Fresh when it gets here from
Julie Barrett
Friday, February 2, 2007
This Weekend Assignment is: Share your memories of the first Super Bowl game you remember seeing.
The first Super Bowl I actually remember vividly was in 1969, when the Jets beat the Colts. I'm almost certain I watched the 1968 game, but the match that really sticks in my mind from that season was the infamous "Ice Bowl" when the Cowboys played the Packers at Lambeau Field. That was a bitterly (pun intended) contested game in which the Packers pulled out a touchdown in the final minute to win the game. It was an incredible game - even through the eyes of a ten year-old.
It's impossible to talk about that game without mentioning the coaches - Vince Lombardi of Green Bay and Tom Landry of Dallas. Of course, the Super Bowl trophy is named after Lombardi. He's famously quoted as having said "Winning isn't everything; it's the only thing."
Tom Landry was more low-key than Lombardi, but is still considered one of the greats. He's very much missed here in Dallas. The man was a class act all the way around. He demanded high standards of his players both on and off the field. He was rarely seen on field on game day without his trademark fedora. He was the first coach hired by the Cowboys and stayed there for 29 seasons. When the Cowboys were sold to Jerry Jones, Landry was unceremoniously fired. It's true that the team was struggling, and certainly the new owner had every right to make changes. But to just brush Landry off in the way he did was so wrong. Much to his credit, Landry handled the situation with class. He died from leukemia seven years ago, but he's still remembered fondly here for his community service as much as he is for his coaching abilities. That says a lot about the man.
A bronze statue of Tom Landry now stands at Texas Stadium. Of course, the Cowboys are moving to fancy new digs in Arlington. I wonder what will become of the stature? Hopefully the Ring of Honor (of which Landry is a member) will be at the new facility in some form or another. Honestly, I'm not sure whether the statue belongs to the team or the City of Irving (where Texas Stadium is located). At any rate, I hope there's some tribute to Landry at the new stadium.
The extra credit question: So, ever been to a Super Bowl game?. Heck, no. I've been to one Cowboys game at Texas Stadium. It was on a Monday Night back in the days when Cosell, Gifford, and Meredith (Dandy Don was back for his second stint then) called the games. Meredith was the Dallas quarterback during that infamous "Ice Bowl" game.
Honestly, I can't imagine attending a Super Bowl. I'd much rather watch on TV than fight the crowds and pay some outrageous sum of money for what would surely be a nosebleed seat.
Tags: Weekend Assignment