Boone Countian Caught Late TD Pass for "Super Bowl" Victory

     Before we pack the memories of Super Bowl 50 away, let the Kornerman remind you viewers of a local Super Bowl memory. Yes, as well advertised this year, it was the 50th edition of the Super Bowl which had its initial game in 1967. The Super Bowl, of course, matches the American Football Conference champion against the National Football Conference champion to determine the one and only National Football League champion for that year.
     HOWEVER, guess what? There were similar championship games played many years prior to 1967.................. they simply weren't called Super Bowl.
     In 1920, the Akron Pros became what was termed the first NFL champion and in 1933, two divisions were formed and the winner of each division played each other in the championship game.........much like today.
    Now, for the "kicker," the really good stuff, a local Super Bowl connection that makes (or should make) all Booneites, past and present, swell with pride. I mean anytime one of our "own" makes a special mark in any type of endeavor don't we all feel, deserved or undeserved, a small slice of that success?
    In the 1953 NFL championship game, it was a Boone County player that caught a late game, 33-yard touchdown pass from Detroit Lions quarterback Bobby Layne as the Lions defeated the Cleveland Browns, 17-16.
    That winning Super Bowl type pass catch is actually a small segment of an amazing Jim Doran story. It could and should be part of a book but the Kornerman will just hit some highlights of Doran's life and career in this small edition.
    He was born in 1927 and eventually graduated from Beaver High School, which did not have a football program. In 1947, after a brief service career, he enrolled at Buena Vista and started his exposure to football as a 185 pound defensive tackle on the Beavers "B" squad. Actually, the story was that he was basically told he should "give up the sport" due to  his lack of high school experience.
     That perception was "shot down" rather quickly when he transferred to Iowa State University. In 1948, he devoted his athletic time to track but in 1949, Jim joined the Cyclone football team and immediately became a standout pass receiver.
     He established not only numerous ISU pass receiving records but set national receiving records as well, earned all conference honors and All American honors. He, eventually, was named to the Big Eight Conference All Time team.
     Doran was drafted by the Lions of the NFL and had an 11-year professional career from the 1950's to the early 1960's with Detroit, Dallas and Denver teams. As a professional player, he earned a Most Valuable Player award from the Lions, set various pass receiving records and was named to the Pro Bowl squad as a member of the Cowboys.
     After completing his football career, Doran came home to Boone County and the family farm. He passed away at age 66 in 1994.
     A majority of his life was spent in Boone County and he spent time, of course, in Boonetown where many of his Doran family members live and have lived.
K-----K
     The Kornerman has talked about the ROMEO group........retired old men eating out. Mavis Swanson informs us there is also a ROLEO group......retired old ladies eating out.
K-----K
     The Kornerman asked for some outstanding concoctions or ideas for battling these winter cough/colds and we received a pair of replies.
     Vern Modeland, BHS-50, from Ozarkville wrote, "alcohol kills germs. Drink a medicinal amount of your favorite beverage. Keep it up until you feel better or don't feel anything at all." He concluded with, "I'm freezing in the Ozarks while the crocus gets ready to bloom."
     Kathleen Wheelock wrote, "we have always used "Paramount" blackberry brandy for sour throats and coughs, straight from the bottle. It burns all the way down but helps the throat. Just don't drink too much of it. Also, Hyvee brand "Cold and Flu" night time has a blue label and is really good for coughs. Thank you for all you do for us all. You are indispensable in keeping us all a connected family. We all love you for that."
K-----K
     Bill Olson, BHS-62, says he's interested in seeing a picture of Tom Burke's model railroad layout. He added, "by the way, Larry Lindmark's dad, Bob, BHS-40, worked in the same office in the Lincoln Armory. So did Ted Jr., BHS-65, Hora's dad, Ted Sr., BHS-43. I joined between my junior and senior year and was a part-time janitor. Paid for my first car and date money."
K-----K
     Boone Connected Deaths: Betty Lyness, 88, Boone. Moved to Boone in 1956. Worked at Lincoln Elementary and the Eastern Star Home. Boone area survivors include sons, Hal and Chris, and daughter, Becky Kelly all of Boone...........Rev. Terri Lin Elder, 66, Des Moines. Served at Boxholm and Pilot Mound cemeteries and services will be held Saturday at the Pilot Mound Methodist Church.........Gemma Robinson, infant. Boone area survivors include her parents, Justin and Corina Robinson of Stratford, sisters Charissa Haman and Marisa Garrels of Stratford, paternal grandparents Rob and Lou Ann Robinson of Boone and material grandparents Larry and Adell Fellmet of Stratford...........Gale Robert Baker, BHS-68, Boone.
K-----K
     Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 710 Aldrich, Boone, Iowa 50036-4703. Phone number is 515-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments/support.........
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.