Former BYU quarterback Jim McMahon still spits out whatever comes to mind

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. — It's been 21 years since Jim McMahon tried playing quarterback for the San Diego Chargers, and in answer to a question about the team's failing two-minute offense, put a finger alongside his nostril and blew his nose on me.

So here we were again Wednesday at the American Century Championship, punky QB and mild-mannered columnist reunited, McMahon asking a celebrity golf tournament official whether he could get a waiver should he have to choke someone.

And some people think McMahon just does crazy, wacky things spontaneously.

He always had a spooky and intimidating air about him as a player, other reporters declining to approach him unless joined by a group. His language is still too rough for newspapers, and if quoted word for word, he might really have an enemy's list.

The snot-nose kid is 50 now, shaving his head, as he explained, because he has sore shoulders from playing football and had trouble combing what was still left up there.

He still plays golf in his bare feet with beer in hand, wild shorts, instead of hitting practice shots, he said, filling his cooler.

Those who remember him probably do so because of the chip on his shoulder, the headbands he wore, the Super Bowl shuffle and mooning a helicopter filled with media.

He was the punky QB, a name he did not like, preferring to be called "just crazy." He now travels 200 days a year, he said, playing in charity golf tournaments, and drinking beer with his old buddies.

"I have fun every day," he said.

I brought along a new hanky for McMahon, passing on the suggestion from so many that I arrive wearing a poncho, only to find McMahon immediately excusing himself so he might find a spit cup.

I found that encouraging.

I told him this would be a good time to apologize, and he disagreed.

"I just heard that voice and lost it," said McMahon, and right now the wife is sitting at home and beginning to sympathize with McMahon.

"(NFL Commissioner Paul) Tagliabue tried kicking me out of the league for that," he said. "I told him it was either that or hitting you in the head, and I already had enough problems with cops so I didn't want to do that. I had my problems with Tagliabue, too.