Parcells

by Bill Parcells

  Parcells reacted with surprise and pleasure at the gift from a former player he had never even coached. Seeing his appreciative response, Carter grew teary-eyed, and then the floodgates opened as Parcells started crying, joined by two of his daughters. The two men did have a connection that dated back to an impromptu telephone conversation on September 4, 1990. Only a few days before the regular season, Eagles head coach Buddy Ryan released Cris Carter partly because of drug and alcohol issues. Bill Parcells, whose team lacked punch at wideout despite its championship promise, dialed the fourth-year player with an invitation to Giants headquarters.

  “Cris, this is Parcells. How long will it take you to get here?”

  Carter responded excitedly, “Coach, I just packed my car. I can be there in a couple of hours.” Parcells informed Carter that Big Blue, which had been 12-4 the previous season, intended to claim him off waivers. The revelation boosted Carter’s spirits just when his pro career seemed threatened. Several minutes after their conversation, however, Carter dialed Parcells with an update: the Vikings, who were 10-6 in 1989, had also claimed him, and according to NFL rules, the team with the lesser record gained the athlete. Carter was disappointed to miss the chance to play for one of the NFL’s top coaches on a championship-caliber team. Nonetheless, the Ohio State product went on to transform his career in Minnesota, setting several franchise records and emerging as one of the best wideouts in league history.

  Carter never forgot the uplifting telephone call; Bill Parcells didn’t grasp its impact until more than two decades later, when he received his fellow inductee’s gift.

  Friday at noon, Bill Parcells attended the Ray Nitschke Memorial Luncheon, an event that maintained a tradition in which enshrined members offered remarks to the new class about their experiences, as well as a description of the benefits and responsibilities of induction. Wearing the blue golf shirt given to each Hall of Famer, Parcells felt privileged to be in a private room at the Hall of Fame with football greats from multiple generations. He enjoyed seeing figures like Willie Brown, the former Bronco and Raider, whom he viewed as the best cornerback ever. “The history of pro football is right there,” Parcells says, “and now you’re part of it.”

  Curtis Martin sat next to Bill Parcells at a table that included Russ Grimm, Steve Largent, and Joe Gibbs. During that afternoon, the coaching archrivals spoke more to each other than they had in decades as competitors. “You learn to respect your enemies but execute all traitors,” Parcells says, “and that’s how I felt about Joe. I always held him in high regard.”

  As Joe Gibbs and other top counterparts like Marv Levy stood to address their new peers, Bill Parcells listened raptly. Boy Wonder also offered some anecdotes to the gathering about his year since induction. And as he ended his remarks, Martin acknowledged Parcells. “I just want to take the opportunity to thank this man. Because I’m not here talking to you guys if not for him. Parcells not only helped my career being what it was, but he helped save my life in some respects.” Boy Wonder gave his former coach a meaningful look. The Big Tuna was deeply touched, but this time he managed to fight off tears.

  The class of 2013 capped induction eve with a ceremonial dinner, during which its members received their golden jackets, the honorary attire for inductees. Bill Parcells grinned while trying on his new gear with help from George Martin. On Saturday morning, August 3, hours before enshrinement, Martin sat next to Parcells in an antique vehicle for the Grand Parade, highlighted by the presence of football’s immortals: Dick Butkus, Earl Campbell, Joe Greene, John Madden, Barry Sanders, Gale Sayers, and others. Almost 200,000 fans lined the 2.2-mile route, cheering their heroes in the caravan, which included marching bands and floats. Not far from Parcells, Jerry Jones and Larry Allen shared a convertible.

  After starting the day feeling reserved and fidgety, midway through the parade Parcells loosened up. When fans of other clubs yelled that he should coach their teams, he offered a thumbs-up sign, and he occasionally responded to questions from the crowd. Parcells especially acknowledged Giants Nation, pointing out Big Blue gear and paraphernalia to George Martin.

  Almost 120 guests of Bill Parcells traveled to Canton for his enshrinement, but to reach the main event a couple hours before the 7 p.m. start, Parcells, wearing his golden jacket, took a short bus ride with the person who had influenced him more than anyone except his father: Mickey Corcoran. When they arrived, an overflowing audience sat at tables placed on the gridiron of Fawcett Stadium, adjacent to the Hall of Fame. The 22,375-seat arena contained a stage for the inductees.

  ESPN personality Chris Berman emceed an introductory roundup of the 121 incumbent Hall of Famers, including Harry Carson and Lawrence Taylor. The backstage bustled with activity as the football immortals mingled while eating sandwiches and sipping soft drinks. The group included Darrell Green, Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, Roger Staubach, Lawrence Taylor, and Steve Young. Several of them, like L.T., decided to watch the event backstage because of its oversized flat-screen monitor and intimate setting.

  Bill Belichick left his audience seat to make an appearance backstage and chitchat. The three-time Super Bowl winner joked about getting into the Hall strictly as a visitor. That morning Belichick had put his team through practice before taking a private plane to Akron with his linebackers coach, Pepper Johnson. Before returning to his stadium-floor seat, Belichick visited Parcells on the main stage for several minutes. As the two men posed together for some photos, Belichick explained that he needed to fly back to New England immediately after the enshrinement. Parcells, of course, understood the demands of an NFL head coach, especially during training camp.

  Two of Parcells’s other prominent disciples, Tom Coughlin and Sean Payton, also took the rare measure of leaving training camp to watch his induction. Coughlin flew on a charter plane with a large Giants contingent, missing his team’s meetings on Saturday night. Belichick, Coughlin, and Payton owned a total of six Lombardi Trophies. Coughlin’s second title, for Super Bowl XLVI, which had been earned by defeating Belichick in another comeback thriller, now matched Parcells’s total.

  Other former Parcells assistants in Canton included Maurice Carthon, Romeo Crennel, Al Groh, Fred Hoaglin, Pat Hodgson, Chris Palmer, Mike Pope, and Mike Sweatman. Although Parcells had last coached the Giants in 1991, Big Blue brought more of his supporters than any other club. They included Ann Mara, the franchise’s matriarch as Wellington’s wife; co-owner John Mara and his siblings Chris, Frank, and Susan; plus Parcells’s former trainer Ronnie Brown, perhaps his best friend on the team. Among Parcells’s ex–Giants players who came separately were Raul Allegre, Matt Bahr, Brad Benson, Jim Burt, Rob Carpenter, Don Hasselbeck, Sean Landeta, Karl Nelson, Bart Oates, Gary Reasons, Jerome Sally, and Phil Simms.

  A strong Cowboys contingent featured top players acquired during Parcells’s tenure: quarterback Tony Romo, linebacker DeMarcus Ware, and tight end Jason Witten. Vinny Testaverde represented the Parcells Guys who had played for him on multiple teams. Former personnel colleagues like Scott Pioli and Mike Tannenbaum also showed up. Some of Parcells’s best friends in Canton included Bobby Green, Tony La Russa, Shug McGaughey, and Ron Wolf.

  After introducing Bill Parcells for enshrinement, George Martin helped him remove a blue cover to reveal a stern-faced bust. The twenty-second coach to be inducted grinned, and patted the back of the sculpted neck.

  Without any notes, he took to the podium wearing a blue tie, white shirt, and flower lapel pin that matched his golden jacket. Parcells had organized his thoughts and memorized his speech during daily workouts on the StairMaster. He aimed to reflect on his almost two decades as an NFL coach yet avoid reminiscing about any of his 183 victories, even his two Super Bowl triumphs. He had also decided against mentioning his milestones or achievements, although a jumbo screen behind him replayed career highlights.

  Instead, during an assertive yet gracious and inspiring address, Parcells told some insightful stories, life lessons that he’d used to reach footb
all immortality. He spent much of his twenty-minute address on the Giants, expressing gratitude for the people, some already dead, who’d been instrumental throughout his football life. Parcells paid tribute to his family, and thanked those who had shaped him from a brash teenager into an obscure college coach, and then, finally, into a sports icon.

  Less than two minutes into his speech, Parcells made a special request concerning the placement of his bust, which remained several feet behind him. “I’d like this to be somewhere near Lawrence Taylor, so I can keep an eye on that sucker.” The audience erupted in laughter and applause.

  Sitting backstage next to Pepper Johnson, L.T. beamed as he told his former teammate, “I’ve heard that line before.”

  Conveying modesty, Parcells stressed that all his NFL teams had provided the support necessary for success. He expressed gratitude to the owners who had employed him, listing “the Mara family,” Robert Kraft, Leon Hess, and “the great Jerry Jones and his family there in Dallas.” Noting his position with the Dolphins as an “administrator,” Parcells added Wayne Huizenga and Stephen Ross to the group.

  “I’ve seen coaches go to [NFL] franchises and get fired very quickly because the situation would not allow them to succeed,” he said. “Fortunately for Bill Parcells, I was never in one of those situations.” Sensitive as always to showing favoritism to any one of his dozens of disciples, Parcells stressed their contributions as a group. But then he alluded to Belichick, Coughlin, and Payton. “I was lucky to have some of the top names currently as head coaches in pro football. I want them to know that I’m grateful for their support of me—very, very grateful. The nuts and bolts of a football operation are your assistant coaches. I just want to say that I take pride in their individual accomplishments, and I’m looking for a couple more championships out of some of them, so let’s go.”

  Bill Belichick, wearing a blue short-sleeve shirt while sitting in the audience, smiled.

  Then Parcells thanked a string of former peers, colleagues, and friends who had substantially helped him in the NFL: Gil Brandt, Al Davis, Mike Holovak, Bucko Kilroy, Chuck Knox, Tom Landry, Chuck Noll, Ron Wolf. “Some of the great names,” Parcells noted, “in football history.” He explained that because of their guidance early in his NFL career, he had vowed to mentor young coaches and scouts the same way. Parcells mentioned the death of his first agent, Robert Fraley, in the 1999 airplane crash that had also killed the golfer Payne Stewart. Fraley’s many top clients included former defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy from the class of 2012. After the announcement of the class of 2013, Parcells added, Kennedy had telephoned him to say that Fraley would have been proud of them.

  Parcells even credited his secretaries, who were in attendance, for handling “Blue Mondays.” Regardless of Sunday’s outcome, he explained, the head coach inevitably would be grouchy due to an issue like a player injury or a unit’s underperforming. “But these secretaries are pretty sharp. They learn when they start hearing these short, one-word answers that a coach should not be talked to on Monday, because he’s not worth talking to.”

  In summing up his parents, siblings, and upbringing, Parcells said, “I didn’t come up the hard way, I didn’t come up the easy way. I grew up in an average American family in northern New Jersey. Had a great dad. Had a lot of wisdom imparted to me. Had a mother that was highly confrontational. I probably got a little of that as well. Had two brothers, one of whom is deceased. I know he’s looking down. My other brother is here tonight. And I had a sister. I know she’s watching tonight. It was all good.”

  Judy Parcells sat in the front row of the audience, next to Jill, Dallas, Scott Pioli, and Bill’s granddaughter Mia. Kelly Mandart was in the same section, not far from Suzy, but several seats away from Judy. Bill Parcells thanked his “lovely daughters” for having suffered through his peripatetic coaching career, especially during their childhoods, and found a silver lining in their being forced to move every two or three years. “I know that they travel fearlessly now; they’re not intimidated by change.” Parcells expressed pride in them for emerging as good parents and productive members of society.

  “I love you girls,” he said.

  His girls responded with smiles.

  Parcells also praised his ex-wife for holding the family together while coping with his football obsession. “I know full well that if it was just left to me that I wouldn’t have gotten the job done. I was not only married to her, but I was married to something else as well. So I commend her for a job well done, and I thank her very much for it.”

  The crowd applauded, with Jill clapping harder than perhaps anyone.

  Parcells kept a promise he’d made to Mickey Corcoran in 1987, just after Big Blue’s first Super Bowl title: his former high school basketball coach would not be forgotten. Parcells looked down at Corcoran, who was wearing a red golf shirt and sitting in the second row behind Judy. Then the new inductee gave his most extensive remarks about anyone.

  “He’s pretty famous in North Jersey. He was everything that a fourteen-year-old guy needed. He was a coach, a teacher, a disciplinarian, a butt kicker. And I don’t know how to characterize this relationship that we’ve had for fifty-eight years, but whatever adjective you could use to portray something good, you could use it with this relationship.

  “He’s been a great friend to me. He’s been like a second father. He’s somebody I could always talk to, my guidance counselor. He knows the love I have in my heart for him. As I said, he’s ninety-two, and I’ve got to get ten or fifteen more years out of you, buster, so let’s go.”

  Corcoran laughed as the audience erupted.

  Parcells said that the most important lesson of his profession had come from Dean Pryor, the coach who had lured him to Hastings in 1964 for his first coaching gig. Parcells said, “He taught me one vital, vital piece of information that I took with me and preached to every organization, to every university, to my coaching staff, to my individual coaches, and I remind myself every day. That vital piece of information was, ‘Bill, the players deserve a chance to win, and you have an obligatory responsibility to give it to them.’ ”

  Pryor, sitting next to Judy, smiled and waved briefly at Parcells in acknowledgment.

  Parcells then singled out the person who had brought him to the Giants: Ray Perkins. Parcells conspicuously failed to mention their GM, George Young, but he also left out some of his favorite players like Curtis Martin and Phil Simms. His only former players to receive shout-outs were “the great Harry Carson,” George Martin, and L.T.

  Parcells expounded on a description of the locker room he’d once heard from Steve Young, class of 2005, as being “a great laboratory for human behavior.” Parcells turned to his left, glancing at the ex-quarterback, who was seated nearby. Young smiled in surprise at being credited for the analogy. Parcells noted that locker rooms embody diversity, with blacks, whites, Hispanics, Asians, Samoans, Tongans, and Native Americans. “I played and coached with them all, and the only thing that made any difference is: Are you willing to help? And if you are, come on in. If you’re not, get the heck out of here.”

  For emphasis, Parcells made a good-riddance motion.

  “We’ve got some rules and regulations in the locker room, but they’re not written down. After you’ve been there just a couple of days, you know what they are. If someone should deviate and violate those rules, you find out that there is a judge and jury in that room and they act decisively. Their decisions are final, because we don’t have any appellate courts in there.”

  The best aspect of a locker room, Parcells said, is the camaraderie created by a range of experiences involving things like humor and achievement. “We’ve got that momentary time of exhilaration where you hoist that championship trophy over your head, and I don’t know what happens, but some mystical blood kinship is formed, and although it’s a fleeting moment, that kinship lasts for the rest of your life. And the thing I’m most proud of with my teams is they have it, and I know, because I lived it.
Because when something goes wrong with one, all the others run to help.

  “Now, on the other side of that locker room, there’s darkness. There’s defeat. There’s despondency, there’s pain. You see those players carrying those IVs onto the aircraft after a mid-summer or early-season game in a hot-weather city, and the trainers are rushing to pack them in ice, and they can’t sit in their seats because they’ll cramp up, so they’ve got to lay in the aisle.” Parcells described being a longtime coach in the NFL, with its downside including tragedy and even death, as being a “priceless, priceless education.”

  He concluded his speech with an anecdote from the start of his Giants head-coaching stint. Roughly ten minutes after his introductory press conference, he was sitting in his office when Wellington Mara stepped in. Big Blue’s patriarch told his new leader, “Bill, let’s take a walk.” They left the office, Parcells following Mara down the stairs toward the locker room.

  Parcells recalled to the audience, “In the old Giants Stadium, the Giants players will remember that as you walk through the players entrance, there was a little room to the left, and it was like a little alcove room and had a couple chairs in it. Wellington took me over to the wall in that place, and on the wall was a little plaque and it had an inscription on it.

  “Coincidentally, that inscription was attributed to the first black player ever inducted into this Hall of Fame. His name was Emlen Tunnell, and he was inducted in the class of 1967. That inscription said, ‘Losers assemble in little groups and complain about the coaches and the players in other little groups, but winners assemble as a team.’

  “Well, tonight, ladies and gentlemen, I get to do just that. I’m honored, I’m grateful, and I’m thankful to every single one of you out there that had something to do with this. Thank you very much.”

  The audience at Fawcett Stadium rose for a standing ovation to Bill Parcells’s storied and unforgettable football life.