First, let me know what you’ve been doing since your time in the NFL – what you got involved in?
Pittsburgh was my last stop in the NFL. I was hospitalized six weeks into the seasons at Mercy Hospital and that ended my season and career. After I was out of the hospital I drove back home to Cortlad, New York. I didn’t know what I was going to do next.
What happened – how did the injury occur?
We were playing the Cardinals in Chicago – at Soldier Field. Remember – I’m 85 years old – an old old timer! I was returning a kick – it was a center return – and I cut towards the sideline. I planted my left leg and turned up field, and at the same time someone came at me at full speed and hit my leg. I tore the muscle – it just burst. The doctor told me that if I got hit there again could end up crippled for life.
So what did you do then after that?
I went back to college and got my Masters degree. I got a job in upstate New York coaching high school football. I did that for five years then a job at a community college opened up in Maryland. I flew down and got the job. But the attitude of the kids had changed. It became more “what can you do for me” instead of “how can I help the team win”. So I gave up coaching – I became the athletic director then went into teaching physical education and first aid. I did that for 32 years then retired here in Maryland.
How did you end up in Pittsburgh after playing in Baltimore?
Baltimore let me go after two years. I went to join the Giants in Los Angeles- they were playing an exhibition game there. But Buddy Parker called me and someone form the Steelers met me at the hotel in Los Angeles and they signed me instead.
I came into Pittsburgh on opening day – I think we played Cleveland. I drove from the airport to the Roosevelt Hotel – they had a room for me there. I was staying with Mike Henry who was the guy who later played Tarzan. I went straight from the hotel to the stadium and returned kicks that night.
Any good memories of your time in Pittsburgh?
It was a long time ago. I remember in the second game they put me in as a running back a bit. I had a week to practice with the team. Layne called the play and I screwed it up. I was supposed to take the hand off but I went the wrong way, so he faked it to me with his left hand and gave it to the fullback who scored. Layne went up to me and started cussing me out until he saw the ref signal it was a touchdown. Then he just said “Ah Hell, we scored. Oh well.” I thought I was in trouble but Layne actually made it look like that was the way the play was supposed to be run. We had a play like it in the playbook, so I didn’t get in trouble.
Any good memories of the other players?
I roomed with three guys in an apartment – Tom Tracy, Ted Karras and Tom Barnett. All good guys. Billie Ray Smith used to take my flying. And I knew Buddy Dial from New York. In fact he flew in to Pittsburgh the day after I did from Los Angeles. We both asked each other what the other was doing there! He was such a well-behaved guy.
How was it playing for Buddy Parker?
I was happy to be in Pittsburgh – Buddy was just off the wall. You never knew where he was going. I remember flying back from Philly after we got beat and, I think he was under the weather, but he walked down the aisle of the plane cussing guys out and fired guys as he was walking. I just remember us crouching down trying not to be seen by Buddy – “Please don’t notice me Buddy!’
Do you watch the NFL today – any thoughts on the game now?
I watch it on TV – I wouldn’t go to a game. Players are different – they are more in it for the buck. A lot of us just played for the love of the game. We sure as Hell didn’t make any money!
At least the new CBA means I get an NFL pension now. It used to be you had to play four years but it was moved to three years.
Anyway, the players today are so talented. I just know I had a fun, good time playing. And I got to play for the Colts in the first sudden death game – that’s a big deal here!
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
