I went to a card show with my two nephews and it opened my eyes. How the players have changed.
Here is Dave Elmendorf, then and now.
DAVE ELMENDORF THEN
The year was 1979 and Dave Elmendorf was going to be at Jack Youngblood and Larry Brook's western clothing store in Orange, CA. signing autographs.
The Rams were in 2nd place, half injured and coming off their worst defeat of the season the Sunday before to the San Diego Chargers,40-16.
While waiting for Elmendorf to show up, I started a conversation with the guy in front of me.
He came to the conclusion that the 79 season was over citing how injury riddled we were. I have to be honest, it seemed that way to me too.
Well, Dave finally showed up, he was in jeans, boots and a Pendleton shirt.
He sat in a folding chair with a cheap table in front of him with his black coffee and started to autograph 8 by 11 pics of himself (for free).
I noticed he had a LA Rams ring on.
Finally it was the guy in front of me to have his turn with Elmendorf.
While Dave was signing the photo the guy says "Well, it is wait till next year, huh, Dave?". Inside I screamed "that SOB took my line!" I was going to say that.
What happened next will stay with me until the day I die.
Elmendorf slowly raises his head and looks this guy right in the eyes and says coldly "HEY PAL, THIS SEASON AIN'T OVER."
I swear to you his stare made Sonny Liston stare look tame. (LOOK AT HIS EYES IN THE PICTURE ABOVE)
Of course, my view on the 79 season kind of changed (like 180%).
When it was my turn I say "HEY, THIS SEASON IS STILL A PUPPY, IT IS STILL CYCLE ONE (remember the dog food?)" and Dave says "Damn Right!!"
As I give the poor soul who was in front of me a "take care head nod". All the time thanking the Lord he was in front of me.
When that guy said "wait till next year", that was a slap to Dave and his teammates. You see, that defensive unit of the Rams played together for 5 years or more.
Players stayed on one team because there was no free agency then. DAVE ELMENDORF TODAY.
Elmendorf would walk in, he would be wearing a italian suit and be talking on the cell phone.
He wouldn't be alone.
His agent would be on his right and his secretary would be on his left.
Elmendorf would sit in a $1000 chair with a $2000 table. Instead of black coffee it would be $5 a bottle water.
You notice his ring because he never got off the cell phone. but it is not a Ram ring it just says DAVE.
When the guy in front of me says "wait until next year dave", Elmendorf wouldn't get mad because it's only his 2nd year as a Ram (Dave was a free agent).
Dave would smile and say "you bet next year".
As Dave hands you his pic his agent says "that will be 25 dollars sir".
I like the old Dave better.
Want more LA RAMS
THE RAM CHALLENGE
TRIBUTE TO CARROLL ROSENBLOOM
RAY MALAVASI
RAM PICTURES TELL A STORY
