Perhaps his biggest scoop during the time he served as sports editor came in 1994 when he received a tip that the Kansas City Chiefs were going to sign defensive back Felix Wright, a Carthage High School graduate, who later excelled at Drake University and had gone on to a successful pro career, first in the Canadian Football League and then with the Cleveland Browns, where during the 1989 season he led the NFC in interceptions.
The news was unexpected because it came during the playoffs and Wright had not played during the regular season, failing to catch on with any NFL team after spending the 1992 season with the Vikings.
Wright had been in touch with Chiefs Coach Marty Schottenheimer earlier in the season and though Schottenheimer did not have a spot for him then, he told him to stay ready in case he ran into injuries.
Unfortunately for Wright, the Chiefs secondary remained healthy until the postseason and that is when the call came.
The Chiefs had a talented young team that had been boosted into Super Bowl contention by the addition of two veterans with postseason pedigrees, quarterback Joe Montana and running back Marcus Allen.
Felix Wright signed a contract to play two games for the Chiefs- the AFC championship game against the Buffalo Bills and the Super Bowl.
He ended up playing only one, as Montana suffered a concussion and the Chiefs fell.
That was the end of Felix Wright's career ... and it was also the fourth time he had played in the AFC Championship game and not made into pro football's showcase game.
Wright had been with Schottenheimer's Cleveland Browns teams during the 1986 and 1987 seasons as they lost in dramatic fashion to John Elway and the Denver Broncos and was still with the team when Coach Bud Carson guided the team to the AFC title game in 1990.
I hope the Chiefs and 49ers players fully appreciate the stage on which they played Sunday night.
Felix Wright had a great career, outstanding by any measure, but he would given anything to play in the Super Bowl.
Now for some final thoughts about the 2020 Super Bowl:
The MVP choice was the right one- I have seen a lot of people commenting that Damien Williams should have been Super Bowl MVP. I respectfully disagree. The Chiefs needed Williams' stellar play to win, but Patrick Mahomes had to be the MVP. How many quarterbacks, especially at age 24, have you seen experience frustration for such a long period of time in such a pressure-packed game, but maintain their composure and just dial it up to the next level. It was something to see.
Alex Smith- The respect Mahomes and Coach Andy Reid have shown for Alex Smith, the man Mahomes replaced as quarterback, has been refreshing to see. During the entire buildup to the game, both men have frequently praised Smith's role in guiding Mahomes through his rookie year.
The 1970 Chiefs- Another example of the leadership role Reid has carved in Kansas City was shown by the respect he has shown for those who came before him and his invitation to members of the 1970 Super Bowl winners to join in the victory parade was heartwarming. Len Dawson and nine other Chiefs who went directly from the Super Bowl to the Pro Bowl did not get to participate in the one a half-century ago.
The Halftime Show- Some people are up in arms because Jennifer Lopez and Shakira's performances were not family friendly. I would suggest a good remedy would have been to turn off the TV during the halftime performances. I hope I have half as much energy as Jennifer Lopez when I am that old.
Commercials- A lot of companies wasted a lot of money. And a note to Michael Bloomberg and President Trump- Can't we just keep politics out of the Super Bowl and put it back on Facebook where it belongs?
Announcers- I thought Joe Buck and Troy Aikman were mediocre at best during the second, third and fourth quarters. On the other hand, the announcing during the first quarter was top notch. Of course, I was driving from Newtonia to Joplin at the time and was listening to Kevin Harlan and Kurt Warner on NFL Radio.
Geography- To anyone who may be unaware, while there is a Kansas City, Kansas, the Chiefs play in Kansas City, Missouri.
Geography- To anyone who may be unaware, while there is a Kansas City, Kansas, the Chiefs play in Kansas City, Missouri.
5 comments:
One of the advantages of being 62 is that I remember the Chiefs' first Super Bowl win. I had followed the Chiefs in the beloved AFL for about two years. When they won the big game, I said, "Finally! After two years, a Super Bowl win. It took them long enough."
Democrats argued that Kansas City is in Missouri. But they failed to convince Republicans that it is not in Kansas.
Probably more grounds for impeachment using Dumbocrat logic.
No worries Steve! The President can wiggle his nose and diddle a little with his magic marker magic and the Chiefs can be in Kansas. Just because he said so- that means it is true! No need for another border war, all it takes is another quick Presidential Fatwaaah!
Randy, the Chiefs were not allowed to use their regular broadcast crew for the Super Bowl. The regular-season Chiefs' affiliates had to take the national feed, except for the flagship station in KC. By the way, Kevin Harlan is a KC guy.
Post a Comment