First of all, a remembrance of Val Pinchback, who for many years led the NFL schedule making process. One day, more on Mr. Pinchbeck, who met a tragic death, when he was struck by a New York City cab.
I like the fact this year’s schedule has “paid some attention” to the great and same calendar, 1970 season, the first of now 51, with the AFC/NFC configuration.
This week, three same week reduxes, two on the exact date Sunday December 6th, the other 1 day shy of exactly 50 years after a December 7, 1970 Browns/Oilers tilt.
Starting there, as this Sunday December 6th, the Cleveland Browns, albeit the expansion Browns and NOT the franchise of Jim Brown and Otto Graham, though the NFL records say it is, and Tennessee Titans nee Houston Oilers, a pair of (8-3) teams, clash at the Titans/Oilers venue.
In the next to last Monday night tilt of the first year of the “package” in 1970, the Browns stayed in the ’70 ‘offs race, winning (21-10) at the Astrodome, vs the Oilers.
As he did in the first Monday Night Football “Package” (package— because there were other occasional Monday night NFL tilts, most notably one in which the Packers unveiled their great return man, Travis Williams, one who “lived” (existed is a better word for it) on the streets years later) game on September 21, 1970, the great Gary Collins, perhaps on his patented “post pattern,” scored the game’s first points.
Also tomorrow, two more exact 50 year rematches at the same team’s venue, albeit at a different location, 50 years later.
In one, the Raiders, then in Oakland and now in their first year as Las Vegas and in contention with a (6-5) mark, meet the (0-11) New York Jets. In ’70 both George Blanda and Daryle Lamonica threw touchdown passes to Warren Wells in a (14-13) Oakland victory.
I believe the winning score was in the waning seconds, with Wells catching the ball after a deflection. Mr. Blanda, whose game ending/game winning exploits that season were/are legendary, booted the decisive extra point.
Finally, tomorrow night, again at the home of a defending champion Kansas City Chiefs team, the Denver Broncos provide the opposition.
In winning the 4th Supe, now close to 51 years ago, Jan Stenerud kicked 3 field goals before Mike Garrett “TD’d” on a run, to give K.C. a (16-0) lead in an eventual (23-7) triumph, vs the heavily favored Minnesota Vikings.
On December 6, 1970 the Chiefs got the touchdown first, (Ed Podolak ran 65 yards for the score) then 3 Jan field goals and that was all the scoring in a (16-0) win.
In ’70 both the Raiders and Chiefs were in contention while the Jets and Broncos were not. That is the case now, fifty years later. Then, while the Browns were in contention, the Oilers now the Titans were not. Now both with (8-3) records, not only are in contention, but also likely ‘offs qualifiers.
I need not be specific (content on file) regarding the latest spewed by non stop talking Cris Collinsworth and Kirk Herbstreit. Possibly you read “re” it.
The duo on the ESPN telecast of Michigan State’s upset win vs Northwestern made unbelievable errors in perspective, 2 by each of the pair, just at the end of the tilt.
Clay of the so called play by play, (Matvick) said “I guess we could call it an upset” regarding a win by a 24 point underdog earlier this season.
The commentator (Rocky Boiman), twice called both Northwestern and Michigan State “great teams.” Additionally in obvious run situations, he talked as though a pass was certain. Of course “Mich State” ran.
Most of them just blabber on. Sound off, from now on.
One was great. His name was Al DeRogatis and he only came in when the also great, Marty Glickman called for him to do so. As with so many things, “they” ruined it, with the latest a new low.
It took an unprecedented 7 days (Thurs. to Wednesday) to complete the NFL’s 12th week of action.
Really, only the one seed matters, as far as seeding for the ‘offs and in the AFC, Pittsburgh (Steelers) with an (11-0) mark leads the (10-1), defending champion K.C. Chiefs. I will try to find out more about tiebreakers between those two teams.
In the NFC, New Orleans, currently without the superb, yet over rated quarterback, Drew Brees, leads at (9-2) while the Green Bay Packers (they won at New Orleans, hence have a tiebreaker advantage vs the Saints) and Seattle Seahawks are (8-3).
All three should win their “divs,” (which other than betting means little as there are no fans and but one bye in a 7 team ‘offs field), certainly New Orleans and “G.B.” will.
Three AFC teams are (8-3) and likely playoff(s) qualifiers. They are the South leading Tennessee Titans, the East leading Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns.
In the long week of pro pig, there were 11 clashes between a team that both lost outright and did not cover the spread vs one that at least won or covered.
After Houston (Texans) a week before “winner/winner” ripped previous week loser/loser Detroit, in front of “Houston lover/Hedge Fund “Pooh” Jim Nantz, in the first of the sick, long week’s NFL tilts, the next 10 previous week loser/losers either won or covered, doing the latter 9 times. (Only “Minne” vs Carolina did not cover).
First off, The 1965 (listed as released in 1964) Sidney Lumet directed film (he also directed the 1988 film, “Running on Empty,” part of which I saw the other day on TCM. Those two and so many others in a magnificent career) “The Pawnbroker,” is just about the most powerful and well made film, I have ever seen.
Rod Steiger is absolutely magnificent and uncompromising in his role as a Holocaust survivor, yet in the apples/oranges Academy Awards that year, he was denied, by Lee Marvin’s excellent performance, in a lighter film, “Cat Ballou,” which starred Jane Fonda.
In a classic “make up call,” Mr. Steiger, was awarded the best actor award two years later, for his also great, but not as great performance, in director Norman Jewison’s “In The Heat of the Night,” in which his southern sheriff/police chief teams with Sidney Poitier’s “Virgil Tibbs,” to solve a murder, amidst racial overtones.
At the end, Mr. Steiger’s “Gillespie” says “you take care Virgil,” to Mr. Poitier’s “Tibbs.” It is beyond moving.
Now fast forward, 20 plus years to the excellent television show with the same name/title, which airs each weekday, at 11 A.M. Eastern Time on MeTV.
The great Carroll O’Connor scored a second seminal role (he was of course, “Archie Bunker” on the one and only “All In The Family”) as Gillespie, with Howard Rollins playing “Virgil Tibbs.”
“Gillespie” has evolved, as has his relationship with “Tibbs.” In the first of the two part episode (the second part today), in which among other things, “Gillespie” is kidnapped, Rollins’ “Tibbs” is moved to tears, as he looks at pictures and other items in “Gillespie’s” office.
It is a beautiful scene and illustrates what can happen, when one does not see or at least does not evaluate another, by the color of their skin.
The late Arthur Curry of HBO Sports once paid me that compliment, (he said “you don’t see color” to me), one the great running back, Larry Brown paid legendary coach Vince Lombardi, when they were together with the Washington football team.
On we go, though it gets tougher, when good happens to bad. I had to see it, I guess I did.
Again, keep going!!
Mr. Steiger in “The Pawnbroker.”
Today in L.A. , in a year in which, the Lakers and Dodgers ended respective 10 and 32 year title droughts a mere 16 days apart in October, an unprecedented event made possible by COVID 19, which continues to haunt, the home team (7-3) Rams meet the defending NFC Champion, but (4-6) S.F. 49ers, exactly 50 years after their game, on another Sunday November 29th, that in “same calendar” 1970.
Scoring plays from that tilt in which the winning side (the Rams won 30-13), quarterback, and one with acting credits, Roman Gabriel completed a third of his 21 passes and also “con” acting credits, SF QB, John Brodie completed half of his 36 tosses, will be displayed below.
Scoring
| Quarter | Tm | Detail | RAM | SFO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 49ers | Bruce Gossett 14 yard field goal | 0 | 3 |
| 2 | 49ers | Bruce Gossett 44 yard field goal | 0 | 6 |
| Rams | David Ray 36 yard field goal | 3 | 6 | |
| Rams | David Ray 9 yard field goal | 6 | 6 | |
| 49ers | Gene Washington 9 yard pass from John Brodie (Bruce Gossett kick) | 6 | 13 | |
| 3 | Rams | Willie Ellison 1 yard rush (David Ray kick) | 13 | 13 |
| Rams | David Ray 22 yard field goal | 16 | 13 | |
| 4 | Rams | Willie Ellison 2 yard rush (David Ray kick) | 23 | 13 |
| Rams | Willie Ellison 8 yard rush (David Ray kick) | 30 | 13 |
Another great gone, this one the legendary DeMatha High School basketball coach, Morgan Wootten, at age 88. He died in January. Who knew?!
A good blog “Fitzed” and All NBA News yielded the article about Mr./Coach Wootten, (a similar name, style and success as to that of John Wooden).
Click the link below for a fine Washington Post remembrance of Morgan Wootten, by Jacob Bogage.
Morgan Wootten’s jaw dropping life and legacy, by the numbers …
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It is tough to be alone.
Recollections of “anti-ing” are hard to swallow.
I am toned down and humbled.
Sideline reporters, the slew of handicappers and much else irks me, however I must try harder in my own life and not let that stuff and other that frustrates, get to me.
Houston “Watts/Watson’d” Detroit and me, KOing all “schmeazes.”
Washington with Bobby’s (Mitchell) #49 on their uniform and “comeback” Alex Smith at the controls, won and are (4-7), right there with (3-6-1) Philly (a 5 point dog vs (6-4) Seattle, I say Philly at least covers), the (3-7) but (8-2) either win or cover, New York Giants and Dallas, though (3-8) and a pitiful (2-9) vs the spread.
Be careful Giants at Cincy sans the injured Joe Burrow.
Into each life a little rain must fall, mine has seen many a deluge, especially when talented/never was me, must endure, almost all the announcers that are on the airwaves.
First of all, it sounds like James Lofton, essentially a muttering idiot, will be coming into the New York market for Dolphins/Jets.
I had written much more but decided against posting it. Suffice to say, as is my right, I am not a big fan of Mr. Lofton.
Get Gary Collins and the even more deserving Chuck Howley into the Football Hall of Fame.
My “this most hypocritical of holidays” is a “trail of tears,” both for those so long ago —too bad I am not rich enough to rip up his image, our 7th President, on the “20,”—–and myself.
However, while never forgetting, as with the Holocaust in Europe, the far too many still raging, slavery in this so called “Land of the Free,” I will dry them and keep going.
I will try to increase my acts of kindness, while sorry all, pleading for some to come my way as well.
My “gift” so often wrong, as their karma was/is corroded by anti Semitic Fords past, is Lions to cover. Please bet small, as I will do same.
I could opine while juxtaposing the caring, former New York City mayor and Manhattan borough President, David Dinkins, who died days back at age 92, with another former NYC Mayor, who a la “Valerie” in Amy Winehouse’s classic is “making a fool out of” himself (not me, I always saw through him and his uncaring, to say the least, ways) and I guess I just did, again not following my mother’s advice about if you do not have something nice to say…… (Alas having learned care for those less fortunate from my parents, in this case, while she still would have advocated saying nada, she would have been appalled at Giuliani and Trump’s actions).
Memories flow a bit when recalling David Dinkins. His family was so nice. His beautiful classy wife and son David Jr. who got the winning, game ending hit, I believe for CBS vs ABC (score tied) in a softball game played on the night of the day, that “brought” news of Len Bias’ tragic death via Sports Phone (I worked for Score Phone and updated every 4, not 10 minutes, I was the best “ever to come down the pike” of giving scores, yet was eventually welched on by a worker there).
Oh Joseph Cotten’s “Leland–why did Jim (Leyland) bunt with Merced in #6/’91 NLCS?!!—- regarding “the curse of memory” in “Kane!!”
Better, was telling Mr. Dinkins I “called’ that hit by his son. David Dinkins was proud of that.
I am proud and glad that I heard Dinkins speak about having to “get it,” that nobody was going to “give it to you,” a sentiment that especially resonates with those less fortunate and largely due to history, often Black people.
Another good one, I recalled reading in a book about 1960’s female television stars, that it was David Dinkins, who performed the wedding ceremony for the beautiful Diana Rigg. He was impressed with my knowledge.
“D”avid and “D”iana (she also died in fateful 2020) will “D”ance together in heaven, while others, (no names) better realize, it is of no importance what color a person’s skin is, but so important, as to what kind of person occupies that skin.
Mr. Dinkins was a warm, friendly man whose brief time/interaction with me was thoroughly enjoyable and memorable.
Left to right David Dinkins, interviewed by Andy B. in the early 1990’s, I believe.
The (10-0) Pittsburgh Steelers and (9-1) defending champion Kansas City Chiefs (the other follow up season after a Chiefs’ title was same calendar 1970 and after K.C. gained on that Thursday holiday, both they and the then Oakland Raiders were (6-3-2) in a 14 game season. Oakland, now first year Las Vegas, and having been L.A. won the first year AFC West that season. On that Thursday holiday in the first host Detroit (Lions) vs an AFC or former AFL that day tilt, Chuck Hughes hauled in a 47 yard pass from Greg Landry to help the Lions “double” then “Oak” (28-14). Tragically within a year, Hughes died on the playing field, thankfully the only player to suffer that fate. I will recall Chuck Hughes 50 years after his great catch this Thursday) both have virtually assured “div” crowns and are in a battle for the one seed and the lone playoffs bye.
After the heartbreaking, over rated “Hail Mary” loss to Arizona (the Arizona Cardinals lost after that aforementioned win), the idle (7-3) Buffalo Bills gained when (4-6) Denver “plus 4’d” (6-4) Miami as “the whole country” backed the ‘Phins, helping the “books” bash the players/suckers (I know what I am doing, but still do not win! Also I both watch and bet very little. It is essentially a waste of time at best, a horror waiting to happen if one ventures too deep).
The Bills, need just 3 of 10 decisions (if there are no ties) in Miami and their games to have a chance to win their first “div” title since ’95 with a win vs Miami in the “reg” finale on January 3, 2021.
Both Indy (Colts) and Tennessee (Titans) are (7-3), after overtime wins in front of “ntwk” lead announcers, “Hedge Fund Pooh” Jim Nantz and “Lucky Sperm Club, The Emperor,” Joe Buck and will clash for the second time in 3 playing weeks, this Sunday in Indianapolis.
Jane Pauley (how the h–l does this guy/mind get to Jane Pauley?!) from Indianapolis, I believe will cite the many greats who died this year, when she hosts CBS Sunday Morning on December 27th.
Sadly the Broncos gave the game to Floyd Little after their win vs Miami. He is in hospice and a truly great runner and more important, a good man.
Andy B Sports 