Remembering Tom Landry
I am not really sure why I always remember this date. I remember the day that John Lennon was shot and I remember the day that Tom Landry died.
Maybe it represents two things that virtually saved me in different periods of my life…music and sports.
I always still feel the sadness…not so much of watching him coach because those memories are sketchy now to me…but what he represented. The things he accomplished….the things he added to and enriched the NFL with. Most coaches are known for having strengths on one side of the ball or another…Tom excelled in both. His formations, play action, along with virtually creating the 4-3 defense made him a pioneer. He didn’t fly into rages, he didn’t jump up and down. He walked the sidelines in that hat, and stared.
Going to share two stories from two of his ex-players that I talked to on this very day…about three years ago.
First from Rayfield Wright…I got to talk to him twice..the first time, three days before he was inducted into the HOF….the second time…was this letter he wrote me…
| Dear Deb
I think about Coach Landry every day. So for me, February 12th is just another day when I will give thanks and praise to our Creator for placing Coach Landry in my path….and on my road less traveled. I ask your members to say a silent prayer for Mrs. Landry and members of his amazing family. They celebrate his life each and every day…while suffering from his loss with dignity and respect. Recently, I spoke to Mrs. Landry. She said, “You know, Rayfield, my Tommy loved all of you guys so much….but he loved me more!” Coach Landry’s legacy was: Faith. Family. Football. In that order of importance. We should all be so lucky to live by those values and virtues. This day will be especially heart-warming for me….because I know that, during a hot day last August in Canton, Ohio, the legendary Coach Landry had one of those rare, yet momentous smiles on his face. We are heading to the Super Bowl…and then on the to Pro Bowl…so I’m sorry for the short note. God Bless, |
and secondly..one of my favorite people…Mr. Danny White…who at the time was coaching the Arizona Rattlers.
| Deb Yeah, we are in the middle of training camp. I think of Coach Landry practically daily, but remembering his death is just not a big deal to me. It’s as if he’s still here as far as I’m concerned. So, I’m not going to light a candle….I’m going to try to be the Coach and the Man he would expect me to be. Thanks for all you do. DW |
His players loved him. Respected him…and played hard for him. He was full of ideas and faith.
AND in closing a few words from the gentle man himself….
“When you want to win a game, you have to teach. When you lose a game, you have to learn.”
“Leadership is getting someone to do what they don’t want to do in order to achieve what they want to achieve.”
“Football is an incredible game. Sometimes it’s so incredible, it’s unbelievable.”
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