Quote:
Originally Posted by rsn1661
He was one of the last players to play offense and defense. He hit Frank Gifford so hard on a play in 1960 that Gifford didn't play again until 1962. Was always a gracious ttm signer.
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The hit on Gifford, and Bednarik's "This ******* game is over," quote at the end of the 1960 NFL title game made Bednarik an iconic figure in both Philadelphia and Bethlehem, Pa., where he lived. If ever there was a guy modeled after the city where he was born, Bednarik in the steel town of Bethlehem, Pa., was it.
The linked article is a fabulous bio of Bednarik.
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/...arik_dies.html
On one of the Philly boards I read, a poster told a story about seeing Bednarik speak at a banquet about 20 years ago. Bednarik began the speech by asking for the house lights to be turned out. After the lights were momentarily turned out, Bednarik told the crowd that now they know "how Frank Gifford felt after I hit him."
I know Bednarik's irascible personality and quick temper were a big part of his legend, but I never got tired of listening to him ***** about the current state of the game: how all the modern players should wear a dress when they play, none of them could have played in the '50s, they are all soft prima donnas because they only play on one side of the ball, etc.
