It's that season again. I keep this at my desk:
How's that for 1970? The Philadelphia Eagles yearbook/media guide had a zodiac theme, and I suppose the excuse is that part in the middle, "The 5th Season." Um... okay.
Here's one of the stars o that team:
"The other" Bill Bradley, a safety, punter, and kick returner (guys did that kind of all-purpose thing back then), played for the Eagles from 1969 through 1976, and was selected to the Pro Bowl three times. He's now a secondary coach for the UFL's Florida Tuskers.
This guy became famous for an on-field tragedy:
Chuck Hughes played for the Eagles as, mostly, a special-teams guy for two seasons. By the time the 1970 season started, he was traded to Detroit. In 1971, playing for the Lions against Chicago, he was heading back to the huddle after a play he wasn't even part of when he dropped right onto the 15 yard line without being touched. He had a massive, fatal heart attack on the spot. 28 years old.
This guy made a name for himself off the field:
Tim Rossovich ate light bulbs. At least, that's what he used to do to get attention. The idea was to play up his toughness, and he did make the Pro Bowl in 1969. By 1972, he was in San Diego, then in the WFL, then briefly with Houston and out of football, whereupon he joined his brother in the acting profession. No credits since 1998 ("Mike Hammer, Private Eye," as "Car Chase Guy 1").
The quarterback:
Norm Snead. The guy they got in 1964 by trading Sonny Jurgensen, which must have seemed totally reasonable at the time, since Snead was younger and was a Pro Bowl pick in '62. Indeed, he made the all-star squad again in 1965 befofe piloting the Eagles into mediocrity. They dumped him after 1970; he then became a Pro Bowl quarterback again for the Giants in 1972. Of course.
Look at who was on the squad:
Yes, THAT John Carlos, previously known -- STILL known -- for raising his fist in a Black Power salute on the winner's stand after the 200-meter dash at the 1968 Summer Olympics. He was drafted in the 15th round by the Eagles but didn't last; he also played in the CFL. Extreme trivia: He's the godfather of Kenny Williams, Chicago White Sox GM.
Another rookie in camp:
One that got away. Mark Moseley ended up being the Redskins' kicker for a long time. One of the last straight-on, non-soccer-style kickers. Pro Bowl, Redskins Ring of Fame, MVP in '82. Coulda used him.
Man, after all that football, a guy can get mighty thirsty. Sing along, everybody:
Funny, but I just yesterday read something someplace -- I can't remember where -- in which people were trying to remember the lyrics to the Ballantine Beer song. Here they are. Yes, Ballantine still exists, brewed by Miller under contract to Pabst, and it comes mostly in 40s. Back then, it was a major, major brand.
One more bit of trivia: I didn't remember this, but the second game of the season, against Chicago (a loss, of course), was played in Evanston at Northwestern's Dyche Stadium, because the NFL insisted that the Bears try it out due to Wrigley Field's small capacity. Local NIMBYs made that a one-time thing. The Bears moved to Soldier Field the next year.
Okay, that's enough football nostalgia for a team that was horrible: 3-10-1, including losing their first seven straight. Let's get this season started.