DOCSLIB.ORG

Five Modern-Era Players Elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee Selects Five Players Who Join 15-Person Centennial Slate for Special Class of 2020

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Five Modern-Era Players Elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee Selects Five Players Who Join 15-Person Centennial Slate for Special Class of 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 02/01/2020 FIVE MODERN-ERA PLAYERS ELECTED TO PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME SELECTION COMMITTEE SELECTS FIVE PLAYERS WHO JOIN 15-PERSON CENTENNIAL SLATE FOR SPECIAL CLASS OF 2020 CANTON, OHIO – “Selection Saturday” resulted in five “Heroes of the Game” earning election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Hall’s 48-person Selection Committee held its annual meeting today in Miami Beach to elect five Modern-Era Players for the Class of 2020. The special class also includes the Centennial Slate of 15 Hall of Famers who were picked by a special Blue-Ribbon Panel in January. The Modern-Era players for the Class of 2020 were just announced on stage during taping of NFL Honors, a two-hour primetime awards special that will air nationally tonight at 8 p.m. (ET and PT) on FOX. They include safety STEVE ATWATER, wide receiver ISAAC BRUCE, guard STEVE HUTCHINSON, running back EDGERRIN JAMES, and safety TROY POLAMALU. The five newest Hall of Famers were joined on stage by the living members from the Centennial Slate. Today’s annual selection meeting capped a year-round selection process. The newly elected Hall of Famers were chosen from a list of 15 Finalists who had been determined earlier by the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee. Representatives of the accounting firm Ernst & Young tabulated all votes during Saturday’s meeting. STEVE ATWATER HOF Finalist: 3 | Year of Eligibility: 16 Position: Safety Ht: 6-3, Wt: 218 NFL Career: 1989-1998 Denver Broncos, 1999 New York Jets Seasons: 11, Games: 167 College: Arkansas Drafted: 1st Round (20th overall), 1989 Born: Oct. 28, 1966 in Chicago, Illinois Made immediate impact as rookie in 1989 as Denver led NFL in fewest points allowed, recorded AFC’s best record and earned a berth in Super Bowl XXIV … Named to NFL All-Rookie Team … Noted for hard hitting and devastating tackling ... Broncos leading tackler in 1993 and 1995 … Recorded multiple September 16-19, 2020 A once-in-every- other-lifetime celebration to kick off the NFL’s next century in the city where the league was born. interceptions in all but three seasons … Led Broncos in interceptions three seasons and interception return yardage four times … Career-high five interceptions, 1991 … Recorded 24 career picks returned for 408 yards and 1 TD … Totaled more than 1,000 career tackles … Registered five career sacks … Elected to eight Pro Bowls over nine-season span … Named All-Pro in 1991, 1992; Second-Team All- Pro, 1990, 1996 … All-AFC six times … Started at free safety in four AFC championship games and three Super Bowls … Recorded six tackles, one sack and one pass defensed in Super Bowl XXXII to help Broncos to first Super Bowl championship with win over Green Bay Packers … Contributed four tackles, three assists and two passes defensed against Atlanta Falcons in Denver’s Super Bowl XXXIII win … Named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s. ISAAC BRUCE HOF Finalist: 4 | Year of Eligibility: 6 Position: Wide Receiver Ht: 6-0, Wt: 184 NFL Career: 1994-2007 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, 2008-09 San Francisco 49ers Seasons: 16, Games: 223 College: West Los Angeles College (JC), Santa Monica College (JC), Memphis Drafted: 2nd Round (33rd overall), 1994 Born: Nov. 10, 1972 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida First career catch was 34-yard touchdown play … Breakout year in second season with career-high 119 catches for 1,781 yards and 13 TDS … First player in NFL history with three straight games with 170 or more receiving yards (181 vs. Colts, 191 vs. Falcons, 173 vs. 49ers), 1995 … Recorded first of three career 200-yard games in 1995 season finale … Led NFL in receiving yards (1,338), 1996 … Key offensive threat for “Greatest Show on Turf” … Started in two NFC championship games and two Super Bowls … Recorded six catches for 162 yards including 73-yard, game-winning touchdown reception in Rams’ 23-16 Super Bowl XXXIV victory … Retired as Rams’ all-time leader in catches, receiving yards, and most yards from scrimmage … Named All-Pro, 1999 … Voted to four Pro Bowls (1997, 2000, 2001, 2002) … Twelve seasons with 50 or more catches … Racked up 1,000-yard seasos eight times … Career numbers include 1,024 receptions for 15,208 yards (second most at time), and 91 touchdowns. STEVE HUTCHINSON HOF Finalist: 3 | Year of Eligibility: 3 Position: Guard Ht: 6-4, Wt: 315 NFL Career: 2001-05 Seattle Seahawks, 2006-2011 Minnesota Vikings, 2012 Tennessee Titans Seasons: 12, Games: 169 College: Michigan Drafted: 1st Round (17th overall), 2001 Born: Nov. 1, 1977 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida September 16-19, 2020 A once-in-every- other-lifetime celebration to kick off the NFL’s next century in the city where the league was born. Named to NFL’s All-Rookie team … Key component of the offensive line that led Seattle to three straight playoff appearances (2003-05) … Paved way for NFL MVP Shaun Alexander who gained team record 1,880 yards and NFL record 28 touchdowns, 2005 … Started at left guard in Seahawks’ 34-14 win over Carolina Panthers in 2005 NFC Championship Game to earn franchise’s first Super Bowl berth … Signed as free agent with Vikings, 2006 … Led way for Adrian Peterson to become first Vikings player to lead NFL in rushing after racking up franchise record 1,760 yards, 2008 … Veteran leader who helped Vikings to back-to-back division titles, 2008-09 … Started at left guard for Vikings in 2009 NFC Championship Game … Named All-Pro six times (twice with Seattle, four times with Minnesota) … Voted to seven consecutive Pro Bowls … Twice chosen as NFL Alumni Offensive Lineman of the Year (2006, 2009) … Named to NFL All-Decade Team of the 2000s. EDGERRIN JAMES HOF Finalist: 4 | Year of Eligibility: 6 Position: Running Back Ht: 6-0, Wt: 219 NFL Career: 1999-2005 Indianapolis Colts, 2006-08 Arizona Cardinals, 2009 Seattle Seahawks Seasons: 11, Games: 148 College: Miami (Fla.) Drafted: 1st Round (4th overall), 1999 Born: Aug. 1, 1978 in Immokalee, Florida Powerful running style and versatility led to spectacular start of career … NFL’s Rookie of the Year, 1999 … Captured NFL rushing titles first two seasons (1,553 yards in 1999 and career-best 1,709 yards in 2000) and scored 13 rushing TDs in each season … Also caught 62 passes and 4 TDs as rookie and career-high 63 receptions and 5 TDs in second season … Key player in Colts offense that resulted in four division titles and six seasons with 10 or more wins … Won fifth division title with 2008 Cardinals … Started in two conference championship games (one with Indianapolis and one with Arizona) and Super Bowl XLIII … Eclipsed 1,000 yards in a season seven times; topped 1,500 four times … Career total: 12,246 yards on 3,028 carries and 80 TDs … Added 433 career catches for 3,364 yards and 11 TDs … All-Pro three times (1999-2000, 2004) … All-AFC four times (1999-2000, 2004-05) … Voted to four Pro Bowls … Selected to NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s. TROY POLAMALU HOF Finalist: 1 | Year of Eligibility: 1 Position: Safety Ht: 5-10, Wt: 207 NFL Career: 2003-2014 Pittsburgh Steelers Seasons: 12, Games: 158 College: Southern California Drafted: 1st Round (16th overall), 2003 Born: April 19, 1981 in Garden Grove, California Made huge impact with tenacious play en route to becoming premier safety of his era … Defensive leader that guided Steelers to seven playoff appearances, five division titles and two Super Bowl September 16-19, 2020 A once-in-every- other-lifetime celebration to kick off the NFL’s next century in the city where the league was born. championships in his career … Started at strong safety in four AFC championship games and three Super Bowls … Strong performance in 2008 AFC Championship Game with 40-yard pick-six late in the game to propel Steelers to Super Bowl in addition to three tackles, one assist, one tackle for loss and two passes defensed … Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year in 2010 when he intercepted seven passes for 101 yards and 1 TD … Career numbers include 32 interceptions for 398 yards and 3 TDs … Also scored 2 touchdowns on fumble recoveries … First-Team All-Pro four times and Second- Team All-Pro twice … Voted to eight Pro Bowls … Named to NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s. SELECTION MEETING The Selection Committee at today’s meeting examined and debated the merits of the 15 Modern-Era Player Finalists that included two cut-downs in the process. The first cut of finalists was from 15 to 10. The five eliminated from consideration at that point were LeRoy Butler, Torry Holt, Sam Mills, Reggie Wayne and Bryant Young. The final 10 finalists were reduced to the selection of five players who were elected to the Hall as part of the special 20-person Centennial Class of 2020. The five finalists removed in the second cut-down were Tony Boselli, Alan Faneca, John Lynch, Zach Thomas and Richard Seymour. The Hall of Fame’s membership, including the newly elected Class of 2020, now stands at 346. CLASS OF 2020 CENTENNIAL SLATE ENSHRINEES Coaches BILL COWHER HOF Finalist: 1 (2020) | Year of Eligibility: 9 Coach NFL Career: 1992-2006 Pittsburgh Steelers Seasons: 15 College: North Carolina State Born: May 8, 1957 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania At age 34, succeeded legendary Hall of Famer Chuck Noll as Steelers head coach, 1992 … Became just second coach ever, joining Paul Brown, to lead team to playoff appearances in each of first six seasons … Advanced to postseason a total of 10 times during his tenure … At the time of his retirement, was one of just six coaches to win eight division titles … Led Pittsburgh to two Super Bowl appearances … Guided a team overcome
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Jerry Kramer
    SCOUTING REPORT JERRY KRAMER Updated: March 19, 2016 Contents Overall Analysis __________________________________________________________________________________________ 1 Game Reviews ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 5 REVISION LISTING DATE DESCRIPTION February 10, 2015 Initial Release March 19, 2016 Added the following games: 10/19/58, 11/15/59, and 1/15/67 OVERALL ANALYSIS Overall Analysis POSITION Right Guard HEIGHT AND WEIGHT Height: 6’3” Weight: 245 TEAMS 1958-68 Green Bay Packers UNIFORM NUMBER 64 SCOUTS Primary Scout: Ken Crippen Secondary Scout: Matt Reaser Page 1 http://www.kencrippen.com OVERALL ANALYSIS STRENGTHS • Excellent quickness and agility • Run blocking is exceptional • Can pull effectively and seal the blocks WEAKNESSES • Can get off-balance on pass blocking • Occasionally pushed back on a bull rush • Has a habit of not playing snap-to-whistle on pass plays BOTTOM LINE Kramer is excellent at run blocking, but not as good on pass blocking. Whether he is run blocking or pass blocking, he shows good hand placement. He missed many games in 1961 and 1964 due to injury. Also kicked field goals and extra points for the team in 1962-63 and 1968. He led the league in field goal percentage in 1962. Run Blocking: When pulling, he is quick to get into position and gains proper leverage against the defender. While staying on the line to run block, he shows excellent explosion into the defender and can turn the defender away from the runner. Pass Blocking: He can get pushed a little far into the backfield and lose his balance. He also has a habit of not playing snap-to-whistle.
    [Show full text]
  • Cutler's Wimpy Tap-Out Puzzles Books, Bettors
    INSIDE Roddick, U.S. wave DAILYLINE 2C BASKETBALL 7C bye-bye in Australia SCOREBOARD 8C Sports GOLF 9C PAGE 3C SPORTS DESK •387-2912 LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL •MONDAY, JANUARY24, 2011 HHHa SECTION C PACKERS,STEELERS STILL STANDING Super duo silences rivals CHARLES KRUPA/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) leaps into the end zone for a2-yardtouchdown with several New York Jets in futile pursuit during the first half of the AFC Championship Game on Sunday at Pittsburgh. Linebacker Bryan Thomas (58) and tackle Sione Pouha (91) failed to stop Roethlisberger,and the Steelers went on to a24-19 victory at Heinz Field. GreenBay,No. 6seed, Title-tested Pittsburgh prevails again on road, putsfinal hard knock foils Bears to winNFC on Jets in AFCfinale By CHRIS JENKINS By BARRYWILNER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CHICAGO — There was PITTSBURGH — Ben Roeth- one Monster of the Midway lisberger knelt on the turf in the NFC Championship GREEN BAY and buried his head in an PITTSBURGH Game and his name was AFC championship shirt. Aaron Rodgers. 21 “I’m going to enjoy this,” 24 Green Bay’squarterback he later said. wasn’teven at his best, but No one had to ask what he he was better than the first, meant. second and third quarter- Aseason that began with a CHARLES REX ARBOGAST/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS backs used in vain by the PackersquarterbackAaron Rodgers(12) crosses the pylon to scoreona four-game suspension is one CHICAGO N.Y.JETS Chicago Bears against their 1-yardrun in the first quarter,eluding Bears safety Danieal Manning.
    [Show full text]
  • Tony Adamle: Doctor of Defense
    THE COFFIN CORNER: Vol. 24, No. 3 (2002) Tony Adamle: Doctor of Defense By Bob Carroll Paul Brown “always wanted his players to better themselves, and he wanted us known for being more than just football players,” Tony Adamle told an Akron Beacon Journal reporter in 1999. In the case of Adamle, the former Cleveland Browns linebacker who passed away on October 8, 2000, at age 76, his post-football career brought him even more honor than captaining a world championship team. Tony was born May 15, 1924, in Fairmont, West Virginia, to parents who had immigrated from Slovenia. By the time he reached high school, his family had moved to Cleveland where he attended Collinwood High. From there, he moved on to Ohio State University where he first played under Brown who became the OSU coach in 1941. World War II interrupted Adamle’s college days along with those of so many others. He joined the U.S. Air Force and served in the Middle East theatre. By the time he returned, Paul Bixler had succeeded Paul Brown, who had moved on to create Cleveland’s team in the new All-America Football Conference. Adamle lettered for the Buckeyes in 1946 and played well enough that he was selected to the 1947 College All-Star Game. He started at fullback on a team that pulled off a rare 16-0 victory over the NFL’s 1946 champions, the Chicago Bears. Six other members of the starting lineup were destined to make a mark in the AAFC, including the game’s stars, quarterback George Ratterman and running back Buddy Young.
    [Show full text]
  • The Week That Was – Week 16
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12/27/16 http://twitter.com/NFL345 THE WEEK THAT WAS – WEEK 16 COMEBACKS GALORE: There have been 70 games won by teams that trailed in the fourth quarter through Week 16, tied for the most such games in a single season in NFL history. Four teams – HOUSTON, MIAMI, PITTSBURGH and SAN FRANCISCO – were victorious in Week 16 after trailing in the fourth quarter. The Texans and Steelers both overcame fourth quarter deficits for the second consecutive week. The most games won after trailing in the fourth quarter in a single season in NFL history: SEASON GAMES WON AFTER TRAILING IN 4TH QUARTER IN SINGLE SEASON 2016 70 1989 70 2013 69 2015 67 2008 67 2001 67 -- NFL -- WORST TO FIRST: The DALLAS COWBOYS (13-2), who defeated Detroit 42-21 on Monday Night Football, clinched the NFC East division and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. It marks the 13th time in the past 14 seasons that one or more teams went from last or tied for last place to a division championship the following year. The teams to go from “worst-to-first” in their division since 2003: SEASON TEAM RECORD PRIOR SEASON RECORD 2003 Carolina 11-5 7-9 2003 Kansas City 13-3 8-8* 2004 Atlanta 11-5 5-11 2004 San Diego 12-4 4-12* 2005 Chicago 11-5 5-11 2005 New York Giants 11-5 6-10* 2005 Tampa Bay 11-5 5-11 2006 Baltimore 13-3 6-10* 2006 New Orleans 10-6 3-13 2006 Philadelphia 10-6 6-10 2007 Tampa Bay 9-7 4-12 2008 Miami 11-5 1-15 2009 New Orleans** 13-3 8-8 2010 Kansas City 10-6 4-12 2011 Denver 8-8 4-12 2011 Houston 10-6 6-10* 2012 Washington 10-6 5-11 2013 Carolina 12-4 7-9* 2013 Philadelphia 10-6 4-12 2015 Washington 8-7 4-12 2016 Dallas 13-2 4-12 * Tied for last place ** Won Super Bowl -- NFL -- HISTORIC WINNERS: The GREEN BAY PACKERS defeated Minnesota 38-25 on Saturday at Lambeau Field.
    [Show full text]
  • Nagurski's Debut and Rockne's Lesson
    THE COFFIN CORNER: Vol. 20, No. 3 (1998) NAGURSKI’S DEBUT AND ROCKNE’S LESSON Pro Football in 1930 By Bob Carroll For years it was said that George Halas and Dutch Sternaman, the Chicago Bears’ co-owners and co- coaches, always took opposite sides in every minor argument at league meetings but presented a united front whenever anything major was on the table. But, by 1929, their bickering had spread from league politics to how their own team was to be directed. The absence of a united front between its leaders split the team. The result was the worst year in the Bears’ short history -- 4-9-2, underscored by a humiliating 40-6 loss to the crosstown Cardinals. A change was necessary. Neither Halas nor Sternaman was willing to let the other take charge, and so, in the best tradition of Solomon, they resolved their differences by agreeing that neither would coach the team. In effect, they fired themselves, vowing to attend to their front office knitting. A few years later, Sternaman would sell his interest to Halas and leave pro football for good. Halas would go on and on. Halas and Sternaman chose Ralph Jones, the head man at Lake Forest (IL) Academy, as the Bears’ new coach. Jones had faith in the T-formation, the attack mode the Bears had used since they began as the Decatur Staleys. While other pro teams lined up in more modern formations like the single wing, double wing, or Notre Dame box, the Bears under Jones continued to use their basic T.
    [Show full text]
  • Statistical Leaders of the ‘20S
    THE COFFIN CORNER: Vol. 14, No. 2 (1992) Statistical Leaders of the ‘20s By Bob GIll Probably the most ambitious undertaking in football research was David Neft’s effort to re-create statistics from contemporary newspaper accounts for 1920-31, the years before the NFL started to keep its own records. Though in a sense the attempt had to fail, since complete and official stats are impossible, the results of his tireless work provide the best picture yet of the NFL’s formative years. Since the stats Neft obtained are far from complete, except for scoring records, he refrained from printing yearly leaders for 1920-31. But it seems a shame not to have such a list, incomplete though it may be. Of course, it’s tough to pinpoint a single leader each year; so what follows is my tabulation of the top five, or thereabouts, in passing, rushing and receiving for each season, based on the best information available – the stats printed in Pro Football: The Early Years and Neft’s new hardback edition, The Football Encyclopedia. These stats can be misleading, because one man’s yardage total will be based on, say, five complete games and four incomplete, while another’s might cover just 10 incomplete games (i.e., games for which no play-by-play accounts were found). And then some teams, like Rock Island, Green Bay, Pottsville and Staten Island, often have complete stats, based on play-by-plays for every game of a season. I’ll try to mention variations like that in discussing each year’s leaders – for one thing, “complete” totals will be printed in boldface.
    [Show full text]
  • Are You Ready for Some Super-Senior Football?
    Oldest living players Are you ready for some super-senior football? Starting East team quarterback Ace Parker (Information was current as of May 2013 when article appeared in Sports Collectors Digest magazine) By George Vrechek Can you imagine a tackle football game featuring the oldest living NFL players with some of the guys in their 90s? Well to tell the truth, I can’t really imagine it either. However that doesn’t stop me from fantasizing about the possibility of a super-senior all-star game featuring players who appeared on football cards. After SCD featured my articles earlier this year about the (remote) possibility of a game involving the oldest living baseball players, you knew it wouldn’t be long before you read about the possibility of a super-senior football game. Old-timers have been coming back to baseball parks for years to make cameo appearances. Walter Johnson pitched against Babe Ruth long after both had retired. My earlier articles proposed the possibility of getting the oldest baseball players (ranging in age from 88 to 101) back for one more game. While not very likely, it is at least conceivable. Getting the oldest old-timers back for a game of tackle football, on the other hand, isn’t very likely. We can probably think about a touch game, but the players would properly insist that touch is not the same game. If the game were played as touch football, the plethora of linemen would have to entertain one another, while the players in the skill positions got to run around and get all the attention, sort of like it is now in the NFL, except the linemen are knocking themselves silly.
    [Show full text]
  • THE COFFIN CORNER: Vol
    THE COFFIN CORNER: Vol. 7, No. 5 (1985) THE 1920s ALL-PROS IN RETROSPECT By Bob Carroll Arguments over who was the best tackle – quarterback – placekicker – water boy – will never cease. Nor should they. They're half the fun. But those that try to rank a player in the 1980s against one from the 1940s border on the absurd. Different conditions produce different results. The game is different in 1985 from that played even in 1970. Nevertheless, you'd think we could reach some kind of agreement as to the best players of a given decade. Well, you'd also think we could conquer the common cold. Conditions change quite a bit even in a ten-year span. Pro football grew up a lot in the 1920s. All things considered, it's probably safe to say the quality of play was better in 1929 than in 1920, but don't bet the mortgage. The most-widely published attempt to identify the best players of the 1920s was that chosen by the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee in celebration of the NFL's first 50 years. They selected the following 18-man roster: E: Guy Chamberlin C: George Trafton Lavie Dilweg B: Jim Conzelman George Halas Paddy Driscoll T: Ed Healey Red Grange Wilbur Henry Joe Guyon Cal Hubbard Curly Lambeau Steve Owen Ernie Nevers G: Hunk Anderson Jim Thorpe Walt Kiesling Mike Michalske Three things about this roster are striking. First, the selectors leaned heavily on men already enshrined in the Hall of Fame. There's logic to that, of course, but the scary part is that it looks like they didn't do much original research.
    [Show full text]
  • NFL World Championship Game, the Super Bowl Has Grown to Become One of the Largest Sports Spectacles in the United States
    / The Golden Anniversary ofthe Super Bowl: A Legacy 50 Years in the Making An Honors Thesis (HONR 499) by Chelsea Police Thesis Advisor Mr. Neil Behrman Signed Ball State University Muncie, Indiana May 2016 Expected Date of Graduation May 2016 §pCoJI U ncler.9 rod /he. 51;;:, J_:D ;l.o/80J · Z'7 The Golden Anniversary ofthe Super Bowl: A Legacy 50 Years in the Making ~0/G , PG.5 Abstract Originally known as the AFL-NFL World Championship Game, the Super Bowl has grown to become one of the largest sports spectacles in the United States. Cities across the cotintry compete for the right to host this prestigious event. The reputation of such an occasion has caused an increase in demand and price for tickets, making attendance nearly impossible for the average fan. As a result, the National Football League has implemented free events for local residents and out-of-town visitors. This, along with broadcasting the game, creates an inclusive environment for all fans, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of professional sports. This paper explores the growth of the Super Bowl from a novelty game to one of the country' s most popular professional sporting events. Acknowledgements First, and foremost, I would like to thank my parents for their unending support. Thank you for allowing me to try new things and learn from my mistakes. Most importantly, thank you for believing that I have the ability to achieve anything I desire. Second, I would like to thank my brother for being an incredible role model.
    [Show full text]
  • Big Mac of the Browns' Attack
    THE COFFIN CORNER: Vol. 4, No. 1 (1982) BIG MAC OF THE BROWNS' ATTACK By Bob Braunwart and Bob Carroll To some it might read like a fairy tale. Crippled in childhood by Perthes disease (a bone deficiency disease), Mac Speedie not only overcame what his doctors feared would be a lifelong handicap. He also went on to stardom as a professional athlete and, indeed, as one of the premier ends in pro football history. But it was not a fairy tale, because there was no magic in it. Medical science with its iron braces and Mac's own iron determination and constant exercise were responsible for the dramatic turnaround. But let Mac tell it: "I don't suppose I would ever have been ambitious enough to excel at any sport if I hadn't been a cripple as a kid. I spent so much time eating my heart out because I couldn't play normally that when they took the brace off and I found I had legs that matched, it was like turning a frisky colt out to pasture after a year in a box stall. I had such a backlog of athletic ambition that I wanted to play football, basketball, and track all at one time." The braces remained for four years, the determination for a lifetime. Mac (his given name, not a nickname) Speedie (his family name, not a professional one) grew up in Utah. By the time he reached high school in Salt Lake City, Mac was already a star athlete. He earned all-city honors as a halfback and also as a basketball center before graduating and moving on to the University of Utah as a geology major.
    [Show full text]
  • Kapp-Ing a Memorable Campaign
    THE COFFIN CORNER: Vol 19, No. 1 (1997) Kapp-ing A Memorable Campaign `Injun' Joe Kapp spirited the '69 Vikings to an NFL championship By Ed Gruver He was called "Injun" Joe, despite the fact his heritage was a mix of Mexican and German blood, and he quarterbacked an NFL championship team, despite owning a passing arm that produced more wounded ducks than his hunter-head coach, Bud Grant, who spent pre-dawn hours squatting with a rifle in a Minneapolis duck blind. But in 1969, a season that remains memorable in the minds of Minnesota football fans, "Injun" Joe Kapp blazed a trail through the National Football League and bonded the Vikings into a formidable league champion, a family of men whose slogan, "Forty for Sixty," was testament to their togetherness. "I liked Joe," Grant said once. "Everybody liked Joe, he's a likeable guy. In this business, you play the people who get the job done, and Joe did that." John Beasley, who played tight end on the Vikings' '69 team, called Kapp "a piece of work...big and loud and fearless." Even the Viking defense rallied behind Kapp, an occurrence not so common on NFL teams, where offensive and defensive players are sometimes at odds with another. Witness the New York Giants teams of the late 1950s and early 1960s, where middle linebacker Sam Huff would tell halfback Frank Gifford, "Hold 'em Frank, and we'll score for you." No such situation occurred on the '69 Vikings, a fact made clear by Minnesota safety Dale Hackbart. "Playing with Kapp was like playing in the sandlot," Hackbart said.
    [Show full text]
  • 01 12 Recruiting.Indd
    UUCLACLA - TThehe CCompleteomplete PPackageackage “UCLA has the most complete athletic program in the country” (Sports Illustrated On Campus - April ‘05 The Nation’s No. 1 Combined Academic, Social & Athletic Program Winner of more NCAA Championships than any other school; one of the nation’s top public universities; centrally located to beaches and mountains. An Outstanding Head Coach Jim Mora is a former NFC Coach of the Year with 25 seasons of NFL coaching experience. He has served as Head Coach of the Atlanta Falcons and the Seattle Seahawks and as the defen- sive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers. Talented & Experienced Coaching Staff An experienced staff with diverse backgrounds, many with NFL experience as coaches and players. The goal of the staff is to develop greatness in UCLA’s student-athletes, both on and off the fi eld. Academic Support Learning specialists, tutoring aid, counseling and general assistance that is second to none. The Bruin Family UCLA provides a prosperous outlook for the future with internships, workshop mentoring programs and access to one of the world’s meccas of business, entertainment, media and networking. Media Rich Southern California USA Today, Fox Sports Net, NFL Network and ESPN have offi ces in LA. Seven local television stations and 13 area newspapers provide unparalleled coverage. The Next Step Over 25 Bruins populate NFL rosters on a yearly basis. At least one former Bruin has been on the roster of a Super Bowl team in 29 of the last 32 years. In 29 of the last 30 seasons, at least one Bruin has made a Pro Bowl roster.
    [Show full text]