Bill Bell was a place kicker in the NFL for only three seasons, but he established a legacy in his adopted hometown of Lawrence, Kansas. Bill was drafted in the 17th round (428th player) by the Atlanta Falcons. Bell was on the famed Kansas Jayhawks 1969 Orange Bowl team, a dump penalty from upsetting the … More Bill Bell: A Disappearing Breed
A College Football Hall of Fame inductee. A pro football player. A wide receiver in the Miami Dolphins undefeated season. A two-time Super Bowl champion. He was also the first starting African-American quarterback in the NFL Super Bowl era. His nickname was Marlin the Magician. Marlin Briscoe died last week. Some nice tributes were published, … More Who Was Marlin Briscoe?
This is a blog about football and one aspect in particular, the gradual extinction of the old-fashioned fullback. Why is this important or worthy of a blog? The fullback has been sacrificed for expanding the passing game. The passing game in football is similar to home-runs in baseball or the three-point shot in basketball. It’s … More Fullbacks: No Longer Needed
Every few years an athlete grabs the attention because of their all-around athletic skills. Think Michael Jordan, Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders. Then came Tim Tebow and now New Orleans Saints player Taysom Hill, who plays quarterback, running back and wide receiver. Hill is a superb athlete, but I am leaning Jim Thorpe as maybe … More Mr. Versatility
It is hard to think back 50 years, but I can. Following the Kansas City Chiefs winning Super Bowl IV, a wave of football interest washed over the area and that included me. In 1969, the NFL was celebrating 50 years, and the AFL celebrated 10 years. In 1969, players wore the respective patch … More Football at 50
In his day, Johnny Unitas was a megastar. This was before the Internet or ESPN, Johnny U earned his fame on the football field, not through the media. As a kid, Unitas was the best quarterback in the business. You studied his moves, his fundamentals and his swagger. This was before Joe Namath, who changed … More Johnny Unitas
Fred Williamson had two amazing careers. His first was as a colorful football player. He was a defensive halfback or cornerback, who played professionally in the American Football Conference, and appeared in the first Super Bowl game. His second is a six decade-plus long Hollywood film career. Williamson attended Northwestern in the late 1950s on … More Fred “The Hammer” Williamson
North Dallas Forty is one of the best sports films, and one of Nick Nolte‘s best roles. It is based on the best selling book by Peter Gent, who spent several years as a receiver for the Dallas Cowboys. Pro football in the 1970’s transitioned from being a sports business to being an entertainment business. … More North Dallas Forty (1979)
Joe Namath had swagger. Every kid who picked up a football wanted some of that. His white shoes were his trademark. He had a quick release, traveling a country mile. And he was an advertiser’s dream. Fifty years later, is Joe Namath is a legend. Whether that exemplifies success or a cautionary note. His life … More Joe Namath
I have some great sports memories. They don’t define my life but they are intertwined with moments or events that I value. I watch sports, but as I get older, it occupies an increasingly smaller part of my life. Sports is too much a business; even amateur sports have that corporate vibe to it. I … More Sports Memories
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