Thursday Morning Cup O’Chiefs

The world of football lost one of its legends Wednesday evening.

Slingin’ Sammy Baugh passed away in Rotan, Texas. Baugh was 94 and had various physical ailments that eventually claimed his life.

“Damn it, speak up son, I can’t hear too well and this phone is a piece of sh*&#.”

That was my introduction to Sammy Baugh almost 25 years ago. I was working for the local fish wrap and putting together stories on the 25th anniversary of the birth of the American Football. Baugh was part of that first AFL season in 1960 as head of the New York Titans.

Baugh eventually ended up coaching the Houston Oilers and when that job ended after a 4-10 season in 1964, he returned to his Double Mountain Ranch, some 7,000 acres of arid Texas scrub brush that’s southeast of Lubbock.

Only money, big money could pull him off the ranch at that point. So our interview was conducted on the phone. It did not last long. Webster would define Baugh as irascible and his inability to hear made a conversation impossible.

“Sonny, this isn’t going to #%&!@ work. Come out and see me.”

Never did. I wish I had. A legend in Texas where he grew up in the western part of the state, he played college football at Texas Christian and then joined the fledgling NFL with the Washington Redskins.

He was one of the greatest athletes to play the game. How big would a player be today if he led the league in passing, punting and interceptions in the same season. Baugh did that in 1943.

It was the era of running the football, but Baugh didn’t care. He threw whenever given the opportunity. When he retired etched his name into the NFL record book for career completions (1,709), career passing yardage (22,086) and career completion percentage (70.3). Those numbers pale in comparison to where those records are now.

But guys like Dan Marino, John Elway and other record setters didn’t play both ways. Baugh had 31 career interceptions as a defensive back. He led the league six times in passing and five years he led the league in punting, with a career average of 45.1 yards.

Baugh was part of the first class inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.

He was also the last living member of that group that included names like Jim Thorpe, Red Grange, Don Hutson, Bronko Nagurski and George Halas.

“That Lamar was a good boy, Texas boy,” Baugh said of Lamar Hunt before hanging up on that phone call. “He got it done.”

About six years ago, Baugh did an interview with the Associated Press. I doubt it was over the phone. But he talked about modern pro football.

“I watch it all damn day long,” Baugh said. “I like the football they play. They got bigger boys and they’ve also got these damn speed merchants that we didn’t have in those days. I’d love to be a quarterback this day and time.”

I have a feeling he would have been a pretty good quarterback. Or defensive back. Or punter.

SOMETHING FROM CARL

Since his resignation was announced Monday evening, Carl Peterson has not said anything publicly about the decision and the future. But he did release a statement through the team yesterday:

“Since the announcement of my resignation yesterday, I have received a number of inquires specific to my availability for media interviews. It is important that my decision to step down as the President/GM/CEO of the Chiefs does not take away from the preparation for our last two games. I feel that it is important for everyone in the Chiefs organization to focus on winning the final two games of this year, and as a result, I plan to hold off on speaking with the media until after the conclusion of the season.”

Peterson was at practice on Wednesday and in fact, spoke with the team afterwards for a few moments. The players gave him a nice ovation.

FROM THE PAGES OF CHIEFS HISTORY

On December 18, 1966, the Chiefs beat the San Diego Chargers 27-17 at Balboa Stadium. The Chiefs scored the last 10 points in the game to break a tie and finish up the ‘66 regular season with an 11-2-1 record. Early touchdowns came from Bert Coan on a 15-yard scamper and Curtis McClinton on a one-yard run. Mike Mercer had a pair of field goals from six and 25 yards away. Then with less than two minutes to play, Mike Garrett scored on a four yard run to assure a victory. Garrett finished with 162 yards on 25 carries, while San Diego WR Lance Alworth caught eight passes for 156 yards. Kansas City DBs Bobby Hunt and Willie Mitchell had interceptions of San Diego QB John Hadl.

On December 18, 1999, the Chiefs beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 35-19 in a Saturday afternoon game in front of 78,687 fans at Arrowhead Stadium. The highlight of the game was an 82-yard end around run by WR Derrick Alexander, who ran right, cut back left and seemed to weave his way through the entire Pittsburgh defense. TE Tony Gonzalez caught a pair of TD passes from QB Elvis Grbac, of 15 and two yards. RB Bam Morris had a 10-yard touchdown run and LB Donnie Edwards returned an interception of Pittsburgh QB Mike Tomczak 28 yards for a touchdown. The Chiefs defense had four interceptions and two sacks.

OPPONENT NEXT/MIAMI DOLPHINS

Down in SoFLA they are already talking about the weather for Sunday’s game at Arrowhead.

Linebacker Channing Crowder is dealing with a balky knee as the Dolphins get ready for the Chiefs.

AROUND THE LEAGUE

The Steelers have finally got their ownership situation straightened out, as they welcome three new minority partners to the fold.

They are saying good bye tonight to Texas Stadium, as the building hosts its final Cowboys game.  The team moves to the billion dollar Jerry World Dome next season.  Here’s some memories of the place with the hole  in the roof from a long-time Dallas newspaper columnist.

AROUND THE AFC WEST

Vincent Jackson has the chance to put the finishing touches on what has been a very good season for the Chargers receiver.

The Raiders are dealing with wide receiver injuries as they get ready to play Houston this weekend.

Denver has injury problems along its offensive line as they get ready to play Buffalo this weekend.