Willie Shaw, the coach who provided the guiding principles to Molden, is Father of Stanford coach David Shaw. Willie was an NFL and college asst for 30 years. Highly respected. Was all set to be Stanford’s head coach in 1992 until Bill Walsh made an unexpected decision to return.
Apr 29, 2022·edited Apr 29, 2022Liked by John Canzano
being expendable. also applies to college football. Look at the Duck QB position: You are recruited as a star, do your job and then an outsider kicks you to the sidelines. And if you are injured. It is Next Man up (and injured guy, adios!) if you can't stand the stress of exhausting practices and keeping up with your studies.. Goodbye Eugene. On the other hand, if you are one of the elite: You play the game, 100 dollar bills are stuffed in your pocket, and your classes are taken care of.
By the way, you might interview the McQuistan twins (Paul and Pat who live in the Lebanon, OR area) and ask them about life as journeyman O-linemen in the NFL (including injuries, free agency, job 'security' etc)
As a motivational speaker, Alex should speak to the NFL Rookies at the Combine, as well the individual rookies camps as they prepare for their first season, if he hasn't already done so. Very wise.
Good piece, John. It brings to mind the sobering warning at the end of the movie "Patton":
"For over a thousand years Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honor of a triumph. In the procession came trumpeters and musicians and strange animals from the conquered territories, together with carts laden with treasure and captured armaments. The conqueror rode in a triumphal chariot, and the dazed prisoners walked in front of him. Sometimes his children, robed in white, stood with him in the chariot, or rode the trace horses. A slave stood behind the conqueror, holding a golden crown over his head, and whispering in his ear a warning that all glory is fleeting."
Akili Smith is another example…..
How about a story on Ryan Nall, Central Cathonlic, Oregon State and now Chicago Bears?
Fine insightful take on an NFL career and all that that entails.
Willie Shaw, the coach who provided the guiding principles to Molden, is Father of Stanford coach David Shaw. Willie was an NFL and college asst for 30 years. Highly respected. Was all set to be Stanford’s head coach in 1992 until Bill Walsh made an unexpected decision to return.
being expendable. also applies to college football. Look at the Duck QB position: You are recruited as a star, do your job and then an outsider kicks you to the sidelines. And if you are injured. It is Next Man up (and injured guy, adios!) if you can't stand the stress of exhausting practices and keeping up with your studies.. Goodbye Eugene. On the other hand, if you are one of the elite: You play the game, 100 dollar bills are stuffed in your pocket, and your classes are taken care of.
By the way, you might interview the McQuistan twins (Paul and Pat who live in the Lebanon, OR area) and ask them about life as journeyman O-linemen in the NFL (including injuries, free agency, job 'security' etc)
Sounds like well-rounded man that used all that was shoved his way and LISTENED. So few don’t. Much luck going forward.
Chris Miller, Ryan Leaf, Joey Harrington, Kenny Wheaton.
As a motivational speaker, Alex should speak to the NFL Rookies at the Combine, as well the individual rookies camps as they prepare for their first season, if he hasn't already done so. Very wise.
Good piece, John. It brings to mind the sobering warning at the end of the movie "Patton":
"For over a thousand years Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honor of a triumph. In the procession came trumpeters and musicians and strange animals from the conquered territories, together with carts laden with treasure and captured armaments. The conqueror rode in a triumphal chariot, and the dazed prisoners walked in front of him. Sometimes his children, robed in white, stood with him in the chariot, or rode the trace horses. A slave stood behind the conqueror, holding a golden crown over his head, and whispering in his ear a warning that all glory is fleeting."