We’ve all been there before, walking away knowing that this was the last time, the swan song, the end of an era.  For some of us, it was that last time we took our cleats off after a high school baseball game or maybe the last time we walked down the halls of our high school.

It’s a cold stark reality, knowing that life as we know it will never be the same.  It’s the feeling an athlete may face when retirement comes calling (ahem, Brett Favre).

In December of 1992, Raiders defensive lineman Bob Golic probably had that same feeling. Walking out of the Black Hole, he knew that he would never again strap on his jock, never again strap on the Raider jersey symbolic of the glory days of the NFL.  A jersey rich in tradition with names like Madden, Stabler, Belitnikoff, Allen, and BO echoing in every fiber of the silver and black, and whose creed set the standard for everything that is sport… “Just Win Baby”.

And there you are, leaving the Hole for the last time knowing in your heart of hearts, there is only one man who can bring you back.

There is only one man who can lift your spirits.  Only one man can turn back the clock and make you feel like somebody again.  And that one man is the only person in history to start a teen help line in his bedroom under the alias of Nitro.  When you can no longer play in the NFL, you do what Bob Golic did: enlist in the aid of Mark-Paul Gosselar.
 
Let’s face it: Zack Morris is pretty much the only thing that can rekindle the feeling of being a 2 time All American at Notre Dame, a three time pro bowler for the Cleveland Browns, and a member of one of the most storied franchises in NFL history (we say “storied” because they never actually win anything, do those Raiders).

Al Davis?  Uh, uh.  The Dawgpound?  No way, Jose. Touchdown Jesus?  Screw him.

After the he paid his hazing dues and was initiated into the Saved by the Bell family, Bob Golic became Michael Rogers in the College Years episodes, which aired in primetime on Tuesdays (and for just one season due to putrid ratings).  Rogers was the “Resident Assistant” on the same floor as the “Gang”, at the not-really-in-existence California University.

Rogers was no Max, Miss Bliss, or Mr. Belding, but he was a meathead.  His role was that of a retired NFL player who was back in school trying to get his degree. He policed the happenings of Zack, Slater, and Screech (who apparently weren’t too keen on branching out and meeting new people), and Leslie (hot rich blonde), Alex (mid grade hotness) and a girl named Danielle.  As a result of giving all male cast members the clap backstage, Danielle was removed from the show after one episode.  Actually, I’m lying; she was booted to make way for the one and only Kelly Kapowski – and I might point out that I loved Kelly.  Just take a look at that picture.



Rogers was one of two regular to semi-regular “adults” in the series, with the other role occupied by Proffessor Lasky, who had a relationship with Kelly even though he was a professor and 13 years older. I hate you, Dr. Lasky. 

The choice of Bob Golic to play Mike Rogers is a bit odd, so I’m wondering what went through the minds the College Years brain trust when they decided to hire him…

“Lets see.  We’re no longer on Saturday morning; we’re now in primetime on Tuesday nights.  We need fresh characters!  Who can keep the gang in line?”

“How about Joe Montana, or Dick Butkus?”

”No; no we need someone with clout… someone who will drive ratings through the roof.  Besides, Butkus would probably stay on board for half the season, take our money, and then quit like he did for that ESPN high school football show that will air in 13 years.”

“How bout John Madden?”

“No, he’s locked up with CBS and Tinactin.”

“Who can we hire?”

“Hmmm…”

“I’ve got it!   Two Words… you ready?

BOB GOLIC!  BOB FREAKING GOLIC, BABY!!!”

Perhaps it was Golic’s resemblance to Donald Gibb, a.k.a., Ogre in Revenge of the Nerds. I would have to assume this played into the decision making process.  Or maybe the thought was that Golic could be entertaining like other former pro footballers. 

Jim Brown appeared in The Running Man, Lyle Alzado was creepy as Jim Varney’s roided up nemesis in Earnest Goes to Camp, and OJ Simpson was funny as Nordberg in the Naked Gun trilogy. (Sidenote: Simpson once hosted Saturday Night Live, and made history years later as he was the only host not invited back to SNL’s 25th Anniversary celebration in 1999.)

Enter Bob Golic as the next gridiron-great-turned-actor (at least according to the production crew). Much like Mr. Belding, Rogers was the father figure the gang sorely needed, even though they never drank or experimented with drugs (this is why Cal U doesn’t actually exist).  In one episode, Rogers took it upon himself to get Screech in to top notch physical condition as a return for Screech helping to write his autobiography.  At one point, Rogers left the weight room and Screech was left with the bench press stuck on his chest. 

Isn’t that funny?

In another classic, he steers the gang away from a weekend of poker because poker is really, really bad. And nothing screams comedy gold like the time Mike Rogers allowed Screech to move in with him.  At one point, he finds Screech in his bathtub with all of his dishes.  You see, Rogers didn’t have any soap, so Screech used dishwashing detergent and decided to scrub the dishes along with his hiney and cha-cha.

Oh the hilarity.

And who could forget the episode where the gang wanted to buy a big screen TV (put your hands down)?  In said episode, the girls resort to selling a Men of Cal U calendar while Rogers opts to sell candy. 

This episode proves two things: first, the writers were out of fresh ideas as Zack sold a Girls of Bayside Calendar three years earlier.  Two, someone was playing a big joke on Bob Golic.  Think about it: “I used to play football professionally, and now I’m selling candy and watching Dustin Diamond wash dishes in my bath tub.  I’m Bob Golic, and you too can achieve this American Dream.”

After the College Years series was scrapped, Rogers made one last stop in the made for TV movie smash hit, Wedding in Las Vegas.  As was the case at Cal U, Rogers was there for Zack and Kelly on their wedding day. Sure he misfired on his attempt to nail the literature professor, failed at his NFL comeback, and had an allergic reaction to Professor Lasky’s chimp, but at least he showed his human side.  So we say to you, Mike Rogers, thank you.  Thanks for adding to the memories of a generation fixated in Saved by the Bell lore.

God Bless.