Great (Sort of Sad) Story! - The Orange Mane

DomCasual · 07-27-2006, 10:56 PM

Okay, I'm just reading Next Man Up - John Feinstein's book about a year behind the scenes of an NFL team. So far, it's really entertaining, even if it is centered on the Baltimore Ravens.

This is an excerpt, regarding Ozzie Newsome (a total class act, IMO).

Quote:

"There was the Drive, the Fumble, and the Rout," Newsome said, remembering all three games. "The one that hurt the most was the Drive. Usually, when our defense was on the field, I didn't watch. I'd sit on the bench and rest. But in that game, we had less than two minutes from the Super Bowl, I'm watching. They have a third-and-seventeen. They make it. Then they score. Even in overtime, we got the ball first and didn't do anything with it. I can still remember at the start of the Drive, thinking, 'I'm finally going to the Super Bowl,' because I always said I wasn't going until I played in one."

Following the Rout in 1989, Newsome flew home with the team, walked into his house, and could tell by the look on his wife Gloria's face that something was wrong that had nothing to do with the game. "Your dad died a couple of hours after the game." she told him. It wasn't a shock - Ozzie Newsome Sr. had liver and kidney problems and was extremely overweight, but it was still a shock because it was his dad. "Last time we talked had been Friday," he said. "Dad said to me, 'Ozzie, you've got to do something about that Elway.' I told him not to worry, that we had a plan for him this time. He was skeptical. I think the last thing he ever said to me was 'Watch out for Elway.'"

I'd never heard that before. And while it is sad, it's a great addition to the legend that is John Elway. They had no chance in that game. Elway was in their heads - had to have been just completely demoralizing.

If you haven't read this book, you should.

ludo21 · 07-27-2006, 11:05 PM

TY Dom, cool stuff.

Makes me appreciate the greatness that was , Elway. Also makes me angst for football even more!!!

Vegas_Bronco · 07-27-2006, 11:06 PM

I would truly hate Elway if I were him and I can understand the divine mission of Elway a little bit better now - he was sent to this earth to create hope and hatred. "Watch out for Elway". You either hate or love the guy - no better way to say it, thanks DOM

Kaylore · 07-27-2006, 11:11 PM

Madden, for all his ramblings, has said some quality things and one of them is the way you can tell greatness is in it's supreme form is when the opponents know you're going to beat them. Elway had this effect on people. TD did it in Super Bowl XXXII. The Packers believed so truly that TD couldn't be stopped that they let him score just so they could get the ball back because they totally believed there was no stopping him. That's power.

watermock · 07-27-2006, 11:22 PM

We all have a lot of fun with Madden but honestly, he's good guy. He's comical but delivers some basic stuff to the masses.

ClevelandBronco · 07-28-2006, 12:00 AM

Kosar was banged up coming into The Rout. The Browns didn't stand a chance. When he was healthy, Bernie ran like a man who'd been shot in the leg. I was at Mile High for that one.

The Drive and The Fumble were stakes in my heart. I've had the opportunity to tell Mr. Elway that he broke my heart with The Drive. He just laughed it off like it was just a game or something.

Hearing that laugh and seeing that goofy smile finally healed anything that was left of the wound.

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07-27-2006, 11:05 PM	#2
ludo21 RIP Darrent Williams Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 17,901 Adopt-a-Bronco: Paul Ernster	TY Dom, cool stuff. Makes me appreciate the greatness that was , Elway. Also makes me angst for football even more!!!

07-27-2006, 11:06 PM	#3
Vegas_Bronco Ring of Famer Fear is a lack of preparation. Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: 63 Yards Out Posts: 4,024 Adopt-a-Bronco: 1 Elam 1	I would truly hate Elway if I were him and I can understand the divine mission of Elway a little bit better now - he was sent to this earth to create hope and hatred. "Watch out for Elway". You either hate or love the guy - no better way to say it, thanks DOM

07-27-2006, 11:11 PM	#4
Kaylore 6-37, Raider fans. Yummy birds and snow! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ceti Alpha V Posts: 41,025 Adopt-a-Bronco: Wesley Duke	Madden, for all his ramblings, has said some quality things and one of them is the way you can tell greatness is in it's supreme form is when the opponents know you're going to beat them. Elway had this effect on people. TD did it in Super Bowl XXXII. The Packers believed so truly that TD couldn't be stopped that they let him score just so they could get the ball back because they totally believed there was no stopping him. That's power.

07-27-2006, 11:22 PM	#5
watermock "Hoodie Jr" "Hug me!" Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hot Springs, Ouachitah Posts: 77,090	We all have a lot of fun with Madden but honestly, he's good guy. He's comical but delivers some basic stuff to the masses.

07-28-2006, 12:00 AM	#6
ClevelandBronco Ring of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Freedonia Posts: 1,643	Kosar was banged up coming into The Rout. The Browns didn't stand a chance. When he was healthy, Bernie ran like a man who'd been shot in the leg. I was at Mile High for that one. The Drive and The Fumble were stakes in my heart. I've had the opportunity to tell Mr. Elway that he broke my heart with The Drive. He just laughed it off like it was just a game or something. Hearing that laugh and seeing that goofy smile finally healed anything that was left of the wound.