1980 Edition 3

Our third trip to the 1980 vault takes us back to Week 5 of the NFL season.  This particular issue included all sorts of gems from the past. The first ever Mystery Picker was tied for the picking lead at this point but of bigger concern to our editor was the hot-button topic of NFL scheduling. The Post Pattern's Chief Political Correspondent, Hoofer, addressed the Iranian Hostage Crisis from the only true perspective that mattered...which was, of course, through the lens of how this impacted the state of cheerleading in the NFL. The "Foot Notes" and Game Summary sections has several interesting nuggets (Mundo's Hat, an intriguing interview, and more).

On This Date

After winning in Week 1 on the famous Chester Marcol walk-off blocked FG for a TD play, the Green and Gold proceeded to lose their next three contests (by a combined total of 108-35). On October 5th, 1980, with commentary swirling around the status of Bart Starr's job security, the Packers Board of Directors felt compelled enough to issue a statement on the morning of their game against the Bengals.  The board stated that they backed Starr, at least through the end of the season, when his fate would be decided.

Whether that statement had any affect was likely up for debate, but the team DID respond (at least that day).  In a game covered by Mike Adamle (prior to his coverage of American Gladiators), Starr lead his team vs a Bengals squad that was helmed by former Packers great, and future Starr replacement, Forrest Gregg. Green Bay took the lead in the first frame on a nice touch pass from Lynn Dickey to James Lofton. The Packers defense made several nice plays lead by Ezra Johnson, Ed O'Neil (not the Al Bundy actor), and Johnnie Gray as they harassed QB Ken Anderson.  Helped by a late hit penalty on Dick Jauron (who went on to coach the Packers DB's for 9 years), Dickey threw his 2nd TD pass of the day to FB Steve Atkins to take a 14-6 lead at the half. While Green Bay didn't score again, their defense only allowed a FG in the 2nd half to close out the win. Lofton finished the day with 8 catches for 114 yards and a TD.

As a side note, at one point in the first quarter, Adamle pointed out that Larry McCarren, the Packers center, was playing with a broken finger in his right hand (around the 19:40 mark on the video). Years later, a couple of Al's Pals would come face to face with the results of this injury on Highway 41. After passing someone they suspected of being McCarren, the boys did what any grandson of Al Buboltz would do...they waved at the driver in an attempt to coax him into waving back.  Sure enough...the mangled finger, sticking out at nearly a 90 degree angle from it's normal position happily waved back at them.  Identity confirmed.