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This is a good sign...

• Posted by Vincent LeVine on December 18, 2011 at 1:00pm
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With only a week 'till Christmas, Santa Claus has taken some time off from his busy schedule to watch a little football. And what game will he be watching? Well, he's been seen at Sports Authority Field at Mile High tailgating with fans of the New England Patriots.

When asked if he had a favorite team in the NFL Claus responded "This Tebow kid has really delivered big, kinda' reminds me of myself in that regard, but I have to admit Tom Brady and the New England Patriots are my team!"

He paused and with a concerned look on his jolly face asked "Do you think they'll be wearing red today?"

VINCENT LEVINE is a free-lance writer and can be reached at: vincent.levine@rocketmail.com

NFL: National Felon League?

• Posted by Vincent LeVine on November 2, 2010 at 1:30am
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NFL: National Felon League?

Football is a violent game. One look at the equipment and the size of the players, and that becomes immediately apparent. It’s the violence that sells the game and the NFL’s caretakers fully understand that. Recently, the enforcement of the rules pertaining to “helmet-to-helmet hits on a defenseless player” have come under scrutiny. As a result, there have been hefty fines handed out, but no suspensions yet. But, is violence “on the field” the only problem in the NFL?

Violence “off the field” may be an even bigger problem because not everybody involved has signed on for it. Innocent people have been hurt by NFL players and the subsequent punishments watered down and in some cases, players continue their NFL careers with little or no penalties.

SIGNON San Diego has published a list compiled by Brent Schrotenboer, Union-Tribune staff writer, titled NFL Arrest Database that currently contains 520 “arrests and citations involving NFL players since 2000 that were more serious than speeding tickets”. The data base begins with the arrest of Charles Woodson on May 24, 2000 in Ann Arbor, Mich., on outstanding warrants charging him with drunken driving and driving on a suspended license. Woodson plead guilty to impaired driving and served 60 hours of community service.

Not included on the list is the arrest of Ray Lewis for his involvement in the stabbing deaths of Jacinth Baker and Richard Lollar on January 31, 2000, after a Super Bowl party in Atlanta. Lewis’ Lawyer had the murder charges against him dropped in exchange for his testimony against Oakley and Sweeting, Lewis’ two companions that evening. Lewis plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice and was fined $250,000 by the NFL. Oakley and Sweeting were acquitted and the crime remains unsolved…Lewis was named Super Bowl XXXVMVP the following year and has been named to eleven Pro Bowls, been an AP All Pro nine times, and was NFL Defensive Player of the Year twice.

The most current arrest of an NFL player took place as recently as October 20, 2010 when Indianapolis Colts Punter Pat McAfee was arrested on suspicion of public intoxication. He apparently was swimming in a canal in Broad Ripple, a popular night club district in Indianapolis, and was found “shirtless and wet” in a nearby parking area.

The list according to the database “cannot be considered comprehensive in part because some incidents may not have been reported and some public records proved to be elusive”. The list is made up of arrests that include but are not limited to: drunk driving (DUI), disorderly conduct, possession of Marijuana, possession of firearms, assault, aggravated battery on a pregnant girlfriend/woman, possessing a controlled substance: 100 pills of Vicodin, domestic violence/spousal abuse, public urination, resisting arrest, contributing to the delinquency of a minor: sex with 15-year-old girl, obscenities, disturbing the peace, DUI Manslaughter, reckless driving, failure to pay child support, assault with a dangerous weapon, involuntary manslaughter, boating while intoxicated, criminal possession of prescription painkillers, harassment, destruction of property, criminal mischief, animal neglect/abuse, public intoxication, evading arrest, unlawful restraint, leaving the scene of an accident, violating federal laws against dog-fighting, writing bad checks, felony coercion, driving with a suspended license, grand theft of a firearm/carrying a concealed firearm, trespassing, assault and armed criminal action, indecent conduct, public intoxication, vandalism, providing alcohol to teenage girls, burglarizing the apartment of a former college teammate, reckless endangerment, third-fourth-fifth degree assaults, obstruction, lewd or lascivious conduct on a party boat, substantial battery, public indecency, possession of stolen vehicle, providing false information to an officer, conspiring to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute, kidnapping and burglary, brandishing a handgun, possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, deadly hit-and-run manslaughter, felony grand-theft, defecating in dorm room closet, speeding:126 mph in Crowley, La., theft, abandonment of puppy at a soccer field, possession of an assault rifle and ammunition, propositioning an undercover police officer for sex, disturbing the peace, aggravated manslaughter in connection with the death of live-in girlfriend's 4-year-old son, first-degree robbery charge in the pistol-whipping and shooting of an alleged drug dealer, hit and run/careless operation, fraudulently obtaining prescription diet drugs, aggravated battery, burglary of a car, passing bad checks totaling $158,000, misdemeanor assault on a police officer, and felony possession of a controlled substance.

A majority of the arrests involved firearms, Marijuana, alcohol, drugs, women, money, criminal behavior, and vehicles (DUI/Vehicular Manslaughter).

The list of those arrested includes such notables as: Donte Stallworth, Terrell Suggs, Bruce Smith, Larry Johnson, Adam Jones, Ahmad Bradshaw, Shawn Merriman, Michael Vick, Jamal Lewis, Vincent Jackson, Nick Kaczur, Plaxico Buress, Daunte Culpepper, Cato June, David Tyree, Jabar Gaffney, Brandon Marshall, Dana Stubblefield, Albert Haynesworth, Ricky Williams, James Harrison, Muhsin Muhammad, Lofa Tatupu, Terry Glenn, Randy Moss, Marshawn Lynch, David Terrell, Antonio Pierce, Steve McNair, Lawyer Milloy, Santonio Holmes, Steve Smith, Deuce McAllister, Joey Porter, Andre Rison, Corey Dillon, Bill Romanowski, Joey Galloway, Sebastian Janokowski, Fred Taylor, Ronnie Brown, Kevin Faulk, Ty Law, Daniel Graham, Aaron Beasley, Braylon Edwards, Sean Taylor, Chris Simms, Jeff Garcia, Chris Henry, Patrick Surtain, Dwight Smith, Brian Griese, Leonardo Carson, Keith Traylor, Travis Henry, Tank Johnson, Matt Schaub, and Rick Manning Jr.

*some of the players listed are repeat offenders

According to the list, resolutions ranged from “cases dropped” and “players acquitted” to six million dollar fines and up to 12 years in prison. Common resolutions included probation, community service hours, donations to charities, NFL fines, game suspensions, and players being cut/dropped from their prospective teams.

After reading the Arrest Database it appears that some players are better behaved on the field where the striped shirts are worn by officials armed with mere whistles and the worst game penalty is 15 yards and an automatic first down, than off the field where temptation and real life consequences exist …

* Find the complete NFL Arrest Database at: 

http://www.signonsandiego.com/nfl/arrests-database/

VINCENT LEVINE is a free-lance writer and can be reached at: vincent.levine@rocketmail.com

NFL: National Felon League? Part II

• Posted by Vincent LeVine on November 2, 2010 at 1:30am
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According to the NFL Arrest Database, a list published by SIGNON
San Diego and compiled by Union-Tribune staff writer Brent Schrotenboer,
here’s the team-by-team breakdown of the 530 arrests, made and recorded,
beginning on May 4, 2000. (fewest to most arrests):

Detroit Lions : 7 
Philadelphia Eagles : 7

St. Louis Rams : 7
 
N.Y. Jets : 8 (Surprised?)

Arizona Cardinals : 9

Dallas Cowboys : 9

Houston Texans : 9 (first season 2002)

San Francisco 49ers : 9

N.Y. Giants : 11

Green Bay Packers: 12

New England Patriots : 12

Oakland Raiders : 12

Atlanta Falcons : 13

Buffalo Bills : 13

Seattle Seahawks : 14

Washington Redskins : 15

Baltimore Ravens : 16

Carolina Panthers : 16

Pittsburgh Steelers : 16

Chicago Bears : 18

New Orleans Saints : 19

Indianapolis Colts : 20

Cleveland Browns : 22

Tampa Bay Buccaneers : 23

San Diego Chargers : 23

Jacksonville Jaguars : 25 

Kansas City Chiefs : 25 

Miami Dolphins : 25 

Tennessee Titans : 25 

Denver Broncos : 28

Minnesota Vikings : 30 

Cincinnati Bengals : 32 (Official Bad Boys of the NFL?)

Average Arrests per NFL team since May 4, 2000: 16.56 

*Currently, each team is allowed to keep a 53 man roster (not including practice squad).

*According to the database, the above list “cannot be considered comprehensive in part because some incidents may not have been reported and some public records proved to be elusive”.

*Last updated January 9, 2011

* Find the complete NFL Arrest Database at: http://www.signonsandiego.com/nfl/arrests-database/

VINCENT LEVINE is a free-lance writer and can be reached at: vincent.levine@rocketmail.com

NFL: National Felon League? Part III

• Posted by Vincent LeVine on November 2, 2010 at 1:30am
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Using the NFL Arrest Database compiled by Brent Schrotenboer, Union-Tribune staff writer and published by SIGNON San Diego, here is the current list of arrests by position, fewest to most, with some notables, beginning on May 24, 2000 with the arrest of Charles Woodson:

Offensive Center : 1

Punter : 3 (Todd Sauerbrun, Pat McAfee)

Offensive Guard : 6

Fullback : 8 (Deon Anderson)

Kicker : 8 (Sebastian Janikowski, Jeff Reed)

Quarterback : 13 (Michael Vick, Vince Young, Daunte Culpepper, Chris Simms)

Defensive Back : 15 ( Donte Whitner)

Defensive Lineman : 15 (Terry “Tank” Johnson, Fred Evans)

Offensive Lineman : 22 (Nick Kaczur)

Offensive Tackle : 24 (Bryant McKinnie)

Tight End : 26 (Daniel Graham, Jerramy Stevens, Mark Chmura)

Defensive Tackle : 34 (Albert Haynesworth, Leonardo Carson, Dana Stubblefield)

Defensive End : 39 (Bruce Smith, Shaun Ellis, Randy Starks)

Safety : 41 (Lawyer Milloy, Dwight Smith, Sean Taylor)

Running Back : 53 (Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams, Larry Johnson, Cedric Benson)

Linebacker : 59 (Joey Porter, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs)

Cornerback : 70 (Adam Jones, Ricky Manning Jr., Charles Woodson )

Wide Receiver : 93 (Braylon Edwards, Vincent Jackson, Donte Stallworth, Brandon Marshall, Plaxico Burress, Santonio Holmes, Chris Henry, Jabar Gaffney, Steve Smith, Randy Moss, David Tyree, Rod Smith, Terry Glenn)

Judging by the list, it appears that the wide receivers are the “Bad Boys of the NFL” with the cornerbacks not far behind. Linebackers and running backs are getting into their fair share of trouble as are safeties and defensive ends…

Interior lineman, more specifically offensive centers and guards, are the first class citizens of the gridiron, according to the list. 

Could criminal behavior in the NFL be related to Psychiatrist William Sheldon’s theory on body types (Somatotypes)? The theory, first discussed in 1949, attempted to prove the correlation between “physique and temperament”.

Sheldon described Endomorphs as plump and pear-shaped, displaying relaxed, sociable, tolerant, and peaceful personality traits, not too unlike offensive centers and guards in regards to criminal activity… Ectomorphs were described as lean and delicate, lacking in thick musculature and as a result, were characterized by their quiet, restrained, and non-assertive natures… Mesomorphs were identified by their broad shoulders, narrow hips, and thick musculatures, not too unlike widereceivers, cornerbacks, linebackers, and running backs. Sheldon believed Mesomorphs were more active, impulsive, aggressive, combative, and well-suited to the world of sports or the life of crime...

Although Sheldon’s theory on body type and personality traits was never widely accepted by Psychologists, his study has never been regarded as nonsense.

Those in the field of neuroscience believe neurochemicals such as monoamine oxidase (MOA), epinephrine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamineareare responsible for the activation of behavioral patterns and tendencies in specific areas of the brain (Elliot, 2000). Psychiatrists believe personality traits and disorders can be identified in childhood where they can be effectively treated. They believe disorders like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Conduct Disorder (CD), and Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD) are precursors to Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD), which after the age of eighteen, can be characterized by a blatant disregard for the rights of others, resulting in criminal activity.

Caitlin M. Jones of The Rochester Institute of Technology concludes “Having a genetic predisposition for criminal behavior does not determine the actions of an individual, but if they are exposed to the right environment, then their chances are greater for engaging in criminal or anti-social behavior.”

Back to the gridiron- It would appear that at least some of the players in the NFL who have been involved in criminal activity may not only have the “genetic predisposition” for this type of behavior, but may also have come from low socioeconomic urban environments where they experienced abuse and/or neglect, where antisocial and delinquent behavior was prevalent, all environmental factors perfect for nurturing criminal types. And, because of their broad shoulders, narrow hips, and thick musculatures, they find themselves living the high stakes lifestyle of the professional athlete in the NFL where temptation and real world consequences can be overwhelming…

*Last updated January 9, 2011

* Find the complete NFL Arrest Database at: http://www.signonsandiego.com/nfl/arrests-database/

VINCENT LEVINE is a free-lance writer and can be reached at: vincent.levine@rocketmail.com

FEATURED NFL FELON? RANDY MOSS

• Posted by Vincent LeVine on November 2, 2010 at 4:00am
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FEATURED NFL FELON ? RANDY MOSS

Randall Gene Moss was born on February 13, 1977 and grew up in Rand, West Virginia. He attended high school at now defunct DuPont High in Belle, West
Virginia, where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball (centerfielder) and track.

Moss led the DuPont Panthers to back-to-back state football championships in 1992 and 1993 and in 1994 he was named West Virginia Football Player of the Year. Moss was named to Parade Magazine’s Annual All-American High School Football Team in 1995 and was recently named 16th on Parade’s Top 50 Greatest High School Football Players of All Time. Former Notre Dame Head Coach Lou Holtz has said "Randy Moss was the best high school football player I've ever seen."

While attending Dupont High, Moss played basketball with future NBA player Jason Williams and was twice named West Virginia Player of the Year in basketball (1993 & 1994). During his sophomore year (1992) Moss competed
in track and was the West Virginia State Champion in the 100 and 200 meters.

Moss’ criminal record began on March 23, 1995 when he “backed a friend in a hallway fight against a white student who had allegedly used racist comments towards his friend. Moss was initially charged with a felony for kicking the student, but it was later reduced to a misdemeanor. On August 1, 1995, Moss pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanor battery and was sentenced to 30 days behind bars at the South Central Regional Jail in Charleston, West Virginia. He served 3 days in jail starting that night and would be required to serve the remaining 27 days within the following 18 months, after he completed his freshman year in college.”

Moss signed a letter of intent to play college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in 1995, but after his guilty plea to two counts of misdemeanor battery, Notre Dame denied his enrollment application. He ended up at Florida State under Coach Bobby Bowden who had a reputation for handling troubled players. As a result of his signed letter of intent with Notre Dame, the NCAA considered him a transfer student, which made him ineligible to play college football in the 1995.

"In 1996, while serving his 30-day jail sentence in a work-release program from 1995, Moss tested positive for smoking marijuana, thus violating his probation, and was dismissed from Florida State. He served an additional 60 days in jail for the probation violation."

Moss transferred to Marshall University and in 1996, “he set the NCAA Division I-AA records for most games with a touchdown catch in a season (14), most consecutive games with a touchdown catch (13), most touchdown passes caught in a season (28 - tying Jerry Rice's 1984 record), and most receiving yards gained by a freshman in a season (1709 on 78 catches), a record which still stands. Moss was also the leading kickoff returner in Division I-AA on the season, with 612 total yards and a 34.0 yard average. Marshall went undefeated and won the Division I-AA title in its last season before moving to Division I-A.”

In 1997, Marshall’s first in Division I-A, with Chad Pennington at quarterback, Moss caught 25 touchdown passes, at the time a Division I-A record, and was named aFirst-Team All-American.

Moss finished up his college career at Marshall (2 years) with 54 touchdowns and at least one in each game he played. “He won the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation's leading wide receiver, and was a finalist for the 1997 Heisman Trophy(finishing fourth in the balloting, behind Ryan Leaf, Peyton Manning, and Charles Woodson, who won the award).”

Moss was a big Dallas Cowboys fan and wanted to play there, but Dallas team owner and GM Jerry Jones passed on Moss due to his well documented off-field legal problems. Moss was chosen by the Minnesota Vikings as the twenty-first pick overall and later “signed a 4 year, $4.5 million dollar contract that included an additional $4 million dollars in bonuses and incentives. As part of the deal, he also received a $2 million dollar signing bonus.”

In his first season in Minnesota, Moss was named a Pro Bowl starter and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, setting a rookie-record with 17 touchdown receptions and finishing with 1,313 receiving yards, third highest.

After three consecutive Pro Bowl appearances and prior to the start of the 2001 season, Vikings owner Red McCombs signed Moss to an 8 year, 75 million dollar contract extension that included a $10 million dollar signing bonus and another $8 million in guarantees. The total dollar amount remains the most ever paid to an NFL wide receiver. Oddly enough, Moss caught only 10 touchdown passes and was not named to the Pro Bowl that year.

On September 24, 2002, Moss was arrested in downtown Minneapolis
and charged with careless driving and failure to obey a traffic officer after
allegedly pushing traffic control officer Amy Ziccardi, a half-block with his
car, and also with marijuana possession. Initially charged with felonysuspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and a misdemeanor marijuana possession, Moss pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor traffic violation and paid $1,200 in fines and performed 40 hours community service. After the initial fines were paid, the traffic control officer filed a civil lawsuit which yielded a steeper penalty fine said to be "in the low to mid six figures".

It was reported in 2002 by ESPN’s Chris Mortenson at the time of the traffic violation, that Moss tested positive in 2001 for marijuana and was already in the league's substance abuse program.

Moss’ success at wide receiver, especially on deep routes, had opposing teams using the “Randy Rules” defensive strategy which utilized double coverage. Teams would use a cornerback to jam him at the line of scrimmage and a safety to cover him deep. In 2002, in an effort to beat the coverage, new Viking head Coach Mike Tice made it known throughout the league that Moss would be running more crossing routes. Moss caught a career high 106 passes, but only had 7 touchdowns and later Tice admitted to his poor strategy.

In 2003 Moss set personal highs with 111 receptions for 1,632 yards and 17 touchdowns. In 2004 a hamstring injury plagued Moss and he posted career lows in receptions (49) and receiving yards (767).

In 2005 Moss was traded to the Oakland Raiders where injuries and attitude were problematic and his numbers were less than stellar. It was in Oakland that Moss’ effort and dedication first came into question…

In 2007 Moss was traded to the New England Patriots, but only after Patriot’s Quarterback Tom Brady restructured his contract to free up cap space. In his first season in New England Moss caught 98 passes for 1,493, the highest yardage total in Patriots franchise history, and scored 23 touchdowns breaking the single season record of 22 touchdown receptions previously set by Jerry Rice. The Patriots finished the regular season 16-0, but eventually lost in the Super Bowl to the New York Giants. Moss did not catch a touchdown pass in the AFC playoff versus Jacksonville or in the AFC Championship versus San Diego, catching only one pass in each game.

It was just before the AFC Championship in January 2008 that Moss was hit with a restraining order in Broward County court in Florida for allegedly punching Rachelle Washington. The restraining order prevented Moss from coming within 500 feet of her. According to ESPN at the time, Moss vehemently denied these accusations stating, "I've never put my hand on
one woman, physically or in an angry manner." No criminal charges were
filed. 

On March 3, 2008 Moss signed a three-year, $27 million deal with the Patriots. The contract included a $12 million dollar signing bonus, and a total of $14.1 million guaranteed. In the first half of the first game of the 2008 season, Quarterback Tom Brady, attempting to throw to Moss, suffered a season-ending injury. With back-up Matt Cassel under center, Moss had 69 catches for 1,008 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Patriots finished 11-5, but did not make the playoffs.

In 2009, with Tom Brady back the Patriots went 10-6, and Moss caught 83 passes for 1,264 yards and 13 touchdowns during the regular season, but the Patriots were ousted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the playoffs.

After announcing that 2010 would be his last season as a New England Patriot, Moss played in 4 games before being traded to the Minnesota Vikings for the Vikings' third-round selection in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Back in 2007, Brett Favre, then Green Bay Packers’ Quarterback, in his effort to persuade his team to acquire Moss said, "There is no one in this league who puts fear in people more than Randy Moss…" Favre finally got his wish as Quarterback of the Vikings in 2010, but after just 4 games, 13 catches, 174 yards and 2 TDs with Minnesota, Moss was said to be released on waivers.

It is believed Moss’ talent is still there, but that his effort and dedication remain suspect…

*Although Moss was charged with felony twice, he was never convicted-

VINCENT LEVINE is a free-lance writer and can be reached at: vincent.levine@rocketmail.com

NFL Bad Boys Under Center? Double Trouble!

NFL BAD BOYS

NFL Bad Boys Under Center? Double Trouble!

The position is the arguably the most important on the gridiron. It requires a combination of skill and smarts. Quarterbacks in today’s game have the freedom to switch plays at the line of scrimmage based on the defense’s formation. It’s no accident that they get a majority of the credit, or the blame, depending on the game’s outcome. Over the history of the NFL there have been many skilled quarterbacks who have found themselves categorized as “highly-spirited young men”. 

One of the first quarterbacks to gain notoriety as a “highly-spirited young man” wasChristian Adolph Jurgensen III . He would be followed shortly after by William Orland Kilmer, Jr., and the two would later become teammates in the nation’s capital where they played concurrently for the Redskins.

Sonny Jurgensen was born in Wilmington, North Carolina on August 23, 1934. He played his college football at Duke University where he made his first impact in 1954 as a defensive back, tying a team record by intercepting at least one pass in four consecutive games. In 1955 Jurgensen took over as starting quarterback while also starting on defense. In 1956, Jurgensen’s final year at Duke, the team finished 5-4-1. Jurgensen finished his college football career with less than stellar numbers: 77-156 passing for 1,119 yards, 16 career interceptions and six touchdowns. He also rushed for 109 yards and intercepted ten passes.

Billy Kilmer was born in Topeka, Kansas on September 5, 1939. He played his college football at UCLA where he was the last single-wing tailback, a position that required a player to pass, run, and kick. In 1960, his final season, he threw for over 1,000 yards, ran for over 800, scored eight touchdowns, was the team's punter, and finished fifth in voting for the Heisman Trophy, leading the nation with 1,889 yards of total offense and becoming an All-American. He was also named Most Valuable Player in the 1961 College All-Star Game and received the1960 W.J. Voit Memorial Trophy as the outstanding football player on the Pacific Coast.

Jurgensen was picked in the fourth round of the 1957 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. He served as backup to quarterback Bobby Thomason in 1957 and Norm Van Brocklinin 1958-’60. In 1961, his first year as a starter, Jurgensen passed for an NFL record 3,723 yards, his 32 touchdown passes tied an NFL record, was named All-Pro, and the Eagles finished 10-4.

Kilmer was picked in the first round of the 1961 NFL draft, eleventh overall, by the San Francisco 49ers where he was utilized primarily as a running back. During his rookie year he rushed for 509 yards and ten touchdowns, four coming in one game against the expansionMinnesota Vikings.

During the 1962 and 1963 seasons, Sonny Jurgensen compiled a record of just 5-15-2, and after an injury-plagued ’63 season he was traded to the Washington Redskins on April Fools day in 1964. During the ’64, ’65, and ’66 seasons Jurgensen started all but one game for the Redskins, throwing 67 touchdown passes, but compiled only a 19-22 record in the process.

On December 5^th 1962, Billy Kilmer fell asleep at the wheel of his 1957 Chevroletand drove off the Bayshore Freeway and into the San Francisco Bay, suffering a fractured leg. At first it was feared the leg would have to be amputated, but he was lucky and the leg was stable enough to be rehabilitated. Kilmer sat out the entire 1963 NFL season. The following year his participation was limited and as a result of the injury, he had lost a step and was switched from running back to quarterback. In 1965 he did not play. After a training camp contract dispute the next season, he was placed in the 1967 NFL Expansion Draft.

In 1967, a healthy Sonny Jurgensen broke his own passing record by throwing for 3,747 yards while setting new records for attempts (508) and completions (288). The Redskins finished the season 5-6-3. Jurgensen played injured in ’68 and the Redskins finished 5-9. 

Billy Kilmer was picked by the expansion New Orleans Saints in 1967 and went on to play there for four years, a starter half of the time. On November 2, 1969 he threw for 345 yards and six touchdowns in a 51-42 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. It was Saint’s ownerJohn Mecom, Jr., who would later admit to Kilmer's many late-hour visits to New Orleans bars while playing for the team. Kilmer had been arrested once for being intoxicated and was gaining a reputation for being a “hell-raiser”.

In 1969 the Redskins made Vince Lombardi their Head Coach. Under Lombardi, the once “soft-bellied” Sonny Jurgensen was coached into top condition by the strict disciplinarian and went on to have a brilliant year leading the NFL in attempts (442), completions (274), completion percentage (62%) and passing yards (3,102). The Redskins finished 7-5-2 in what would be Lombardi’s last season as he succumbed to colon cancer September 3, 1970 at the age of 57. He said of Jurgensen “Jurgensen is a great quarterback. He hangs in there under adverse conditions. He may be the best the league has ever seen. He is the best I have seen.” The feeling was mutual as Jurgensen would later say that of thenine head coaches he played for during his NFL career, Lombardi was his favorite.

After Lombardi’s sudden passing, assistant Bill Austin stepped in and finished a dismal 6-8 in 1970. Former Los Angeles Rams coach George Allen was brought in to coach the Redskins in ’71 where his teams would be nick-named the “Over-the-Hill-Gang”.

When rumors surfaced that the Saints would be picking Archie Manning 2^nd overall in the 1971 NFL Draft, Kilmer asked to be traded. He was traded to the Washington Redskins where he was to serve as back-up to Sonny Jurgensen, the highly-skilled passer with a colorful personality, who had a “let’s go out and have a beer” type image, was known to keep some late nights, and was quoted in a magazine admitting to a fondness for “scotch and broads”…

After Jurgensen suffered a shoulder injury in the 5th exhibition game while trying to make a tackle, Kilmer took the helm and the Redskins finished 9-4-1, reaching the post season for the first time since 1945. Jurgensen made it back on the field for the 11th game, but re-injured his shoulder, ending the year with 16 completions for 170 yards and without a touchdown pass. 

It was during the 1971 season that rumors stirred that Kilmer missed curfew before a game against the Denver Broncos and that his new Redskins teammates had nicknamed him “Ole Whiskey”. Kilmer’s most memorable night on the town in 1971 came when he got arrested in an Arlington coffee shop. Apparently, Kilmer was attempting to pay for a cup of coffee with a $100 bill when an argument ensued involving the waitress. A policeman showed up, and Kilmer, who had been drinking anything but coffee earlier that evening, told the policeman, “If you think I’m wrong, put me in jail!” The policeman locked Kilmer up for the night, releasing him in time to lead the Redskins into the playoffs against San Francisco. Kilmer “won the hearts of fans when he told the waitress she could keep the $100 as a tip”.

The normally full-figured Jurgensen came into training camp fit and trim and ready to compete for the starting quarterback job in 1972. George Allen was known to favor a more controlled offense with fewer turnovers and Jurgensen had a reputation as being a gun-slinger type quarterback who plays with an aggressive and decisive manner by throwing deep, risky passes and is frequently intercepted. Kilmer was more of a ball control guy.

Coach Allen played the two quarterbacks equally during the exhibition season, each playing as well as the other, but started Kilmer when the season began. That season Kilmer led the NFL with 19 touchdown passes and an 84.8 passer rating and took the Redskins to the Super Bowl where they lost 14-7 to the undefeated (16-0) Miami Dolphins. Sonny Jurgensen never felt any contempt towards his replacement and good friend Billy Kilmer, even praised him on his ability to win.

Kilmer was not known for throwing the tightest spiral, in fact some of his most ardent fans recall a perennial wobbler. He did not posses the quarterbacking skills of Sonny Jurgensen, and even after a quarterback controversy divided fans who expressed their feelings with “I love Sonny”-“I love Billy” bumper stickers, Kilmer remained the primary starting quarterback from 1971-’77, going 49-22-1 in that time. He credits his passing improvements to Jurgensen, who he said helped him with his grip and his throwing mechanics, mostly his hip rotation. Up to that point Kilmer admitted to being an arm thrower and suffering constant pain in his elbow and shoulder areas as a result. 

Former NFL defensive back (1953-’61) and CBS commentator Tom Brookshier once said of Kilmer “He never threw a spiral in his life, but his receivers caught every ball he threw at them”. In his reflection, Pro Football Weekly’s Tom Danyluk described Kilmer this way “Banquet-Circuit Billy- the chunky, flutterball passer with New Orleans and Washington, playing above his playing weight and not giving a damn how his uniform fit …”

In 1974, his final year in professional football, at the age of 40 and while splitting playing time with Billy Kilmer, Sonny Jurgensen was able to lead the NFL in passing with a 64.1 % completion percentage, completing 107 of 167 passes. The Redskins enjoyed their third impressive winning season in a row going 10-4, first in the NFC East all three times(10-4 in ’73, 11-3 in ’72) , and the Sonny and Billy quarterback time-share had worked very well. Kilmer was quoted as saying “We knew it was a good thing- and it didn’t hurt that we hung out in the same saloons-”

Sonny Jurgensen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983.

On December 11, 1976, nearing the end of his career, Kilmer was arrested for drunk driving less than 2 days before a game against the Dallas Cowboys. Kilmer was 7-2 as a starter that year with 12 touchdown passes in ten games. 

When Billy Kilmer played in his final game in the NFL in 1978 he was backing up Joe Theisman, still wearing his number 17 jersey, and viewing the game over his single-bar facemask long after double-bar facemasks had become the norm, an in-your-face gesture he made to would-be pass rushers during his entire 16 year NFL career.

In the years that they played together for the Washington Redskins, quarterbacks Billy Kilmer and Sonny Jurgensen were able to unselfishly share the snaps, the spotlight, and probably the whiskey too-

To this day Sonny Jurgensen and Billy Kilmer remain close friends.

VINCENT LEVINE is a free-lance writer and can be reached at: vincent.levine@rocketmail.com