Losing A Lot Of Class
There’s no mistaking why the Chiefs released Donnie Edwards, Pat Surtain and Damon Huard on Tuesday.
They are all over 30 years of age, all were minimal participants last year for a 2-14 team because of injury and all were scheduled to make way too much money in ’09 for what they figured to contribute to a rebuilding team.
All those factors qualify for dismissal under the rules of the NFL jungle. Any player over the age of 30 should not be surprised with the Reaper comes knocking on his door. It’s happening all over the league this week with names like Marvin Harrison, Derrick Brooks, Warrick Dunn, Lavernanues Coles, Joey Galloway and Trent Green shown the door.
The unfortunate thing for the Chiefs in losing Edwards/Surtain/Huard is that they lose an element that any team needs, but most especially the ’09 Chiefs. That trait is class.
Surtain was pushed aside on the corner last year by the youthful trio of Brandon Flowers/Brandon Carr/Maurice Leggett. Never once did Surtain complain publicly. Talk with Flowers, Carr and Leggett and you’ll find out that never once did he turn down the chance to help them. Surtain wasn’t happy with the situation, but he remained a good teammate and a good soldier. Believe me when I say that’s rare, especially for cornerbacks who because of the nature of the position and generally more high-strung and willing to challenge authority.
In over 30 years of covering pro football I can tell you it’s hard to find many players classier than Huard. Ultimately, he may have been the quintessential backup quarterback, but his only real chance to play came with the Chiefs and it was quite a roller coaster due to injury and the desire to play Brodie Croyle and even Tyler Thigpen. Go back to the week before the Atlanta game when Herm Edwards decided to give Thigpen his first start. Huard was capable of playing that week and thought he should be playing. He kept his thoughts to himself. He knew how to be a good teammate.
And then there’s Donnie Edwards.
From the time he arrived in Kansas City back in 1996, Edwards was a model citizen, both on and off the field. Never in that time were there hints of a problem with Donnie. He was too solid a citizen and too solid a person. He spent his time on football during the season and once it was over, he would make one of his trips to far flung places where he would experience life for a few weeks or months. Paris, Rome, London, Australia, the Far East, he saw it all. Always however, he came back and threw his head into football, preparing himself physically and mentally.
I could tell Donnie Edwards stories all day. I’ll keep it to three.
The first was his ability to keep his aggression within the white lines. If you don’t know I had a pretty good run there of doing sideline reports for Chiefs Radio. One game at Arrowhead, I was standing right next to the Chiefs bench when Edwards walked over and asked a question about a ruling that came earlier in the game. We began a discussion of the situation when the Chiefs offense turned the ball over and Edwards had to join the defense on the field. He walked backwards away from me as he continued the conversation, pulling his helmet on. About three plays later, the Chiefs defense forced a turnover and Edwards got into a pushing match with an opposing offensive lineman and they had to be separated by officials and teammates.
As he was being ushered off the field, Donnie pulled his helmet off, walked right towards me and picked up the conversation where he left off before he went on the field. It was the perfect example of being able to turn the switch on and off. Some players never find that switch, and they have all sorts of problems off the field.
There was a pre-season game in San Diego. Yes, a pre-season game. I looked it up to make sure. It was 1999 and why these teams were scheduled in the pre-season I do not know. Long before kickoff I strolled over to the Chiefs bench area and Edwards was sitting on the ground stretching. He wore what I would call a distressed look. I asked him what was wrong. He pointed over to the first row of the stands there at Qualcomm Stadium, where a man stood wearing a No. 59 Chiefs jersey.
“That’s my father,” Donnie said. “I haven’t seen him in years. I can’t even remember the last time I saw him. I was a little kid I think. I don’t really remember even meeting him. Do you think I should go talk to him?”
I can’t remember what I said, because I was floored by the situation, simply stunned. It’s just one of many things that Edwards overcame to get first to UCLA and then to the NFL.
The third story came in 2007, as Edwards was walking with then rookie defensive tackle Tank Tyler. To say that Tank was dedicated during his rookie season would be fiction. He was completely lost and didn’t seem really energized to find his way. On this day, Edwards was in his ear and in his ear loudly. “Listen, if you don’t spend extra time looking at tape, you aren’t going to last long,” Edwards told him. “You’ll never live on your physical tools in this league. You aren’t good enough. Nobody is. You’ve got to start watching extra film. We need you to get better.”
He wasn’t yelling at Tyler, but he was stern in his words and his tone. Tank didn’t get the point until after his rookie season was over. Last year, he made giant strides in that area and his play improved considerably over his wasted rookie season.
But that was what Edwards brought to the locker room. He saw the talent of this young man, but also saw he didn’t have the necessary dedication. Edwards tried to do something about it, tried to challenge the young man. He didn’t sit back and do nothing.
Injuries robbed Edwards of his ability to lead in ’08. After playing a dozen seasons as an under-sized linebacker, the mileage started to show. Whether he can still be a full-time player at the age of 36 is doubtful. But in the right situation, he can help a team.
And if that opportunity comes, Edwards will take with him the class that he showed throughout his time in Kansas City.
That class will be missed.
One of Peterson’s worst “ah $!@#$” was not resigning Donnie.
I think most of us realized when Donnie was placed on IR, that was the end for a Really Good Football Player, and as was stated in this thread, A Class Act!
It’s ironic, in a kinda sad way that Donnie is/was the epitome of the type of Person/Player (respectively) the Chiefs say they are looking for.
Hoorahhhh Donnie!
I’ll say it again. Donnie needs to have some kind of role with the Chiefs. He’s just too good a past player and person not to be rewarded by the ball club.
Excellent remembrances, Bob, on Donnie, and thanks for the sharing.
Bob, good read. All three are indeed class acts. I too will miss Donnie. Never should he have had to go to SD. Players like this are rare in this league and town.
Sometimes we lose our perspective searching for the almighty win. Add to that the frustration of having to put up with Carl and Herm, we come up short in our thinking. The NFL has many good people, not all are like LJ. Those players get to much play in the media. It is good to know that the Chiefs had a few of the good ones and now we must move forward and develope more good guys for the future.
Rip,
Donnie could very well be the type of guy that would make a good coach, T-Rich is another guy I’d like to see the Chiefs find a spot for on the staff, (if he ever retires, God Bless him)
Men like that tend to make better coaches than guys that had all the physical skills (natural athletes) Donnie and T-Rich EARNED every thing they achieved the HARD WAY.
Bob,
Thanks for sharing I’ve read one of those before but always great. I will surely miss Donnie but the young players will miss him more. He was a true professional and someone whether you are a football player or just a fan to model yourself to strive to live as he does would definately improve yourself. Thanks for the intensity Donnie you always brought it.
Rip/John, couldn’t agree more to have Donnie around this group and even T-Rich they could teach these kids alot how to play, how to prepare, on and off the field those guys were two of the best Chiefs I’ve watched over 30+ years.
I agree with all the positive posts about Donnie. True professional, team leader and good guy
I believe all three of them, if they are classy people as you say, should have some kind of opportunity for coaching internships with the Chiefs. They could do it voluntarily the first year, since I’m sure they won’t be hurting for money, and then work their way of the coaching ranks. I truly believe Huard helped Thigpen tremendously during his run at starting for the team. You have to have some kind of leadership/wisdom for the new/young players other than coaches(bosses) in order for the new “kids” to become part of the culture.
JohnNDallas,
Excellent point about Donnie and T-Rich coming back to the Chiefs as coaches. Think of the values they could impart to young players on being good citizens and professionals!
Not to mention their past skills on the playing field they could each draw on to influence a new generation of Chief’s players. Excellent idea.
Donnie Edwards is the ultimate professional. What a great class act. I will miss watching him play the game we all love. That man is a role model.
It is great to read all of the positives about DE. I do not think there are any neg. the real shame in all of this is when we let this class act go to SD. We missed some good years from him. I like the idea of TR,DE coaching they could be a great influence on all of the new youth.
GO CHIEFS!!!!!!!!!!!
Donnie Edwards was once in Joplin at a small, local business for an autograph session. I happened to be last in line that night and had the opportunity to shake hands with him. It was getting late and Donnie had been sitting at a table for a couple of hours or more signing autographs. Yet, instead of leaving immediately for the return trip to KC, he stood their and chatted with my wife and me for a while. Class act! We need more men like him wearing the Arrowhead on the side of their helmets! Excellent athlete! Even better person!
Donnie Edwards was a Pro Bowl player for us. (We know.) An awesome 4th round pick– one of the top fourth round picks made by Carl here in KC!
It was a true joy to watch Donnie Edwards play football.
It is always exciting to see the next young talent but very sad to see football players like Donnie and others leave. Nobody knows the real circumstances behind Donnie going to SD but that was a shame. Donnie was a lot of fun to watch both as a Chief and a Charger. As far as them coaching, that is very unlikely. Why would they? they have millions in the bank, assistant coaches have long hours, little pay, and an astonishing turnover rate. These guys will move on to another town or on to the next phase of their lives and I wish them the best.
I can give you one very good reason why they would choose to want to coach some day, LOVE OF THE GAME!
Do you suppose Singletary needs the money? Maybe but I’d bet not.
Either way, just watched Donnie on ESPN’s “first Take” he plans to play, he says he is still capable of playing at a high level.
He was also asked what he’s like to do after football Quoting as close as i can here,
“I have a degree in education, I’d like to move into the front office, maybe start out in the personnel department, and one day I’d like to be a GM”
What ever he decides I’m betting he will be successful at it.
Great stories Bob!
Donnie was a CLASS act while here in KC
JohnNdallas
It is good you mention the “Love of the Game” that is my favorite sports movie. I have shown it several times to my little league BB team. Good motivation, and you’re right Singletary would do it for free. I would do it for free, just give me some red and gold to wear and no charge parking.
GO CHIEFS!!!! THE RIGHT 53 2009
Good story Richard! Thanks for sharing.
That is just silly. Singletary would not coach for free just like the players would not play for free. They Love the game, but they also love the money. Singletary was not interested in putting in the time as an assistant that most Head coaches put in before they became a HC. He tried to become a college head coach after his playing career with no prior coaching experience. After just 4 years of positional assistant coaching he interviewed for other Head jobs but was not hired. If he was coaching just for the love of the game he would have been happy coaching linebackers. Not to mention that he learned his football playing for Chicago for 11 years and they have never interveiwed him for a coaching position. I predict that he falls on his face in San. Fran.
Few players coach where they played and if they do it is not for long. I am glad that Donnie played for the Chiefs, but more than likely he will never be part of this organization again.