KRC Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 Art played for the AAFC Buffalo Bills. He passed away March 2. He was a wonderful man. I have had many conversations with him and we was always very generous with his time and had great stories to tell. I will tell you one of them: He rarely played defense, but was put in against the Cleveland Browns. His responsibility was to cover Edgar "Special Delivery" Jones. A second or two after the snap, he hears "Hey, Otto!" The ball went sailing over his head and into the arms of a streaking Jones, who ran it in for a touchdown. He said, "That was the last time they had me in on defense. All I remember was Jones saying 'Hey, Otto!'" Obit R.I.P. Art Statuto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanker Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 RIP Art. KRC - you're particularly good at keeping memories of the old guard alive. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRC Posted March 6, 2011 Author Share Posted March 6, 2011 KRC - you're particularly good at keeping memories of the old guard alive. Thanks. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chandler#81 Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 Wasn't it pretty rare NOT to be playing both ways then? Early 50's would be pre-facemask.. Could you imagine that today? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRC Posted March 7, 2011 Author Share Posted March 7, 2011 Wasn't it pretty rare NOT to be playing both ways then? Early 50's would be pre-facemask.. Could you imagine that today? At that time, things were changing. There was limited substitution, so you could have a few specialists. If you look at the starting rosters, you could usually tell whether the team started on offense or defense. For example, if Otto Graham was not the starting QB, you knew that the Browns started on defense. However, the bulk of the players were still two-way. Art mainly played offensive center. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob in STL Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 At that time, things were changing. There was limited substitution, so you could have a few specialists. If you look at the starting rosters, you could usually tell whether the team started on offense or defense. For example, if Otto Graham was not the starting QB, you knew that the Browns started on defense. However, the bulk of the players were still two-way. Art mainly played offensive center. AAFC - you got me there. My memories go back to 63 - 64. I would think most centers played MLB as well? I recall that EJ Holub of the Chiefs played both in the early to mid 60's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buftex Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 (edited) AAFC - you got me there. My memories go back to 63 - 64. I would think most centers played MLB as well? I recall that EJ Holub of the Chiefs played both in the early to mid 60's. Let me recommend an excellent book on the Buffalo Bills of the AAFC, by our very own KRC...since he is too classy to toot his own horn! http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=ken+crippen I picked it up last Christmas, at the Albright Knox Gallery, during their Bills 50th anniversary exhibit...great book, particularly if you are a bit of historian...I like to think I am, but my memory gets worse by the year. Edited March 7, 2011 by Buftex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chandler#81 Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 Let me recommend an excellent book on the Buffalo Bills of the AAFC, by our very own KRC...since he is too classy to toot his own horn! http://www.amazon.co...rds=ken+crippen I picked it up last Christmas, at the Albright Knox Gallery, during their Bills 50th anniversary exhibit...great book, particularly if you are a bit of historian...I like to think I am, but my memory gets worse by the year. That's why we buy books. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRC Posted March 7, 2011 Author Share Posted March 7, 2011 Let me recommend an excellent book on the Buffalo Bills of the AAFC, by our very own KRC...since he is too classy to toot his own horn! http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=ken+crippen I picked it up last Christmas, at the Albright Knox Gallery, during their Bills 50th anniversary exhibit...great book, particularly if you are a bit of historian...I like to think I am, but my memory gets worse by the year. Thank you for the plug and the compliments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts