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Who is Who
ANTHONY DUNGY See Dungy, Tony ART MODELL see Modell, Arthur ARTHUR MODELL see Modell, Arthur BERLIN, GUY see Guy, Chamberlin
Charles Bidwill, Sr., who owned the team for 14 seasons from 1933 until 1946, when the franchise was located in Chicago. In spite of Bidwill's enthusiasm for the game, the Cardinals were not a successful club during the 1930s and early 1940s and were always completely overshadowed by the cross-town rival Chicago Bears. In 1944, it was even prudent for the Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers to merge for a year to ease the financial strain and manpower crisis created by World War II. Still, Bidwill stayed the course. The end of the war brought another problem to the struggling owner. It came in the form of the AAFC and another rival team in Chicago, the Chicago Rockets. But it was Bidwill who delivered the AAFC one of its most stunning defeats when he signed everybody's All-America, Charley Trippi of Georgia, to a then unprecedented $100,000 contract. Trippi was the final link in "Blue Shirt Charley's" so-called "Dream Backfield" of Paul Christman, Pat Harder, Marshall Goldberg, and Trippi. Bidwill died in April 1947, but this quartet would lead the Cardinals to an NFL championship in 1947 and a division title in 1948.
Bidwill is a graduate of the University of Georgetown and is a former Naval officer. He has a reputation for being a cheap owner and is often criticized for not paying marquee players.
BILL BIDWELL see William Bidwill, Sr. BILL PARCELLS see Parcells, Duane "Bill" BO JACKSON See Jackson Vincent BRETT FAVRE See Favre, Brett BUD CARSON see Carson, Leon H. "Bud" BUDDY RYAN see Ryan, Buddy BUD WILKINSON see Wilkinson, Bud
Preceded by: Jim
Thorpe |Succeeded by: Carl Storck CARROLL ROSENBLOOM See Rosenbloom, Carroll
Carson played defensive back for North Carolina from 1949 to 1951, then entered the Marines. After his discharge, he went into coaching, working at Georgia Tech under head coach Bobby Dodd. Carson took over as head coach in 1967. Under Carson, the Yellow Jackets endured three straight 4-6 seasons before going 9-3 and winning the Sun Bowl in 1970. In 1971, Tech finished 6-6 after a Peach Bowl loss. His dismissal as Head Coach of the Yellow Jackets was reported in the Atlanta Constitution under the headline "Bitter Bud Carson Is Ousted at Tech". NFL Career Steelers head coach Chuck Noll hired Carson as defensive coordinator in 1972. Under Carson, the "Steel Curtain" developed as one of the best defenses in National Football League history. The unit, led by Jack Lambert, Mel Blount, Jack Ham and Mean Joe Greene, gave up fewer points than any other American Football Conference team in Pittsburgh's Super Bowl seasons of 1974 and 1975. In 1976, the Curtain gave up fewer than 10 points a game. After the 1977 season, Carson took over the defensive-coordinator job with the Los Angeles Rams, who lost to the Steelers in Super Bowl XIV. He later served on the coaching staffs of the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Colts before running the New York Jets' defense from 1985 to 1988. He finally landed a head-coaching job with the Cleveland Browns for the 1989 season. Cleveland won the AFC Central Division in 1989 before losing to John Elway's Denver Broncos in the conference championship for the third time in four years. Browns owner Art Modell fired Carson halfway through the 1990 season, which ended with a 3-13 record. Carson returned for stints as an assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles (his 1991 crew pulled the rare feat of being ranked #1 versus the pass, #1 versus the rush, and #1 over all) and Rams — by then in St. Louis — before retiring in 1997.
He served in World War I and then played pro football for eight years, from 1920-27. George Halas called him the greatest two-way end in the history of the game. He stood 6- 1, weighed 200, and was outstanding on offense and defense. For six of his pro years he was player-coach. He went back to Nebraska, ran a farm, and was state livestock inspector. Chamberlin died April 4, 1967. In that year the University of Nebraska founded the Chamberlin Trophy, given annually to the outstanding senior football player.
Despite being a a leading reciever in the NFL, Miami fans have had mixed reviews of him. His ability to make spectacular catches at crucial moments has brought praise, but he often drops simple passes, leading to angered fans. CHARLES BIDWELL (JR) See Charles Bidwell Jr CHARLES BIDWELL (SR) See Bidwill, Charles (Sr) CHARLES NOLL see Noll, Charles CHRIS CHAMBERS See Chambers, Chris CHRISTOPHER CHAMBERS See Chambers, Chris CHUCK NOLL see Noll, Charles
While Jimmy Conzelman was a success at most of his endeavors, which included stints as a newspaper publisher, playwright, author, orator, and actor, it was primarily as a football player and coach that he excelled. A halfback at Washington University in St. Louis, he began his post-college career as a member of the Great Lakes Navy team that won the 1919 Rose Bowl. One of his Great Lakes teammates was George Halas, who recruited him for his 1920 Decatur Staleys team in the newly formed American Professional Football Association, which later changed its name to the National Football League. After one season with the Staleys, Conzelman moved on to the Rock Island Independents where he began his career as a player-coach. He stayed with the Independents through seven games of the 1922 season before jumping to the Milwaukee Badgers for the remainder of the season and the 1923 season. Offered an NFL franchise in Detroit in 1925 for a reported $100 investment, Conzelman became an NFL owner. Although the team was fairly successful on the field (8-2-2 in 1925 and 4-6-2 in 1926) the team received little support from the Motor City fans. Eventually he returned the franchise back to the league and in 1927 joined the Providence Steam Roller as the player-coach. Quarterback Conzelman suffered a knee injury in 1928, but coach Conzelman led the team to an 8-1-2 record and the NFL title. Conzelman left Providence in 1930 wanting to try his hand at other careers. But, in 1940, the popular Irishman was lured back into the NFL with the Chicago Cardinals. He helped the team stay strong during the challenging World War II years before leaving to work in major league baseball. In 1946, Conzelman returned to the Cardinals. The following year his Cards won the NFL title and in 1948 a second straight division title but lost 7-0 to the Philadelphia Eagles in the title game. Conzelman retired after that season with an overall professional record of 82 wins, 69 losses, and 14 ties.
Prior to the NFL, Coryell coached 12 seasons with the San Diego State Aztecs, using the philosophy of recruiting only junior college players. The 1966, 1968 and 1969 Aztec teams compiled unbeaten records. He coached the USC Trojans in 1960. Coryell is the first coach ever to win more than 100 games at both the collegiate and professional level. He won two consecutive division titles (1974, 1975) with the Cardinals and three straight division titles (1979, 1980, 1981) with the Chargers, reaching the playoffs four times with the latter team. With Dan Fouts as quarterback, San Diego's "Air Coryell" was among the greatest passing offenses in NFL history.
At San Diego State, Coryell helped
develop a number of quarterbacks for the NFL, including Don Horn, Bob
Klatt, Jesse Frietas, Dennis Shaw and Brian Sipe, and also coached
two players who later became actors: Fred Dryer and Carl Weathers.
Coryell's development of future coaches included John Madden, Joe
Gibbs, Jim Hanifan, Ernie Zampese, and Al Saunders. CRENNEL, ROMEO Romeo Crennel was an American football player and is currently the head coach of the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. A 25-year veteran of the NFL, Crennel was previously the defensive coordinator of the New England Patriots (2001-04), where he helped the team win three Super Bowl championships in four seasons. Prior to spending the 2000 season as Browns' defensive coordinator, he spent three seasons with the New York Jets (1997-99), and four with the Patriots (1993-96) -- all as a D-line coach. From 1981-92, he worked under legendary coach Bill Parcells and alongside current Patriots head coach Bill Belichick with the New York Giants. With the Giants, Crennel coached in Super Bowls XXI and XXV -- winning championships in both contests. Overall, Crennel has coached in six Super Bowls, coming home with five championship rings. Before entering the NFL in 1981, Crennel coached at Western Kentucky University — his alma mater — (1970-74), Texas Tech (1975-77), Ole Miss (1978-79), and Georgia (1981). Crennel is a native of Lynchburg, Virginia. He was a high school standout at both Fort Knox (Ky.) High and Central High (Amherst, Va.). He earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Western Kentucky, and then a master’s degree while serving as a graduate assistant for the school in 1970. Crennel played as both a defensive and an offensive lineman for the Hilltoppers in the late 1960s; he also captained the squad his last year on the team. He switched to offensive line as a senior at the request of the coaching staff, and was voted team MVP for his contributions and sacrifice. DAN MARINO See Marino, Dan DAVID JONES see Jones, David "Deacon" DEACON JONES see Jones, David "Deacon" DENNIS GREEN See Green, Dennis DICK JAURON see Jauron, Richard DON CORYELL see Coryell, Don DUANE PARCELLS see Parcells, Duane "Bill"
Other Noted African - American Coaches
ERNIE ZAMPESE see Zampese, Ernie
Favre is the only three-time AP MVP (1995-97) in NFL history and has led the Packers to two Super Bowls: a victory against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI and a loss to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXII. Favre, the 2007 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year, is currently playing his 17th season in the NFL and has started every game since his first start for the Packers in 1992. His records include: most career NFL touchdown passes (440), most career NFL passing yards (61,556), most career pass completions (5,368), most career pass attempts (8,747), most career NFL interceptions thrown (288), most consecutive starts among NFL quarterbacks (252, 272 total starts including playoffs), and most career victories as a starting quarterback (159). Favre has a wife, Deanna, whom he married on July 14, 1996. Together they have two daughters, Brittany (born February 6, 1989) and Breleigh (born July 13, 1999). FOX, JOHN John Fox (February 8, 1955 – ) is the third and current head coach of the Carolina Panthers of the NFL.
Fox was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia and raised in San Diego, California after moving there at age 15. Fox played football at Castle Park High School and Southwestern College (California) in Chula Vista from 1974-1975 before going to San Diego State, where he played defensive back with future NFL player & head coach Herman Edwards. Fox received a bachelor’s degree in physical education and earned teaching credentials from San Diego State. Fox entered the NFL in 1989 as the secondary coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Fox was the defensive coordinator of the New York Giants during Super Bowl XXXV, which they lost. In 2002 Fox was signed as the (third) head coach of the Panthers, whose previous coach George Seifert had led the team to a disastrous 1-15 record in 2001. Fox's first regular season game was a 10-7 victory over the Baltimore Ravens which ended the Panthers' 15-game losing streak dating to the previous season. Fox and the Panthers posted a 7-9 record for the 2002 season (his first with the team), demonstrating a drastic improvement over the previous season. In the 2003 season Fox led the Panthers to Super Bowl XXXVIII, losing 32-29 to the New England Patriots on a last-minute field goal by Adam Vinatieri (which was also the margin of victory for the Patriots in their Super Bowl victories in Super Bowl XXXVI and Super Bowl XXXIX). In taking the Panthers to the Super Bowl, Fox joined Vince Lombardi as the only coaches to inherit a team that had won only one game in the season immediately prior to their hiring, and then took that team to the Super Bowl. John Fox took the Carolina Panthers to the NFC Championship game in the 2005 season, but they were defeated by the Seattle Seahawks. FREDERICK POLLARD See Pollard, Frederick FRITZ POLLARD See Pollard, Frederick FRITZ SHUMUR see Shurmur, Fritz GEORGE HALAS see Halas, George
Gibbs began his career with a stint as offensive line coach at San Diego State under Don Coryell (1964-1966).
GLENN WARNER
Red Grange made the Number 77 famous Wearing the Number 77 that he soon made famous, Grange started as a sophomore and scored three touchdowns, on runs of 12, 35, and 60 yards, in his first game. Against the University of Chicago, he returned an interception 43 yards to set up the winning touchdown-which he scored. He had a 92-yard interception return against Northwestern. After leading the Western Conference (now the Big Ten) in scoring, he was named an All-American halfback. Early in the 1924 season, Illinois faced a University of Michigan team that had been unbeaten in twenty consecutive games. Michigan athletic director and former coach "Hurry-Up" Yost assured the press, "Mr. Grange will be carefully watched every time he takes the ball. There will be eleven clean, hard Michigan tacklers headed for him."
Grange responded by scoring touchdowns the first four times he touched the ball, in twelve minutes of the first quarter. Grange returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, then scored on 67, 56 and 44-yard runs from scrimmage - all in the first 12 minutes of the game. He ran for a fifth touchdown in the second half and passed for a sixth score. All told, he accounted for 402 yards total offense as Illinois won, 39-14. After scoring three touchdowns in 21-21 tie with the University of Chicago, Grange was injured during the game with Minnesota and Illinois lost. He missed the final game of the season, a victory over Ohio State, but was still an All-American for the second year in a row. Already known as the "Galloping Ghost" and the "Illinois Flash," Grange captained the Illini in 1925. After the young team lost three of its first four games, he was moved to quarterback and Illinois won the final four games. Grange's greatest performance came on a muddy field against Pennsylvania before 65,000 spectators. He gained 363 yards on 36 carries, scoring three touchdowns, in a 24-2 victory. An All-American for the third time, Grange left college immediately after his final game to tour with the Chicago Bears. He actually had a personal services contract for more than $100,000 with promoter Charles C. "Cash and Carry" Pyle, who in turn sold his services to the Bears. The tour was not totally successful. Grange missed several games with injury and played only briefly in several others. However, he attracted 65,000 fans in New York, by far the largest crowd to have seen a professional game at that time. That record was broken in January, when 75,000 turned out in Los Angeles to watch Grange and the Bears. Pyle also got Grange a role in a football movie, One Minute to Play, and Grange later did a vaudeville tour and two other movies. One of Pyle's ambitions was to get a New York franchise in the NFL, but he was turned down, so he started the American Football League, with Grange playing for the New York Yankees. The AFL barely made it through the 1926 season, and the Yankees were then admitted into the NFL. Grange's knee was badly injured in a game against the Bears, and he was never again the same player. After sitting out the 1928 season, he joined the Bears in 1929 and played with them through 1934. No longer an outstanding runner, he was still a very good player, and a genuine defensive star. He was named to the first official All-Pro team chosen, in 1931, and was an All-Pro again in 1932. When the Bears beat the Portsmouth Spartans for the 1932 NFL championship, Grange scored the only touchdown on a pass from Bronko Nagurski. And he saved the 1933 championship game against the New York Giants. With the Bears leading 23-21 in the closing seconds, a Giant halfback broke loose and had a teammate trailing him, waiting for a lateral. Grange alertly pinioned the runner's arms to keep him from lateraling the ball and then threw him to the ground. After missing the 1934 championship game with an injury, Grange played in a post-season exhibition game on January 27, 1935. He broke into the open on a 50-yard run, but was caught from behind by a lineman. He decided it was time to retire.
GUY BERLIN see Guy, Chamberlin GUY CHAMBERLIN see Guy, Chamberlin
In fact, using this new formation the Bears rolled up the largest margin of victory and the highest score in the history of professional football against the New York Giants in the 1940 championship game. The Bears won 73-0. This forever entrenched George Halas, or (Papa Bear), as he is affectionately known, as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, coach in the history of professional football. Impact on football Halas played an integral part in the segregation of the league in the 1930s by refusing to sign black players for the Bears. Fritz Pollard, who in the 1920s was the league's first African-American coach, blamed Halas for keeping him out of the league in the 1930s and 1940s. Halas eventually changed course and helped to integrate the league, drafting the NFL's first black player since 1933, George Taliaferro, although Taliaferro did not play for the Bears; Halas later signed Willie Thrower, who with the Bears became the league's first black quarterback. A pioneer both on and off the field, Halas made the Bears the first team to hold daily practice sessions, to analyze film of opponents to find weaknesses and means of attack, place assistant coaches in the press box during games, and to broadcast games by radio. He also offered to share the team's substantial television income with teams in smaller cities, firmly believing that what was good for the league would ultimately benefit his own team. A firm disciplinarian, Halas maintained complete control of his team and did not tolerate disobedience and insubordination by players. He also insisted on absolute integrity and honesty in management, believing that a handshake was sufficient to finalize a deal; few, if any, intermediaries were necessary. George Halas' career ledger reads as follows: 63 years as an owner, 40 as a coach, 324 wins, and 8 NFL titles as a coach or owner. He was a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963; the Hall of Fame is appropriately located on George Halas Drive. The NFC championship trophy also bears his name. In both 1963 and 1965 he was selected by The Sporting News, the AP and the UPI as the NFL Coach of the Year. In 1997 he was featured on a US postage stamp as one of the legendary coaches of football. He has been recognized by ESPN as one of the ten most influential people in sports in the 20th century, and as one of the greatest coaches. In 1993, Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula finally surpassed Halas' victory total. To this day, the jerseys of the Chicago Bears bear the initials "GSH" on their left sleeves in tribute to Halas.
Hanifan played college ball at the University of California, where he was an All-American and led the nation in receiving in 1954. He played professionally for one season with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. From 1959 to 1965, he coached at the high school and junior college level, he developed a reputation as an outstanding teacher and an offensive line guru. He was an assistant coach at Utah from 1966-1979, California from 1970-1971, and San Diego State in 1972. During this time Hanifan joined the NFL in 1973, serving as offensive line coach for the St. Louis Cardinals until 1978. He was recognized as the NFL's Assistant Coach of the Year in 1977. After one year with the San Diego Chargers, Hanifan returned to the Cardinals and was their head coach from 1980-1985. Hanifan went 39-49-1 in his six season with the Cardinals, leading St. Louis to the 16-team playoff tournament during the strike-shortened 1982 season. The "Gridbirds" went 8-7-1 in 1983 with a victory over the eventual Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Raiders, and in 1984, St. Louis was in position to win the NFC East championship with a victory in the season finale against the Washington Redskins. But Cardinal kicker Neil O'Donoghue missed a game-winning field goal attempt, giving the Redskins a 29-27 victory and the division title, while St. Louis was left out of the playoffs despite a 9-7 record. In 1985, St. Louis started the year 3-1 but would win only two of its final 12 games and finish at 5-11, costing Hanifan his job. Hanifan resumed his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Atlanta Falcons (1987-1989), and he served as the interim head coach when Marion Campbell was fired. He spent seven season as offensive line coach for the Washington Redskins (1990-1996) and St. Louis Rams (1997-2003) before retiring. Since 2004, he has been part of the Rams radio broadcast team and hosts a weekly show on St. Louis statuion KLOU. Hanifan wrote an autobiography recounting his career titled "Beyond X's and O's: My Thirty Years in Football." He also produced a series of instructional videos on offensive line play.
HAROLD GRANGE see
Grange, Harold
first athlete named an All-Star in both sports. He is also an actor who has had small roles in several films. JACOBUS THORPE see Thorpe, Jim JAMES CONZELMAN see Conzelman, James JAMES MORA See Mora, James L or Mora, James E. JAMES E. MORA See Mora, James E. JAMES L. MORA See Mora, James L
Playing Career Jauron attended high school in Swampscott, Massachusetts where he was a star player on the Big Blue football team. His father was Bob Jauron, Illinois high school coach, Jauron's first two high school Manual teams simply overwhelmed almost every opponent. It outscored the opposition 637-79 over two years. Bob retired to Swampscott, Mass. Jauron was a three-time Yale University letterman in football and baseball, a member of Wolf's Head Society and graduated from Yale with a bachelor's degree in history. At Yale, Jauron became the leading rusher in school history and holds several school records, including consecutive 100-yard rushing games with 16. In 1999, Jauron was named one of the top 10 Massachusetts high school football players of the 20th century by The Boston Globe. He was drafted in the fourth round by the Detroit Lions in 1973. He started as a free safety and was a Pro Bowl selection in 1974. Jauron played in the NFL for 8 years, first with Detroit, then with the Cincinnati Bengals where he played his last three seasons. He is arguably the most accomplished professional football player and coach from the Ivy League. Coaching Career After stints as the defensive backs coach for the Buffalo Bills (1985) and the Green Bay Packers (1986-1994), Jauron served as the defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars (1995-1998). In 1999, Jauron was hired by the Bears as the team's head coach, replacing Dave Wannstedt, and served in that role through 2003. Jauron's most successful season with the Bears was 2001, when the Bears finished with a 13-3 record and won the NFC Central division championship. Jauron was named the 2001 Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year. Jauron finished his tenure with the Bears with a regular season record of 35-45 (.438), and a playoff record of 0-1.(A 33-19 Loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC Divisional playoff game of January 2002.) After being fired by the Bears, Jauron accepted the position of defensive coordinator with the Lions, beginning with the 2004 NFL season. On November 28, 2005, head coach Steve Mariucci was fired and Jauron was named interim head coach for the final five games of the season. The Lions won one game with Jauron as head coach (against the New Orleans Saints), and finished the season with a 5-11 record. Jauron was succeeded by Rod Marinelli on January 18, 2006. On Monday, January 23, 2006, Jauron was named head coach of the Buffalo Bills, replacing Mike Mularkey. He started his coaching stint in Buffalo with a 36-49 head coaching record. For the 2006 season, Jauron's Bills finished 7-9, 2 games better than their win total from 2005 (5-11).
* - Head Coach
JEFF SATURDAY JIM CONZELMAN see Conzelman, James JIM HANIFAN See Hanifan, Jim JIM MORA See Mora, James L or Mora, James E. JIM THORPE see Thorpe, Jim JOE GIBBS see Gibbs, Joe JOHN FOX see Fox, John JOHN McKAY See McKay, John JOHN HARVEY McKAY See McKay, John JOHN MADDEN see Madden, John
JOSEPH CARR see Carr, Joseph
LEON CARSON
see Carson, Leon H. "Bud" LEWIS, MARVIN Marvin R. Lewis (born September 23, 1958 in McDonald, Pennsylvania,) is the head coach of the National Football League's Cincinnati Bengals franchise, a position he has held since January 2003. Lewis is credited as being instrumental in the Bengals' improvement. Before his arrival, the team had experienced just one winning season in fifteen previous seasons. He is the only coach in team history to not have a losing record. LOVIE SMITH See Lovie Smith
Marino would have one of the greatest statistical seasons in NFL history. In a year where Marino was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player, he would break six NFL season passing records including the records for most TD passes (48) in a season (since broken by Peyton Manning) and most passing yards (5,084) in a season. MARVIN LEWIS see Lewis, Marvin
McKay was born in the now-defunct town of Everettsville, West Virginia, and after graduating from high school he worked in the coal mines for a year before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. He finally entered college at the age of 23, attending both Purdue University and the University of Oregon and playing at both schools. He turned down the opportunity to play in the NFL, deciding on a coaching career. McKay was an assistant coach at Oregon for 8 years before moving to USC in 1959, and he became USC's head coach the following year. USC won four national championships (1962, 1967, 1972 and 1974) during McKay's tenure as head coach. His 1972 squad is regarded as one of the best teams in NCAA history. Two of his players, Mike Garrett (1965) and O.J. Simpson (1968), won the Heisman Trophy. He popularized the I-formation, emphasizing a power running game. An Irish Catholic, McKay admitted he was a Notre Dame fan while growing up, then ironically presided over the worst defeat in USC history, a 51-0 loss to the Irish on November 26, 1966. After turning down several offers from the NFL, including the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams, McKay finally was lured to Tampa Bay to become the Buccaneers' first head coach in 1976[1]. What finally intrigued him enough was the combined five-fold salary increase (totaling $2m per year) and the prospect of building a franchise from the ground up, as opposed to the previous offers at established programs[1]. The Buccaneers lost all 14 games in 1976 and the first 12 games of 1977 before winning their first game against the New Orleans Saints. They would also win the last game of the 1977 season. In 1979, the Buccaneers posted their first winning season. The Bucs won the NFC Central Division title in the final week of the 1979 season by beating the Kansas City Chiefs 3-0 in a driving Tampa rainstorm. The Bucs would advance to the NFC Championship before losing to the Los Angeles Rams in a defensive battle 9-0. The Bucs would make two more playoff appearances in 1981 and 1982, but by then the Bucs were a damaged team. With their star quarterback Doug Williams going to the USFL, the Bucs suffered through two losing seasons, and in 1985, McKay stepped down as head coach of the Bucs. In the end, McKay forever regretted his decision to leave the Trojans. His son noted that he knew "within the first week he got to Tampa that he'd made a mistake". McKay often came up with humorous one-liners during press conferences. One of the best quips came when he was asked, "What do you think about your team's execution?" McKay responded, "I'm all for it!" When he was asked why his tailbacks carried the ball so much, he replied, "Why not? It's not heavy and he doesn't belong to any union." John McKay is the father of former Buccaneers general manager Rich McKay, who is now the president and general manager of the Atlanta Falcons. His son J.K. McKay played wide receiver under him twice: once for the Trojans from 1972-75, including two championship teams, 1972 and as a starter on the 1974 team, and he also played in the NFL for the Buccaneers from 1976-1979.
During the 1940s and 1950s, he worked in advertising, public relations and television production in New York City. He purchased the Cleveland Browns in 1961 for $4 million, investing only $250,000 of his own money (he borrowed $2.7 million and found partners for the rest). Unlike the Browns' previous owners, Modell immediately took an active role in the management of the team, and fired legendary coach Paul Brown on January 9, 1963. He did so partly because Brown mostly ignored him and partly because the Browns' players, especially star running back Jim Brown, no longer wanted to play for him due to Brown's autocratic style. Modell quickly named Brown's assistant, Blanton Collier, as the new coach on January 16, 1963. The team's success continued under Collier, winning the 1964 championship and playing in three other title games. Using his background in advertising to market the team, Modell also showed a flair for promotions, with one popular innovation coming in 1962 with the scheduling of pro football preseason doubleheaders at Cleveland Stadium. In addition, Modell became active in NFL leadership, serving as NFL President and using his television connections to help negotiate the league's increasingly lucrative television contracts. Modell also was willing to provide his team as an opponent for both the first prime time Thanksgiving game in 1966 and the opening Monday Night Football broadcast in 1970. Modell took an active role in Cleveland community life and was a leading fundraiser for charities and various Republican Party candidates. He married TV soap opera star Patricia Breslin in 1969, having previously established himself as a well known man about town before that. For many years, he was able to disarm newspaper and TV reporters with his quick wit. For example, with regard to the NFL's innovative policy of sharing all network television revenue on an equal basis per team, so that the Green Bay Packers and New York Giants each got an equal slice of the revenue pie, he joked, "We're 26 Republicans who vote Socialist!" However, that ingratiating manner did not always translate into smooth relationships with his employees. In 1967, five African American members of the Browns involved in a contract dispute refused to report to training camp. Modell eventually traded or released four of the players, with only standout running back Leroy Kelly staying. Kelly would go on to play out his option, but the restrictive nature of free agency in the NFL at the time severely limited his options. Subsequent contract battles with defensive end Jack Gregory in 1971 and second-round draft pick Tom Skladany in 1977 only served to damage Modell's image among Cleveland fans. Feeling that the constant sellouts the team had enjoyed should be used to bolster the team, fan animosity manifested itself with anti-Modell stadium banners that were quickly removed by Cleveland Stadium management. As stadium landlord Modell took control of Cleveland Municipal Stadium in 1973, which had been owned by the City of Cleveland but had become too expensive for the city to operate or maintain. He worked out a deal with the city whereby his newly formed entity, dubbed Stadium Corp., would rent the stadium from the City for $1 per year, assume all operating and repair costs and would sublease the stadium to its two primary tenants, the Browns and the Indians. In so doing, Modell effectively became the landlord of the Cleveland Indians. This was a good business decision even though the Indians were unsuccessful throughout the 1970s and 1980s and drew small crowds during this period, because the Browns were essentially paying rent to themselves and because Modell, by constructing luxury suites in the ballpark, generated large cash flows from the suite rentals which he did not share with the Indians. Stadium Corp. also promoted very successful rock concerts, promoted as The World Series of Rock, at the stadium. These events drew large crowds that damaged the playing field. Modell later alleged that the suites were unsuccessful because he had borrowed the money for construction at the high interest rates that then prevailed, however, he has not accounted for why the revenues the suites generated wasn't used to pay down the debt. Stadium Corp. and Modell were implicated in a lawsuit brought by Browns minority shareholder Robert Gries of Gries Sports Enterprises, who successfully alleged that Stadium Corp. manipulated the Browns' accounting records to help Stadium Corp. and Modell absorb a loss on real property that had been purchased in the Cleveland suburb of Strongsville as a potential site for a new stadium. The lawsuit, Gries Sports Enterprises v Cleveland Browns Football Co, 26 Ohio St. 3d 15 (1986), was a leading Ohio case concerning a corporate officer's fiduciary duty toward shareholders. By the 1990s, Modell was disturbed at what he saw as the financial distress of the Browns and Stadium Corp., as recounted in detail in the book Fumble: The Browns, Modell, & the Move by Michael G. Poplar with James A. Toman (ISBN 0-936760-11-7) which was written by a Modell associate and longtime Browns employee. A less charitable portrait of Modell is contained in the book Glory for Sale: Inside the Browns' Move to Baltimore & the New NFL by Jon Morgan (ISBN 0-9631246-5-X). Simultaneously with Modell's concerns, the Indians were dissatisfied with Modell's Stadium Corp. as their landlord. Modell did not share the suite revenues from baseball games with the Indians. Also, rock concerts damaged the playing field during baseball season, and Modell wouldn't spend any money to improve their clubhouse. As a result the Indians alleged they could not attract high-quality free-agent players. Eventually the Indians prevailed upon the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County to subsidize a new ballpark (which became known as Jacobs Field) for their exclusive use so that they could get out from under Modell's thumb. In turn, Modell was dissatisfied with the Indians' new ballpark because Stadium Corp.'s suite rental renvenue decreased once Jacobs Field opened. Many suite customers switched their business from Cleveland Stadium's older suites to Jacobs Field's newer suites, especially because Modell's Stadium Corp. refused to decrease the annual rent for the suites even though the events for which the suites could be used decreased substantially with the loss of the Indians as a tenant. Modell declined to become a tenant in Cleveland's new Gateway Sports and Entertainment Complex, instead asking for improvements to Municipal Stadium. Because Modell's Stadium Corp. still controlled Municipal Stadium, it may have made more business sense for Modell to try to keep the Indians at Municipal, particularly as the baseball team began to show signs of improvement both on the playing field and at the box office. (The Indians went on to play in the World Series in 1995 and 1997, and sold out 455 straight games at Jacobs Field from 1995 until 2001.) Move to Baltimore When the Indians and the City of Cleveland declined to abandon the Gateway Project and improve Municipal Stadium as Modell asked, Modell broke off negotiations with the City and County and decided, in secret, to move the team to Baltimore for the 1996 season. He was assisted in the move by Alfred Lerner, who would go on to become the owner of the new Cleveland Browns franchise in 1998. Modell's move returned the NFL to Baltimore for the first time since the Colts left for Indianapolis after the 1983 season. The reaction in Cleveland was, not surprisingly, very hostile. Modell had promised numerous times never to move the team. The Brooklyn native mentioned numerous times how saddened and betrayed he and other Brooklynites had felt when the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles in 1957. The City of Cleveland sued Modell, the Browns, and Stadium Corp. for breach of the Browns' lease, which required the Browns to exclusively use Cleveland Stadium for their home games for several seasons after 1995. Surprisingly for Modell, many Baltimore fans sympathized with Clevelanders' outrage. Baltimore was still smarting from Colts owner Robert Irsay's behavior in the run-up to the Colts' move a decade earlier, culminating in the team being literally sneaked out of town in the middle of the night in late March 1984. Many people in Baltimore felt Irsay had stolen Baltimore's football history as well. They felt that Modell would be doing the same thing to Cleveland if he went with his initial plan to call his team the "Baltimore Browns." Ironically, Modell had loudly criticized the Colts' move in 1984, as well as the Oakland Raiders' move to Los Angeles a year earlier. Eventually, the NFL, Modell and the two cities worked out a deal. The Browns' franchise would be placed on inactive status for three years. Modell had to leave behind the Browns' name, colors and heritage (including team records) for a replacement franchise, in the form either of a new team or another relocated franchise. In return, Modell would be allowed to take his players and organization to Baltimore as the Ravens. Cleveland received a loan from the NFL for a new stadium. The Browns were resurrected in 1999. Many sportswriters and commentators in and outside of Cleveland reviled him, saying the honorable course would have been to sell the team to local interests. It is widely believed that the acrimony from the move has kept Modell out of the Pro Football Hall of Fame (he was an also-ran in the 2006 voting). To this day, he is considered to be the most hated man in Cleveland and has not returned to the city since 1996. For example, when his longtime friend, Browns kicking legend Lou "The Toe" Groza, died in 2000, Modell didn't feel safe attending the funeral. In an ironic twist, many Baltimore fans--including several prominent old-time Colts players who live in the area--consider the Ravens to be the successors of the Baltimore Colts. Johnny Unitas and other former Colts were so upset at the way Irsay treated Baltimore that they cut all ties to the relocated Colts team. Soon after Modell moved to Baltimore he sold a minority interest to Maryland businessman Steve Bisciotti. After owning an NFL team for 44 seasons, Modell sold controlling interest of the team to Bisciotti in 2003, citing ill health. However, Bisciotti had the option to buy the team at that point after becoming a minority owner in 1999. Modell retains a 1% share and has an office at the Ravens headquarters in Owings Mills, Maryland. He retained an interest as a legal maneuver to avoid a claim by the Andrews trust, which was controlled by family of a former business adviser who sought to collect an estimated $30 million finder's fee upon Modell's sale of the team to Bisciotti. The Andrews trust essentially claimed that under a 1963 agreement Modell owed a finder's fee for his original purchase of the team which was to be paid when Modell sold his entire interest. In July 2005, Modell prevailed in court and defeated the claim. Modell has no connection to the Modell's chain of sporting goods stores.
As an NFL coach, Mora is best known for three things: turning two of the NFL's losingest franchises into perennial post-season contenders, his lack of success once he got his teams to the playoffs, and his often-impassioned post-game tirades and press conferences, including the legendary "Diddley Poo" and "Playoffs?" tirades. In 1998, Jim Mora replaced Lindy Infante as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. The team struggled to a 3-13 mark in his first year, with a rookie Peyton Manning learning the ropes at quarterback, but had an amazing turnaround to 13-3 in 1999, thanks in large part to the addition of rookie running back Edgerrin James, only to lose the team's first playoff game in the AFC Divisional Playoffs (the team received a first-round bye to advance to the Divisional Playoffs). The loss to the Tennessee Titans dropped his all-time postseason record to 0-5. A wild-card-round playoff loss to the Miami Dolphins came in 2000, dropping his postseason record to 0-6. Ironically for Mora, just hours after losing the sixth and final playoff game of his career, the New Orleans Saints won their first playoff game ever, their first playoff game since Mora's controversial departure. In 2001, after a loss to the San Francisco 49ers dropped the Colts to 4-6, Mora, made his famous "Playoffs?" tirade. On the Colts' performance, Mora said: “Well, I'll start off by saying this. Do not blame that game on the defense, OK? I don't care who you play, whether it's a high school team, a junior college team, a college team, much less an NFL team. When you turn the ball over five times -- four interceptions, one for a touchdown, three others in field position to set up touchdowns -- you ain't going to beat anybody I just talked about. Anybody. All right? And that was a disgraceful performance in my opinion. We threw that game. We gave it away by doing that. We gave them the friggin' game. In my opinion, that sucked.” Later in the press conference, in response to a reporter's question about the Colts' chances for making the playoffs, Mora said in a high-pitched, incredulous sounding voice: “What's that? Playoffs? Don't talk about-- playoffs? You kidding me? Playoffs? I just hope we can win a game!” His "Playoffs" sound bite is regularly played back as a joke on a number of sports radio talk shows when discussing mediocre NFL teams or playoffs of other sports. The tirade would go on to be featured in a Coors Light commercial in early 2007, as part of an ad campaign that interspersed former NFL coaches' actual press conferences with twenty-something male actors asking the coaches questions about the beer. Some sources believed that Mora could have saved his job if he fired one (or more) of his coordinators, but he refused to do so. Mora was fired after the season and replaced by Tony Dungy.
Mora played defensive back at the University of Washington from 1980-83 appearing in two Rose Bowls. Instead of becoming a professional football player, he became a coach out of college, and began his pro football coaching career in 1985. On December 14, 2006, while the Falcons were still statistically alive in their quest for the playoffs, Mora said in a radio interview with Dave "Softy" Mahler on Seattle sports-talk radio station KJR-AM that if it were offered, he would take the head coaching job at the University of Washington (a job that was not even open), "even if the Falcons were in a playoff run." While Mora later claimed that he was only kidding, he was criticized by many Falcons fans as well as members of the national media who claimed that making such comments, kidding or not, during a critical point in the team's season was irresponsible. Team owner Arthur Blank publicly expressed his disapproval of Mora's comments. Following the season, the Atlanta Falcons announced that they had fired Mora. Mora turned to broadcasting after being fired from the Falcons when he became a contributor to NBC's playoff coverage.
MR. EVERYTHING see Halas, George
Noll coached for the San Diego Chargers and the Baltimore Colts before becoming the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach. Chuck Noll was named the 14th head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers on January 27, 1969, after Penn State coach Joe Paterno turned down an offer to be Steelers head coach. Noll is the only head coach to win four Super Bowls, coaching the Steelers to victory in Super Bowl IX (1975), Super Bowl X (1976), Super Bowl XIII (1979), and Super Bowl XIV (1980). Noll retired as Steelers head coach in 1991 after a record of 209-156-1. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. Chuck Noll still resides in suburban Pittsburgh where he has lived since the late 1960's. In addition, he currently serves as the Administration Advisor in the Pittsburgh Steelers' front office. PAPA BEAR see Halas, George
New York Giants In 1979, Parcells joined the New York Giants as the defensive coordinator under Ray Perkins. In 1980, he left to join the New England Patriots as the linebackers coach under Ron Erhardt for one year before returning to the Giants as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. When Perkins announced on December 15, 1982 that he was leaving the Giants at the end of the season to become head coach at the University of Alabama, the Giants announced that Parcells would succeed him as head coach. First retirement Following retirement, Parcells spent time as a football analyst for NBC Sports from 1991-1992, working as a studio commentator. He also hosted a local sports show in New York with Mike Francesa entitled Around the NFL. In 1992, Parcells made a handshake agreement to become head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At the last minute, Parcells opted not to take the job. Parcells did not feel the situation was right for him at that time. Tampa Bay owner Hugh Culverhouse said, "I feel like I've been jilted at the altar." New England Patriots After a two-year hiatus, Parcells returned to the NFL in 1993 as the head coach for the New England Patriots. Within two years, Parcells coached the team to a 10-6 record and its first playoff game in eight years. In 1996, he guided the Patriots to Super Bowl XXXI but lost to the Green Bay Packers, 35-21, in New Orleans. Parcells left the Patriots after disagreements with owner Robert Kraft; Parcells felt he did not have enough input into player personnel decisions. Upon his departure, Parcells stated: "If they want you to cook the dinner, at least they ought to let you shop for some of the groceries." This was mainly in reference to an incident in the Patriots' war room during the 1996 Draft where Parcells, who wanted to draft a defensive player with their first-round choice, was vetoed by Kraft, and the Patriots selected Ohio State WR Terry Glenn. New York Jets Although Parcells had decided to leave New England, his contract did not allow him to coach anywhere else. The New York Jets sought Parcells to take over their football operation after a 4-28 record under Rich Kotite. To circumvent Parcells' contractual obligations, the Jets hired Bill Belichick (then the #1 assistant to Parcells) as the Jets coach, and Bill Parcells was hired by the Jets in an "advisory" role. New England threatened legal action against Parcells and the Jets, but NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue brokered a deal between the two sides, with New England releasing Parcells from his contract and the Jets giving New England a first round draft choice. Bill Parcells retired from football for the second time, vowing that he would not coach again. He would remain with the Jets one more year as general manager. Dallas Cowboys Following three straight 5-11 seasons, Dallas Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones lured Bill Parcells out of retirement and made him the head coach in 2003. In his first season with the Cowboys, he led them to the playoffs with a 10-6 record (losing to the eventual NFC Champion Carolina Panthers in the opening round), thus making him the first head coach in NFL history to guide four different teams to the playoffs.
Parcells will enter the final year of his contract
with the Cowboys in 2007, and has been facing questions all year as
to whether or not he will return to the Cowboys to coach his final
season. Immediately following the Cowboys' loss to the Seattle
Seahawks, Parcells said that he was unsure if he would return in
2007, and the rumors about Parcells' future escalated. According to
the Dallas Morning News, Parcells reportedly has an agreement with
Jerry Jones that he will decide his future by February 1, 2007. PAYTON, WALTER Walter Jerry Payton (July 25, 1954 – November 1, 1999) was an American football player, who played for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He is remembered as one of the most prolific running backs in the history of American football. Payton, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, once held the League’s record for most career rushing yards, touchdowns, carries, and many other categories. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. The NFL player and coach Mike Ditka described Payton as the greatest football player he had ever seen - but even greater as a human being. Payton began his football career in Mississippi, and went on to have an outstanding collegiate football career at Jackson State University . He started his professional career with the Bears in 1975, who selected him as the 1975 Draft’s fourth overall pick. Payton proceeded to win two NFL Player of the Year Awards, and won Super Bowl XX with the 1985 Chicago Bears. After struggling with a rare liver disease for several months, Payton died in 1999 at the age of 45.
Pollard was a prominent member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African Americans. Teams Pollard played for
Akron Pros 1919-1921
Teams Pollard coached for Some sources indicate that Pollard also served as co-coach of the Milwaukee Badgers with Al Garrett for part of the 1922 season. He also coached the non NFL team Gilberton in 1923 and is believed to have had some coaching duties with Hammond in 1923 as well. Other Noted African - American Coaches
Warner brought many innovative playing mechanics to college football such as the screen play, spiral punt, single- and double-wing formations, numbering players' jerseys, and the use of shoulder and thigh pads. Glenn "Pop" Warner coached at several schools throughout his career, including the University of Georgia, Cornell University, University of Pittsburgh, Stanford University, and the Temple University. One of his most famous stints was at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, where he coached Jim Thorpe, who went on to become the first president of the National Football League, an Olympic Gold Medalist, and is widely considered one of the best overall athletes in history. Warner wrote one of the first important books of football strategy, Football for Coaches and Players, published in 1927. Though the shift was invented by Stagg, Warner's single wing and double wing formations greatly improved upon it; for almost 40 years, these were among the most important formations in football. As part of his single and double wing formations, Warner was one of the first coaches to effectively utilize the forward pass. Among his other innovations are modern blocking schemes, the three-point stance, and the reverse play Warner died of Throat cancer in Palo Alto, California at the age of 83. Follow Pop Warners life in History of Football and The NFL. Click search from your Browser's Edit feature and search Pop Warner. Continue to these steps to continue through the years. RED GRANGE see Grange, Harold RICHARD JAURON see Jauron, Richard ROMEO CRENNEL see Crennel, Romeo
RYAN, BUDDY Buddy Ryan (born James David Ryan on February 17, 1934) is a former American football coach.
Despite Ryan's controversial nature, his football and coaching accomplishments are many. He served with the staffs of three separate teams to make the Super Bowl on one or more occasions - the Bears, the Vikings, and the Jets. He made his reputation as a defensive specialist, enjoying success wherever he went and implementing and popularizing the famous 46 defense in particular. Indeed, the "46" became so effective and well-regarded that it was eventually imitated by every team in the league and its principles are now a standard part of football. Ryan also almost completely rebuilt the Eagles roster into a perennial NFC powerhouse team. He proved himself an excellent judge of talent, stocking the Eagles with players who would lead it to considerable success years after his departure. The 1991 Philadelphia Eagles defense, made up of his defensive stars, was arguably one of the greatest defenses of all time, leading the league in fewest passing yards allowed, fewest rushing yards allowed, and several other statistical categories. Ryan often had a gruff personality, but could also show compassion for his players. During training camp in 1990, while coaching the Eagles, Ryan released an up-and-coming young wide receiver named Cris Carter. Ryan subsequently explained to the media that he had cut Carter because Carter "only catches touchdowns" - an explanation for which Ryan was widely ridiculed for several years, especially after Carter was signed by the Minnesota Vikings with whom he almost immediately developed into one of the NFL's premiere passcatchers. Years later, however, it was revealed that Carter had had a serious drug problem, and that Ryan had released him from the Eagles to send him a wake-up call. Carter credits Ryan's actions with helping him to turn his life around.
SANTANA MOSS see Moss,
Santana SATURDAY, JEFF Jeffrey Bryant Saturday (born June 8, 1975 in Atlanta, Georgia) is the starting center of the NFL team Indianapolis Colts. He wears number 63. Saturday played college football at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and since has been the anchor of the Colts' offensive line for several years. He stands six feet, two inches tall and weighs 295 pounds. He was selected to his second NFL Pro Bowl in 2007, and plans to start for the AFC squad. He attempted to pass the ball during a game in 2004 but it was incomplete. However, he has the highest QB rating of all-time for a center (39.6) SHUMUR, FRITZ Fritz Shurmur was a football coach for nearly half a century, and considered a defensive mastermind in the National Football League, Fritz Shurmur began his professional career in 1954 as a graduate assistant under Albion College Britons coach Morley Fraser. After receiving a master's degree in education administration at Albion in 1956, Fritz stayed on as a defensive coordinator. Fritz then coached at the University of Wyoming for 12 years. From there, his career led him to the NFL and included stints with Detroit, New England, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Green Bay. In each of his NFL stops, Shurmur-led defenses ranked at or near the top of the defensive rankings. While at Green Bay, he earned his first Super Bowl ring when the Packers defeated the New England Patriots in 1997. Fritz also was the author of four books on coaching team defense. Fritz was among the charter members of Albion's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989. An All-MIAA performer in both football and baseball, he excelled in football and was captain of the 1953 team, voted the MIAA Most Valuable Player and received Little All-America honors. He was also president of his senior class and a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. In recognition of his career accomplishments, Fritz received an honorary doctor of pedagogy degree from Albion in 1997. Fritz joined the Seattle Seahawks as defensive coordinator, while maintaining his residence near Green Bay. He passed away Aug. 30, 1999 and is survived by his wife Peggy, their three children and their families.
Smith began his professional coaching career as a linebacker coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Under the guidance of Tony Dungy, Smith helped develop the Tampa 2. After spending four years with Buccaneers, Smith was hired as the defensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams under head coach, Mike Martz. The Chicago Bears hired Smith in 2004, following the fall-out of Dick Jauron. He struggled during his first season with the Bears, as a streak of injuries gave the bears a 5-11 record. Despite their poor offense, the Bears’ defense saw some major improvement, rising from 22nd in 2003 to 13th in 2004. History repeated itself again when Bears’ quarterback Rex Grossman injured his ankle during a preseason and missed a majority of the 2005 season. Smith was forced to cope with a 1-3 starting record in 2005, but managed to rally his team to win eight consecutive games. While the rookie quarterback Kyle Orton struggled, the Bears’ defense kept opposing offenses at bay, while putting up points and enabling kicker Doug Brien (and later Robbie Gould) to win games. The Bears finished the season with an 11-5 record, and the NFC’s second play-off seed. Additionally, the Bears recorded the league’s best defense in terms of Points Allowed, while ranking second in total yards allowed. The Bears’ dramatic turn around earned Smith national recognition, which culminated with an Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year Award . After returning to the field following their first round bye, the Bears’ played the Carolina Panthers, with a fully healed Rex Grossman as quarterback. Both the Bears’ offense and defense struggled to keep up with the Panthers, and eventually lost, 29-21. Nevertheless, Smith and the Bears were optimistic about the future. Smith and the Bears’ management drew skepticism in April 2006, by trading away their first round pick, and drafting five defensive players. His preseason criticism increased when he named Grossman, who struggled to move the Bears’ offense during the preseason, as the Bears starting quarterback. Nevertheless, Grossman led the Bears’ to seven consecutive victories, but later struggled during the latter portion of the season. Smith stood by Grossman, despite having to endure criticism from many skeptics. The Bears finished the 2006 Chicago Bears season with a 13-3 record, earning the NFC’s top playoff seed. The Bears finished the Season with the NFL's second scoring offense, and third overall defense.
Smith was a third-round draft choice of the Raiders in the 1987 NFL Draft, the spring after he helped the Nittany Lions to a national championship. He was one of four captains of the 1986 Penn State squad and finished his career with 11 touchdowns and 1246 rushing yards. The fullback blocked for Bo Jackson and Marcus Allen while with the Raiders, with whom he spent seven years. He concluded his career with the Seahawks after a back injury cut his career short, and finished with 1627 rushing yards and 13 receiving touchdowns. He played in the 1990 and 1991 playoffs in the silver and black.
Now married to former Raiders
cheerleader Chie, with children Dante and Jazmin, Smith lives in
Richardson, Texas, afflicted with Lou Gehrig's disease. He cannot
speak because of a ventilator and receives his food through a feeding
tube. Former teammates have rallied to raise money for Smith's
medical bills. STAGG, ALONZO Amos Alonzo Stagg, 1862–1965, American football coach, b. West Orange, N.J., grad. Yale, 1888. He played end on the Yale football team and began his career as a coach (1889–91) at Springfield (Mass.) College. In 1892 he became athletic director at the Univ. of Chicago, coaching football there until 1933. In these 41 years he five times (1899, 1905, 1908, 1913, and 1924) coached undefeated teams. An authority on football, Stagg served (1904–32) on the football rules committee. Because of his age, he was compelled to resign his post at the Univ. of Chicago, but the “grand old man of football” later coached (1933–46) at the College of the Pacific and was (1947–52) assistant coach to his son at Susquehanna Univ. Stagg collaborate d in writing several books on football and is credited with the invention of numerous innovations in football play. Stagg was instrumental in developing the between-the-legs snap from center to quarterback, the player in motion in the backfield before the snap of the ball, the onsides kick, the early T-formation, the huddle, the tackling dummy; just to name a few. STEVE SMITH See Smith, Steve TONY DUNGY See Dungy, Tony
He gained nationwide attention for the first time in 1911. As a running back, defensive back, place-kicker, and punter for his school's football team, Thorpe scored all of his team's points - four field goals and a touchdown - in an 18-13 upset against Harvard. His team finished the season 11-1. The following year, he led Carlisle to the national collegiate championship, scoring 25 touchdowns and 198 points (over 12 games). Carlisle's 1912 record includes an impressive 27-6 victory over Army. In that game, Thorpe scored a 92-yard touchdown which was annulled because of a penalty incurred by a teammate. Thorpe then scored a 97-yard touchdown on the next play. Thorpe won All-American honors in both 1911 and 1912. In 1920, the Bulldogs were one of the fourteen teams to form the American Professional Football Association, which would become the National Football League two years later. Thorpe was named the APFA's first president, but continued to play for Canton, coaching the team as well. Also during the game future President Dwight Eisenhower injured his knee while trying to tackle Thorpe.
Eisenhower recalled
of Thorpe in a 1961 speech. "Here and there, there are some
people who are supremely endowed," "My memory goes back to
Jim Thorpe. He never practiced in his life, and he could do anything
better than any other football player I ever saw."
Trippi's addition completed Bidwill’s quest for a "Dream Backfield." Although Bidwill did not live to see it, Charley became the game breaker in a talented corps that included Paul Christman, Pat Harder, Marshall Goldberg and, later, Elmer Angsman. Never was Trippi more magnificent than in the 1947 NFL Championship Game when the Cardinals defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 28-21. Playing on an icy field in Chicago, Charley wore basketball shoes for better traction and totaled 206 yards, including 102 yards on two punt returns. He scored touchdowns on a 44-yard run and a 75-yard punt return. Trippi played as a left halfback for four seasons before switching to quarterback for two seasons. Charley then moved back to offensive halfback for one season before changing to defensive in 1954 and 1955. He also was the Cardinals' punter and he excelled on the punt and kickoff return teams. VINCENT JACKSON See Jackson Vincent VIOLET BIDWELL See Bidwell, Violet
Walker was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the eighth round of the 1997 Major League Baseball draft, and spent three years in the minor leagues of the organization. Walker attended Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, Mississippi, where he was a teammate with Deion Branch, before enrolling at Florida State University. Walker became the fourth player in the history of the NFL to have 100 receiving yards in each of his first two playoff games (2002 vs. Atlanta, 2003 vs. Seattle). He was selected to the NFC's Pro Bowl team for the first time for the 2004 season, following a breakout year. In the first game of the 2005 NFL regular season, Walker injured his ACL on a 55-yard deep ball from Brett Favre after he pushed off Detroit Lions cornerback Fernando Bryant, putting him on injured reserve for the season. In 2006 Walker, backed by new agent Kennard McGuire, stated that he would not play for the Green Bay Packers again and would retire if he was not traded. Walker has been at odds with the organization since management refused to renegotiate his contract that had two years remaining on it after his Pro Bowl season in 2004, when he caught 89 passes for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns. "I just don't like the way the organization runs itself", Walker told ESPN.com. "They want players to come up there and play hard and work hard, but when it comes time to be compensated, it's like, 'We forgot what you've done.'" Walker also said quarterback Brett Favre's comments on his plans to hold out for a better contract last year made living in Wisconsin difficult, and he felt it was unfair that the team let Favre interfere with Walker's squabble with management. "There's an unwritten rule that players stick together," Walker said. Walker said he would not show up for training camp or come back at all for the final season of his contract regardless of whether Favre decided to retire or return. He said he'll repay the Packers the prorated portion of his signing bonus to leave Green Bay. "Why should I risk another year of getting beat up playing for a team that I don't want to play for? That's stupid", Walker said. Walker said he'll be ready for the 2006 season wherever he lands. "If I'm going to go out and take hits, it's going to be for a team that I love playing for", Walker said. "I'm not going to grandstand. I just want the Packers to give me peace of mind." Ted Thompson released the following statement regarding the interview: "During his time as a Green Bay Packer, Javon Walker has been well thought of by everyone here. I like Javon, certainly as a person and as a player. That said, Javon is under contract, which he signed as a 2002 first-round draft choice. That contract is governed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which was negotiated between the National Football League and the National Football League Players’ Association, and we expect him to honor it. There have been several highly publicized cases of player discontent in the National Football League. I don’t anticipate us making any concessions in this matter. We will continue to stay the course, and the Green Bay Packers will have no further comment on this topic." Walker was traded to the Denver Broncos for Denver's second round pick (37th overall pick) in the 2006 NFL Draft on April 29, 2006. He signed a five-year deal worth more than $40 million, including roster bonuses totaling $15 million in 2007 and 2008. Walker's first season in Denver ended in disappointment when the Broncos were eliminated from playoff contention on the final day of the season. Later that night, Walker was reportedly in a vehicle that was shot at in downtown Denver, killing teammate Darrent Williams. After Williams was shot, he fell into the lap of Javon. According to reports, Walker and fellow Broncos D.J. Williams were possibly involved in an argument with bar patrons during a New Year's eve celebration just before the shooting. WALTER PAYTON See Payton. Walter WARNER, GLENN SCOBEY See Pop Warner
Wilkinson began his college football career as a quarterback for the University of Minnesota, taking his team to three national championships in the 1930s. Following his graduation, he became an assistant coach at Syracuse and then Minnesota. Wilkinson met and coached with Jim Tatum, who after the war was hired as head football coach at the University of Oklahoma. In 1946, Wilkinson went to Norman with Tatum and, after only one season together, Tatum left for Maryland. Wilkinson took the reigns and made history. In 1947, his first season as head coach, Wilkinson led Oklahoma to a 7-2-1 record and the Big Six championship, the first of thirteen consecutive conference titles. Ultimately, Wilkinson would become one of the most celebrated college coaches of all time. His teams captured national championships in 1950, 1955, and 1956, and amassed a 145-29-4 (82.6%) record prior to his retirement in 1963. The centerpiece of his reign in Norman was an 47-game winning streak from 1953 to 1957, an NCAA Division 1 record that still stands. The Wilkinson-coached Sooners never lost more than one game in any season from 1948 to 1958 and his 1955 Oklahoma team is widely considered to be one of the greatest teams in college football history regardless of era. He was also the first collegiate coach to host a televised football coach's show, aptly named "The Bud Wilkinson Show". Wilkinson was also remarkable for compiling this record while showing a genuine interest and concern for the performance of his players in the classroom. Wilkinson retired from his Oklahoma position in 1963. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1969. Bud Wilkinson died of congestive heart failure in St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 77. WILLIAM BIDWELL, (SR) See Bidwill, William (Sr)
He was Offensive coordinator on the 1995 Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys
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