Totally Random
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There are accomplishments by their NFL predecessors in Baltimore that the Ravens are eager to embrace, such as celebrations of the 1958 NFL championship game. Other moments, well ...
Today is the 40th anniversary of the New York Jets’ upset of the Colts om Super Bowl III. It passes almost without mention in Baltimore, though the game Joe Namath ‘guaranteed’ the Jets would win was worthy of a series of articles in the New York Daily News.
John Fox, longtime Daily News writer, said he sensed the significance of the game ‘in the middle of the third quarter, when it appeared likely that the Jets would win, there was total silence among the NFL writers in the press box.’
The game proved the AFL worthy of a merger with the NFL, enlarged the Super Bowl and forever left Baltimore fans bitter.
Speculating before this season’s playoffs about who would be the best opponent for the Ravens, the Jets or Miami Dolphins, the Baltimore Sun’s Ken Murray wrote, ‘Baltimore still owes the Jets.’
Basically, the only anniversary less likely to be celebrated in Baltimore is Robert Irsay’s acquisition of the Colts, which will reach its 40th year in 2012.
Trivia time
If it’s the 40th anniversary of Super Bowl III, then it’s also been 40 years since the ‘Heidi Bowl.’ So who played ‘Heidi’ in the TV movie that interrupted the Oakland Raiders’ wild finish against the Jets in 1968?
Time capsule
Some numbers from Super Bowl III ...
Point spread: Baltimore by 19.
Cost per commercial: $55,000.
Winners’ share: $15,000.
Geez, 15 grand? That wouldn’t keep Pacman Jones in attorney retainers.
Cardinal sin
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Antonio Smith, asked whether the team wants respect after beating the Carolina Panthers, told the Arizona Republic, ‘No. Don’t nobody believe in the Arizona Cardinals but the Cardinals fans. We love being the underdogs. Best place to be.’
Mongo from ‘Blazing Saddles’ couldn’t have said it better.
Trivia answer
Jennifer Edwards, daughter of Blake Edwards, director of the original ‘The Pink Panther.’
And finally
Jones, sent ‘pac-ing’ by the Dallas Cowboys, went on CBS’ NFL pregame show and announced that he was ready to play next season, adding, ‘I think I might be back in Dallas.’
The cheer you heard comes from New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles fans.
-- Chris Foster
