Let’s All Wish Tom Arnold a Happy 50th Birthday

He's 50

Tom Arnold celebrates his 50th birthday Friday.

Born in Eldon, Iowa, Tom has been a stand-up comedian, comic actor, and even a dramatic actor. He has over 100 acting credits.

He also spent several years as the host of Fox Sports’ “Best Damn Sports Show Period.”

Through it all, he has never forgotten Iowa. To the contrary, in fact. He touts it just about wherever he goes, especially during his many appearances on morning and late-night talk shows.

When his schedule has allowed it, Tom has come back to Iowa for Hawkeye football games, and he’s been to Hawkeye bowl games. He has been a fierce backer of Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz, never more so than in the leaner years of 2006 and 2007.

Now the man is about to be 50. The Hlog extends sincerest wishes for an enjoyable birthday, and encourages you good readers to tack on a birthday greeting of your own here.

(Thanks to the fine folks at www.midwestauction.com for the head’s up on Tom’s birthdate.)

Tom Arnold Weighs in on Iowa’s Win Over Penn State

The Hlog got an e-mail Wednesday night from Tom Arnold, actor/Hawkeye fan. Tom couldn’t make it back for the Penn State-Iowa football game last Saturday, but as you can see in his note, he had a good reason. His words:

I spent the last week in Okinawa, Japan for the Special Olympics and The USO so I couldn’t make it to Kinnick for the big game but me and a bunch of Marines, Soldiers, Sailors and Pilots got up at 3 a.m. Sunday morning to watch the Hawks play live on Armed Forces TV (I learned about a little thing called the International Date Line, I must’ve been sick that day at Ottumwa High, and no, being a day in the future doesn’t make it easier to bet on the games … sadly).

Second only to?meeting so many Iowans in uniform, representing our country, I have never been prouder to be a Hawkeye in my life, and what a week, huh? The history books will surely note that my home state, starting at The Iowa Caucus, was directly responsible for the very first White Sox fan to be elected President of these United States (it gives me hope that a Cubs fan will make it to the oval office in my lifetime).

Since it was Veterans Day Weekend and the oldest soldier was a WW2 Vet from Bama, we rooted for the Crimson boys in the late game (6 a.m.). As the sun came up in the land of the rising sun, the sweet, sweet sound of “How About Those Hawkeyes?”, mixed with an occassional “Roll Tide” between “OOO RAH’s” echoed from Guam to Tokyo. Go Hawks. Tom Arnold

Tom Arnold is Definitely Not an Auburn Fan

Tom Arnold is an Iowa fan first, foremost, and only.

But when he wore the Alabama colors recently at an Alabama practice, he had no problem saying some magical words Alabama fans loved hearing.

Tom Arnold Fires Back: He’s 100 Percent Hawkeye

It turns out Tom Arnold had a good reason for attending a University of Alabama football practice last week. His girlfriend attended the school.

The Hlog had fun with Tom going “Benedict Arnold” on his beloved Iowa Hawkeyes by visiting the practice of another team, but Arnold wants no one assuming his loyalty has shifted. Here is his reply to the Hlog, verbatim:

Okay, slam my work BUT NEVER question my Hawk Loyalty..my G-Friend went to Bama..she’s got a place there, Nick Saban used to coach in the Big 10..so I took my godson, his mom and sisters to a closed practice with the AD to watch and say hello to Nick. (I did remind him of the Capital One Bowl a few years back and he’s a great guys so..:) My godson, who’s the best 8 year old quarterback in Brentwood California, is being forced to go to Alabama (unless he gets into Harvard) by is mother. Of course I’ve pitched Iowa City but as you all know, with women, you’ve got to pick your battles and since he’s only 8..well…and while I’m here, where’s the Hawk Loyalty for OUR COACH??? He could’ve dumped us years ago..could’ve been head coach of the NY Giants, World Champs, but no, he’s loyal, so let’s try to stay off the man’s butt…we’re better than that. Tom

Has Tom Arnold Gone Benedict Arnold on the Hawkeyes?

(Tom Arnold in his Hawkeye-loving days)

Is Tom Arnold the big Iowa Hawkeyes football fan he has always claimed to be?

Arnold used to be sighted at Hawkeye games in Iowa City. He attended at least one Alamo Bowl that featured the Hawks. He trumpted the Hawkeyes on national cable television, brought Fox Sports’ The Best Damn Sports Show Period to Iowa City one Friday before a home football game.

But now Arnold is attending football practice at … Alabama? He says his son will one day play football at … Alabama?

Yes, the “pride” of Ottumwa was at a Crimson Tide practice Thursday in Tuscaloosa. Here is the Birmingham News’ account of the sordid episode:

http://blog.al.com/rapsheet/2008/08/what_was_tom_arnold_doing_at_p.html

Let’s face it. This man has always been flaky. He’s a comedian and an actor. They’re neurotics and narcissists rolled into one. They exist for entertainment purposes only.

But this one has to hurt Hawkdom. Tom Arnold may not mean anything on Oscar Night, but he’s Iowa’s.

Or he used to be, anyway.

Oh, one more thing. Arnold doesn’t even have a son.