Fritz Crisler Article from SI's Vault (1964)
It's now the offseason, so I figured some of you might enjoy this article from Sports Illustrated, 1964. It includes the origin of some of the modern rules, as well as how Crisler was introduced to football, quite by accident, when Amos Alonzo Stagg tripped over him.
December 28th, 2009 at 2:34 AM ^
You mean Crisler?
December 28th, 2009 at 2:40 AM ^
Stupid me. I don't think too clearly at 2:40 am, apparently. Thanks.
December 28th, 2009 at 8:52 AM ^
Dang -- he sounds very educated and polished in that article (no surprise, when his background is considered). It would be fun -- with a time machine -- to watch him talk football with Rodriguez. I'm sure they'd get along, but it would be a little bit like listening to a conversation between Mr. Burns of the Simpsons and Boomhauer of King of the Hill.
December 28th, 2009 at 10:42 AM ^
Easy to see why we'd name a new arena after him in 1967. Fritz Crisler is the man who gave us our wings. We could never own the tradition that we enjoy, without Crisler. I dare say, Yost was the greatest football coach of his generation, and Crisler was the greatest football coach of his.
December 28th, 2009 at 11:56 AM ^
thanks for sharing it. Interesting to see how articulate he was and how much influence he had on the platooning system and other aspects of the game. Also that he was doing research with a neurosurgeon and Oosterbaan on the concussions and whip lash injuries considering the NFL is only now looking into it. Man was truly ahead of his time.
December 28th, 2009 at 3:21 PM ^
Amazing how long it takes to get things done in a bureaucratic system. An endless chain of compromises and appeasement instead of doing what is right.
December 28th, 2009 at 12:08 PM ^
Late in the article, Crisler starts talking about injuries and looking into rules regarding the "body armor" the players are now wearing. A few months ago, the WSJ had an article about a novel way to reduce the lingering affects of concussions by eliminating head gear. In that article, two former Wolverines, Dhani Jones and Jake Long were also interviewed.
Overall a really interesting article and worth the read.