Comments on: Super Bowl Sunday In Panama

By: Don Ray

Don Ray — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 11:26:44 +0000

Tuxi Yes the games with Green Bay are not pleasant memories. I did like Bart Starr though.

By: tuxi

tuxi — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 03:18:35 +0000

I notice that you left out Super Bowls I & II. Maybe Green Bay being in them (after beating Dallas) was too much to take?

I was a big Bart Starr fan back then and really enjoyed those games. The closely played Pittsburgh / Dallas games were certainly memorable.

By: Don Ray

Don Ray — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 21:33:48 +0000

And the amazing thing is that many of the players are bankrupt within 10 years of leaving the game.

By: Tom

Tom — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 21:27:27 +0000

Here’s the line I hate. A player has been making 5 million a year for the last five years and his contract is up; his team only offers him 7 million for the next 3 years, and so he goes with a team that offers him 8 million. At the press conference, almost invariably a player will say, “I had to think of my famiy’s future.” I reply (to the TV screen): “You’ve just made 25 million dollars; what in the hell did you do with that?”

It is shame (and a sham) when a player or anyone uses their family as an excuse for greed. They should just use Ella Fitzgerald’s line, expressed on the Johnny Carson show. She was moving into a big money job, and Johnny asked her if she didn’t think she already had enough money. She answered, “Johnny, you can never be too thin or have too much money.” Enjoy the game.

By: Don Ray

Don Ray — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 20:50:51 +0000

Actually I don’t begrudge the player earning the big bucks. I do however dislike that so many of them don’t give more back for being lucky enough to be blessed with the physical abilities that they were given. So many are put in a position of worship and they don’t deserve it. When their time is over look at how many fail at the game of life.

By: Tom

Tom — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 20:10:23 +0000

I remember Super Bowl XX when da Bears demolished the Patriots. I don’t think anyone could forget Chicago’s coach Mike Ditka and I also remember Refrigerator Perry. What a huge man.

Had to remember that one, hey, Don?

That game was pitiful. Steve Grogan was looking for a place to hide as soon as he took the snap. He was sacked 7 times, and severely frightened at least 30 times. They say sacked, but should it count as a sack when the quarterback immediately hits the ground in a fetal position?

In some ways, Bradshaw has to be considered the greatest quarterback ever–just as Bill Russell was in basketball.

I do think that you are too strong on the idea of money ruining the players. Would you prefer that the owners be ruined? I am not sure that any NFL owner has ever had to face the likes of Dick Butkis across the line. There has been quite a bit of commentary this last week or so about how oldtimers who played for the “love of the game” are now living in physical and financial ruin. As for present day players, I’m always surprised at the fierce desire these guys have to win even though they no longer have the financial incentive.

The Refrigerator, you say? He’d probably be considered a bit underweight today. You are right–when you stand next to these linemen, you can hardly believe their size. Not only that, but as the coach of Grambling used to say, they are “mobile, agile, and hostile.” No wonder Steve Grogan kept looking for a comfortable piece of grass on which to fall.