I should begin by saying that I'm well aware that few if anyone on here will know or remember who Ray Nettles was, and therefore five stars may seem excessive. I observe, however, that the rating scale for this list is indicative of how much the reviewer mourns the subject, so in this case its quite appropriate.

Nettles was an outstanding middle linebacker for the University of Tennessee, playing from 1969-1971. During that time he was the emotional and physical leader of the defense, and was a key part of the Vols SEC title in '69 and victories in the Liberty and Sugar Bowls later in his career. He was a key part of the "Offensive Defense" of the Vols in 1971 which set several NCAA marks which still stand today.

Drafted high by the Miami Dolphins, Nettles chose instead to sign with the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League. His motivations were two-fold. Miami had the great Nick Buoniconti ahead of him at middle linebacker, and the Lions offered a lot of money. (Bear in mind that in the early 1970's, the salary differences between the NFL and CFL were negligible, unlike the vast gap which separates them today)

He played with the Lions from 1972-1976, winning league Rookie of the Year honours, and Defensive Player of the year the following season. A multiple time all-star, he was a huge fan favorite, not only for his aggressive style of play but for his exuberant lifestyle. He wore his hair long, rode a Harley, and partied through downtown Vancouver as though it was last call every minute.

I remember watching a game one overcast evening at old Empire Stadium in 1973, when the clouds cleared shortly after the opening kickoff to expose a full moon. The guy in front of me pointed at the full moon and said, "Christ, a full moon. Nettles is going to kill someone and eat them."

I was in college for some of his career, and used to head downtown to do my share of partying. I met Nettles in the now long gone Pharaoh's Retreat nightclub, struck up a conversation and tried to keep up with his alcohol intake. Without much success, I might add. After that first meeting we met a few more times, and kept in sporadic contact for about a decade. After he moved on to other teams in the CFL we would sometimes meet when he was in town and party. The guy could drink, and pick up women, and his laugh was like a viking warrior.

His personal life after football had some setbacks. Nettles had his share of demons, which led to four divorces, alcohol and cocaine abuse, and various health problems. Diagnosed a few years ago with liver cancer, he managed to free himself of his addictions and apparently found some measure of peace in his final years.

This season, without being aware of his health problems, I bought a Lions jersey and had Nettles name and number put on it. I was wearing it at last night's game when I learned through the Diamond Vision that he had died earlier this week. I felt a little numb, and regretted that I had not kept in some kind of contact over the years.

I'll miss you Ray. If they play football where you are now, somebody just got a hell of a linebacker.

This guy was before my time, and unfortunately this American sports fan isn't caught up on his CFL history.