by Adam Lazarus
187 “Nobody panicked”—Ira Rosenfeld, “Wait Is Finally Over for Butz,” Kokomo Tribune, January 31, 1983.
187 “Joe [Jacoby]”—John Clayton, “Stop Fancy Stuff, Hogs Told Coach,” Pittsburgh Press, January 31, 1983.
187 “He’s our bread”—Kokomo Tribune, “Hogs Magnificent, Riggins Even Better,” January 31, 1983.
188 “We were on”—Clint Didier, author interview, June 23, 2010.
188 “Goal line”—Clint Didier, author interview, June 23, 2010.
188 “[Redskins offensive”—Ray Didinger, author interview, July 13, 2010.
189 “I can remember”—Clint Didier, author interview, June 23, 2010.
189 “It was amazing”—Ray Didinger, author interview, July 13, 2010.
189 “I hope when”—Bruce Lowitt, “Redskins ‘Super’ over Dolphins,” Gettysburg Times, January 31, 1983.
189 “Ron is the”—Miami Herald, “Reagan, Riggins,” January 31, 1983.
190 “I felt like”—Ray Didinger, “Big John Smash Hit in Drummer Boy Role,” Reading Eagle, January 31, 1983.
191 “We contributed”—Bill Parcells, author interview, June 15, 2010.
191 “Any time you’re”—Official Post Game Quotes from Super Bowl XXV.
Chapter 10: Buffalo’s Bickering Bills
193 “There are moments”—Ira Berkow, “How the Bills Build Their Vocabulary,” New York Times, January 23, 1991.
193–4 “extrapolate, salient”—Ira Berkow, “How the Bills Build Their Vocabulary,” New York Times, January 23, 1991.
194 “That kinda came”—Steve Tasker, author interview, June 17, 2010.
194 “One More River to Cross”—NFL Films, America’s Game: Missing Rings, 1990 Bills.
194 “He’s a better”—Colorado Springs-Gazette Telegraph, “Just like Brown Bomber, Levy Plans to Be on Time,” January 27, 1991.
194 “I wondered if”—Levy, Where Else Would You Rather Be? 338.
195 “I know exactly”—Syracuse Herald Journal, “Bills’ Thrills,” September 11, 1989.
195 “The ‘Bickering Bills’”—Darryl Talley, author interview, December 18, 2009.
195 “I knew, the”—Kelly, Armed & Dangerous, 137.
196 “It should have”—Vic Carucci, “Kelly Says Hit Ballard’s Fault,” Buffalo News, October 10, 1989.
196 “I told him”—Syracuse Herald Journal, “Bills’ Thomas Exchanges Fire with Critical Kelly,” October 14, 1989.
196 “unhappy with”—Will Hampton, “Big play Oilers to Meet Bickering Bills Next,” Galveston Daily News, December 25, 1988.
196 “rammed his”—Vic Carucci, “Bills Admit Fight, Say Case Closed,” Buffalo News, October 25, 1989.
197 “only allowed”—Vic Carucci, “New Leaders Emerging As Bills Become Team Harmony,” Buffalo News, September 6, 1990.
197 “It wasn’t so”—Steve Tasker, author interview, June 17, 2010.
197 “Ronnie came back”—Gerald Eskenazi, “Browns Hold Off Bills in Playoff Shootout,” New York Times, January 7, 1990.
198 “I was open”—Gerald Eskenazi, “Browns Hold Off Bills in Playoff Shootout,” New York Times, January 7, 1990.
198 “If you don’t”—NFL Films Presents, Show #1, 1997.
198 “troublemakers”—Levy, Where Else Would You Rather Be? 339.
198 “Joe Devlin”—Steve Tasker, author interview, June 17, 2010.
198 “I told the team”—Don Williams, “Bickering Bills Change Name, Not Attitude,” Newark Star Ledger, September 20, 1990.
199 “I think they”—Vic Carucci, author interview, August 19, 2010.
199 “we just fuckin’”—Carucci, The Buffalo Bills and the Almost-Dream Season, 12.
199 “The harmony has”—Chicago Daily Herald, “‘Bickering Bills’ Say They’ll be Ready for New-Look Jets,” September 24, 1990.
199 “It was Jim too”—Vic Carucci, author interview, August 19, 2010.
200 “I told Vic [Carucci]”—Steve Tasker, author interview, June 17, 2010.
Chapter 11: The Irresistible Force vs. The Immovable Object
201 “Bobby Layne”—Pro Football Hall of Fame Official, http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?PlayerId=126.
202 “That was a freakin’”—Everson Walls, author interview, June 10, 2010.
202 “It would be hard”—Dan Dierdorf, author interview, July 30, 2010.
202 “Anytime, whether”—Ron Erhard, author interview, July 14, 2010.
203 “There was no”—John Romano, “Giants’ Motto: Don’t Worry, be Methodical,” St. Petersburg Times, January 28, 1991.
203 “He is a money”—ABC broadcast, January 27, 1991.
203 “He’s the toughest”—Mike Freeman, “Bavaro out of His Shell: Neither Shy Nor Retiring,” Washington Post, January 24, 1991.
203 “I saw a few”—Official Postgame Quotes from Super Bowl XXV.
205 “the air out”—Jim Donaldson, “Super Bowl XXV New York Giants: 1991 Super Bowl Champions,” Providence Journal, January 28, 1991.
205 “We had had”—Bill Parcells, author interview, July 15, 2010.
206 “The two guys”—Steve Tasker, author interview, June 17, 2010.
207 “Dave Meggett had a”—ABC broadcast, January 27, 1991.
207 “We really didn’t”—Bill Parcells, author interview, July 15, 2010.
207 “What do you think”—ABC broadcast, January 27, 1991.
208 “the irresistible force”—Bob Glauber, “A Closer Look at a Real Thriller,” Newsday, January 29, 1991.
208 “Two minutes to go”—Jim Kelly, author interview, January 22, 1991.
209 “We’re going to have”—NFL Films, Top Ten Nicknames.
209 “I really think”—Sam Huff and Leonard Shapiro, Tough Stuff (New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1988), 40.
209 “He hated rookies”—Doug Kennedy, “Andy Russell: The Silver Fox,” SteelersLIVE ‘Xtra, October 12, 2005.
209 “Super Bowl III”—NFL Films, America’s Game, 1970 Colts.
210 “It was one”—NFL Films, America’s Game, 1970 Colts.
210 “They weren’t”—NFL Films, America’s Game, 1970 Colts.
210 “A couple guys”—Jim O’Brien, author interview, July 19, 2010.
210 “We were debating”—Jack Maitland, author interview, July 21, 2010.
211 “To my recollection”—NFL Films, America’s Game, 1970 Colts.
211 “I didn’t have”—Jim O’Brien, author interview, July 19, 2010.
211 “According to the”—Arthur Daley, “Sports of the Times: Not Very Super,” New York Times, January 18, 1971.
212 “A lot of”—Ernie Accorsi, author interview, July 20, 2010.
212 “I think [Cowboys”—Norman Bulaich, author interview, July 21, 2010.
212 “just don’t fumble”—Norman Bulaich, author interview, July 21, 2010.
212 “Earl Morrall”—Jim O’Brien, author interview, July 19, 2010.
213 “Billy Ray Smith”—Jim O’Brien, author interview, July 19, 2010.
213 “It was such”—Ray Didinger, author interview, July 13, 2010.
213 “Keep your head”—Jim O’Brien, author interview, July 21, 2010.
214 “I remember Cornelius”—Jack Maitland, author interview, July 21, 2010.
214 “He wasn’t any star”—Ernie Accorsi, author interview, July 20, 2010.
215 “Counting my”—Ray Grody, “Quotable Quotes,” Milwaukee Sentinel, July 22, 1971.
215 “People don’t”—Jim O’Brien, author interview, July 21, 2010.
216 “I remember Jim”—Will Wolford, author interview, December 14, 2009.
217 “We came in there”—Everson Walls author interview, June 12, 2010.
217 “I was gonna pass”—Erik Howard, author interview, July 21, 2010.
218 “as good an”—NFL Films, Top 10 Linebacking Corps.
219 “Bill [Belichick] said”—Bill Parcells, author intervie
w, July 15, 2010.
219 “I thought about”—Official Postgame Quotes from Super Bowl XXV.
219 “It’s an emotional”—Erik Howard, author interview, July 21, 2010.
220 “Out of the corner”—Mike Sweatman, author interview with July 15, 2010.
221 “When they were”—Bill Parcells, author interview, July 15, 2010.
221 “The quiet man”—NFL Films, Highlight Video of Super Bowl XXV.
222 “He absolutely crushed”—Vic Carucci, “Norwood Kept Composure before, after His Failed Kick,” Buffalo News, January 28, 1991.
222 “As the ball was”—Bill Polian, author interview, May 12, 2010.
222 “I left it out right”—Bob Harig, “Kick Is Hard to Forget for Bills’ Norwood,” St. Petersburg Times, January 28, 1991.
222 “That was the most”—Kent Hull, author interview, December 11, 2009.
222 “Take me for a ride”—NFL Films, Special Roll of Super Bowl XXV, Part 3.
223 “We got you two”—NFL Films, Special Roll of Super Bowl XXV, Part 3.
223 “six tight diamond”—Hostetler, One Giant Leap, 213.
223 “I remember looking”—Hostetler, One Giant Leap, 212–13.
223 “I was drunk”—Hostetler, One Giant Leap, 213.
224 “That’s the best”—NFL Films, Special Roll of Super Bowl XXV, Part 3.
224 “We heard all”—Paul Daugherty, “Nation Puts Sports in Perspective,” Syracuse Herald Journal, January 28, 1991.
224 “Tell ya, boys”— George Willis, “Super Bowl XXV: A Super Sensation Giants Savoring Triumph,” Newsday, January 29, 1991.
224 “The war actually”—Admiral Steve Abbott, author interview, July 29, 2010.
225 “There were probably”—Admiral Steve Abbott, author interview, July 29, 2010.
225 “Three times”—Tom Van Leunen, author interview, July 30, 2010.
226 “There are some”—Tom Van Leunen, author interview, July 30, 2010.
226 “We tried to”—Rear Admiral Ron Christenson, author interview, August 4, 2010.
226 “When you go”—Rear Admiral Ron Christenson, author interview, August 4, 2010.
Chapter 12: Who Are the Champs Here, Anyway?
227 “There are occasions”—Levy, Where Else Would You Rather Be? 6.
227 “Yet I knew”—Levy, Where Else Would You Rather Be? 6.
227 “His portrayal”—Bill Polian, author interview, May 12, 2010.
228 “I said, ‘Scott”—Will Wolford, author interview, December 14, 2009.
228 “I remember Darryl”—Mark Kelso, author interview, May 26, 2010.
228 “I’ll tell you this”—Mike Lodish, author interview, July 19, 2010.
229 “I know your”—ABC broadcast, January 27, 1991.
229 “I asked him”—Bruce DeHaven, author interview, July 19, 2010.
229 “I’m sure it will”—Official Postgame Quotes from Super Bowl XXV.
230 “To say it’s very”—Dan Moffett, “A Coaching Marvel, but also a Precursor to AFC Dominance,” Palm Beach Post, January 29, 1991.
230 “I was really”—Steve Tasker, author interview, June 17, 2010.
230 “Who knows what’s”—Carucci, The Buffalo Bills and the Almost-Dream Season, 233.
230 “I realized a long”—ABC television broadcast, January 27, 1991.
231 “I wanted anything”—Matt Bahr, author interview, July 29, 2010.
231 “Everybody wrote”—ABC television broadcast, January 27, 1991.
232 “How he was never”—Don Nehlen, author interview, April 22, 2010.
232 “We didn’t win”—Jim Sarni, “Thomas: MVP Belongs to Winners,” Sun Sentinel, January 28, 1991.
232 “Hostetler, of course”—John Markon, “Super Bowl XXV Erred in MVP Pick,” Richmond Times-Dispatch, January 29, 1991.
232 “He’s going to”—Tim Looney, “Q & A with Coach Bill Parcells,” St. Petersburg Times, January 28, 1991.
233 “They brought Parcells”—Ray Didinger, author interview, July 13, 2010.
233 “The third floor”—Frank Litsky, “Giants Go without Sleep but Nobody’s Complaining,” New York Times, January 29, 1991.
234 “My elbow is”—George Willis, “Super Bowl XXV: A Super Sensation Giants Savoring Triumph,” Newsday, January 28, 1991.
234 “A couple of us”—Ernie Palladino, author interview, July 14, 2010.
234 “You’d think”—Jay Mariotti, “Little to Cheer at Giants’ Homecoming,” The National, January 29, 1991.
234 “What they did”—Jay Mariotti, “Little to Cheer at Giants’ Homecoming,” The National, January 29, 1991.
234 “do something”—Rita Delfiner, “Dinkins Says City Will Stage Celebration,” New York Post, January 22, 1991.
234 “Let Moonachie”—Richard Justice, “Notebook; Cuomo Makes Giant Reversal,” Washington Post, January 22, 1991.
235 “They may”—Rita Delfiner, “Dinkins Says City Will Stage Celebration,” New York Post, January 22, 1991.
235 “You have to”—Everson Walls, author interview, June 10, 2010.
235 “There wasn’t”—Erik Howard, author interview, July 21, 2010.
235 “There were some”—Bill Gutman, Parcells: A Biography (New York: Carroll & Graf Publishers, 2000), 155.
235 “It would have”—Bill Parcells, author interview, July 15, 2010.
236 “Bill is bright”—Tom Skernivitz, “Browns Hope Belichick ‘Super Coach,’” Elyria Chronicle Telegram, February 6, 1991.
236 “I’ve been”—Dan Coughlin, “Belichick Next Shula? Super Coach,” Elyria Chronicle Telegram, February 6, 1991.
236 “Belichick is probably”—Marysville Journal Tribune, “New Coach Is Man of Detail,” February 11, 1991.
237 “The last time”—Official Post Game Quotes from Super Bowl XXV.
237 “The way I”—Jerry Izenberg, No Medals for Trying (New York: Ballantine Books, 1990), 190.
237 “Any of us”—Dave Anderson, “Parcells Feels Ditka’s Pain,” New York Times, November 3, 1988.
237 “It’s tough to”—Gerald Eskenazi, “Parcells Is Expected to Step Down Today,” New York Times, May 15, 1991.
237 “It’s becoming”—Rich Hofmann, “Just a Guy from Jersey,” Winnipeg Free Press, January 26, 1991.
238 “Everything that’s”—Craig Dolch, “Parcells Looking Ahead, QB, Plan B Talks Quiet Rumors,” Palm Beach Post, January 29, 1991.
238 “The fans made”—Robert McG. Thomas, “A Super Good Night for a Happy Parcells,” New York Times, January 30, 1991.
238 “He’ll be coaching”—Vinny DiTrani, “Parcells Shall Make Triumphant Return,” Bergen County Record, January 29, 1991.
238 “would be the”—Bob Glauber, “Bavaro Down to One Knee,” Newsday, January 11, 1991.
239 “I think he saw”—Hank Gola, author interview, October 15, 2010.
239 “No way, I’m”—ABC television broadcast, January 27, 1991.
239 “It’s the player”—Malcolm Moran, “Anderson Is Most Venerable and Most Valuable,” New York Times, January 28, 1991.
240 “would be insulted”—Dave George, “Man for the Ages,” Palm Beach Post, January 29, 1991.
240 “Jeff Hostetler is”—Orlando Sentinel, “Parcells’ Promise: There Won’t Be Any Controversy,” January 28, 1991.
240 “[It] doesn’t matter”—Hostetler, One Giant Leap, 233.
240 “I’ve got two pretty”—Craig Dolch, “Parcells Looking Ahead,” Palm Beach Post, January 29, 1991.
241 “I like Phil Simms”—Hostetler, One Giant Leap, 233.
241 “For more than”—Dave Anderson, “Giants Not a Dynasty, Just Champs,” New York Times, January 29, 1991.
242 “I recalled a”—Ken Leiker and Craig Ellenport, eds., The Super Bowl: An Official Retrospective (New York: Ballantine Books, 2005), 27.
242 “I’ve got to”—The Capitol, “Giants Savor Title; Bills Savor Warmth,” January 29, 1991.
242 “The reception”—Bill Polian, author interview, May 12, 2010.
243 “[We] get back”—Everson Walls, author interview, June 10, 2010.
243 “It was a great”—New York Post, “Gov Shuffled Off to Buffalo to Cheer Bills,” January 29, 1991.
243 “Buffalo Bills”—Barbara O’Brien, “30,000 Fans Shower Bills with Welcome,” Buffalo News, January 29, 1991.
243 “It was off the”—Carlton Bailey, author interview, January 15, 2010.
Chapter 13: January 15, 1994
246 “I just think”—George Willis, “It Was Time for a Move,” Newsday, May 16, 1991.
246 “It’s been a great”—Joe Gergen, “Parcells Goes Out on Top.” Newsday, May 16, 1991.
246 “I was just in”—Frank Litsky, “Retirement’s Timing Is Biggest Surprise,” New York Times, May 16, 1991.
246 “I had a pretty”—Kim Kolbe, author interview, October 6, 2010.
247 “I knew something”—Bill Parcells, author interview, July 15, 2010.
247 “When the [1991]”—Stephen Baker, author interview, May 13, 2010.
248 “When Ray Handley”—Bob Mrosko, author interview, July 28, 2010.
248 “In my mind”—Bob Mrosko, author interview, July 28, 2010.
249 “[1991 and 1992]—Ernie Palladino, author interview, July 14, 2010.
249 “I started my”—Bob Dick, “Patriots Tap Parcells to be Savior,” Providence Journal, January 22, 1993.
249 “I didn’t need”—Vinny DiTrani, “Reeves Answers Questions,” Bergen County Record, May 13, 1993.
249 “Maybe we’re not”—Michael Mayo, “Giants Aren’t Jazzy, but Tune-Up Went Well,” Sun Sentinel, January 10, 1994.
250 “Some of the guys”—Mike Freeman, “Giants’ Season Ends in a Million Pieces,” New York Times, January 16, 1994.
251 “Maybe the key”—Pacific Stars and Stripes, “49ers Dwarf Giants 44-3.” January 17, 1994.
251 “They were just”—Alton Telegraph, “Bills Shade Raiders, San Francisco Rips Giants,” January 16, 1993.
251 “I think it’s time”—Dave Anderson, “L.T. Decides ‘It’s Time for Me to Go,” New York Times, January 16, 1994.
251 “I’m fortunate the”—Dave Anderson, “L.T. Decides ‘It’s Time for Me to Go,” New York Times, January 16, 1994.
252 “When I was”—Milton Kent, “This Time, Gulf War Veteran Gets Closer Seat for Son’s Super Bowl,” Baltimore Sun, January 14, 1992.