Paul Brown, A Former Steeler, And A Roster Cutdown Story With A Completely happy Ending
Dwight D. Eisenhower was president of the USA when Invoice Priatko noticed his soccer profession flash earlier than his eyes.
Greater than six many years later, he nonetheless remembers it—and feels for thus many gamers who’re hoping they don’t get a telephone name proper now.
Late August is especially brutal across the NFL. And it has nothing to do with hits that knock even probably the most alpha of males into final week. Each crew should trim its roster from 90 (or 91) gamers to 53 by 4 PM/EST on Tuesday.
Some, just like the Steelers, have already began doing so.
The maths is merciless, and it’s extra than simply numbers. A whole lot of gamers pursuing their goals and their livelihoods can be instructed neither will occur with the crew for which they put themselves on the road—bodily and emotionally.
“Each time reduce season comes, I empathize with guys,” stated Priatko, who performed for the Steelers within the late Fifties and turns 94 in October. “It’s not a simple factor for one of many guys who’re the final cuts. That’s why each time this time of the yr comes, I consider that.”
“That” is what occurred after legendary Browns coach Paul Brown took to the intercom whereas Cleveland was flying again from the West Coast following its fourth preseason sport in 1960.
4 gamers had been to report back to crew headquarters within the morning, he stated. Priatko’s identify was the primary one Brown referred to as.
He picked up an envelope the following day, positive it contained a letter that the Browns had waived him and a few cash to get dwelling. As Priatko was strolling away, the secretary who had given the letter to him requested if he was going to open it.
He did, and it stated to report back to League Park at 10 AM for observe.
“Then it dawned on me,” Priatko stated. “There have been three guys that needed to be reduce, however [Brown] named 4 guys over the intercom.”
He had stopped listening after he heard his identify. However Priatko positive heard what Brown instructed him that morning within the locker room earlier than observe.
“He stated, ‘It’s a must to be fabricated from the firmer stuff,’ and he walked away,” Priatko recalled with amusing.
That was considered one of Brown’s signature sayings, and Priatko nonetheless needed to show it. Again then, there have been six preseason video games. He needed to survive a number of extra cuts after two extra video games to make the Browns’ 35-man roster.
Sure, 35. In a 12-team league. Speak about math being harsher than calculus.
Priatko made the Browns, and his story had a contented ending—simply not in the best way he envisioned. Priatko tore a thigh muscle throughout observe early within the season, which finally ended his enjoying profession.
Twenty years later, Priatko utilized for an assistant athletics director job at Robert Morris College in suburban Pittsburgh. Brown, unbeknownst to Priatko, referred to as RMU’s president on his behalf. He acquired the job and spent greater than a decade there.
He was inducted into the RMU Athletic Corridor of Fame in 2015.
Proving his outdated coach proper once more that he was certainly fabricated from firmer stuff.
