YESTERDAY, a scant three days from the transition of power, Michelle Obama, nee Michelle Robinson the only black “first lady” in United States history turned 53, Betty White an indomitable talent no matter her name or skin color, bless her, crossed into her 95th year on earth, speaking of which for the first time since FDR talked of another “yesterday,” the earth spun on a January 17th, without Muhammad Ali on it.
I may or may not “publish” posts in which I “rage,” (perhaps I have done too many, perhaps too few (think the “REM” song, “Losing My Religion” which “90210’s” “Brenda” once played incessantly, and was “played” by Republican (her right) Shannen Doherty, whom I wish better and ultimately good health.
Alas health, all it entails, the complications of history, regarding Russia, a second numbered war, Barack Obama’s legacy, today are to be left to those far more qualified, on either side, than me.
In a picture below, Muhammad Ali, 4 years into his brave battle with Parkinson’s Disease has his eyes closed. Symbolically, I close mine and recall and perhaps extrapolate what I saw in his eyes and perhaps what his saw when viewing, hearing and however briefly conversing with me, on the four times I remember (there were other meetings) meeting him.
The second of the four, pictured below was when Ali signed pictures at an airport hotel. I waited on line and just before my turn, stood behind him and started speaking out loud in appreciation of a man, who meant so much to me. (I need not say why).
Somewhere a video reveals he looked up from signing, as I was talking, a look in his eyes saying this guy is crazy, but sincere! I ‘ll take it.
Later that year, Ali sitting with one of his beautiful daughters, posed for another picture which not only included the great man, who stood against an unjust war, entertained so often, and wanting no publicity donated the still significant sum of 50 thousand dollars, to help save a home that happened to house mostly, if not all people born into the Jewish faith, but also in addition to myself, the above referenced daughter (another day I will post that picture and sorry for not knowing her name) and the as yet unnamed ” Marching Girl,” the coat I famously and against my parent’s wishes bought her courtesy of Mike Scioscia’s home run, still a week away.
I think Ali approved, surely as I told Earvin “Magic” Johnson a month or so later (when you have someone, opposing election results such as the one then elevating George H.W. Bush, do not sting as much—think “Bogie”, Ingrid and Dooley Wilson drinking the good stuff in “Casablanca”) I could not have “done it” without them.
The first and last meetings (I hope there will be an eternal one, but not too soon and more important not without me really trying, if not accomplishing while here) are without pictures. (hopefully I can find and preserve audio from the first, the only one in which, as was promoted with Gretta Garbo, in which “ALI SPEAKS,” how important that I do so, how shameful that so much has been lost due to bad luck but also laziness/depression).
It is May 25, 1977 (Ali says 1975). I wait at Sam Goody’s in Manhattan and in one of two years and I know and learned, perhaps the hard way what my mother often quoted that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” (a Rod Serling “Twilight Zone” con Donna Douglas is a good reminder) I look “beautiful,” as a man, perhaps better to say great. I am in a white suit, never all that athletic, but tall, reasonably thin and with hair.
Ali, of course, makes me or most others look less, he is in a light gray suit, seated, signing copies of the record album from his movie “The Greatest.” Oh how many times I played George Benson singing “The Greatest Love Of All,” that contentious summer, how often I reflect on a charming, warm Whitney Houston calling me Andy the same 4 times and her also stirring version of the same song.
I had a big radio/tape recorder, not quite a “boombox” in power. I put in on the table in front of Ali, sitting next to a beautiful woman and began. “I said “Hey Champ say a few words into here.” Some of my pain tied to all the bad that has transpired since, goes away, thinking he actually said into my recorder, “My name is Muhammad Ali, I am the greatest fighter of all -time (as great as he was, Ali knew that honor by consensus anyway, goes to Ray Robinson). “You tell all those kids in Yonkers”, I add. Then I almost implored him to retire.
A security guard (for the record, and it should not matter, a black man) interrupts, he is not rude but firm, saying to me wanting me to move the line, “you want to have a love affair with him?” Trust me this was light, humorous, “guess you had to be there” stuff among the three of us, as Ali said to the guard “You’re not scared, “I’m gonna go upside your head.” I add “this guy does not realize what you (Ali) mean. (to people such as me).
A man on the surface even more likely to have to “give up his lunch” than most, unknowingly causes the lighthearted, beautiful “back and forth” among us (Brad Nessler would have incorrectly said “between”) conversation to cease.
Whether and I doubt it, Ali knew or cared, the album was worth more sans “to the recipient” he emphatically called for the man (actually, and if we can’t laugh at the fact Ali said “Hey BOY come back up here” in what trust me, was a moment so rich in both humor and pathos, then we really have problems the other way as well.
Now think of the overtones of Ali, as stated here regarding he and any other human being, a less than perfect individual, who perhaps “did” too much to two boxers, regarding Ali’s actual name, saying to this dazed, but truly excited kid, saying in his great voice, the one essentially silenced for 32 years, (my #, my disgrace, 32 Winchester, Sandy, Jim Brown, Earvin “Magic,” “O.J.,” Elston Howard and ’63 MVP’s-others) “WHAT”S THE NAME?!!!” In an excited, high voice the kid, so happy the album is to be personalized, so grateful this man he admired so much was the eraser to his pencil’s mistake, responds emphatically, with authority, with that all important ingredient, called confidence— “DONALD, TO DONALD!!”
Less important, but funny and telling: I say “Hi Veronica,” (thinking it is Veronica Porsche, Ali’s third wife) to the beautiful woman seated next to Ali. The champ hearing me, says “Who’s Veronica” and realizing continues “this is Charmane” (spelling?, I do recall she being a radio personality named Foster). “She’s pretty, all my ladies are pretty.” Ali loved women, they loved him and his fourth wife Lonnie looked after him as no other. (Albeit, in far different circumstances, is not it coincidental, the name of one, who helped both Ali and yours truly, after misfortune?!)
I think Ali’s eyes saw potential in me, mine saw greatness and beauty in him, but fear of his continued boxing scared me, ever so sadly with good reason. My potential remained just that. Each of us running an obstacle course, Ali having completed his with so much grace and dignity. I need to do the same.
The last time Ali was alone coming out of a restaurant, I, so often walking this earth alone, was entering same. He could not really talk, but uttered some words indicating recognition. He did not have to as I could see in his eyes, that it not only was recognition, but a positive one.
There is nothing wrong with crying (Jim Valvano talked of laughing, crying and thinking each day), but today my eyes are dry, but often they are not, as they cry tears of joy/sorrow/regret, but also of life, as I think in life, one as great, giving and helpful as Muhammad Ali, was helped just a bit by me.
Have to find and preserve that tape and live!!
With Muhammad Ali, at an airport hotel in 1988.
Click below to view “The Beatles” perform “Yesterday.”
The Beatles HD – Yesterday Live in Germany (Remastered)
One more, a beautiful compilation video by “Elena Beatles 4Ever” of a famed, priceless photo shoot of The Beatles with Ali, then known as Cassius Clay. Click.
♫ The Beatles with boxer Cassius Clay (now Muhammad Ali),
Now to paraphrase, I guess Bullwinkle, from “The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show,” “now here’s something really” light, as I will take time in the next few days to reflect.
It is the first day of July, 1962. The defending World Champion Yankees, on their way to an incredible 20th title in just double that number seasons (they won 20 W.S. in 40 seasons 1923-1962) are hosting the second year team, Los Angeles Angels. That second year team was a contending team, which is quite remarkable.
Sandy Koufax, Red Barber reminds or informs, as the game was in L.A. the night before and this is say 1 P.M. the next day, a Sunday, had pitched his first no hit game, the night before in L.A.
It is relayed that Bo Belinsky, technically as with Sandy, of the Jewish faith as Bo’s mother was Jewish, who had preceded Sandy, in pitching the first no hitter at Chavez Ravine/Dodger Stadium, would not pitch in the doubleheader, having “pulled a muscle” in his hotel room. Since it is 1962, though Belinsky was quite a “playboy,” no speculation then or now on how. (I do not mean Gordie).
Later as the “on the scoreboard” segments commence, we are informed Earl Wilson, who no hit the Angels, beating Belinsky (2-0) 4 days earlier, is pitching that day, for the Boston Red Sox.
In glorious dialogue and informative, announcing greats, Red Barber and Phil Rizzuto “dialogue.”
Hey Red says Phil “I was just sitting there reminiscing. There are 3 kids playing in this game, whose dads I played against when I was with the Yankees.”
Phil cites in order Tom Tresh of the Yankees and dad Mike of the White Sox, Earl Averill Jr. and his dad Earl Averill of the Cleveland Indians, (then only 14 years into a title drought that is now 68 and counting), and Angels’ pitcher Don Lee, his father Thornton, having been a Chi Sox hurler (less than a year old Barack Obama was not yet a White Sox fan this day, but now has honored the cross town Chicago Cubs as an outgoing U.S. President. The Cubs ended a 108 year title drought, extending Cleveland’s).
Phil laments or jokes “I am getting old.”
Red quips “Phil it happens to all of us.” Also “consider the alternative.”
All these years later, I will as they say “chill” (at least try–why cry) with laughter and tears, hearing/knowing baseball 1962 style.
Who knew?! I chose Averill for the picture and find out this Hall of Fame player, largely built on his career with the still of drought Indians was as actually listed above, (that seems unusual) a “utility player,” with the Cubs, the team that ended its title drought at the expense of the Indians, whose drought continues.
It really bothered me when Stuart Scott’s death got mentioned by President Barack Obama. About the time of Scott’s death, Senator Edward Brooke, truly worthy of mention had died and was mentioned by Mr. Obama. As with the Hall of Fame, the “standards” for honors have truly dropped.
Yet that pales in comparison to the after and frankly, before death notices for Craig Sager. (By the way need I add I wish each (Scott and Sager) were still alive, but then again would either have or should have cared about me? Also I add that I truly was offended by Scott’s brazen, arrogant, “typical of ESPN” ways. Sager was in my opinion, a “no talent.” Could he do play by play? No! He wore colorful jackets, asked inane questions, DURING NBA games, never showed me anything in the way of knowledge and frankly had that “you can not enter this club” attitude that Al Michaels and Tim McCarver displayed, without their accomplishments, when I naively tried to talk with him at the ’85 W.S. and other times. Sager was never rude, but I can still feel the “quick rejection,” on a dinner line all these years later.)
However, while surely if I had “made it,” I would be towing the “political line,” and not criticize, after all, the great Bob Costas, whom I am pretty certain must be appalled at the decreased standards, perhaps wisely, perhaps not, I feel, looks the other way, (Please check Mike Tomlin’s history of NOT “going for it,” something someone Costas defends, Cris Collinsworth, obviously did not do, per his remarks 1st quarter Pitts/KC one and a half days back. Details on file! Sorry Bob, your greatness does not extend to what I feel is a myopic choice, in your high regard of the ever so rude to me, typical athlete enabled Collinsworth), this is about perspective.
First in watching CBS Sunday Morning’s “Hail and Farewell” segment a tribute to some who died in 2016, narrated well (she is no Charles Osgood, then again few are) by Jane Pauley, only two sports figures were cited. The two most important, Muhammad Ali and Arnold Palmer were, but Gordie Howe was not, relegated to the same box as Craig Sager.
Next in reading an older Sports Illustrated, at the top, Ali (yes), Palmer listed as Arnie (fine), Summitt (for Pat Summitt, fine but not ahead of Howe, who was next) Then at the top with 4 incredible figures in their sports of boxing, golf, hockey, (debate it in heaven as both belong but Gordie Howe belongs ahead of Pat Summitt and believe me the great Pat Summitt belongs) and women’s basketball, but then in my opinion, an exponentially relative nobody such as Sager.
I would not have dared to put the near great Nate Thurmond, Rick MacLeish, or how about Joe Garagiola, to name just three, with those others. Putting Craig Sager there has to be a cosmic joke.
This shows our eroding standards, and by the way will not prevent future premature deaths. Maybe if there was less spent on the almighty military (good luck with that!) and more on medical research, there would be a chance.
However, in lowering our standards and lauding the at best, “entertaining” Sager and Scott and in the former’s case extend ridiculous status, we have sunk even lower than I thought possible.
Trust me as Jack Paar warned so many years ago, that is pretty low!!!
Of course I agree with what Malcom said regarding black people’s status in this country, “We did not land at Plymouth Rock. Plymouth Rock landed on us.”
I add that something akin to “Plymouth Rock” has landed on our standards, crushing them, leaving the dumbed down, vacuous, sit/eat/drink, indifferent out front, while good, dreaming, no “Rabbi,” at times misplaced rage with good reason, souls such as I, am swallowed in an unproductive, wallowing misery.
Time that could be spent laughing, even loving is instead wasted with deep bitterness, always asking how and why it happened?!
Trust me on this one after yet again, (the Pittsburgh Steelers’ win) the Kansas City Chiefs, who were going to be the team of the 1970’s, failed to win, as “advanced,” as a home divisional round game.
They are (0-5) in such tilts and lost in their only AFC Title Game/semi-final, that at Buffalo in 1993. Only Houston and Cleveland, neither in the League before 1999, among the 32 NFL teams, has never won as much as a home “div” game.
The Chiefs are in such a “soup” (remember their Supe winning coach Hank Stram, about getting “out of the soup”) after a third later Sunday “div” round home loss and fourth Sunday “div round” home loss, this to Pittsburgh, whose quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is (5-1) such tilts.
It was another home post-season ‘offs loss, (third “div rd” or later), for K.C. coach, Andy Reid who now has a near “Bill Cowherish” total of 4 such losses. At least, and I wish it had not happened Cowher (5 times a home playoffs loser, all 5 div rd or later) won a Supe, which as with baptism, washes many sins.
The baseball Royals gave Kansas City glory, twice winning the World Series on a Sunday night, once with “Alfalfa” (Al Michaels) in 1985. However in a tilt moved to the night, KC was KO’d in a Michaels game continuing their ‘offs futility.
Once a truly dexterous, beautiful woman jumped on my lap, as I successfully met her dare of naming the great K.C. Supe winning defensive unit. Alas, nothing “further” happened.
The same essentially can be said of the Chiefs’ franchise after Otis (Taylor) with Jack Buck presiding, ran down the sideline into touchdown glory in the 4th Supe, held at Tulane Stadium, I believe aka, the Sugar Bowl, 47 years and 4 days before the latest K.C. failure.
Alas it was also the exact 50th anniversary of an “excusable” Chiefs’ failure, a (35-10) loss to Green Bay (the Pack of course won on said anniversary) in the first, as yet not named such, Super Bowl.
Cryptic? Perhaps, it is the sink, not the faucet, that is perhaps relevant to the upcoming AFC Title tilt, a second straight time a Republican presidential election win, will be followed by a Steelers/Patriots clash in such a game.
At a dinner honoring his own father, the over rated, but at least tolerable Jack Buck, his son and lifetime charter member of the “lucky sperm club” offspring son, Joe cited Jack’s call of the famed “Ice Bowl” as being in 1969. (the game was the 1967 NFL Championship game, but actually a “semi” as there was still a Super Bowl ahead. It was played on December 31, 1967)
That of course was an egregious error, one I pointed out to then HBO executive, Ross Greenburg, who agreed, yet years later was involved in a rare Buck commercial failure.
Yesterday Buck got the year right, at least not wrong, but left out so much, in fact, so many did and do when it comes to recurring history.
Did anyone but me notice/cite, that in gaining their first ‘offs win at Dallas after 4 straight defeats in such tilts (1982, 1993-1995), since the 1966 NFL Title game/semi, Green Bay scored the same total of points (34), as they did in that tilt 50 years and 2 weeks earlier.
Moreover, nobody but me, yet I suffer in anonymity, would notice a big play, a truly great catch and play to be in bounds was made by the same “G.B.” number (89), as in the ’66 title tilt.
Then on the first day of 1967, the Pack led (34-27) and number “89”, the great Packers’ linebacker, Dave Robinson broke through and forced a harmless Dallas quarterback Don Meredith pass to float harmlessly into GB defender, Tom Brown’s hands to wrap up the victory.
Yesterday again 34 points in a playoffs victory at Dallas, with number “89,” Jared Cook, the player who made, obviously, along with Mason Crosby’s two field goals, THE PLAY.
Sorry but “here comes the rage,” (I apologize and for all of our well being will include Richie Haven’s version of “The Beatles,” “Here Comes The Sun”) bad enough the great GB player,Jerry Kramer is denied Football Hall entry. That is disgraceful.
While the great Dave Robinson, who made that big play in ” ’66”, is in that less than hallowed place, his “Route” was circuitous. He made it in 2013, at age 72.
Memo to know it all football writer, Peter King and the largely “know nothings,” who vote for this stuff, to quote Billy Joel in the great song “Captain Jack” “that’s too long.”
Richie Havens Here Comes The Sun
Two exceedingly clutch field goals by Mason Crosby lifted the Green Bay Packers (34-31) “over” (of course, when I am not on it) the Dallas Cowboys, in their division round game,, which ended up being in the third slot but was still played in the late afternoon, surely booming undeserving Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Fox Network.
Crosby made two field goal attempts of 50 plus yards in the last minute plus of play, first hitting an incredibly clutch 56 yard field goal to give “G.B.” the lead. A failure in that spot, likely, would have led to a Dallas win, as they would have taken over possession of the pig, with great field position.
After Dallas tied the tilt on Dan Bailey’s obviously clutch (tie or lose) 50 plus yard field goal, a great play/catch by Jared Cook set up Crosby’s game winning boot from 51 yards away.
Aaron Rodgers pictured above is quite obviously, a brilliant player.
Some words, however, regarding a call and a serious, clearly not my business, “no call” situation.
The fact “G.B.” ran the pig, 2nd and 7 at the Dallas 32, in the last minute plus, “tied at 28,” was a bad call, manifesting in a truly bad result. Of course Mr. Crosby (Crosby is a good “road” name, Mason “hit” the saving field goals, Bing, my mother’s favorite and a marvelous talent, hit his kids) saved the day.
Why not with the “great” Rodgers (this is one modern athlete who is great, but alas he “ain’t” exactly “Gypsy Rose Lee” in the ring department and surely the Lupicas of the world have already given him more praise than John Unitas. Bart Starr and Otto Graham, all bigger winners, if not better “QB’S,” combined) throw, with knowledge a first down, essentially meant victory.
None of my business, but apparently Rodgers does not call his father. How well I know there is only one occurrence that makes truly vital reconciliation impossible.
Aaron (perhaps coincidentally the name of the son, favored by his father in “East of Eden,” in which it is Cal, the other son, who needs reconciliation with his father) why take the chance?!! Add a letter to “Cal” “that verb,” your father, trust me I know!
I already wrote a “draft,” my mind racing with rage on the far more important and horrible, lacking class typical Donald Trump decision to criticize the great civil rights leader John Lewis.
Additionally far less important, but alas realistically more relevant, dare I say painful to me “con” explanation, the utter paucity of qualified radio play by “players” (Ian Eagle, Kevin Harlan and Bob Papa just three who call out the irrelevant before far too late telling us “little things” such as what yard position/team with possession, the score and seemingly never give crisp “pbp” accounts) especially juxtaposed with my ability to do so but never doing so.
Alas Eagle’s horrible, delayed call on the first “Hous” interception last night a prime example.
Yet the editorial “attack” tempered here awaits if ever, “published” status. A woman might chuckle/cry at another personal meaning of “published.
Instead nobody but me facts. I race to see “Singin In The Rain” on as ‘they” say the big screen and may not watch “pig” today. Any detractors and my sworn enemies would admit to my great knowledge of sports history, but here I may have erred, in going fast. If so I eventually correct.
By the way in a far less important and infinitely less lucrative category, saying I do not know much about sports history would be like saying Meryl Streep is not a good or even over rated actress. Nobody would say that. Alas just as concerning “Donald Trump will not be President” that is not true.
Today for the eighth time (at least, research to follow) the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers are involved in playoffs tilts on the same day. Actually it is at least the ninth time, as the two clashed, Green Bay winning and covering with Joe Buck vs the Steelers in the 2010 season Supe.
In this the eighth non head to head, by definition or at least conference configuration, non Supe, mother nature, greedy NFL executives and/or (likely and) television people have dictated for just the second of those 8 days, Green Bay play in the earlier tilt.
Only in 2010, the day each team won title tilts/NFL “semis” to assure their first and to this point Supe clash, did “G.B.” play earlier.
More details, likely after today’s results but going in, never in the 7 previous such situations I have both recalled and researched, (definitely could be wrong but unlike so many will research but Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and dear Debbie Reynolds await me, hopefully for a while and in a better life, just on film) have both somewhat glorious teams lost.
Both won four times, including the last three such instances, the latest last Sunday. “G.B.” won and “Pitts” lost twice, the reverse but once.
I hesitated, but the classy, beautiful, talented Ms. Reynolds said it was fine to put my arm around her.
Surely I feel the warmth her performances and good nature in our one and only meeting, have provided myself and countless others.
Of course, it is the great Debbie Reynolds pictured and quite probably ABOVE.
The fact six straight home team favorites have won and covered the spread in these NFL ‘offs, including New England which won by 18 as a 16 point “fave,” does not reveal enough about this incredible “chalk” run.
Now more than halfway through the 10 NFL post-season tilts with a home team, (N.E. covering, “all teasing Houston assured there will be no home team in the Supe, for the 51st time in as many Supes–the ’79 Rams, who covered in defeat and the great ’84 49ers, were very close, but not official home teams), 18 playoff games have manifested in which no road team underdog, has won the game, only the ’14 Packers covering in defeat.
During that current span, home teams are (14-4) in the games, (13-5) vs the spread, all four losses in last year’s wild card round but no home was a clear favorite. (Again a game involving the Green Bay Packers requires explanation/results in an exception and coincidentally G.B. is the next underdog up as their tilt at Dallas (Cowboys) now precedes the Pitts/KC tilt which is now scheduled for night action. Last year GB in their win at Wash in the final wild card round game of the weekend was either a slight 1 point fave or “dog” (where have they gone? too little effective “PASSING” alternately phrased where have they gone, long time passing since one covered the spread).
In the 2014 title tilt at Seattle, the home team Seahawks (yesterday the Seahawks suffered their 8th straight road slots loss and have been eliminated in playoffs tilts three straight times, most notably in the ’14 season Supe by N.E. since that incredible “pull out” victory vs G.B) did not cover.
Only one underdog in the 18 tilts has won outright, (the 2015 Broncos en route to the title vs N.E. in the AFC title game) while two other home underdogs combined with aforementioned road one, Green Bay have covered in defeat.
Thus favorites are (17-1) in the games and (14-4) vs the spread in the 18 NFL playoff games with a home team (Denver. as with Green Bay an exception team in these notes, maybe G.B. will end the streak today but if they do, it will be sans me, as I have had “enough” and that is why failing to predict/cash underdog Clemson vs Alabama, “hurts” (again not Tide QB, Jamel) HURTS so much) since the Colts went into Denver, and upset the Broncos in slot 4 of the 2014 divisional round/quarterfinals.
“Baba” said above, in each tilt he was correct. Of course (this is but one reason why someone far better than “slipped through the cracks” status, did indeed slip through those societal “cracks”) I did not “listen” perhaps as a veritable “Vincent,” not knowing how.
Click below to view the great artist Don McLean sing “Vincent” (Starry, Starry Night), a tribute to the immortal, unrecognized in his time, artist Vincent van Gogh.
I have done some, but not all the research, but gladly throw out that for the second straight Sunday, the combined number of Super Bowl victories by the four teams playing that day number 16, to my knowledge the highest ever for a specific NFL playoffs day (by definition in any playoffs round other than the Supe, since no two teams have ever combined or can combine at this point, for more than 11 Supe crowns).
This week Sunday tilts match Green Bay with 4 Supe wins with Dallas a franchise with 5, followed by Pittsburgh with the league high six Supe wins at Kansas City, a franchise with one such win.
The above adds to 16 as did last Sunday’s total among the 4 teams. Pittsburgh and Green Bay playing then as well. The Pack opponent, Giants have 4 crowns while the Steelers’ opponent last week, the Miami Dolphins have 2 adding up to 16.
Is anyone citing the fact that exactly 50 years later (unless one of the games, the already moved to night tilt in K.C. where an ice storm is likely) the opponents (Green Bay and Kansas City) in the first Supe, then called the AFL/NFL Championship Game or similar, on January 15, 1967 (#15, the great and under rated Bart Starr, now suffering memory loss so great and sad, he can not remember his great deeds, was the MVP as G,B. (35-10)’d K.C.—perhaps had the game been moved to the 16th, perhaps due to lack of interest, which certainly relative to most Supes since was the case, #16 Len Dawson would have been. No, not likely then, not vs a great Packers team, but the case three years later when Len, Jan (Stenerud) and “Big Play” Otis (Taylor), now a not talked about, unable to walk, “thanks football” virtually forgotten former great and was he ever!! and a great defense led a Supe win vs Minne), are each playing playoff games on January 15, 2017.
In fact, the Packers in this a slots/quarterfinal game are returning to Dallas to face the Cowboys, exactly 50 years and two weeks after their (G.B. 34 Dallas 27, in a game also great but rightfully less heralded than their Ice Bowl/”NFL semi,” one day less than a year later) “NFL/semi” victory vs Dallas on the first day of 1967.
Max “Old Man” McGee got back to his room at 6:30 A.M. (it is told) on January 15, 1967, after a fun night, thinking he would not play in the championship tilt that day.
When Boyd Dowler was injured, McGee came in and had a great game, catching two touchdown passes from Bart Starr in the Packers’ victory.
