The '63 Steelers

by Rudy Dicks

  Pro Bowls, 5, 28

  Pro Football Hall of Fame, 250

  “Pro Football’s 11 Meanest Men” (Layne’s list), 6, 44, 99

  Promuto, Vince, 102

  punt return, Keys’s, 36

  punts, 23, 74, 187; by Brown, 24, 36, 47, 66, 104, 126, 181; fakes, 218

  Pyle, Mike, 174, 188

  quarterbacks, 133, 136; Brown’s growth as, 67; comparisons among, 213, 231; competition among, 33–34, 153, 168; lack of black, 181–82; Landry’s use of, 214; leadership by, 21, 232–33, 243; playing time of rookie, 93; ranking of, 62, 121, 232; as runners, 64–65

  Quinlan, Bill, 149, 201

  race, 9–10; discrimination against black players, 60, 115–16, 135, 149; Parker and black players, 16, 113–15; racism in football, 35, 135–36; Rooney integrating black players, 15–16; tension in Pittsburgh, 14–15, 136

  radio, after Kennedy assassination, 170, 176

  Ramsey, Garrard “Buster,” 70, 75, 146, 241; “defense system” of, 78, 230; on effects of wind, 218–19; Parker and, 113–14; style of, 78–79

  Randle, Ulmo Shannon “Sonny,” 43–44, 47, 74–76, 79–80

  receivers, 153, 159, 237; Ballman as, 145, 152, 160; Carpenter as, 215–16; comparisons among, 203; Dial as, 107, 125–27, 191–92, 194, 196; Giants’, 231–32; Johnson as, 134–35; Layne and, 55–56; Mack as, 97–99, 106, 125, 218

  “red-dog.” See blitz defense

  Regan, Mary, 126

  Reger, John, 51, 143, 147; against Bears, 180, 184, 186–87; against Eagles, 204; injuries of, 26–27, 32, 43, 72, 102, 210; post-Steelers career, 248; in Steeler defense, 76–77, 244

  Remington, Fred, 176

  Remmel, Lee, 128

  Renfro, Ray, 146, 178

  reputation, Steelers’, 4–6, 30, 62–63; for bad luck, 183, 185, 244; choking under pressure, 138, 151, 157–58, 179, 213, 215; for fighting, 5, 14, 157; as losers, 34, 72; for partying, 6, 14, 70, 152–53, 195–96; for toughness, 71, 131–32, 134, 166–67, 230; for wasting draft picks, 47–48. See also losing tradition, Steelers’

  respect, Steelers’ desire for, 5, 224

  Reston, James, 158

  Retzlaff, Pete, 21–22, 24, 158, 203

  Richardson, Jess, 5

  Richter, Les, 131–32

  Richter, Pat, 92–93, 159, 161–63

  Rickey, Branch, 16

  Rieland, Joseph V., 232

  Riger, Robert, xvii, 45, 71

  Ringo, Jim, 124

  Roach, John, 121, 124–25, 126

  Robb, Joe, 49, 74

  Roberts, C. R. “Cash Register,” 99

  Robinett, Bob, 135

  Robustelli, Andy, 36, 236, 238

  rookies, 42, 50, 93, 150; Parker’s mistrust of, 120, 149, 209; treatment of, 16, 59, 195–96

  Rooney, Art, Jr., xvi, 214; Parker and, 118, 149; personnel department under, 120, 130, 149; player personnel under, 250

  Rooney, Art, Sr., 20, 103, 164, 213, 242; admiration and respect for, 18, 158, 234–35; on black players, 15–16, 115; defensiveness about Pittsburgh, 34; on football as big business, 116, 193; on games after Kennedy’s assassination, 174, 177; on Giants-Steelers game, 227, 245–46; on Kennedy’s assassination, 169, 214; on lack of football spirit, 18–19; on Layne, 2, 57, 244; on North Side hooligans, 95, 98; optimism about ’63 season, 19; on Parker, 113–15, 119, 179; Parker and, 252; Parker’s contracts and, 16–17, 61, 112; picking players, 42, 97–98; on players, 32, 86; players’ affection for, 12, 235

  Rooney, Dan: on Kennedy’s assassination, 169, 171, 214; Parker and, 118, 252

  Rose, Pete, 200

  Rosensweet, Alvin, 141

  Rosenthal, Harold, 243

  Rote, Kyle, 222

  Rozelle, Alvin “Pete,” 26, 134, 137, 158, 197, 200, 204; on computation of standings, 226; on games after Kennedy’s assassination, 169, 171, 173, 175–77, 201; Sports Illustrated honoring, 193; trying to reduce violence, 134, 161

  Rudy, Uncle, xv

  Runner-Up Bowl, 245

  runners, 137, 139, 213; Johnson’s style, 137–38; speed of, 155, 159; as targets for violence, 134

  running backs: Carpenter as, 216; Keys as, 139

  rushing, 167, 231; against Browns, 146–47; against Giants, 38, 227, 243; Hoak’s records, 62–63, 102, 250; by Jim Brown, 129–30, 207; by Johnson, 38, 125, 243; Johnson’s records, 129, 135, 146–47, 250; rankings of, 129; by Sapp, 219; by Taylor, 125–26

  Russell, Andy, 6, 119–20, 173, 223, 236; analyzing 1963 season, 253, 256; background of, 6; against Bears, 180, 183; against Browns, 65, 143, 146; against Cardinals, 46–47, 50–51, 74, 76; against Eagles, 203; football career of, 40–43, 250, 251; against Giants, 37, 237, 241; against Redskins, 163; tackling Brown, 140, 143–44; teammates and, 3, 61, 208–9

  Rutgens, Joe, 87

  Ryan, Frank, 7, 64–67, 70, 80, 93, 142, 146, 194; calling plays, 143, 145; as quarterback, 61–62, 213; on shooting of Lee Harvey Oswald, 177

  Rymkus, Lou, 4

  safety blitz, 49, 79, 144

  Salinger, Pierre, 165, 171

  Sample, Johnny, 15, 92, 116, 155, 231; Ballman and, 150–51; Parker’s confrontation with, 113–14

  Sanders, Lonnie, 92, 163

  Sandusky, Mike, 123; against Cowboys, 220; against Giants, 237–38; against Redskins, 89, 162; in Steelers anonymous offensive line, 144

  Sapp, Theron Coleman, 23, 27, 87; against Browns, 141, 145–46; against Cowboys, 104–6, 215, 218–20; against Eagles, 205; against Giants, 236, 238; injuries, 219; against Packers, 125, 127, 130; Parker and, 72, 102; post-Steelers career, 248; against Redskins, 89, 90; replacing Johnson, 136–37

  Scales, Charlie, 100, 142

  Schmidt, Joe, 18, 58

  Schmitz, Bob, 35; against Browns, 143, 145; against Cowboys, 215; against Giants, 37; injuries of, 43, 72–73, 199; known for great play against Jim Brown, 143– 44, 147; post-Steelers career, 249

  Schnelker, Bob, 85

  Schramm, Tex, 197

  Scott, Tom, 36, 108

  Scotti, Ben, 25, 201–3, 205

  scouting: by Haley, 85–86, 250; by Layne, 182; Parker and, 119, 149; Rooney’s personnel department and, 120, 130, 149; by Schmitz, 143, 249; Steelers’ strength in, 120

  Scranton, William, 82, 199

  scrimmages, 99, 150, 154, 210

  Sell, Jack, 137, 166, 187, 200, 209, 226

  Shaughnessy, Clark, 167

  Sherman, Allie, xv–xvi, 121, 221, 223, 230, 233, 240; on loss to Steelers, 38–39; on quarterbacks, 35, 37

  Shofner, Del, 35, 38, 70, 207, 237, 244, 254; injuries of, 238, 240; as receiver, 153, 192, 231–32

  Shofner, Jim, 64

  Shorter, Jim, 66

  Shorty, Uncle, xiv

  Shula, Don, 75

  signing bonuses, 42

  Skorich, Nick, 201–2, 203, 205

  Skoronski, Bob, 124

  Smith, Chester L., 99

  Smith, J. D., 4–5, 75–77, 79

  Smith, Jackie, 74

  Smith, James “Jetstream,” 99

  Smith, Ralph “Catfish,” 23

  Smith, Red, 176, 185, 240

  Smith, Robert, 238–39

  Smith, Wendell, 115–16

  Snead, Norm, 75, 83, 89–90, 92–93, 159–63

  Snider, Steve, 130, 165

  Spadia, Lou, 208

  special teams, 100, 218

  Spikes, Jack, 120

  split end, Ballman as, 152

  sportswriters, on Rooney, 235

  Sprinkle, Ed “the Claw,” 55

  St. Clair, Bob, 60, 170

  St. Louis Cardinals, 76, 236, 245; complaining about officiating, 51, 71–72; injuries on, 44, 73; offense by, 43–44; place in Eastern Conference, 71, 164, 200, 243

  St. Louis Cardinals-Steelers game (9/29), 45–52

  St. Louis Cardinals-Steelers game (10/13), 73–80

  Stacy, Bill, 44, 73

  Starr, Bart, 27, 57, 108, 121, 127

  Staubach, Roger, 214

  Stautner, Ernie, 19, 161, 185, 198; backgr
ound of, 2–3, 229; against Bears, 187; as coach, 210, 249–50; death of, 250; on Ed Brown, 21, 243; against Giants, 37, 223, 240; injuries of, 102–3; Layne and, 54–56, 244; meanness of, 229; optimism about ’63 season, 51–52; against Packers, 207; as player-coach, 147, 209; in Pro Football Hall of Fame, 250; against Redskins, 89, 160, 163; in Steeler defense, 76–77

  Steadman, John, 12

  Steelerettes, 14

  Steffen, Jim, 90

  Stehouwer, Ron, 52, 224–25

  Stephens, Larry, 217–18

  Stiger, James, 104, 105

  Stovall, Jerry, 49

  Strader, Norman “Red,” 131

  Strickler, George, 188

  Stroud, Jack, 221

  Studstill, Pat, 4

  Stynchula, Andy, 87, 92, 159

  Sugar, Leo, 4

  Sutherland, John Bain “Jock,” 18

  Sweeney, Doc, 113, 114

  Symank, John, 133

  tackling: of Brown, 139, 143–44, 160; Keys’s strategy, 139–40

  Tarasovic, George, 17; against Cardinals, 46–47; in defense, 43, 76–77; against Eagles, 23; with Eagles, 201, 205; candidate for justice of the peace, 116–17, 126; in fights, 5, 152–53; injuries of, 5, 46, 62, 73; Parker and, 116–17, 138–39

  Tarkenton, Fran, 2, 93, 121

  Tate, James H. J., 176

  “taxi squad,” 151–52

  Taylor, Jim, 121, 124, 127, 131, 139, 144, 168, 236; as runner, 134, 137, 139; rushing by, 102, 125–26, 129; Steelers’ defense vs., 126, 129–30

  Taylor, Roosevelt, 168, 182–84

  team unity, 52, 234; Layne encouraging, 16, 56, 118; Parker and, 16, 118; Steelers’ personality, 62–63

  Tehan, Dan, 21, 204

  television, 156, 224; after Kennedy assassination, 172, 176–77; effects on football, 153–54, 166, 193

  Thomas, Aaron, 37, 237, 242

  Thomas, Ben, 33

  Thomas, Clendon, xvi, 25, 28, 77, 198, 223, 235, 244; in 1964 season, 249; background of, 68–70; against Bears, 180–81, 186–87; against Browns, 146; against Cardinals, 46, 75, 80; against Cowboys, 108, 220–21; against Eagles, 24, 204, 206; against Giants, 37, 237; on importance of no mistakes, 78, 121; injuries of, 72, 75, 80, 102, 108, 157, 199; interceptions by, 24, 37; as linebacker, 118; on move to Pittsburgh, 6, 70–71; post-Steelers career, 249; with Rams, 12–13; against Redskins, 162–63; in tackling of Jim Brown, 144–46, 157

  Three Bricks Shy of a Load (Blount), 95

  Thurston, Fred “Fuzzy,” 124

  ticket sales, 124, 156, 202, 214; for Browns-Steelers game, 137, 140; at capacity, 140, 236; for games after Kennedy assassination, 173, 175, 177–78, 180; increasing, 89, 165–66; low, 18–19; for Pitt Stadium vs. Forbes Field, 103

  tie games: against Bears, 187–88; disregarded in standings, 7, 200, 225; against Eagles, 25–26, 206–7

  tight end, Carpenter as, 215

  Tittle, Yelberton Abraham “Y. A.,” 26, 43, 75, 148, 164, 223–24, 237, 244; compared to other quarterbacks, 62, 167, 212, 231–32; in competition among quarterbacks, 33–34; Cordileone traded for, 31, 68; effects of absence of, 38, 227, 231; on game after Kennedy’s assassination, 173; in game against Cowboys, 93, 207; in game against Giants, 207; Gifford’s great catch and, 241–42, 252; injuries of, 33; in NFL championship game, 254; retirement of, 247; Steeler defense against, 35, 240

  Tobin, Bill, 40

  Toler, Burl, 60

  Toneff, Bob, 87, 162

  Torgeson, Vern “Torgy,” 76, 80

  touchdowns: Ballman’s, 145, 163, 206, 240; Brown’s, 75, 89; Brown’s bad passes losing, 243; Carpenter’s, 216; Curry’s, 182; Dial’s, 38, 64–65, 93, 104, 106, 204, 215, 243; Ferguson’s, 50; Hoak’s, 36, 37, 90, 184–85; Johnson’s, 24–25, 38, 159; Mack’s, 74, 107, 127; Sapp’s, 220

  Tracy, Tom “the Bomb,” 23, 59, 62, 103, 236; against Browns, 65–66; against Cowboys, 106–7; Parker cutting, 117, 139–40

  Traficant, Jim, 120

  training camps, 150, 154, 210

  trash talk, 139

  Triplett, Bill, 46–47, 49, 51, 74, 76

  Trippi, Charley, 131

  Tubbs, Jerry, 104, 220

  Tucker, Joe, 119

  Tunnell, Emlen, 230, 242

  Udall, Stewart, 115

  Unitas, Johnny, 18, 30, 34, 75, 78, 133, 231

  University of Pittsburgh football, 84, 103, 155, 251; excitement about football by, 17–18; postponed after Kennedy’s assassination, 171, 200

  Valachi, Joe, 10

  Vaughan, Sarah, 5

  Van Brocklin, Norm, 30

  Varrichione, Frank, 14, 20

  Varrichione, Mitzi, 20

  Villanueva, Danny, 14

  Vinton, Bobby (Stanley Robert Vintula Jr.),

  The Violent World of Sam Huff (documentary), 224

  Wade, Bill, xvi, 167–68, 179–81, 183–87

  Walker, Wayne, 4

  Wallace, William, 230

  Walls, Will, 42

  Walsh, Jack, 159

  Walston, Bobby, 21

  Walton, Joe, 18, 37, 231

  Ward, Gene, 39, 62

  Warfield, Paul, 139, 212

  Warner, Glenn Scobey “Pop,” 18

  Washington Redskins, 115, 162; defensive line of, 87, 157, 162

  Washington Redskins-Steelers game (10/20), 88–93

  Washington Redskins-Steelers game (11/17), 157–64

  Waterfield, Bob, 32, 222

  weather, 105; drought, 82, 102; effects of field conditions, 233, 235; effects of iciness, 235–36, 237, 240; effects of winds, 214–15, 217, 233; frigid conditions, 202, 235–36, 239

  Webster, Alex, 32, 137, 148, 224, 231, 244

  Welch, Jim, 33

  Western Conference, 3, 108; Bears’ standing in, 164, 166, 187–88, 200; tie for first place in, 120–21, 156

  White, Byron “Whizzer,” 202

  Whittenton, Jess, 127

  wide receivers, Curry as, 182

  Wiggin, Paul, 131, 143

  Wilkinson, Bud, 68, 70

  Williams, Jerry, 232

  Williams, Joe, 226, 230, 233

  Williams, Mary Lou, 5

  Williamson, Fred “the Hammer,” 98

  Wilson, George, 182

  Wilson, Larry, 44, 47, 51, 61, 79, 198

  Winters, Manzie, 97

  Wise, Bill, 123–24

  Wittenton, Jesse, 124

  Wolfner, Walter, 131

  Womack, Joe, 140

  Wood, Willie, 124, 126, 127

  World Series, effects on Pittsburgh’s self-esteem, 17

  Wrigley Field, 156–57

  Yankee Stadium, 223; condition of field in, 233, 235, 240; game after Kennedy assassination in, 177–79; winds in, 233

  Young, Buddy, 29

  Young, Dick, 175, 177

  Youngstown, Ohio, xi–xii, xiv, 10