Mr. Gibbons, Famous Actor

Is any 1960's stroll down BHS Memory Lane complete without a story about Mr. Gibbons?  I don't think so!  Did you know, for example, that Mr. Gibbons also performed improv theater while coaching football?  Read on...

In the waning seconds of a closely-fought Watertown football game, we Bobcats were leading 7-6, which turned out to be the final score...but just barely.

Watertown was driving, on the Brookings 20-yard line. They called a timeout with about a minute to go.  If they could get a first down, they could sustain the drive.  In those days, only ONE player per team could come to the sideline and talk to the coach during a timeout.  More than one would be a penalty, and such a penalty against the Bobcats would give Watertown crucial yardage and a first down.  TWO of our defensive players headed for Mr. Gibbons for instructions.  Yes, TWO, as in one too many.  Mr. Gibbons saw the problem and started waving and yelling for one to go back to the huddle.  Both guys kept a-comin'.   An official was nearby, hand on flag, ready to toss. 

Mr. Gibbons quickly came up with a plan.  He randomly grabbed some startled player from the bench, shoved him onto the field of play, and told him to go join the huddle.  When the other two players got to the sideline, Mr. Gibbons grabbed one of them and wordlessly tossed his surprised butt onto the bench.  Mr. Gibbons was  --see, Mr. Official,see?--  making a SUBSTITUTION during that timeout. Honest, Mr. Official, honest!

Mr. Gibbons then calmly went back to that second guy who had come to the sideline, chatting with him for the rest of the timeout.  The official either bought the substitution subterfuge,  or just plain enjoyed the comedy routine.  He took his hand off the flag and walked away.  Close call, no penalty, we stopped the drive, and won the game, in large part due to Mr. Gibbons' improv-theater skills. 

Do you suppose there is an acting-class credit somewhere on Mr. Gibbons' college transcript?  If so, it paid off that night in Watertown.