So Drew’s Bird Legs took him all the way to Canton. His speech was lovable. But something he said earlier in an interview with The NFL Network’s Steve Wyche was a clearer window into his soul.
Wyche asked My 88 about the Big Moments of his career. The Hail Mary. The Thanksgiving Miracle. The 83-yard Lifesaver to beat the Rams in the playoffs. TD catches in Super Bowls X and XIII. The two late fourth quarter TDs to complete the playoff comeback victory in Atlanta? Were those the moments Drew remembers?
Yes and no, he replied. Sure. Who could forget those moments? Who would want to?
But then he said this. He said what he remembers about his career is third and nine. And he always got ten. And a bruise and a headache. They called the area between the hashes The Drew Zone.
Move those chains.
I’m pretty sure the hair on my forearms will relax sometime before next weekend.
“Shorter memo to follow when I have time.” There is often brilliance in brevity. The new time constraints on the PFHOF speeches elevated their impact. That was the best HOF weekend ever, IMO.
Flash takeaways:
Megatron—Mega Dignity
Edgerrin—The Last Laugh
Atwater and Hutchinson–Mensches
Coach Flores—Pride and Poise
Faneca—Fanecatastic
Peyton and Polamalu—The Game’s The Thing
Crash—“My fallback position was to become a doctor.”
Jimmah—“I didn’t hope. I believed.”
Woodson—Very endearing. That fire burned hot.
I have the tv on as I write this at 6:15 a.m. Monday. I just saw something remarkable. And admirable. And encouraging.
Last week the Carolina Panthers immediately cut safety J.T. Ibe after he delivered an illegal blow to the head of WR teammate Keith Kirkwood. The blow sent Kirkwood to the hospital, and sent Ibe to the unemployment line.
Ibe just got on national tv and owned it. Full apology. No qualifications. No, “I’m sorry, but,” or, “I’m sorry if…” He made no excuses. He said he should have just tried to punch the ball out. He said the Panthers were right to cut him, and that he fully understands. He said he has personally apologized to Kirkwood, who accepted his contrition. Ibe conducted himself as a man and a person of integrity.
We all eff up. Too few of us own it.
Hell, yes, if I were an NFL G.M. I’d give Ibe a chance. Hell, yes, I would.