| Show OFFENSIVE LINEMEN than his offensive counterpart) “Last few years I played” says Len Hauss Redskin center for 14 years “we finally got recognition They mentioned our name on the PA system when you got caught for holding” The ethos of the offensive line is ‘i umbia University-bre- d anchor of toRedskin line has resolved that day’s problem “The defensive lineman gets the publicity” he says “I block my man 50 times and nobody hears about it He gets past me one time sacks the quarterback and I’m the sucker So it’s my obligation — to me — to make as much money as I can This is known as professional sports ‘But I like football” he concludes “even if it is an extended adolescence It brings out qualities and performance that make great men great “Like war I suppose” handed down through generations like a family Bible While defense can be played angrily crazily the code of the offense is mental toughness “If you don’t understand mental toughness” says Hauss “I can’t explain it But I can tell you what it did for me: It enabled me to take a beating every Sunday knowing I’d get no recognition and come right back and do the best damn job I could the next week” Thus a quiet elitism has germinated men poised among the three-pointe- d side by side statue-sti- ll like setters pointing grouse waiting the headslapping charge of brutes who paw the ground like rhinos on the scent As in most elitisms there is no snob like a convert Tampa Bay’s Charley Hannah was a lineman for Bear Bryant at Alabama So were his father Herb an uncle Bill and two brothers David and John John now with the Patriots and Jim Parker the huge swift Colt lineman of the 60’s are considered by many the premier linemen of all time Charley was drafted as a defensive end and played it for two years before being recycled “Offensive tackle” he found “is harder to play correctly Defense is charge and reaction anger can be an asset But get mad or upset on offense lose control and you blow it” But Hannah has found advantages to his new role: “After a game now I’m beat up on my arms and neck and my head may hurt My ankles may be sore But on defense I’d come home and put ice bags all over me” Starting in the late 70s offensive linemen were granted “limited” use of hands “That makes a big difference” says Jim Otto who never missed a game in 15 seasons as center for the Oakland Raiders “There’s really no hard hitting in the middle of the line anymore The owners wanted to make the game saleable and the fans enjoy scoring So you save your quarterback let the use their hands take away the head slap” Some say eliminating the head slap was unnecessary “Anything unreasonable you work out between you” notes guard Ray Schoenke “(Kansas City defensive tackle Buck Buchanan was working me over one day so I started punching his ribs We worked it out” But what about the lack of glory and recognition? George Starke Col pass-blocke- rs If you want the family insurance agent who delivers good neighbor service check with State Farm ! State Farm agent Carl Cox Indianapolis Indiana “What sets State Farm apart is no secret really Millions of folks want the personal service State Farm is famous for one-to-o- ne With State Farm you have affordable 1 ‘ protection that respects your budget You have one agent who can do it all -l- ife health home and car insurance And just one number to call for that good neighbor service ” For a good price and outstanding service on all your family and individual insurance check your Yellow Pages for the State Farm agent near you STATI FARM in FAMILY WEEKLY November 21 1982 13 INSURANCE Like a good neighbor State Farm is there STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANIES Home Offices: Bloomington Illinois |
