Antonio Langham
President George Autrey opened the September 28, 2026 meeting of the Gulf Coast Athletic Club at 7:00pm. The meeting had more than 60 football fans gathered at the Craft Farms Golf Resort. George welcomed all present and guests were introduced. He thanked all for their RSVPs as that helps both GCAC and Craft Farms provide a good experience.
Our annal fundraising golf tournament will be Friday morning, October 23, 2026. This outing allows us to raise funds for our two Scholar-Athlete scholarships to be awarded to a deserving male and female Gulf Shores student at the end of the school year. 12 teams are signed up so far. There will also be a great Silent Auction that day hosted by the Maidens of Mischief, a local Ladies Mardi Gras Society. Good fun all day for all!! See the website for more info. (www.gcathleticclub.com/golf)
Zach Estes gave the Football Pick’Em contest results for the past few weeks and our former fearless leader, Professor David Lee, is leading the pack at this point. Zach commended John Boller for surging from last to almost first. Lots of crazy games and huge point spreads to go. Good luck!
The GSHS Dolphine Report was given by Coach Jason Watts. Football is amazing so far at 5-0, with Baldwin County and Elberta, then Spanish Fort on tap. Team is playing well! Swim Team already has 14 qualified for State, and Cross Country is doing extremely well also. Wrestling and Basketball are getting ready. GO, DOLPHINS!!
Team Reports were handled deftly by the always entertaining Dec McClelland. After several minutes of meaningless diatribe from fans in the room, Dec awarded the Crying Towel to Penn State fan Tom Grabowski for the Nittany Lions’ painful loss to Wisconsin 24-20 after being up by 10 with 4 minutes to go. Not sure, but Tom may need to add another bathroom to house his growing CT collection.
Alabama Club Spokesman Fred Dickinson introduced our Guest Speaker. If someone never needed an introduction, it would be Antonio Langham, back at the Club for a repeat visit. His record - a mere 49-1, capped by 13-0 and a National Championship in 1992 and a huge interception against Florida to preserve a 28-21 Tide victory in the first ever SEC Championship in December ’92.
A native of Town Creek and first cousins with the famous Goode family, Antonio was the Nation’s leading Defensive Back, awarded the Jim Thorpe Award, and was Team Captain in 1993. Drafted by the Cleveland Browns, he was Rookie of the Year and played seven years before retirement. He lives in Birmingham and is involved in Real Estate Development and youth development. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2024.
He touched on several great stories from his early career, including one from Coach Bill Oliver about staying hydrated. He says Bama is picking up and lots of young players are stepping up. Defense remains a problem, and they need a faster start, but it is nice to have good Field Goal kickers. He says, “Auburn, be patient. Let your Coach learn the SEC”.
Never one to mince words, Antonio tells it like it is and touched on several hot buttons bugging him this year. The State of Football is watered down, less aggressive, more a business, and players less excited about the history of their teams. It’s all about the money. NIL – make rules and make them stick, get back to when football means something. Is it love of University or money?
With roster changes every year, there may not ever be powerhouses anymore. He believes there should be a minimum of two-year deals, and he’s concerned about the mental health going forward for NIL recipients – all that money, then nothing to live for in many cases. Kids need to graduate, and not ask “What am I worth?”
In Q&A, he says the NCAA has no power and is almost obsolete. They get back to old school football, stop playing too cute offenses and defenses. “Hard work beats talent” and technique is getting lost over speed. Too much football for show, let’s all slow down.
Another incredible presentation by one of the all-time greats!!! Antonio, if you want to come back every year, there’s a place for you!
After the $115 50-50 was awarded, the meeting adjourned at 8:33pm
Respectfully presented,
Bill Tunnell, Secretary
