Playing Through the Whistle

by S. L. Price

  286 Came back the next season . . . : “Ditka Convicted of Drunk Driving”, Los Angeles Times, November 9, 1985.

  286 Steel blocking sled . . . : “Ditka Made It with Intensity: ‘Iron Mike’ Image Suits Hall of Famer”, Parascenzo, Marino, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 28, 1988, page 27.

  286 Punched out two teammates . . . : “Ditka Huffs and Puffs and Creates a Monster”, Schmitz, Brian, Orlando Sentinel, December 2, 1985.

  286 And in his spare time . . . : Ditka, Mike, with Pierson, Don. Ditka: An Auto­biography. Chicago: Bonus Books, Inc., 1986: 65.

  286 “Get the lead out” . . . : “Ditka: The Mentor of the Midway Has Mellowed Some but Inside, He’s Still Aliquippa Steel”, Downey, Mike, Los Angeles Times, December 30, 1985.

  286 Won NFL Rookie of the Year . . . : Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame, “Mike Ditka”, http://www.bcshof.org/halloffamers/ditka1977.htm.

  286 “Halas throws nickels around like manhole covers” . . . : “Batting the Breeze with Buttram”, The Free Lance-Star, Fredericksburg, Va., March 15, 1967, page 26.

  287 He caught a touchdown pass . . . : “Super Bowl VI: Dallas Finally Lands Big One; Super Defense Dooms Dolphs”, Miller, Norm, New York Daily News, January 17, 1972.

  287 “And it killed Ditka” . . . : Brandt, Gil, author interview, November 2010.

  287 “Coach Landry had us rooming together” . . . : Reeves, Dan, author interview, November 2010.

  287 “You ever do that again” . . . : Ditka, Mike, author interview, November 16, 2010.

  287 Shotgun formation . . . : Ditka with Pierson, 148.

  287 “His IQ was off the chart” . . . : Reeves, author interview.

  287 “Exactly right” . . . : Staubach, Roger, author interview, October 25, 2013.

  288 8-win club . . . : Pro Football Reference, “1974 NFL Standings, Team & Offensive Statistics”, http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1974/.

  288 First wild-card team . . . : Pro Football Hall of Fame, “History of the Wild Card”, http://www.profootballhof.com/news/history-of-the-wild-card/.

  288 That they lost to Ditka’s hometown Steelers . . . : “King Steeler II”, Bechtel, Sam, Beaver County Times, January 19, 1976, page A1.

  288 “Ditka’s got a subtleness about him” . . . : Staubach, author interview.

  288 “I wish”, Reeves said . . . : Reeves, author interview.

  289 In 1987, he fired a wad of green gum . . . : “In California, It’s a Sticky Situation”, Royko, Mike, Chicago Tribune, December 17, 1987.

  289 “Mellow Mike” . . . : “Really, It Is Almost Too Much to Bear: Mellow Mike Ditka”, Wojciechowski, Gene, Washington Post, December 4, 1988.

  289 “You know, I did calm down for a while” . . . : Ditka, author interview.

  290 “What? Are they gonna be able to get Aliquippa High School?” . . . : Footballnation.com interview, January 30, 2014, “NFL Playoff Expansion Is Stupid”, http://legacy.footballnation.com/video/nfl-playoff-expansion-mike-ditka-and-others-hate-i/1376/.

  290 In 1986 . . . : “Annual Ditka Benefit Tournament Set for Beaver Lakes”, Bires, Mike, Beaver County Times, June 23, 2002.

  290 Well over $200,000 . . . : “The NFL’s Forgotten Players”, Murray, Ken, Baltimore Sun, July 2, 2006.

  290 “In excess of $50,000” . . . : Mansueti, James B., City of Aliquippa proclamation, May 7, 2000.

  290 “I can account for—out of his pocket” . . . : Evasovich, author interview.

  290 One year, Aliquippa High graduated covaledictorians . . . : ibid.

  290 “Do I have the greatest respect for him?” . . . : ibid.

  291 “That’s why I like it here” . . . : Ditka, Charlotte, author interview, November 5, 2010.

  291 “Tough times don’t last” . . . : ibid.

  292 “There was nothing here” . . . : Gilbert, Aileen, author interview, September 22, 2010.

  292 “She was horrible” . . . : Zmijanac, author interview.

  292 Only her mom knew why she was so mad . . . : “Mother’s Love, Delivered Without Hug”, Crouse, Karen, New York Times, September 9, 2007.

  292 “I’m going to write a book and tell about it” . . . : Gilbert, Diana, author interview, September 22, 2010.

  293 6-foot-5 . . . : “Gilbert Receives Top Honor, Shows Skill as Running Back”, Perrotto, John, Wolverton, Lee, Beaver County Times, December 4, 1988, page C4.

  293 Able to sprint 40 yards . . . : “Star Linebacker Feels the Recruiting Blitz”, Caldwell, Dave, Philly Inquirer, January 23, 1989.

  293 “I love Sean Gilbert” . . . : Yannessa, author interview.

  293 “A Cadillac in a lot full of Volkswagens” . . . : “Pick Play: Recruiting War Leaves Quips’ Gilbert with Battle Fatigue”, White, Mike, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, February 8, 1989, page 13.

  293 Recruiters began their siege . . . : Aliquippa Quips 1910–2010.

  293 Yannessa declared . . . : “Pick Play: Recruiting War Leaves Quips’ Gilbert with Battle Fatigue”, White, Mike, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, February 8, 1989, page 13.

  293 Ditka, after winning his Super Bowl with the ’85 Bears, had even promised to donate $5,000 a year . . . : “Aliquippa Crowns Ditka King for a Day”, Bires, Mike, Beaver County Times, March 9, 1986, page C1.

  293 91 solo tackles . . . : “Star Linebacker Feels the Recruiting Blitz”, Caldwell, Dave, Philly Inquirer, January 23, 1989.

  293 Picked up a fumble . . . : “Rams and Raiders Make It a Big Day”, Downey, Mike, Los Angeles Times, April 27, 1992.

  293 The Quips won their first fourteen games . . . : Aliquippa Quips 1910–2010.

  293 Found themselves ranked No. 2 . . . : “Quips Have Company in Best All-Time Debate”, Equels, Jim, Jr., Ellwood City Ledger, December 12, 2012.

  293 The paper also named Gilbert . . . : “Quips’ Gilbert Honored for Defense”, White, Mike, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 22, 1988, page 26.

  294 The Quips’ arrival for games at predominantly white Montour . . . : “Cross Burning at Montour High Is Branded Racial Intimidation”, Rishell, Grace, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, October 7, 1986, page 23.

  294 Aliquippa’s population . . . : Census of 1980, United States Census Bureau, Washington, D.C., 1980.

  294 And its football team’s 70 percent . . . : “Cross Burning at Montour High Is Branded Racial Intimidation”, Rishell, Grace, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, October 7, 1986, page 23.

  294 “Growing up, we watched Pudgy Abercrombie” . . . : Gilbert, Sean, author interview, October 12, 2010.

  294 “I’m waiting for Uncle Sean” . . . : Gilbert, Diana, author interview.

  295 “I do think it’s special”, Aileen said of Aliquippa . . . : Gilbert, Aileen, author interview.

  296 “It just wasn’t as noticeable” . . . : ibid.

  296 “It snowballed” . . . : Walker, Donald, author interview, November 10, 2011.

  296 “That’s when everybody gave up” . . . : Brown, author interview.

  297 “I do think that history leaves its mark on a region” . . . : Leighton, Chris, Reverend, author interview, February 17, 2014.

  297 “When that mill went down” . . . : Law, Ty, author interview, August 19, 2013.

  298 In 1985, LTV’s tax assessment . . . : “Aliquippa’s Plight Mirrors That of Many Pa. Towns”, Davidson, Tom, Beaver County Times, September 19, 2015.

  298 The 1988 budget . . . : “Better Budget: Aliquippa Sees Fiscal Recovery”, Rishell, Grace, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 8, 1989, page 4-B.

  298 On December 23, 1987 . . . : “Aliquippa Distressed; Can Obtain State Help”, Byko, Jeff, Beaver County Times, December 24, 1987, page A1.

  298 “The best Christmas present” . . . : ibid.

  298 Weeks later . . . : “Aliquippa Adopts Two-Tiered Taxing Budget”, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, February 16, 1988, page 5-B.


  298 February of 1988 . . . : “7 Arrested on Weapons Charges in Aliquippa Gave Fake Names”, Gigler, Rich, Pittsburgh Press, March 2, 1988, page B4.

  299 A year later, an estimated 80 percent of crime in the borough . . . : “Officials Assess Status of Local Drug Trade”, Skowron, Sandra, Beaver County Times, October 1, 1989, page A8.

  299 “You could see everything from Third Avenue” . . . : Brown, author interview.

  300 But he missed four weeks that season . . . : Baldwin, author interview.

  301 “Matter of fact, we started out, got hired part-time as Aliquippa police together” . . . : Davis, Andre, author interview, November 7, 2011.

  301 Baldwin wasn’t much of a cop . . . : “Informed me that he had a drug-dependency problem” . . . : “Naim Case Headed to Jury: Suspects in Police Killing Decline to Testify; Closing Arguments Next”, Simonovich, Milan, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, May 7, 2002.

  301 Baldwin denied that on the stand . . . : “Taylor, Brown Won’t Testify”, ­Vidonic, Bill, Beaver County Times, May 7, 2002. P.1.

  301 One night in 1986 . . . : Yannessa, author interview.

  302 “He got laid off” . . . : McBride, Sherman, author interview, November 20, 2011.

  303 “I ate over there” . . . : Short, Daniel, author interview, October 13, 2011.

  303 Two weeks later . . . : Short, Daniel, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania criminal complaint against Grover McBride, Jr., August 6, 1988.

  303 One month later . . . : Short, Daniel, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania criminal complaint against Grover McBride, Jr., September 6, 1988.

  303 “His first offense” . . . : McBride, Sherman, author interview.

  303 All-American at Pitt . . . : Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame, “Sean Gilbert”, http://www.bcshof.org/halloffamers/gilbert2009.htm.

  304 That 13-0 defeat . . . : “Beast of the East Berwick Knocks Off Best in West”, Perrotto, John, Beaver County Times, December 11, 1988, page C1.

  304 USA Today had ranked Florida’s Pine Forest . . . : “Aliquippa Is No. 2 in National Poll”, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 2, 1988, page 20.

  304 Even the Berwick coach . . . : “PIAA Dream Game Pits Aliquippa vs. Berwick”, Perrotto, John, Beaver County Times, December 8, 1988, page C1.

  304 “Don’t ever mention that one to him” . . . : Gilbert, Diana, author interview.

  304 “You can’t walk out here with no bullshit team” . . . : Short, author interview.

  305 Little Mike Warfield . . . : Warfield, Mike, author interview, October 12, 2011.

  305 “Art, hurry up!” . . . : Patrick, Timmie, author interview, November 27, 2011.

  306 “The group of steel workers were arrested by local police” . . . : “History of Aliquippa”, Ireton, Gabriel, City of Aliquippa History Page, http://www.aliquippapa.gov/aliquippa_history.php.

  307 “It’s just the way it is” . . . : Yannessa, author interview.

  308 But now with that semifinal win . . . : “Yannessa Reaches Milestone by Tying ­Aschman Win Mark”, Perrotto, John, Beaver County Times, November 20, 1988, page C4.

  308 “You have to question the educational priorities at Baldwin High” . . . : “Scorecard”, Sports Illustrated, June 26, 1989.

  308 When Yannessa took the job . . . : “‘It’s Time to Move On’: Yannessa Era Ends in Aliquippa”, Wolverton, Lee, Beaver County Times, June 4, 1989, page C1.

  308 “This is almost as big as J&L closing” . . . : “Emotions High as Fans, Friends, Discuss Decision”, Bires, Mike, Beaver County Times, June 4, 1989, page C1.

  308 “As far as having a good rapport with the blacks” . . . : ibid, page C4.

  309 “Had a Sol’s sporting goods downtown” . . . : Walker, Dwan, author interview, September 24, 2010.

  310 “The first time I had sex: fourteen” . . . : Baldwin, Tezmalita, author interview, November 10, 2011.

  311 Cleats got stuck in the mud . . . : Law, author interview.

  311 And new head coach Frank Marocco . . . : “Aliquippa’s Football Team Wins Another WPIAL Title”, Perrotto, John, Beaver County Times, November 26, 1989, page A1.

  311 Where Ty lived with his grandfather, Ray . . . : Law, author interview.

  314 Named the city’s Teacher of the Year . . . : “Dedication-It Produces Results”, Musala, Jane C., Beaver County Times, May 14, 1984, page A3.

  314 “I solved the major mystery” . . . : Steals, Melvin, author interview, February 1, 2013.

  314 “By the time the kids had reached tenth grade” . . . : ibid.

  315 Ty Law would go on to play big-time college ball . . . : Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame, “Ty Law”, http://www.bcshof.org/halloffamers/law2011.htm.

  315 “It’s like you’ve lost everything” . . . : Law, author interview.

  316 Law was named a Parade All-American . . . : “Launching Pad: Quip Ty Law Makes Parade All-American”, Starkey, Joe, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 26, 1991, page W-7.

  316 First-ever state title . . . : “A Shutout for Aliquippa; Rochester Falls Short”, Beaver County Times, December 15, 1991, page A1.

  316 Marocco’s boys avenged an early-season loss . . . : “Looking at Quips Football, 1991: Ty Law & Co. Brought Home Aliquippa’s First State Title”, Barrickman, Bob, Beaver County Times, December 8, 2003, page B9.

  316 Rolled over Forest Hills . . . : ibid.

  316 “I had to make it on this one” . . . : Law, author interview.

  316 Law never had a chance to stretch . . . : “STATE CHAMPS! Aliquippa Becomes King of the Hill in Class AA”, Perrotto, John, Beaver County Times, December 15, 1991, page B1.

  317 “Crazy, crazy day” . . . : ibid.

  317 “When we went to football games, we were going to wars” . . . : Walker, Donald, author interview.

  317 “A ‘Quip’ is the heart of Aliquippa” . . . : Marocco, Frank, author interview, January 4, 2012.

  318 “The coach for Hanover, he was very bitter about Aliquippa” . . . : ibid.

  318 Having passed for nearly 7,000 yards . . . : Catawba College Athletics, “Athletic Department: Mike Warfield”, http://gocatawbaindians.com/profile.asp?playerID=1636.

  318 “Get in” . . . : Short, author interview.

  318 “You would hear things” . . . : Warfield, author interview.

  319 Another story Short tells himself . . . : Short, author interview.

  320 The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette declared Short “Campbell’s father” . . . : “Quips’ Campbell Was Best Among the Best”, Adamski, Chris, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 14, 2005, page W-9.

  320 “I don’t know” . . . : Campbell, Della Rae, author interview, February 24, 2014.

  321 “And if he wasn’t crying he was fighting” . . . : Short, author interview.

  321 “He thought I was going to do something with myself” . . . : Law, author interview.

  323 But at 7:03 the night before . . . : “USAirJet Crashes: 131 Aboard Die as Plane Goes Down Near Airport”, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 9, 1994, page 1.

  323 “I can’t think of one accident” . . . : Ivory, Karen. Pennsylvania Disasters: True Stories of Tragedy and Survival. Guilford, Conn.: Globe Pequot, 2007: 175.

  324 “The most horrible scene I’ve ever seen in my life” . . . : “CRASH OF FLIGHT 427: THE CRASH SITE; ‘A Horrifying Scene of Destruction’ Leaves Emergency Crews Shaken”, Kifner, John, New York Times, September 10, 1994.

  324 “We really needed this to take our minds off it” . . . : “‘We’re All Looking for a Diversion’: Despite Tragedy Nearby, the Game Goes on for Hopewell, Aliquippa”, Allmann, Bill, Beaver County Times, September 11, 1994, page B8.

  324 “There’s nothing here for them” . . . : “Hard-Pressed Town Didn’t Need Tragedy”, Schaefer, Jim, Detroit Free Press, September 10, 1994, page 8.

  324 Aliquippa beat Hopewe
ll that night . . . : “Smashmouth Football: Quips Grind Out Marocco’s 100th Victory”, Allmann, Bill, Beaver County Times, September 11, 1994, page B8.

  324 Less than three miles away . . . : “Yannessa Gets Happy Homecoming with a Win In Ambridge”, Equels, Jim, Jr., Beaver County Times, September 11, 1994, page B11.

  326 On April 22, 1995 . . . : “Patriots Get Quips’ No. 1 Man: Ty Law Ready to Go to Work for Parcells”, Allmann, Bill, Beaver County Times, April 23, 1995, page B1.

  327 “I just made up my mind” . . . : Walker, Chedda, author interview, October 13, 2011.

  327 “I thought about it a thousand times” . . . : Walker, Chuckie, author interview, October 13, 2011.

  327 Between 1945 and 1978 . . . : Gordon, Colin. Growing Apart: A Political History of American Inequality. Washington, D.C.: Institute for Policy Studies, 2013.

  327 By 2002, 72 percent of men over twenty-five with a diploma . . . : “American Manufacturing Is Coming Back. Manufacturing Jobs Aren’t”, Irwin, Neil, Washington Post, November 19, 2012.

  327 The family got by for a time . . . : Walker, Chuckie, author interview.

  327 Then Rockwell closed up . . . : “Rockwell Closing New Castle Plant; 530 Losing Jobs”, Associated Press, Beaver County Times, October 16, 1991, page A5.

  327 And moved the plant to Mexico . . . : “Rockwell to Build Auto Parts Plant in Mexico: Expansion: Seal Beach Firm Cites a Growing Demand in That Country. It Says That No Jobs Will Be Lost at North American Factories.”, Takahashi, Dean, Los Angeles Times, August 25, 1993.

  328 Together the two shops . . . : “J&L Deal Collapses; 115 Jobs Lost”, Boselovic, Len, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 9, 2002; “U.S. Steel ‘Buys’ LTV Tin Mill”, The Times of Northwest Indiana, October 6, 2000.

  328 Chapter 11 bankruptcy . . . : “120-Year-Old North Side Company Dawar Changes with the Times”, Reeves, Frank, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 4, 2003.

  328 New, $112 million U.S. Gypsum plant . . . : “A Steel Town Finds Lost Jobs Tough to Replace”, Ansberry, Claire, Wall Street Journal, May 27, 2004.

  328 George W. Bush, then running for president . . . : “Bush Outlines Environmental Cleanup Ideas”, Mook, Jennifer, Beaver County Times, April 4, 2000, page A1.