DOG ASIDE:
Frank “Gunner” Gatski (March 18, 1921 – November 22, 2005) was an American football center who played for the Cleveland Browns of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and the National Football League (NFL) in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Gatski was one of the most heralded centers of his era….who was known for his strength and consistency….as he helped protect QB Otto Graham….and open up running lanes for FB Marion Motley….as the Browns won seven league championships between 1946 and 1955. Gatski won an eighth championship after he was traded to the Detroit Lions in 1957, his final season.
Joseph William Namath (born May 31, 1943) was nicknamed “Broadway Joe” and “Joe Willy” is a former American football quarterback and actor. He played college football for the University of Alabama under coach Paul “Bear” Bryant from 1962 to 1964….and was a professional football player in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL) during the 1960’s and 1970’s. Namath was an AFL icon and played for that league’s New York Jets for most of his professional football career. He finished his career with the Los Angeles Rams….and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985…..as seen in this video herewith.
Alvin Ray “Pete” Rozelle (March 1, 1926 – December 6, 1996) was an American businessman and executive….who served as the commissioner of the National Football League (NFL) for nearly thirty years, from January, 1960 until his retirement in November, 1989. He is credited with making the NFL into one of the most successful sports leagues in the world.
Orenthal James “O. J.” Simpson (born July 9, 1947), nicknamed The Juice…. is an American former running back in football, broadcaster, actor, advertising spokesman, and convicted robber. Simpson attended the University of Southern California(USC)….where he played football for the USC Trojans….and won the Heisman Trophy in 1968. He played professionally as a running back in the NFL for 11 seasons….primarily with the Buffalo Bills from 1969 to 1977….as he also played for the San Francisco 49ers from 1978 to 1979. In 1973, he became the first NFL player to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season….and he holds the record for the single season yards-per-game average….which stands at 143.1….as he is the only player to ever rush for over 2,000 yards in the 14-game regular season NFL format.
Roger Thomas Staubach (born February 5, 1942), nicknamed “Roger the Dodger“, “Captain America“ and “Captain Comeback” is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He attended the U.S. Naval Academy where he won the 1963 Heisman Trophy….and after graduation he served in the U.S. Navy….including a tour of duty in Vietnam. Staubach joined the Dallas Cowboys in 1969….and played with the club during all 11 seasons of his career….where he led the team to the Super Bowl five times….four as the starting quarterback….and led the Cowboys to victories in Super Bowl VI and Super Bowl XII. Staubach was named Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl VI….thus becoming the first of four players to win both the Heisman Trophy and Super Bowl MVP….along with Jim Plunkett, Marcus Allen and Desmond Howard. He was named to the Pro Bowl six times during his 11-year NFL career. He is currently executive chairman of Jones Lang LaSalle.
