"They were who we thought they were."
Former Colts coach Jim Mora's anger at the media launched him into legendary status.
"Playoffs? Playoffs?"
And Jerry Glanville, then the coach of the Houston Oilers, will be remembered more for something he said than how he coached, thanks to NFL Films.
"You're in the NFL, which means not for long if you keep making … calls like that."
And then there's former Kansas City Chiefs coach Hank Stram. Unlike Glanville, Green, and Mora, he was not exactly a one-quote wonder. As a matter of fact, Stram may have the record for having the most memorable quotes in one game.
The Lew Wallace alumnus didn't need a soundbite to be remembered, though. He is, after all, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and a winner of three American Football League titles and a Super Bowl championship in 1970.
He was credited with creating the two tight end offense and was the first coach to use the I-formation.
But when you say the name Hank Stram, what do you think?
It depends.
If you ever saw the NFL Films documentary of Super Bowl IV, then you might think this:
"Hank was a ham. Let's start with that," said Len Dawson, Stram's former quarterback. "I wonder if he learned the word 'matriculate' at Wallace?"
Wallace English teachers would have probably declined the penalty on that one (do yourself a favor and look up matriculate in your dictionary) but then again, whoever said proper grammar is necessary for a classic line?
"Let's keep matriculating the ball down the field, boys."
Go ahead. Picture Mike Ditka saying that to his charges on the sidelines. But Stram did, during the biggest -- and most historic -- game of his life.
"Hank would get a word and just wear it out," Dawson said. "People even today talk about matriculating down the field. Hank was a showman and a unique individual."
Maybe it came from his father, who was a professional wrestler, the ultimate showman sport. And it probably didn't hurt that Stram coached another Gary native, Fred "The Hammer" Williamson, a guy who could tell you a thing or two about the benefits of show biz.
But Hank Stram was one of a kind.
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