Stand Up Man
The regularly scheduled Krude Experience blog for
this week will appear next week due to the passing of a sports legend: Don
Shula
Now most of you know that I'm a life long Raiders fan.
I started watching NFL football with my father in 1974. Back then, the
powerhouse teams in the AFC were the Raiders,Steelers and Dolphins. Shula was head coach of the Dolphins
by that point. You knew when the Dolphins took the field that a grinding running
game and a solid defense were going to be hard to beat. Year after year after
year. 2 Super Bowl rings to prove this in the 70s. And the only Perfect
Season in NFL history. While playing home games in a tropical climate. Whew
The accomplishments and accolades that Shula is associated
with are plenty. No need to list them all. Most importantly he was a winner on
his own terms. And those terms always meant being on the level. Shula was a real
stand up guy in the pro football world of collisions and temper
tantrums. No place for cheating in his book. He could beat you with his brain
and ability to field a top notch team. And this Raiders fan completely respects
that. Always have
With the passing of Shula comes the realization that the old
guard of the NFL is slowly disappearing. Men who played a violent game for the
love of it. And made a few bucks to line their ample pockets. The game
currently is largely the same on the field,but the HUGE $$$ involved is
prone to making a good man bad.That huge money way of life in the NFL these
days makes for interesting outcomes concerning players and games. Don
Shula rose way above that bullshit. And that's why I writing this small tribute
to a great man
Rest in peace Mr. Shula. You will continue to inspire and
will never be forgotten
KK
@kapn_krude