodger' moment?
Brad: I was really just starting out with the Cowboys when Roger was nearing the end of his career. He happened to have one of his best seasons in his final campaign of 1979, and it was the entire season, more than it was just one particular game that I remember so fondly. Unlike the Troy Aikman Cowboy teams that came after, that built up comfortable leads and just punished opponents into submission, Roger was put in a position where he had to play comeback so often that most people remember him as "Captain comeback." The NFL Films highlight reels don't like to show all of the bad plays that put the team in the position of having to comeback in the first place. I'm not taking anything away from Roger of course, because he did in fact lead the Cowboys back from defeat to victory on so many occasions. I got to know Roger much better personally after he retired, and we remain close friends to this day.
Andy: You've been named Texas Sportscaster of the year, oh, uh, just a mere 10 times! You have certainly worked very, very hard, and earned every last award, and all of the other accolades in your illustrious career, but do you ever pinch yourself to make sure it's not a dream?
Brad: You know there is a difference between pinching yourself, and being truly lucky, and I am definitely lucky. It was really dumb luck that I moved from Chicago to Dallas when I did years ago and everything fell into place the way it did. Yes I have worked hard, but the circumstances and extremely wonderful folks who introduced me to the right people at the right time is really something I am astounded by. It may sound cliche, but to be able to have a job that you have a true passion for, and to do what you truly, truly love is very lucky, indeed. I remind myself of this every day.
Andy: We know you have the sportscasting and book writing gigs mastered. You recently had a role in the 2008 Oliver Stone film, W. What was that experience like?
Brad: My agent was contacted by the producers, and recommended the part as a newscaster for me. The next thing you knew, I was in a Shreveport Louisiana Holiday Inn the night before I was to film my first scene. I had just got in around midnight, and I was sitting on my hotel bed when an envelope was slid underneath my door. Inside the envelope was the shoot schedule for the next morning. When I saw that I would be filming this scene with Academy Award Winner, and respected film veteran Richard Dreyfuss (One of my very favorite actors of all-time), I had to take a minute and sit back on the edge of the bed. This was perhaps the most surreal moment of my life. Just sitting there alone in my quiet room realizing I would be in a scene with Richard Dreyfuss??!! How in the heck did this ever happen to me??!! Simply an incredible experience I'll never forget. Then actually meeting and doing the scene with Mr. Dreyfuss was the icing on the cake. Mr. Dreyfuss and all of the cast members (Josh Brolin, Noah Wylie) that I met were very gracious and helpful, and delightfully inquisitive. Their intensity and desire to learn about my profession, and what I do for a living so that they could relate it to the characters they were portraying, simply blew me away.
Bonus question: I understand you are a HUGE fan of the Original Retro Brand. What is it about the gear that you love so much?
Brad: In addition to the obvious quality of the product, it is the unique logo's on the shirts, that you simply cannot find any where else that I really admire and enjoy....I had to have the Kennedy-Johnson shirt and was so impressed and tickled when I saw it. I got my son an Ozzy Osbourne shirt and he absolutely loves it. I'm sure he'll be excited to see the new Wolfgang's Vault Historic Rock n' Roll shirts that you mentioned as well. Just love the shirts.
It was truly a pleasure speaking with Mr. Sham, and we thank him again for his time. Be sure to pick a copy of his book, Dallas Cowboys: Colorful Tales of America's greatest teams on Amazon.com
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