Growing up I had role models like: Kenny Houston, Donnie Shell, Larry Wilson, and though I hated Jack "The Assassin" Tatum and George Atkinson I respected the way he conducted business the same was true of Charlie Waters, Cliff Harris and Jake Scott. Later Ronnie Lott, Steve Atwater, Dennis Smith, Doug Plank, Gary Fencik, Kenny Easley and Bennie Blades took up the mantle with Chuck Cecil, Joey Browner and even lesser known thumpers like Don Rodgers and Tom Darden deserving mention.
Recently John Lynch, Rodney Harrison retired and Sean Taylor was killed so Roy Williams, Brian Dawkins, Bob Sanders and Troy Polamalu have done the best they can within the current rules. Adrian Wilson, Ken Hamlin and others will never know the joy of a full speed clothesline on an unsuspecting receiver running a deep in, or the sound of a QB screaming as you put your helmet in the base of his spine. Is football safer than ever, probably but ... something is missing.
It's clear the ship has sailed on the hits of the 50's, 60's and 70's and even a guy like Cecil would not have enough left to cover his bills once he paid all of his fines if he played today. I have been watching a young Badger, junior strong safety Jay Valai, he knocked out Dane Sanzenbacher and also lowered the boom on 'Boom' Herron. Gather round and watch for he is a dying breed.
Cheer and debate with
6,000,000+ fans!
Charlotte
Michael
Britney
more
Comment!