6
Mar
2012
Remember the 1989 “Bounty Bowl”? It seems things haven’t changed all that much in the NFL (VIDEO)
Mike Golic might have a unique perspective on all this bounty talk
Here’s a fun little trip down memory lane! Back in 1989, the Buddy Ryan-led Philadelphia Eagles played their rival Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day, in a nationally televised game that would forever come to be known as the “Bounty Bowl“.
In it, Ryan was accused by Dallas head coach Jimmy Johnson of placing a $200 bounty on kicker Luis Zendejas, and a $500 bounty on quarterback Troy Aikman. On the Cowboys’ only kickoff of the game, which Philadelphia won 27-0, Eagles linebacker Jesse Small sprinted straight at Zendejas (who had previously played for Ryan and the Eagles) in an obvious attempt to take him out. Zendejas dove to avoid the hit, but took a knee to the head resulting in a concussion, and setting off a firestorm of controversy.
Despite Johnson’s attempts to challenge Ryan to a fight in an alley, it was all fun and games in the media as Johnson made fun of Ryan’s “big, fat rear end”, who in turn deflected the controversy by making light of his own weight. Ryan also claimed that Zendejas was the one trying to injure Smalls, and wondered aloud “Why would we want to knock out that kicker? He wasn’t making any kicks at the time. We wanted him out there.”
On Monday, Mike Golic – who played for the Eagles in both games - said on ESPN that “there were bounties in that game”. But at the time, commissioner Paul Tagliabue turned the other cheek and exonerated Ryan of any wrongdoing - a claim that Ryan still clings to this day - and pretty much everyone got a big kick out the idea of bounties in football. Two weeks later, the league even promoted the re-match for ratings as “Bounty Bowl II”, which was marketed by CBS with wanted signs and became memorable for the snow/ice balls lobbed onto the field (and at announcers) by the Philadelphia fans.
BOUNTY BOWL VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
26
Oct
2011
Rex Ryan Rocked the Mullet Back in 1994 (PIC)
From our friends at the SI Vault comes this image of Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan from back in 1994. At the time, Ryan was a defensive assistant with the Arizona Cardinals under his father Buddy, which was also his first NFL coaching gig.
And as this image shows, in addition to sporting a moustache and being a few pounds lighter than he is today, back then Rex also favored the Kenny Powers-esque mullet as his hairstyle of choice:
(Photo: Twitter.com)
Aeneas Williams approves.
10
Jun
2009
Rex Ryan is as crazy as the ol’ man!
Like father, like son ... right down to the man-boobs and turkey neck
Remember how batshit crazy Buddy Ryan was? Remember when he would rip into Tom Landry, in an effort to stoke the flames of division rivalry? Remember when he was with the Houston Oilers and punched Kevin Gilbride – a member of his own coaching staff – in the face on the sidelines during a game (if not, video after the jump)?!? Well, it looks like the apple don’t fall too far from the turnip truck, if you know what I mean.
Rookie New York Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan is already stirring up trouble in the AFC East, and is deeply embroiled in a war of words with Dolphins LB Channing Crowder. It all started when Ryan made a seemingly innocuous statement that he wasn’t afraid of anyone in the division:
“I never came here to kiss Bill Belichick’s rings,” Ryan said in an interview on WFAN. “I came here to win, let’s put it that way…. I’m certainly not intimidated by New England or anybody else.”
And even though he didn’t mention anything specifically about the Dolphins, Crowder took offense to the fact that Ryan was calling out the Patriots, not Miami – the defending AFC East Champs – as the team to beat in the division.
Crowder fired back at Ryan:
“Oh he’s going crazy. He’s going absolutely nuts,” Crowder said. “I know it’s his first chance to be a head coach, and I know he’s excited about life. But I’ve never played a football game in June in my life. So congratulations to him. He’s the OTA Super Bowl winner.”
Zing!!!
Your play, Mr. Ryan:
“I don’t know this Channing Crowder. All I know is that he’s all tatted up, so I guess I ought to be nervous about him. If I was younger, I’d probably handle him myself.”
Alright! Now we’re approaching junior high school level!!
Continue reading after the jump for more trash talk, and video of Buddy Ryan vs Kevin Gilbride
