Brass Tacks Trivia

As of today’s date in football August 5, 2009

HOW TO VIEW THIS BLOG: Read the questions, then highlight the area between the > < to reveal the answers, then click “more” for the explanations.

1. Archie Griffin was the first gentleman to win what sports award in two consecutive years?

Answer: >Heisman Trophy<

2. Who was the quarterback for the New York Jets during Super Bowl III, who guaranteed victory over the Baltimore Colts?

Answer: >Joe Namath<

3. What is the longest field goal ever kicked in NFL history?

Answer: >63 yards<

Explanations:

1. I thought this would be a fun multiple choice question, and you could use different things like MVP, Coach of the Year, etc. But, then I decided not to do that. For a while I got Archie Griffin confused with Archie Manning, the latter being the father Peyton and Eli Manning, and also Caucasian as opposed to Black. Good old Archie (the Black one) from Ohio State won the award in ’74 and ’75, the only person to have ever won it twice, making him by default the first. These two awards really help Ohio State in their count of 7 total Heisman winners, tied with Notre Dame and USC. Texas only has two, Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams. Tim Tebow was the first and only sophomore to win the award. I have to be clear that all of these stats are current as of this blogs posting date, but subject to change.

2. This blog is quickly turning into a sports blog and losing its humorous edge. You know, that sharp, cutting wit that characterized my early entries. Don’t give me that look. My entries were both sharp and witty. I would hardly call this a blowout. The final score was 16-7. Is it really guaranteeing a victory if you win by less than 10 points? This was back in the days when the AFL and NFL were newly merged, but for some reason they weren’t calling them the ACF and NCF yet. Probably because Super Bowl III was played in 1969, and the merger didn’t take place until 1970, but that’s too many dates to remember, so it’s easier just to assume the first Super Bowl happened at the same time as the merger. At the time of this post, the Steelers win for the most Super Bowl wins with 6. The Cowboys win for the most Super Bowl apperances with 8! And Dave’s precious San Francisco 49ers, all they did was win 5 Super Bowls, the same number the Cowboys won. Their only distinction is winning every Super Bowl they’ve played in, a distinction held by only 3 other times, but these teams have only won one each.

3. The old 63 yarder was performed by Tom Dempsey and Jason Elam, although Dempsey’s performance is less impressive, since it was in 1970 when kickers were allowed to use a tee. Elam’s was in 1998. Mike Vanderjagt is considered to be one of the better kickers of the NFL. I say “better,” because kickers aren’t distinct enough to have a “best.” VJ, as his friends call him, holds the record for most consecutive field goals and highest percentage (a career of over 100; there were a few kickers who came in, went 17 for 17, then got injured and never played again, but that’s not too impressive). Second for most consecutive FGs is Gary Anderson. I love this story. This guy played for the Minnesota Vikings and had a perfect regular season, making all 35 attempted field goals and all 59 extra points. When the Vikings made it to the NFC Championship Game, they were up 27-20 with 2:07 left in the 4th quarter and went for a field goal to make it a 2-score game. Anderson missed, and their opponent, the Atlanta Falcons, drove down the field to score the game tying touchdown, going on to win it in overtime. So sad. Also, the most field goals in a game is 8 by Rob Bironas.