AFL Memories: The Texans First Game
This year, pro football is celebrating the creation of the American Football League some 50 seasons ago. Over the rest of the year, we will bring you some moments from the AFL’s history book
It was Mark Twain who once said that the coldest day he ever spent was a summer afternoon in San Francisco.
The Dallas Texans found that out on July 31, 1960 at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.
On a brisk 50-degree Sunday afternoon the Texans beat the Oakland Raiders 20-13 in front of a crowd estimated between 13,000 and 18,000 fans that were bundled up against the fog rolling in off the Pacific Ocean.
It was the first game in the history of Lamar Hunt’s franchise.
“There were a lot of ups and downs, but I’m just tickled to death to win,” head coach Hank Stram told reporters after the game. “I thought our guys showed a lot of poise after that terrible first quarter.”
The Texans had flown west out of their training camp in Roswell, New Mexico, where they had been practicing for several weeks. There was great excitement in their ranks as they crossed the Rocky Mountains and headed for the Bay Area; for most of the 49 players on that plane, it was their first professional football game.
The excitement certainly didn’t translate with the football fans of Oakland-San Francisco. There was no place available for the Raiders to play on the east side of San Francisco Bay, so they were forced to head to Kezar (above left), which at that time was 34 years old and already in some disrepair. The stadium was also the home of the 49ers and they had the advantage on playing dates.
The beginning of the franchise’s offensive history was memorable for all the wrong reasons. Oakland had the ball first and ended up punting to the Texans. RB Johnny Robinson fumbled on the Texans first offensive play, the ball recovered by DB Joe Cannavino of the Raiders at the Texans 34-yard line. Oakland scored in just three plays with RB Billy Lott hitting runs of seven and 25 yards and then RB Buddy Allen jumping into the end zone on a 2-yard run.
It was in the second quarter that QB Cotton Davidson led the Texans on their first scoring drive, going nine plays and 67 yards, the touchdown coming on a 5-yard pass to WR Chris Burford. Davidson and Robinson connected on a two-point PAT play and Dallas had an 8-7 lead.
The Texans second score came in the third quarter on a 12-play, 77-yard drive that wrapped up with a 3-yard scoring run by RB Jack Spikes. The third score was set up by an interception from DE Melvin Branch, who grabbed a throw by Oakland quarterback Tom Flores. Branch’s 12-yard return set up the Texans offense in the scoring zone. Spikes got the touchdown on a 2-yard run.
Davidson hit nine of his 21 passes for 101 yards. Robinson led the Texans in rushing with 76 yards on 12 carries, and Spikes added 74 yards on 18 carries.
Defensive ends Branch and Paul Miller, along with LB Smokey Stover led the Dallas defense that pressures Flores all afternoon.
Dallas had 313 offensive yards to Oakland’s 175.
Real Rin ® daddy-o sez
The “AFL” … there’s just something about that name; Rin’s memorabilia stash strains under the weight said.
Rin still has His original game program & ticket stub for that DAL v @OAK game as well as program & stub for that first HOME v HOU exhibition game as well first regular season HOME and AWAY games - both v the LA Chargers. Throw in that original 1960 DAL Texans pennant mine and it’s like being (inaudible) years old again.
daddy-o
Rin,
“You old Dog, You”. Sounds to me like you have had a long association from the beginning of the AFL. In real life, I would say you have some very interesting & fascinating stories from days past.
I have read some of your postings. Not all. (especially when you are ranting). I have noticed that you seem to have alot of knowledge about the Texans/Chiefs. Especially the players, stats, etc. I wasn’t sure until reading the above post that you are a ligitimate Chiefs fan.
Maybe we could all get a history lesson from you. I have only been a fan of the Chiefs since 1967.
I’m certain that all the bloggers on this site would read with interest your past association with the Lamar Hunt vision From the beginning to the present. I for one would very much enjoy reading the Rin Tin Tin biography.
How about it Rin, Will you share with us??
I’m sincerely interested. Anyone else interested?
I am in, how about it Rin??
OK, but no rambling, won’t read that.
Jimbo,
Much respect to you and your opinions…and the way you present them. Always enjoyable.
But, I think I’m going to barf.
Real Rin ® daddy-o is humbled by your proffer; well - not really He isn’t, but it sounds heroic when I say it.
When in 1967 you became a fan, Rin was in ‘Nam. That I remain a fan today though more so out of habit than love as before, does not change the reality that football - American style - is the best sport in the world, my opine.
Alas it as most everything life doesn’t progress i.e., ‘get better’ with time…it merely changes, for the worse. Suffice to say, I am grateful that I was able to discover the game back in the late 1950’s whence truly, ‘it was a game.’
Yes, Rin will say with all sincerity & with total disregard for modesty that I can, will and do put my knowledge of the Chiefs that AFL decade second to none; true, every story or anecdote I have not heard (though I’ve heard many to be sure from the players themselves) but as ‘a’ nee ‘THE’ uber fan Chiefs AFL, Rin be peerless.
Rin’s background aft military service in the USMC entailed working in the media, variously - print, radio, TV & motion pictures (you may have seen me on screen however as I’ve no desire to compromise Rin’s anonymity I shall leave it at that. I was a Sports Editor for a newspaper in a major US city years ago & have been a sports fan and collector various memorabilia/stories for a number years.)
As concerns the KC Chiefs, my relationship with several of the older guys from the 1960s (as my father who knew Hank Stram/others very well) is the basis of much of my knowledge/insight too.
Well, that’s the condensed version… suffice to say Rin always honors & reveres yesteryear. That some folks resent Rin’s extensive knowledge the Chiefs be their problem; that Rin loves to tweak the nose such snots this blog - gratis - be just His style!
Thanks Rin, An interesting mini bio. I do have one question for you. What state do you currently live in?
I also have noticed a change in the game from the early days. Obviously it is called greed. (aka money). They used to play for the pure love of the game. Many players had other jobs to pay their bills & support their family.
I remember my dad mumbling to me one day, I was just barely a teen. I believe it was about 1970. He remarked he was done watching pro football when he heard that Mike Garrett(sp) of the Chiefs was contracted to earn $100,000 for one year.
He never took me to see a Chiefs game since then.
Scott,
Thanks for your kind words on the barf posting. I enjoy & respect your opinions as well.
You have a knack for getting to the point & validating your responses with insight & clarity.
Rin,
I forgot to “Thank You” for your service to our country. I noticed that you have a little icon on your Real Rin posting. We’ll assume it is you & not a pirate.
I’m not one to chastise opinions of a colleague, but I would like to address a simple observation. Rin, you kill me with your Shakespearian (sp) prose. One would think with your intellect & work history that you would express your opinions in laymens terms. Keep in mind that none of us fellow bloggers have ever got paid for our views, comments, observations or analysis. No matter how obsurd it may seem to you. We are simple people with one thing in common. “We love the Chiefs”. Similiar to your passion for them at their infancy.
I propose to you, that if you would simply stop tormenting, antagonizing & befuddleing (sp) us little people we would appreciate & respect your sometimes brilliant observations as fodder for further dialogue.
I am personally extending an olive branch to you, for those of us that have the time to express our opinions & concerns for our beloved team.
We are a team, Please join us… hopefully in the near future “A team of World Champions”. Go Chiefs.
Real Rin ® daddy-o sez, response to jimbo
Suffice to say I maintain residence more than one state…will leave it at that (enough about Rin - you’ll make Scott & the other snots more jealous than they already be for you see those who would accuse a Rin of seeking attention in fact be the very perpetrators said themselves - Rin Tin Tin merely comments on some aspect of football and - VIOLA! the snot(s) come out to protest; they are a vexing (to themselves) eyed lot.
_ _ _ _ _ _
Anyway…yes, greed by all means and in all its far reaching forms: oversaturation nee visual & overload informational reportage as well access to game broadcasts and rule changes driven by $ same the final analysis, directly & indirectly.
The majority of fans do not attend games…rather watch them. So how did folks yesteryear ever live without the 24/7/365 ESPN and cable television ad nauseam? Only the big 3 TV networks and even then only 2-4 games every weekend ’stead of some 5x as many pro now? Circa 2009, a spoiled fandom has no idea & are over-gorged on the watered down parity laden NFL brand.
Rin lived it & well recalls said but if one is of a mind they can easily go back read the prophetic reports & retorts of the ’60s just what was going to happen a result such ‘progress’ (non-Rin term) described regarding ’sports’ generally speaking - think George Orwell’s 1984, so that what you see today comes as no shock…twas just a matter when.
Just as MLB turned a blind eye to steroids/PED’s the last some 20+ years in deference to HRs, NFL changed its rule$ to benefit pro offen$e$ at the expense any stat integrity and relevance; younger fans many embrace said because they are innocent/ easily led (astray) - they never saw the game as once twas played - when it was a (better) game.
What be the price $ucce$$ now? Check out the co$t those ‘new improved’ suites at Arrowhead - and as Rin has said afore if you think it’s bad now wait until (if ever) KC starts winning again … might want to consider taking out a 2nd mortgage/become a fan of Arena football.
Notice anything in the current state of affairs that makes you go “hmm?” Ample unused cap space, ticket hocu$ pocu$ (you must buy 2 to see the 1 game you want)? You decide.
Still, tho be no heroes when choosing ‘tween the owners and players, I lean toward ownership (Rin liked it better in the good old days; NFL owners need to Ronald ‘RayGun’ the NFLPA just as he did PATCO in 1984. Isn’t possible, but if it was…)
_ _ _ _ _ _
As for Garrett, actually he never earned $100K as a Chief, annually; that he signed 5-year contract in ‘66 for about half Namath’s $400,000 of 1 year before made Mike a seeming bargain - as for the rank 7 file no-star players, player unions (both AFL & NFL) then weren’t what they are today; yes the $ were once too heavily tilted owners way - now it’s swung too far the other way. Capitalism is fine…long as you the fan remember it’s they (players/owners) be ‘capitali$ing’ on ‘you’ via that American spirit of ingenuity/greed/what the market will bear.
Which is why nowadays, Rin Tin Tin finds it both more interesting & satisfying watching amateurs (little league & YAFL) than the mercenaries each & every (players/owners alike) the pro level.
Jimbo,
Here! Here! I applaud your post.
And Rin, as bad as I hate to say it (and am choking on my urge to vomit)…I applaud your post as well. Probably your best ever.
No matter what you think of me…please heed Jimbo’s advice. A little more on the insight…and a little less on the bullsh*t, please. It would go a LONG way.
jimbo said
“Rin”
- yes, what is it now?
“I forgot to “Thank You” for your service to our country.”
- some gave all, but all gave some…
“I noticed that you have a little icon on your Real Rin posting. We’ll assume it is you & not a pirate.”
- as you wish, though, you know what assuming makes of folk…
“I’m not one to chastise opinions of a colleague, but I would like to address a simple observation. Rin, you kill me with your Shakespearian (sp) prose. One would think with your intellect & work history that you would express your opinions in laymens terms. Keep in mind that none of us fellow bloggers have ever got paid for our views, comments, observations or analysis. No matter how obsurd it may seem to you.”
- a blog is not a column… it is free-style and as such poetic license be writer’s prerogative - as such Rin has invited all to read/or not takes His as one be inclined. This blog is smorgasbord, My style I enjoy thoroughly & as I write for me/ my own enjoyment Rin has no plans to modify said; thanks for your ‘hopeful’ concern, however.
“We are simple people with one thing in common. “We love the Chiefs”. Similiar to your passion for them at their infancy.”
- the ’simplicity’ of Chiefs fandom (as evidenced by the majority this blog) is evidentiary…
“I propose to you”
- thank you, but Rin prefers to work/go it alone…
“that if you would simply stop tormenting, antagonizing & befuddleing (sp) us little people we would appreciate & respect your sometimes brilliant observations as fodder for further dialogue.”
- oh, the humanity…
“I am personally extending an olive branch to you, for those of us that have the time to express our opinions & concerns for our beloved team. We are a team, Please join us… hopefully in the near future “A team of World Champions”. Go Chiefs.”
- to each their own, but to thine own self be true…as is/willst e’er be Rin Tin Tin…
Real Rin ® daddy-o
Rin Tin Tin says:
“My style I enjoy thoroughly & as I write for me/ my own enjoyment Rin has no plans to modify said; thanks for your ‘hopeful’ concern, however.”
I knew better. My bad. I take back what I said.
I should have just gone with my first instinct and puked.
Rin,
I’m sorry, you wear me out dude. I read your posting twice. It is obvious you are bitter of the new NFL & all sports in general.
We all can agree that sports entertainment ie…football baseball,basketball, even the olympics are spoils of the greedy. Keep in mind that not all aspects of the games are biased or one sided. Like politics, we are, but individuals. Unfortunately sports as we know them today are flawed in many ways.
Bottom line is, we as Americans & the world (mostly soccer) love our sports & all the hoopla & money that flows with it.
There is no cure for cancer, pro sports is no exception.
I take offense to your comment of Scott being a snot nose. You have picked him as your most recent pet-peeve.His passion is real & up to date.
He believith in thine Chiefs & his spirit wilst always be remembered in the faith of thee team that maketh him whole.
Nobody is wanting you to change “your style” just your finger pointing.
We hath forsaken your superior thoughts of yesteryear.
I cannot believe for one minute that amatuer sports entertains you.
You are on bobgretz.com for a reason. Your objectivity is welcome, your pissing & moaning is not.
Lest us forget that you, Rin… are of vast knowledge & expertise, particularly of yesteryear are welcome & embraced by us minions of the present. Be fair… Be objective… Don’t be a horses Petuty (sp)
jimbo/et al
This should be obvious, but as is apparently not…
The reader any, must be able to discern ‘tween nuance & irony, wit & sarcasm, poetic license nee tongue in cheek - and all the rest Rin.
As the Dodgers ’60s CFr Willie Davis used to say “if it ain’t my life & it ain’t my wife, I don’t care.” Which is to say: lighten up Francis/don’t take it all so seriously.
If a person cannot discern when someone (say Rin) is being genuine/sincere or irreverent/ suspect, well…you place him on an even greater pedestal than He is already afforded…
Real Rin ® daddy-o
Congratulations Rin,
You are now the proud owner of…
“I don’t care anymore trophy”.
Your ego & obvious disrespect for others opinions…are now exposed for all to judge.
Your so called pedestal, is but a 3 legged milking stool I occupied as a youth, twice a day 365 days a year. At least I contributed to the team (my family) milk, cream & butter.
I have since accepted & understood that common sense & respect of others is far more gratifying than a bitter old man that lives in the past & thinks he is wiser & better than everyone else.
I believe your directness of opinion & frankness of spirit is genuine, as only Rin can express.
Perfection is but a lonely escape from reality.
I can’t believe that you are a product of a Chiefs legacy & tradition of excellence. Lamar Hunt, Hank Stram & Chiefs players of yesteryear would be ashamed of you.
I will not address you again…
The extended olive branch has been rejected by he, “the almighty Rin” who hath loves thine self instead. Simply Pathetic……..
Real Rin ® daddy-o is embraced by shame, but
not really…
Seriously, this rint-int-in has got to be the twin of the pathetic old father of the King of Queens wife. Rint even blogs like that pathetic charachter talked. Every time I scroll by one of rint’s bitterly sad rant’s I will picture that goof.
Funny, just too funny.
Rint doesn’t even get that you guys smoked his egotistical butt out of the basement.
Oh, and thanks for your service covering the Viet Nam war for our military.
The next post on this article will be rint using my name…..pathetic.
Excellent post Rin.
I’m a moron but seeing that Scott and jimbo are also here I don’t feel so lonely.
“Any 22 will do” - my mom!
“Any 22 will do” - my mom!
“Any 22 will do” - my mom too!
Seriously, Rin.
Do you think we’re all too stupid to figure out it’s you? I wish you’d accidentally fallen on a mine or been killed in one of those foxholes you probably shimmied through in Viet Nam.
“Any 22 will do” - my mom too! She gets USED.
And no, I’m not talking about THOSE foxholes. I’m like the military, don’t ask don’t tell.
I’m a big moron. Actually the biggest.
Alas, but you are wrong, Scott. You are the biggest moron next to Rin.
jimbo is a bigger moron than Scott but not as big as me.
I love Rin. He’s bigger badder and smarter than all you alls.
I second that. Rin’s the best.
Seriously guys! You’re too much!
We all love you Rin!
I love myself too-in the sexual sense!
I love myself too-in the sexual sense!