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Doc's Blast from the Past

These particular ones are scanned right from the program.

Yup 9-5.. weird score but at least we won. Remember the safety vividly.

Me too, even though I was just a snot nosed punk. If I remember correctly, it was 4th but we didn't want to risk a punt being returned, and there was just too much time to run off the clock, so Joey took the snap and ran straight back to the Cowboys endzone, knowing that by the time the Cowboys linemen caught him time would have run out. In the end he was holding the ball up in the air, dancing around triumphantly...kind of stuff that would draw a taunting penalty now. I think at the end one of the Boys clocked him pretty good.
Great thread Sandy!
 
Great thread Sandy!

Thanks... I am enjoying doing them and it gives me an opportunity to contribute to the site. So as long as I have articles/stories and ability to type (albeit slow due to hand issues), I'll keep 'em coming.

Not sure exactly what I'm doing for this week. Not sure I have any older programs from a pre-Cleveland game so I'll figure out something. Definitely will be seeing people in chat Sunday. Cleveland is not looking like an "easy" "W"... so maybe that means we have a real chance (I mean that with as much tongue-in-cheek as one can muster..)..

HTTR!
 
Doc's Blast From the Past -- Word Search Edition

How about some mid-week fun. Just take this picture of a Redskins word search (the first one's topic is "the 70 Greatest Redskins A-L".. print and find away...

Credit goes to: The Redskins Word Search Puzzle Book by Brendan Emmett Quigley.

wordsearch01.jpg
 
Wow, that's pretty kool, Thanx.

I made a copy and opened it in Word, then you'll always have the blank version. Edit in Word using the line shape under shapes to strike through the name. I'm just to lazy to print and find a pen or pencil. It would work for any other type program like Excel that has drawing tools.

WordSecarch_Word.jpg

If you want to move the image around with the lines on it or turn it into a photo (like with Paint) you'll have to group the lines and the image together. But on the Word page you shouldn't have to move it. Grouping is easy, when you have your lines on there, select Ungroup and everything on the page will group if they aren't grouped or ungroup them if they are all grouped. And if you want to just get a quick image just do a screen print. The format box on the right is what I used for the strike through line and it's a little more transparent (55%) so it's easier to see the letters underneath.
 
Wow, that's pretty kool, Thanx.

I made a copy and opened it in Word, then you'll always have the blank version. Edit in Word using the line shape under shapes to strike through the name. I'm just to lazy to print and find a pen or pencil. It would work for any other type program like Excel that has drawing tools.

If you want to move the image around with the lines on it or turn it into a photo (like with Paint) you'll have to group the lines and the image together. But on the Word page you shouldn't have to move it. Grouping is easy, when you have your lines on there, select Ungroup and everything on the page will group if they aren't grouped or ungroup them if they are all grouped. And if you want to just get a quick image just do a screen print. The format box on the right is what I used for the strike through line and it's a little more transparent (55%) so it's easier to see the letters underneath.

Hey Johnss... Great quick tutorial. That's very true and great if a person has that capability and knows his/her way around desktop publishing. These are scanned to an image from a book... so I figure if someone wants to convert it to something else, that's great. That way these can be shared with family, etc. There are a total of 30 of these. This is the first of many. In fact, there's one devoted to Joe Theismann, believe it or not. :) Plus we still have M-Z of the 70 greatest Redskins :) That'll be up next week, mid-week. I don't want to post them too fast, I may get "fired" (not that I was ever hired, I just sortof made up this thread and I'm making it up as I go along <grin>... or I may run out of stuff. Don't want to do that. Shoot, I have found books of articles from past years that I didn't know I had. So I'm probably good for a while, but as far as word searches, I also have a program that I can create my own.. so I may call on you guys (and gals) here to submit some Redskin-related words for new puzzles (not now though!) <grin>
 
As it used to be... (or An Act of Congress)

Doc’s Blast From the Past – Discussion Boards or “How it used to be…”
Okay, before I get to the real Blast (Now for the Real Blast From the Past …you can scroll to article
if you don’t want to be bored by my little story here at the beginning …… (that may take an “Act of Congress” <grin>)

bandwagon.jpg

Yes, I’m on the Redskins bandwagon… have been all my life and will be the rest of my life. As have many here. In fact, one of the first groups I belonged to was on the system called “Prodigy”. Anyone remember that? Our group was called “Redskin Corner Critters” and we called our little piece of Prodigy “Redskins Corner”. I don’t know if people remember a text-based system called NVN (National Videotel Network) or Delphi… that’s where the sports forum was where I met Bruce.

During the season, we posted articles from the local papers (changes are I was the one who posted them and they hand to be hand-typed, not linked or downloaded. In fact, I was nicknamed “Smokin Doc” and there was even a video created with me typing and an effect of smoke coming from the keyboard for the heck if it. Our group was fun. In the offseason, we had get togethers, and it was no unusual to have upwards of 30-35 people gather from as far as Kansas and Texas to, of course, the Maryland area. We even allowed several “honorary” corner members in that were Dallas fans two of them were spouses of our regular members who were Redskin fans and two actually liked our discussion boards better than their own. How many people remember that season when Tony Kornheiser had his bandwagon articles? tbanndwagon.jpg
People in our group, in fact, named the people on the Tony’s “mock” bandwagon and for some silly reason, I was the one carrying the flag. <grin> Just as I felt these people were my extended family, I feel BGO is my extended family as well.

I bring this all up in my Blast From the Past because it is so appropriate. My Blast From the Past is about those days when I was first on the boards. When I was 300+ heavier than I was but I was accepted by these people. Just as I feel so much like you all are family, so were they. They were at times, I have scanned picture from one of our get togethers. This one happened to be at my house and you will of course (those of you who saw my post earlier about my “Redskins Room” will recognize the infamous goal posts pad which was a center of our get together. critters.jpg
Several people in this picture (and at the event but not in the picture) are no longer with us. Life is fragile.. and it’s important that we stop to smell the roses… or in our case, say HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!!

Well, that’s enough of my own personal Blast From the Past. Now for a POP quiz. I’d like to know from what year you believe the below two ads are from:
guiderefs.jpg
pressguideradionetwork.jpg

Some hints: The publication these were in also includes: The address and phone number of every football team in the league. The Washington Redskins address and phone number are listed as: "The Redskin Bldg., Ninth and H Streets,NW. Washington, DC. Phone: District 7-6140. (By the way, my phone number at the time was Union 4-6843. Mel Allen and and Jim Gibbons are the broadcasters who "describe the Redskins".



-
Now for the Real Blast From the Past …

REDSKINS LOSS CAUSES POLITICAL FOOTBALLS
TO FLY IN THE CAPITAL
Senate Panel Makes No Gain, So a Fan Dashes to Court
To Try to Pull Out Victory

By Ronald G. Shafer
Staff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal
December 2, 1975

The big national news stories out of Washington lately have concerned such matters as disclosures about the Central Intelligence Agency and the search for a Supreme Court nominee. But locally, such happenings have been overshadowed by an even bigger story “The Great Football Game Robbery.”

The “robbery” occurred the other Sunday in the final seconds of a battle between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Washington Redskins for first place in their National Football League division. On fourth down, Cardinal quarterback Jim Hart passed over the goal line to Mel Gray, who leaped, seemed to catch the ball, and then dropped it as he was being tackled. The officials after conflicting calls, lots of confusion, and their own three-minute huddle ruled the play a touchdown by a 2-to-1 vote. The point-after-touchdown tied the score, and the Cardinals won by a field goal in overtime, 20-17.

The completed-pass ruling sparked angry dissents from Washington Coach George Allen, Redskins fans and the capital press corps. The indignation escalated when television replays of the touchdown, shown endlessly on local stations, indicated that the Cardinal receiver had lost possession of the ball before both of his feet had hit the ground an incomplete pass by NFL standards.

In most towns, the controversy about the Nov. 16 game probably would have faded away long before now. But the nation’s capital isn’t like most towns. Judging by the Washington papers and the local television news, one could deduce that the disputed call has become the biggest running scandal since Watergate. For example, a story spread across the top of the front page of last Friday’s Washington Star blared the news that quarterback Hart now concedes it wasn’t really a completed pass. (Mr. Hart also in effect said, “So what?”)

The Political Picture

NFL officials are discovering that Redskin rooters aren’t typical fans. Many are high-powered politicians. Thus, when NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle appeared before a Senate committee hearing on TV, black-outs of sports events the other day, he was peppered with questions about the Redskins loss.

“Is there anything that can be done about the great robbery?” asked Sen. Warren Magnuson (D., Wash.), who then remarked with a smile that perhaps Mr. Rozelle “might help out the Redskins” when “wild card” teams are chosen for the NFL playoffs later this month. (The playoffs are between the six division leaders plus two other teams with the best won-loss records, and the Redskins still have a chance of making the playoffs.)

Mr. Rozelle responded that the disputed ruling was “a judgment call” by officials. He added, “The pass could have been caught in the stands, and I couldn’t change the outcome.” The move to reverse one or the Redskins didn’t get out of committee.

But Washington is also a city of lawyers. So George Patrick Morse, a private attorney in nearby Silver Spring, MD., and a Redskins fan for 35 years, last week filed suit in federal court here seeking to overturn the “wrongful decision,” arguing that it may unlawfully deprive the District of Columbia of revenues from an NFL playoff game at the local stadium. A hearing on the suit is scheduled for this morning.

Legal Arguments

Mr. Morse says he will argue that the NFL should have reviewed the touchdown on a factual basis because game officials reversed an initial judgment call by one official who signaled the pass incomplete. The suit asks the court to return the game “to the time and circumstances which would have existed had the proper and initial decision been allowed to stand.” That would mean Washington would have possession of the ball with seconds to go and a sure victory in hand. The suit asks the court to block the NFL from scheduling playoff games until the case is settled.
Mr. Morse concedes he enters court as a decided underdog, but he believes his cause is a serious one. “I don’t know of any activity that means more to this community in terms of loyalty and commitment than the football team,” he says.

The lawyer says he has received widespread support, including an unofficial phone call from a woman employe of the company that owns the Redskins. (Officially, NFL rules bar teams from publicly criticizing officials.) One critical caller “really lit into me,” Mr. Morse says, “But I finally decided he had wagered on St. Louis.”

A side issue in the controversy developed in New York, where WCBS-TV broadcast the New York Giants-Philadelphia Eagles battle for a divisional last place. As it turned out, WCBS-TV picked up the dramatic ending of the game in St. Louis after the inconsequential home-town game was over, but few fans were watching because they were unaware of the station’s plan to pick it up. Some fans and sportswriters in New York were irked at missing one of the big moments of the football season, when the action was there for the viewing.

But their ire was mild compared with the “we wuz robbed” hysteria in Washington. NFL officials in New York are chagrined by the clamor over the game. “At one point, it was a game,” says an NFL spokesman, “but now it seems to have become a life-and-death situation.” The NFL will send its first-string defensive team—the prestigious Washington law firm of Covington & Burling into court today with orders to “block that suit.”

Of course, there are football fans here who maintain that controversial calls by officials simply are part of football. But such heresy usually is uttered in private. For Washingtonians with Redskin fever aren’t to be trifled with. Humor Columnist Art Buchwald, a rabid Redskins rooter, says the controversy has even changed his views on capital punishment. In extreme cases of bad officiating, “I’m asking for the death penalty to be brought back,” he declares.

Mr. Buchwald calls Mr. Morse’s lawsuit “the only action that’s been justified all year in Washington.” He adds, “Washington should show the power we have. I think we should take a stand on St. Louis instead of New York” and fix it so there will be “default on all St. Louis bonds.”
There’s a simple solution to the crisis, says Mr. Buchwald. “If the Cards had any class, they would admit it was all a mistake and give us the game.” After all, he adds, “We would have done that if a bad call had gone against them.”
 
Wow Doc, the bandwagon I remember vividly, the 'court case' was definitely off my radar.... cool
Thanks.
 
Well, you got me on the listings part but I'm going with early '40's, 1942 to 1944 or thereabouts on the ref's cards. I'll save why I think so till later. :tongue-new:

1945 Cleveland Rams beat the Redskins for the championship when Sammy Baugh threw a pass that hit the goal post and they eventually lost 15 to 14. Why?
Well hitting the goal post was a safety back then. And goal posts used to be on the goal line till like the late 60's, maybe a little later.

Redskins owner (Marshall) got the rule changed the next year to a ball thrown into the goal post as a dead ball.

{no, I wasn't at the game. :rifle: Just a bit of history passed on by someone else who was reminiscing. Reminiscing for him, education for me}
 
Oh wow! Didn't know that Mel Allen called games for a couple of seasons. What a legend. Sure miss him.
 
Well, you got me on the listings part but I'm going with early '40's, 1942 to 1944 or thereabouts on the ref's cards. I'll save why I think so till later. :tongue-new:

1945 Cleveland Rams beat the Redskins for the championship when Sammy Baugh threw a pass that hit the goal post and they eventually lost 15 to 14. Why?
Well hitting the goal post was a safety back then. And goal posts used to be on the goal line till like the late 60's, maybe a little later.

Redskins owner (Marshall) got the rule changed the next year to a ball thrown into the goal post as a dead ball.

{no, I wasn't at the game. :rifle: Just a bit of history passed on by someone else who was reminiscing. Reminiscing for him, education for me}

In the right era with regard to tshe ref signals/broadcast list. As faras the goal posts being (when) I'm going to look this up because I can remember going to games with the goalposts at the front so the 50s seem a little early.

Edit to fix date: Article written June 2014: NCAA rules (which the NFL copied) moved the goalposts to the rear of the end zone in 1927, but fans then complained of too many ties, so the uprights were advanced back to the line in ’33. Forty-one years later, the goal post pushback put only a brief halt to kicking proficiency. After many seasons of near-perfect short-range kicking, the NFL is now considering a possible amendment to the extra point rule to make it more challenging. 1974 was the permanent move.
 
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Forty-one years later, the goal post pushback put only a brief halt to kicking proficiency. After many seasons of near-perfect short-range kicking, the NFL is now considering a possible amendment to the extra point rule to make it more challenging. 1974 was the permanent move.
Yeah, kicking proficiency now a days is amazing. The kicks look like sharpshooting, I remember seeing a lot of hooks and fades going on not too long ago.

Just think what those guys would be getting paid if this rule hadn't changed.
In football’s earliest days – and we’re talking Pudge Heffelfinger, pre-1900 days – a field goal was actually more valuable than a touchdown. Under those rules, ..... field goals would notch 5 points, ...... TDs only 4. Soon both plays were worth 5 points, and gradually moved to modern-day scoring by 1912.
 
Yeah, kicking proficiency now a days is amazing. The kicks look like sharpshooting, I remember seeing a lot of hooks and fades going on not too long ago.

Just think what those guys would be getting paid if this rule hadn't changed.

We had our friend watching the game with us today and he's a Rugby fan and he asked if the kickers ever have to hit the field goals from the sides. I said they wander a little between those centre hashmarks but no not really.

It might make life interesting if the kickers had to try that. If you kick a FG it is kicked from whereever the ball lies after the last play.

Can you imagine late game scenario, 2 min drill. QB throws out to a WR who gets it out of bounds at the 30. With the new rule the Kicker now has to kick it from the sideline at the 30.
They should try it just in pre-season. LOL
 
Midweek Fun -- Installment Two

Okay... here's part 2 of last week's s word search. Oh.. and for those of you still "listening", the publication in question was the media guide for 1953 that had the referee signals and the list of Washington Redskins broadcast networks.
wordsearch02.jpg
 
The Joe Gibbs Era 1981-1992 Notable Notes and Quotes

Part I – 1981
Record: 8-8, Fourth in NFC East

January 12, 1981: Joe Gibbs hired as the 17th head coach of the Washington Redskins

April 29 – Draft Day
Drafted to the Redskins: Mark May, Russ Grimm, Dexter Manley, Charlie Brown and Darryl Grant

June 11 – Riggins Returns
The infamous quote “I’m bored, broke and I’m back” Gibbs had gone to Kansas to meet with Riggins in March in an effort to convince the Diesel to return to the Redskins. Riggins indicated that this may be his last year, though, in saying “This might be my last year, I don’t know. I’m taking one year at a time.”

September 6, 1981 – Cowboys at Redskins. Cowboys 26, Redskins 10
The Redskins turned the ball over six times in losing to the Cowboys in Joe Gibbs’ first game as head coach. The Redskins passed 49 times and ran just 18. Said Gibbs, “Our basic idea coming in was that we didn’t think we could run the ball on them, so we decided to go after them with the pass. As it worked out, we weren’t very balanced.” Of Theismann’s four interceptions, three occurred in Dallas territory with one being at the four-yard line.

September 13, 1981 – Giants at Redskins. Giants 17, Redskins 7
Rookie LB Lawrence Taylor sacked Theismann twice, but it was turnovers that killed the Redskins. The first half was scoreless with the teams combining for 15 punts and were 0 for 16 on third-down conversions. Phil Simms didn’t complete a pass until the second quarter. Despite losing John Riggins, Joe Washington and Russ Grimm to injuries in the first half, the Redskins managed an 82-yard TD drive in the third quarter. After the Giants punted on the subsequent possession, Nelms fumbled and things became unglued.

September 20, 1981 – Redskins at St. Louis Cardinals. Cardinals 40, Redskins 30
After the Redskins opened with a 10-3 lead in the first quarter, Cardinals QB Jim Hart took over and ignited a 37-7 Cardinal scoring run. The loss wasted a 521-total yardage effort by the Redskins offense.

September 27, 1981 – Eagles at Redskins. Eagles 36, Redskins 13
The Eagles sent Gibbs to his fourth straight loss when they broke open a one-point game in the fourth quarter with 22 unanswered points. The Redskins outgained the Eagles 337 yards to 221 but couldn’t overcome two lost fumbles, an interception and 98 yards in penalties.

October 4, 1981 – 49ers at Redskins. 49ers 30, Redskins 17
About the fifth straight loss, Joe Gibbs said, “It’s the same story.” Impressive offensive numbers were offset by ill-timed turnovers, including four interceptions by the 49ers.

October 5, 1981 – Jack Kent Cooke remains firmly in Joe Gibbs’ corner. Said Gibbs, “We sit down almost every week and talk, face to face, and he’s been nothing but supportive. … I’m confident that I’ll be here when it all gets straightened out.” All Cooke had to say was “Patience is the key.” Bobby Beathard also confirmed they intended to stay the course in saying, “Gibbs is the coach who is going to rebuild this team.” Gibbs added “This is where I should be. You don’t squirm out of hard times, you ’fess up to them.”

October 11, 1981 – Redskins at Bears. Redskins 27, Bears 7​
Finally, the Redskins found an opponent who would hand a game to them. Three interceptions in the first half lead to a 17-0 lead.

October 12, 1981 – Gibbs in a Giving Mood After First Win. “Things are a lot more relaxed today. We can laugh and have some fun.” His idea of having fun evidently was giving away some swag to his players. A lot of merchandise had been piling up at Redskins Park waiting to be awarded to outstanding players after a win. They were dished out to players and in return, the players gave Gibbs a game ball. “We did prove that we can run the ball, that we can move it out from the goal line in touch situations and that we can control it for a long drive,” said the coach touted as a master of the passing game. “And our defense also found out that it really is a great unit.”

October 18, 1981 – Redskins at Dolphins. Dolphins 13, Redskins 10​
Said Mark May: “We played a very good team very evenly and we still didn’t win. That really hurts.” The Redskins committed just two turnovers and were penalized only three times.

October 25, 1981 – Patriots at Redskins. Redskins 24, Patriots 22
A missed FG attempt by the Patriots with 51 seconds left sealed the win for the Redskins.

November 1, 1981 – Cardinals at Redskins. Redskins 42, Cardinals 21
Redskin fans had their choice of heroes after this win. Three stood out. Rookie FA Mel Kaufman was the defensive star, intercepting two Jim Hart’s passes, Mike Nelms for ST had three big kick returns and Theismann threw three TD passes. Riggins had three rushing TDs and a Theismann to Monk TD connection in the second half.

November 8, 1981 – Lions at Redskins. Redskins 33, Lions 31
The game had over 1000 total yardage, six lead changes and nine turnovers. It wasn’t settled until a completed Hail Mary pass ended up with Detroit’s Mark Nichols was tackled by Joe Lavender at the Washington two as time ran out.

November 15, 1981 – Redskins at Giants. Redskins 30, Giants 27 (OT)​
Mark Moseley saved the game in regulation in a driving rain and then won it in overtime. Giants had taken a 27-24 lead with 45 seconds left in regulation when, on the ensuing kickoff, a squib kick to keep the kickoff away from Nelms backfired when the Redskins started with the ball on the Washington 46. It took 22 yards on six plays to set up Moseley’s game-tying FG from 49 yards out. In OT, following New York’s initial OT possession, Nelms returned their punt 26 yards to the Giants’ 47.

November 22, 1981 – Redskins at Cowboys. Cowboys 24, Redskins 10​
At the beginning of the second half, the Redskins had tied the game at 10-10 and Dallas was facing a third and 18 at its own 46. Danny White converted with a 26-yard gain and went on to score a TD and take the lead for good. Joe Washington had torn a rib cartilage late in the first half, before which he was on his way to a career day with 84 yards rushing and 47 yards receiving. Tom Landry described the Redskins’ inability to move the ball without Washington in the lineup best: “Washington isn’t Washington without Washington.”

November 29, 1981 – Redskins at Bills. Bills 21, Redskins 14
The Redskins tied the game with 11 seconds left in the half at 14-14, rallying from a 14-0 deficit. They could not overcome five turnovers in losing to the Bills. “We just had too many turnovers, too many mistakes,” said Gibbs. “And we just had too much other stuff to overcome.” What other stuff you ask? Officiating. Just one example, Theismann was forced to leave the game after being shaken up and Tom Flick went under center for one play. After a false start penalty, Theismann came back on the field. Bills defensive coach complained Theismann had not set out the one play required after an injury time out and the officials agreed, nullifying a play that had gained yardage for a first down.

December 6, 1981 – Eagles at Redskins. Redskins 15, Eagles 13
With 54 seconds left in the game, nobody was hoping more than Moseley that something would go awry with the Eagles’ 24-yard FG attempt, usually virtually automatic for the Eagles’ Franklin. Moseley had missed two extra points in the game and the Eagles had set up to kick a FG that would put them ahead with 54 seconds left. The snap looked good but Franklin never got the kick away as the holder couldn’t hold on to the ball. Washington killed the final seconds.

December 13, 1981 – Colts at Redskins. Redskins 38, Colts 14
The Redskins had a 28-7 halftime lead and cruised to an easy win. Despite the margin, Joe Gibbs kept on calling aggressive plays, sending Monk deep downfield and running Joe Washington around end. “I just didn’t think we had it put away,” said Gibbs.

December 20, 1981 – Redskins at Rams. Redskins 30, Rams 7
The Redskins had 502 yards of total offense. Washington’s defense allowed just 165 yards to the Rams.

Next installment, Part II, the 1982 Season. It does get better. :biggrin:

Credit: Gut Check: The Complete History of Coach Joe Gibbs’ Washington Redskins by Rich Tandler.
 
That was fun. I know I watched most of those games that year, but damned if I remembered any of the details.

If there had been the internet then, people would have been clamoring for Thiesmann to be benched, and Gibbs fired, by week three.
 
That was fun. I know I watched most of those games that year, but damned if I remembered any of the details.

If there had been the internet then, people would have been clamoring for Thiesmann to be benched, and Gibbs fired, by week three.

No internet? Shirley, you jest.
So I guess next you'll be sayin' no texting on cell phones about benching's and firings either. :doh1:
 
{just because it is the eGals this week}
November 12, 1990 Monday Night Football *** Washington 14 Eagles 28 - the Body Bag game.

NINE Redskin players went down and left with injuries and at one point an eGals player shouted out, "Do you guys need any more body bags?"
Obviously today that would be taunting, possibly cause an ejection, fine and maybe suspension.

Both Redskin QB's went down & Brian Mitchell actually finished out the game behind center (3 of 6; 40yds, 71.5 rating which was the same as Humphries and Rutledge added together).

Washington KO'd them in the playoffs at the Vet so a measure of revenge - a dish best served cold. (31 deg/25 wind chill)
 
That 1990 road playoff win in Philly was perhaps Gibbs greatest coaching moment. I think I recall him saying as much once, in his own inimitable humble style. And chopping Buddy Ryan and that cocky bunch down to size was just immensely satisfying.

Here's the full broadcast of that game. The pic quality is a bit rough, but hey ...

Also, the video has a couple of pre-game pieces that refer back and talk about the Body Bad Game.

 
Doc's Blast from the Past -- It's DALLAS WEEK!!!

I figured I would post a couple articles from Dallas games in the past for your enjoyment. I was in attendance at both of these games… and reading about them again just sends chills up my spine. (NOTE: There are two full articles here… figured I’d put them in one post since they both are Blasts from the Past regarding Dallas.)

From: HAIL TO RFK! 35 seasons of Redskins memories; 12 most memorable games, 25 top players profiled.

By: John Keim, Rick Snider and David Elfin. 1996


Oct. 8, 1973

The Greatest Tackle
Redskins 14, Cowboys 7

They thought he was in. Check that. They knew he was in. Dallas running back Walt Garrison grabbed the fourth-down pass at the goal line and needed only a foot or so to tie the game, send it into overtime and deflate the Redskins with a last-second touchdown. No one corralled the 6-foot, 205-pound Garrison in this situation. The guy wrestled steers for crying out loud.

Nearly 55,000 fans at RFK Stadium clammed up, awaiting the bad news from the officials. Any second now, those arms would be raised skyward, signaling a touchdown. So they watched in silence, as if viewing an accident site. Even the Redskins feared the worst. In this battle for first place, overtime beckoned.

“When he caught the ball,” said Redskins defensive tackle Bill Brundige, “I said, 'That’s it.’ Garrison was very, very difficult to stop cold. He could twist, he would turn. So when he caught the ball, I knew from where I was and where he was, if he wasn’t across the goal line, he was right at it. I just knew that was it.”

Enter Ken Houston.

The Redskins strong safety, read the play perfectly. Dallas had run it before in this game and, on this fourth-and-goal from the 6 with 24 seconds to play, the Cowboys called it again. Quarterback Craig Morton rolled right and Garrison swung out of the backfield and planted himself on that side.

On the play, Houston, the back of his feet touching the goal line, and free safety Brig Owens played a 'combination C’ coverage on the tight end and running back. When the tight end, and first option, Jean Fugett released, Owens covered him.

Many times, Houston would be on the tight end.

“I called the defense and (Houston) said to call another,” said linebacker Chris Hanburger. “That was one of the few times I listened to someone else and it put him in perfect position. That was Ken’s call the whole way. It was a defense that instead of covering a tight end to the inside, it allowed Ken to sit there and pick up the fullback.”

That left Garrison — and a spot in Redskins lore —to Houston.

Morton pump-faked, igniting the charge by Houston. When the ball was thrown, Garrison jumped and Houston raced at him.

Before Garrison was able to land both feet on the ground, Houston wrapped his arms around him. He yanked Garrison, whose right leg reached for the goal line, backwards and disabled any shot at forward momentum.

Eventually, Garrison abandoned the notion of scoring himself, scanned the field for a teammate and lateraled the ball. But that didn’t work either as it was smothered by Redskins around the 5-yard line. That clinched a 14-7 Washington victory in the teams’ first meeting since the Redskins’ 1972 NFC Championship victory. Dallas wanted revenge, instead it got more heartache and dropped to 3-1, same as Washington.

KenHouston_Garrison.jpg

“I thought [Garrison] was going to step in because I knew where he was,” Houston said. “He was trying to lateral the ball and I was yelling for Brig to help me. And it was like I was talking on the telephone. That’s how quiet it was. I’ll never forget that. It was like I was the only voice on the field and everyone else was holding their breath and waiting for it to happen. No one said a word. Then when everyone realized what had happened, it got louder and louder and louder.”

After the game, all Garrison would say is, “I was close, very close.”

Who would figure that Garrison, who finished his career in 1974 with 3,886 yards rushing and another 1,794 yards receiving, would be denied?

Cornerback Pat Fischer. who was covering “Bullet” Bob Hayes, for one.

After the ball was thrown and Garrison jumped, Fischer figured Houston had the advantage.

“If his feet were on the ground when Kenny hit him, I don’t know if Kenny could have stopped him from getting that one yard,” Fischer said. “But when his feet were in the air, Kenny was so strong that when his feet came down, Kenny had him stopped.”

Owens said, “We would talk about how you had to get [Garrison’s] cleats out of the ground to stop him. There have been plenty of great tackles, but that one was such a timely tackle.”

Houston: “If he had the ball and got both feet on the ground, it would have been a tossup. I would have had to hit him hard enough to knock him back and that’s very difficult. I would probably be able to do that two out of 10 times.”

But he did it, six months after arriving in a trade for five players. Houston had validated the deal with the Oilers. It also helped him ease the pain over his departure from his home state.

In 1972, Houston dislocated a toe — against Dallas — and didn’t have a spectacular year. The following offseason, the Oilers wanted him to sign a three-year contract, which was two more than he was willing to accept. Eventually, the Oilers had enough. But the Redskins, particularly coach George Allen, liked him from the start. That play cemented their feelings.

“I remember George saying that one play was enough for the deal.” Houston said. “Guys welcomed me from the beginning, but now they knew I had come to play football.”

Houston made other big plays against Dallas. In 1974, Houston returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown, the only such play in his career, as the Redskins won, 28-21. Houston was not the regular punt returner — Larry Jones was, but he was injured. (Later in that game, Houston fumbled a punt. Allen never stuck him back there again).

A year later, Houston intercepted a Roger Staubach pass in overtime to set up the game-winning score in a 30-24 victory. And, in 1978, Houston picked off a pass in the end zone intended for receiver Drew Pearson to preserve a 9-5 win.

“It seemed like when I played Dallas, I got on another level,” said Houston. “I really got caught up in the George Allen hype. You did not want to come home to [Texas] having lost to the Cowboys. I have a picture of me intercepting a ball against Dallas. The ball was in the air, I saw it and I remember jumping extremely high - I think my feet were alongside the guy’s head. I don’t know how I jumped that high or why I jumped that high.”

But none of those plays compared to the Garrison tackle. Houston — who lives in the Houston suburb of Kingwood — said he is reminded of that play at least two or three times a week, usually from Dallas fans who lost money on the game. Others remember it as a classic Monday Night Football moment.

Even Garrison, whom Houston has seen a half-dozen times since, can’t forget the tackle. He asked Houston to send him a picture of the game-saving play.

Defensive tackle Diron Talbert understands why such a fuss is still being made.

“That may be the defensive play of the century,” said Talbert.

Ironically, Houston was initially trying to intercept the ball. Had he succeeded, he might have raced the length of the field for a touchdown. With the Oilers, Houston had a knack for doing just that, setting an NFL record with nine such scores.

“I thought I could intercept the ball,” Houston said. “And I was going to step between Garrison and the ball, but I couldn’t get there. He landed on one foot and tried to step in with the other and I picked him up.”

Houston is convinced if he had picked off that pass and returned it for six points, that game would not be remembered as it is today. He also says that tackle didn’t win the game. That honor belonged to Owens.

Houston saved a touchdown; Owens scored one.

Owens’ heroics came moments after the Redskins had finally pulled even in this defensive struggle. Neither team scored until 49 seconds remained in the first half when Staubach (who later left the game with a severe charley horse) passed to receiver Otto Stowe for a I5-yard score, punctuating a 19-play drive. Washington marched right back, but Curt Knight missed a 44-yard field goal try as the half ended. It was one of three misses in the game for the struggling Knight.

In the first half, Dallas recorded 13 first downs to Washington’s three. The Redskins were lucky to still be in the game and might not have been if not for a blocked field goal (by Ron McDole) and a blocked punt (by Bill Malinchak).

Defensive end Verlon Biggs came through in similar fashion on the Cowboys’ first drive of the third quarter. After Dallas drove to the 16, two sacks stalled the drive and Toni Fritsch attempted a 38-yard field goal. But Biggs knocked it down for the Redskins’ third blocked kick of the night.

But the Redskins continued a troubling habit and didn’t capitalize. Later in the third quarter, Knight stumbled again as he missed a 30-yarder. Two years earlier, Knight had made the Pro Bowl. But he couldn’t make anything in 1973 as he missed nine of his first 12 attempts. With Allen’s defensive emphasis, every point was necessary.

“One frustrating thing during the Allen years was, we had great defenses but we didn’t blow them out on offense,” Brundige said. “A lot of times, the defense had to win the game.”

So they did just that. First, however, the Redskins’ offense finally managed to score. After the defense forced a punt late in the fourth quarter, Washington took over at its own 43. Quarterback Sonny Jurgensen went to work. The veteran completed four passes — two to favorite receiver Charley Taylor for 24 yards — moving the Redskins to the Dallas 18. Taylor then drew a pass interference penalty in the end zone and the Redskins had a first-and-goal at the 1.

Three plays later, Jurgensen, stepped back one foot and lobbed a pass to Taylor in the corner of the end zone. Taylor outjumped the defenders, caught the ball and, after Knight’s extra point, the game was tied with 3:39 remaining.

The tie didn’t last long. Three plays to be exact.

On Dallas’s next series, Morton dropped back to pass on third-and-9 at the Cowboy 19. He spotted tight end Billy Joe Dunne in the right flat, but Owens read the play. He raced in front of DuPree, grabbed the pass and, 26 yards later, snapped the tie. Dallas answered with its final drive, which included a 17-yard pass from Morton to Garrison on fourth-and-one to the Washington 4.

Four plays later, history was made.

The Redskins went on to finish 10-4 and lost at Minnesota in the first round of the playoffs. Dallas, which got revenge with a 27-7 win on Dec. 9, ended with the same record. The Cowboys also lost to Minnesota, but not until the NFC Championship.

As for Houston, he led the team in interceptions with six and was named to the Pro Bowl. So, too, were Hanburger, Taylor, center Len Nauss and kick returner Herb Mul-Key.

But 1973 will long be remembered for Houston’s tackle.

“It was just frozen in time,” said Brundige, who ran a stunt on the play with end McDole.

Brundige pressured Morton, jumped to block the pass then turned around and watched.

“When [Garrison] jumped up, it seemed like he hung there forever. He caught the ball and everyone just stopped like that’s it. It was one of those classic mano a mano confrontations. Houston and Garrison. And Kenny got him,” Brundige said.

Ken Houston

This couldn’t be the same guy. Could it? Ken Houston is too nice, too peaceful. When his mind gets frazzled, he seeks refuge on a golf course, soaking in deer sightings and admiring trees while playing solo. This guy frightened receivers?

But this doesn’t sound like a peaceful man:

“You wanted to put [receivers] out of the game,” said Houston, who won numerous civic awards in the NFL. “You wanted to see the ball go one way and him go another.”

In other words, as split as Houston’s personality.

“Ken was Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” said defensive tackle Bill Brundige. “He didn’t smoke, drink, swear. He was a Christian fellow, had a super-intelligent wife. He was the nicest guy you’d ever want to meet in your entire life. But when he got on the field and put those elbow pads on, he was vicious.”

Houston is best remembered for his last-second tackle of Walt Garrison in a 14-7 win over Dallas in 1973. But more savage hits defined his play. Not only was Houston the best Redskins safety ever, he was named to the NFL’s Team of the 1970s. Houston was selected to 12 straight Pro Bowls, more than any other safety. Seven of those came with the Redskins, who acquired him in a five-for-one trade with the Houston Oilers, who didn’t like it that he was a players’ union representative.

That 1973 deal was a steal for the Redskins, who gave up offensive tackle Jim Snowden, tight end Mack Alston, defensive back Jeff Severson, receiver Clifton McNeil and defensive end Mike Fanucci to get Houston.

The trade stung Houston.

“It was traumatic,” he remembered. Then, when he arrived for his first camp, “[Coach] George Allen ran me on second team. Then [free safety] Roosevelt Taylor broke his arm, they moved Brig Owens over there and put me in at strong safety. [Before that],1 was thinking, 'I’ve been All-Pro five years. ' I didn’t think it would last, but then I realized George’s philosophy: You don’t lose a position. Somebody takes it.”

Houston seized it and held the job until 1980 when Tony Peters came along. Houston retired after that season with one disappointment - coach Jack Pardee didn’t play him in his final game at RFK Stadium, a 16-13 win on Dec. 13 against the Giants. Ironically, it was Ken Houston Day.

“I don’t know exactly what happened,” Houston said. remember Jack saying I would have a hard time covering the tight end. I couldn’t buy that. My career had been too 'good to dwell on those last few games.

But it bothered me. It bothered me big time.”

The 6-foot-3, 198-pound Houston was drafted in the ninth round in 1967 out of Prairie View (Tex.) —where he played linebacker. He quit twice during his rookie camp with the Oilers, convinced he had no chance. Also, because of his religious upbringing, Houston struggled with the idea of playing a game on Sundays.

Some NFL receivers, who called him dirty, probably wish he hadn’t returned to stalk them with his forearm smashings.

“He would hit someone and pop their helmet 15 feet,” said Washington defensive tackle Dave Butz.

“I was not a dirty player,” said Houston, who coached in the NFL for five years, college for three and high school for four more. “I was very aggressive and I didn’t take any cheap shots. I would hit a guy hard and I would clothesline him. But clotheslining was legal. They didn’t like it, but that’s the way it was.”

And what did it feel like when he nailed a receiver?

“It was just like I had a hole-in-one,” Houston said. “You didn’t get those kind of licks often, but those were the kinds of hits you’d go in on Tuesday and have them run the film back. You play all day to get a shot like that.”

But that wasn’t the only side to Houston.

“I learned about being a professional football player from Ken Houston,” said Redskins linebacker Mel Kaufman. “If I had to pick a role model for my kids, it would be Ken.”

Jan. 22, 1983

Doomsday for Dallas
Redskins 31, Cowboys 17

As the Washington Redskins geared up for the strike-elongated 1982 postseason, few of them understood what they were getting into. Only nine had been in an NFL playoff game. Just six players remained from Washington’s last playoff team six years before: quarterback Joe Theismann, running back John Riggins, kicker Mark Moseley, offensive tackle George Starke, defensive tackle Dave Butz and cornerback Joe Lavender. None played in the Redskins postseason victory.

More than half the players - 28 - were in their first, second or third NFL season and Joe Gibbs was only in his second year as a head coach.

“I had no idea things would turn out the way they did that year,” said Art Monk, then a third-year receiver. “We were still trying to learn coach Gibbs’ offensive system. We were a young, rebuilding team. We had a couple of stars here and there, but overall, we weren’t that talented. But there was a sense of closeness. We played well together. Everyone played with a sense of dedication.”

Linebacker Monte Coleman, an II th-round pick in 1979, noted, “We probably had more [undrafted players) than draft choices. Coach Gibbs knew what to look for in a player, the guys who could fit into his system. And they didn’t have to be the high picks.”

Indeed, such starters as offensive tackle Joe Jacoby, center Jeff Bostic, tight end Doc Walker, linebackers Mel Kaufman and Neal Olkewicz and safety Mark Murphy hadn’t been drafted. Starke, receiver Charlie Brown and linebacker Rich Milot had seen more than 180 players chosen before their names were called.

“Some of us were happy just to be playing in the NFL,” Kaufman said.

During his induction speech to the Hall of Fame in 1996, Gibbs said he often surprises people by naming special-teamers as Pete Cronan and Otis Wonsley as his greatest players.

“They were guys that gave their guts, covered those kickoffs and made all the rest of us look good,” Gibbs said in admiration.

But the no-name Redskins, who had rebounded from an 0-5 start in 1981 to win eight of their final 11 games, would establish themselves in 1982. They won their two games before the eight-week players’ strike and their first two afterwards. The next week, Dallas intercepted Theismann three times and sacked him seven times at RFK to ruin Washington’s perfect season with a 24-10 rout, hut the Redskins squeaked by St. Louis and the New York Giants to clinch a playoff spot.

Washington had been eking out victories with defense and Moseley’s record-setting leg. But as postseason neared, the offense caught fire in 27-10 and 28-0 poundings of New Orleans and St. Louis, respectively. Top receiver Monk was lost for the season when he broke a toe against the Cardinals, but the Redskins still headed into the playoffs on a roll.

“When our offense started to click, we were unstoppable,” Moseley said. “We had an aura about us. Coach Gibbs had convinced us we were good. He gave us so much confidence it was phenomenal.”

As the NFC’s best team at 8-I, Washington had home field advantage throughout the conference playoffs and that would prove a huge factor.

Detroit was the first postseason visitor to RFK in 10 years. Five-foot-7 Alvin Garrett, who had six career catches and was only playing because Monk and backup Virgil Seay were hurt, grabbed three touchdown passes from Theismann. Cornerback Jeris White returned an interception 77 yards for a score. Riggins, who had been resting a sore thigh the previous two weeks, rushed for 119 yards.

The Redskins romped 31-7 as “The Fun Bunch” of Garrett, Walker, Seay, Wonsley, Don Warren, Charlie Brown and Clarence Harmon began its routine of collective high-fives to celebrate Washington touchdowns.

Next up was Minnesota. By halftime the final score of 21-7 was set thanks to Washington drives of 66, 70 and 71 yards. Garrett keyed one march with a 46-yard catch off a flea flicker and scored the third touchdown after the Vikings had closed within 14-7. The defense, which held on its own 15, 28 and 39 in the second half, had now allowed just two touchdowns in 14 quarters.

“It was the kind of game we didn’t want to get into,” said Vikings coach Bud Grant. “We got 14 points behind and let them run the ball.”

Riggins, 33, carried a remarkable 37 times for a career-high 185 yards before taking off his helmet and bowing to the crowd.

“They said John was washed up three years ago,” Milot marveled.

“Riggins just came blowing by us all day,” lamented Minnesota linebacker Scott Studwell. “We were getting beaten at the line of scrimmage and we just couldn’t fill the right holes.”

Finally, it was Dallas time.

“When we were beating Detroit in the fourth quarter, the fans started cheering 'We want Dallas,’ “ recalled Charley Casserly, then the Redskins’ assistant general manager. “Then we play Minnesota. As soon as we make it 7-0, the chant starts again. 'We Want Dallas.’ It’s the first quarter! And that continued through-out the game.

The fans weren’t the only ones who wanted Dallas.

“My rookie season [1979], we went to Dallas for the final game with a chance to clinch a playoff spot,” Coleman said. “We win and we’re in. We’re kicking their butts, but they came from behind to beat us 35-34. That was the first time I ever cried after a game. The Cowboys were so arrogant. I hated them because of their arrogance.”

Kaufman said the Cowboys, who hadn’t missed the playoffs since 1974, didn’t respect the Redskins. They weren’t the only ones.

The strike had eliminated the week off between the championship games and the Super Bowl and word had spread that the vendors in California had imported Dallas, not Washington, merchandise. Also, the Cowboys were planning to fly directly to Pasadena from D.C. Neither of those news items sat well with the men in burgundy and gold. Or their fans.

“There were more people in the stadium an hour before the game than I’ve ever seen and since it was a 12:30 start, they were there at 11:30 in the morning,” Casserly recalled. “As Dallas was walking out for warmups, the chant started again: 'We Want Dallas. We Want Dallas.’ When we came out for the introductions, it was deafening.”

And the stands were shaking up and down.

“The thing I remember the most was the stands,” Coleman said. “They were rocking and rolling. Before the game people were screaming, 'We Want Dallas. We Want Dallas.’ A cold chill just kind of crept over me. I’ve never had it since. It was unreal.”

Said Moseley, “I don’t think Dallas ever had a chance.”

The emotions were so high that Boss Hog, offensive line coach Joe Bugel, uptight about how his young line would fare against the Cowboys’ Randy White, Too Tall Jones and Co. was puffing cigarettes even though he didn’t even smoke. After the national anthem ended, Bugel spotted Dallas defensive line coach Ernie Stautner across the field and gave him an obscene gesture.

Walker’s only concern was that all that emotion would be wasted before the game, and indeed it was Dallas which drove 75 yards to start things off. But the defense held the Cowboys at the 10 and they had to settle for a 27-yard field goal by Rafael Septien.

Theismann led Washington right back down the field. The drive reached the Dallas 19 when the quarterback called an X-post pattern for Brown. Moments later, the receiver was in the end zone with the ball.

“Charlie felt there was no human being anywhere who could cover him,” Walker said. “And he would tell Joe in the huddle.”

Dallas did stop Washington’s next march because Moseley missed a 27-yard field goal try, but not lung afterwards, Tony Peters forced Rod Hill to fumble Jeff Hayes’ punt. Coleman recovered at the Dallas 11. Four plays later, Riggins was in the end zone for a 14-3 lead.

Things looked even rosier for the Redskins when defensive end Dexter Manley leveled Cowboys quarterback Danny White with 32 seconds left in the half. White walked off, but his concussion would keep him on the bench the rest of the day. Gary Hogeboom, who had thrown just eight career passes, replaced White.

Washington got another break when Mike Nelms fumbled the second-half kickoff only to have teammate Nick Giaquinto recover. However, Hayes’ short punt gave the Cowboys the ball at the Washington 38 and Hogeboom needed just six plays to hit receiver Drew Pearson for a touchdown. Nelms redeemed himself with a 76-yard kickoff return, setting up a 4-yard score by Riggins, but Hogeboom engineered a 14-play, 84-yard march capped off by his 23-yard touchdown pass to Butch Johnson. With 3:25 left in the third quarter, the lead had shrunk to 21-17.

“We were getting real nervous,” Kaufman said.

Hogeboom drove Dallas to the Washington 23 as the fourth quarter began, but Septien missed from the 42. Jones stopped Riggins for no gain on third-and-1 when the Redskins got the ball back and after the punt, Dallas took over at its 32.

Kaufman and White had practiced a scheme where the cornerback would line up inside of the linebacker

when they figured the Cowboys would try a certain pattern.

“Jeris and I talked about it in the huddle right before that first down play and it happened just the way we figured,” Kaufman said. “Hogeboom was going for receiver Tony Hill and I don’t think he even saw me.”

Kaufman’s interception set up a 29-yard Moseley field goal which widened the lead to 24-17, but there was still 7:12 to go. On first down, the Redskins sensed Hogeboom was going back to a screen to all-Pro halfback Tony Dorsett which had gained 25 yards earlier.

“My first read was pass rush,” said defensive tackle Darryl Grant, who had been drafted on the ninth round out of Rice as a guard the year before. “But when I decided it was a screen, I stopped and headed to where I thought it was going to be.”

Grant thought correctly. Manley leapt in Hogeboom’s face and tipped the ball up in the air. It landed right in the hands of Grant, who high-stepped 10 yards to the end zone as the fans went wild.

The touchdown finally took the life out of the Cowboys. And then the Redskins went to the “Riggo Drill.”

“We ran 50-Gut [Riggins up the middle] nine times in a row,” Bostic said. “On the third or fourth one, I told Russ let’s have some fun. We’re the young kids on the block. We’re the nobodies. The Cowboys walked the field as if their feet didn’t touch the ground. They were America’s Team and all that. We came to the line and told Randy, 'We’re running the ball at you.’ He didn’t say anything.”

Bostic kept yapping, but White stayed silent. What could he say?

Gibbs was carried off the field after the 31-17 triumph in a scene reminiscent of Allen’s victory ride a decade earlier.

“We beat the Cowboys, we’re going to the Super Bowl, what else could you want?” said Theismann, who cried with joy as the fans made the ground shake beneath his feet in the final seconds.

“It’s their year,” Pearson said. “They made the plays to make it happen. It’s the year of the Redskin.”

Pearson knew what he was talking about. The following Sunday, Riggins broke away from Don McNeal’s tackle and rumbled 43 yards into history as the Redskins rallied to beat Miami 27-17 and win Super Bowl XVII.

“The thing I remember the most was the stands. They were rocking and rolling. Before the game people were screaming, 'We Want Dallas. We Want Dallas.’ A cold chill just kind of crept over me. I’ve never had it since. It was unreal.” —Monte Coleman

John Riggins

One of Joe Gibbs’ first priorities as the new Redskins coach in 1981 was ending John Riggins’ one-year holdout. Gibbs traveled to Riggins’ farm in Lawrence. Kan., for a morning meeting only to find his potential star running back wearing combat fatigues and drinking beer.

“You need to get me back there,” Riggins told Gibbs. “I’ll make you famous.”

Gibbs figured Riggins for a “fruitcake” and “egomaniac.” No matter, Gibbs could always trade Riggins after he returned. But two days after the meeting, Riggins told Gibbs he would agree to return given one proviso in his contract — a no-trade clause.

Riggins played five more seasons and fulfilled his pledge to Gibbs. The Redskins won Super Bowl XVII over the Miami Dolphins 27-17, Riggins led the postseason charge by rushing for 100 yards in a record four straight playoff games. The following year, Riggins set a Redskins rushing record with 1,347 yards and an NFL mark of 24 touchdowns. Washington got back to the Super Bowl, but lost to the Los Angeles Raiders, 38-9.

Known as “Riggo,” “Mr. January” and “The Diesel,” Riggins was as flamboyant off the field as he was flashy on it. He loved being football’s version of James Dean, even sporting a Mohawk haircut because “I always wanted one as a kid, but my parents wouldn’t let me. I did it to show I was my own boss. Ah, really, I just did it for the fun of it.”

Riggins liked being a free spirit even if it meant upsetting others. He once told Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to “Loosen up, Sandy baby” at a black-tie affair before falling asleep on the floor during Vice President George Bush’s speech. Riggins practiced in work boots, once painted his toenails green and took a bow at midfield during the 1983 playoff game against Minnesota.

“Contrary to popular opinion, I’m not a flake,” Riggins said in 1983. “Maybe I’ve taken a game that is respected by so many sportswriters and just played with it, and they don’t like it.”

But many loved Riggins’ unconventional lifestyle.

“Characters make up a football team,” said Sam Huff, a Hall of Fame linebacker who broadcast many of Riggins’ games. “They don’t read the Bible or become exemplary citizens, but at I o’clock John laid it out on the field. Down deep, John Riggins is a hell of a person,”

At 6-foot-2, 240 pounds, Riggins was certainly built like a diesel engine, only this one could fly.

“John was very deceiving when he got in the open.” said Redskins offensive tackle Joe Jacoby. “A lot of people think someone that big isn’t fast.”

Shortly before the 1982 playoffs, Riggins felt his hair standing on end and his neck tingling. It was “The Surge.” Riggins told Gibbs he wanted the ball. The more the better.

“Listen, trust me,” Riggins told Gibbs. “Give me the football, baby.”

The Redskins would gain early leads and then use the “Riggo Drill” of pounding opponents with late ball-control drives. Riggins gained 610 yards in the four post-season games, 253 in the fourth quarter. He accounted for 43.3 percent of the Redskins’ offense.

“I did the right thing,” he said. “I asked for that one little chance we get occasionally. I grabbed the bull by the horns and said, 'Let’s roll!’ “

Riggins’ finest moment was breaking Miami cornerback Don McNeal’s tackle for a 43-yard touchdown run to clinch the Redskins’ Super Bowl victory over the Dolphins. He gained 166 yards while earning Most Valuable Players honors. Escaping McNeal wasn’t surprising. Teammates said few defenders ever tried tackling Riggins head on.

“John was 260 pounds and defensive backs were 180,” offensive tackle George Starke said. “They’d lose IQ points every lime they made the tackle.”

It was that toughness that made Riggins fit in well with his offensive linemen — the Hogs.

“Sometimes we’d say 'Look, we’ll block 10 and you run over one,’ “Starke said. “He’d say 'Which one?’ We’d tell him that one over there and he’d run over him. He was like a guard carrying the ball. He was as goofy and zany as the rest of us.”

And proud of it.
 
Revenge of the Body Bag Game

REVENGE OF THE BODY BAG GAME

From: Gut Check: The Complete History of Coach Joe Gibbs’ Washington Redskins
By: Rich Tandler, 2004


NFC WILD CARD GAME
Veterans Stadium
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Redskins 20, Eagles 6

In their Monday night game eight weeks earlier, the Redskins got physically crushed by the Philadelphia Eagles in the “Body Bag” game. That was bad enough, but the Eagles chose to rub it in their faces, taunting and trash talking until the final gun on the field and in the locker room afterwards.

Sometimes, things just fall into place. Washington qualified for the playoffs as a wild card entry, and the seedings called for the Redskins to return to the scene of the crime, Veterans Stadium, for a first-round playoff contest. They would have their shot at revenge.

When facing he press in the days prior to a game, Gibbs was usually overly gracious in his comments about the opposition, making a 2-10 outfit sound like the '60s Packers and their coach the second coming of St. Vincent. Not this week, though. When asked about Ryan, Gibbs stood stone-faced, talking about the challenges ahead.

One reporter caught Gibbs in an unguarded moment. It was January 3, the day before the game. Snow had fallen on New Year’s Eve and the journalist noted that the snow still covered Gibbs’ car in the parking lot at Redskins Park. In the hallway, the more Gibbs talked about Buddy, the madder he got. “I live to play a game like this one. I live to play this guy.” Gibbs said, turning red faced with rage. While this was hardly headline material or Eagle bulletin board fodder, it was very telling of the mood of the coach and the team. They were clearly a team on a mission as they entered the Vet for the game.

It took them a quarter to get untracked as Philadelphia got two field goals for a 6-0 lead, but the defense stiffened after that, sacking Eagles QB Randall Cunningham five times and forcing three turnovers. Mark Rypien threw two scoring passes and Ernest Byner and Gerald Rigs shared the rushing duties and combined or 94 yards on the ground.

A turnover reversed by replay was the game’s turning point. The Redskins had taken a 7-6 lead and were driving for more when the ball popped loose from Byner’s grasp when he was tackled at the Philadelphia six. Cornerback Ben Smith scooped the ball up and ran 94 yards for an apparent touchdown. Fortunately for the Redskins, instant replay showed that the ground caused the fumble and the call was reversed, with the Redskins retaining possession. The reversal became a 10-point turnaround as Chip Lohmiller connected on a short field goal and instead of a six-point deficit the Redskins had a four-point lead. The Eagles’ offense never could get untracked and the Redskins won 20-6.

During a players-only meeting in the week before the game, the team had made a pact that they would not sink to the level of Philly and deliver “I told you so’s” to the classless Eagles after the game. But the message was delivered to Buddy and his losing team after the game with a certain degree of subtlety.

Clark said. “You’d better not question someone’s character unless you’re sure of the character you’re talking about. This team has character, and hopefully this is just one step.”

And Coleman said, “People threw dirt on this team all year but they didn’t now we had shovels and would keep digging our way out.

Doc’s Note: Unfortunately, the Redskins fell to the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Playoff Game 28-10."
 

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