Revisiting Those Knee "Injuries"

Recently a follower of this blog sent me a picture about the previous post concerning the passing of David Steen.  The picture he sent was from Facebook. The original picture was somewhat cropped and used as the introductory page to the Junior High section of the 1966 Bobcat yearbook.  In the yearbook, only one dancer (Jean McCone) is shown.  The individual on the left is not shown, nor is the other "go-go" dancer.  It appears that the cropped picture in the annual is meant to highlight the boys playing:  Marty Johnson on drums, David Steen in the middle, and Gordie Bortnem on the other guitar.  Patty Mehegan is the other dancer on the left.  This dance would have been held in the "Pit."  A previous post  (http://classof69bhs.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-pit.html) gave a little history of that gymnasium.

 

 

While looking at some old Registers for some other information, this picture also came up.  Pete Retzlaff (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Retzlaff) played at State in the early 50's, and then went on to become a stellar receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles.  Incidentally, another receiver for State, Dallas Goedert (https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-dallas-goedert-is-the-nfls-next-mismatch-weapon), was selected by the Eagles in the recent draft.  He was greatly sought after for his receiving abilities.  He did not even have a scholarship when he arrived on campus as a freshman, but obviously earned one for his last few seasons.

 

The picture below shows Pete Retzlaff on a return trip to Brookings after making the Eagles' roster. This issue of the paper was dated Jan. 12, 1958. 

 



 

 

 It appears that Dallas Goedert (2014-17) has an extremely good chance of making the Eagles' roster.  If you're a fan of the NFL, you may have to keep his eye on him.  Today's Register had its second in a weekly series of articles on Jackrabbits in the league.  In addition to Goedert, Jake Weineke 2014-17 and thus Goedert's teammate) is another rookie receiver trying to make the Minnesota Vigings roster.  There are three other Jackrabbits who have NFL experience.  Zach Zenner is a running back for the Detroit Lions (Wayne Rasmusses of State played for them in the 60's, and actually had a very brief appearance in the film Paper Lion).  Bryan Witzmann (2010-2013) is an offensive lineman (left guard) for the Kansas City Chiefs.  (Is there a Left Guard deodorant, or would he have to use Right Guard?).  Adam Vinatieri (1991-94) is still alive and kicking (literally) for the Indianapolis Colts.  Adam became well-known when he kicked for the New England Patriots.  He has played in 337 games since he made the Patriots' squad after playing a couple of seasons in Europe, which indicates the determination he had to make it to the pros.  There was an article in the Nov. 25, 2017 Register entitled The kick that saved Adam Vinatieri's career.  Briefly, the coach (Bill Parcells) gave him a chance to make a meaningless field goal in a pre-season game in which the Patriots were easily defeating the Arizona Cardinals.  Parcells "wanted to know if Vinatieri was clutch."  He made the field goal, and was able to stay around another week.  Had he missed that attempt, he would have been released, and may never have played in the NFL again.  Supposedly Vinatieri had been told by Parcells that if he missed the kick, there would be no reason for him to return to the locker. 

 

That one successful field goal led to a career in which Vinatieri (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Vinatieri) has been: a four-time  Super Bowl winning place kicker; two-time all-pro selection; nomated as the NFL's 2000's All-Decade team; and several NFL records.  His name is in the record book for: most seasons with 100-plus points (20-1996-2008, 2010, 2012-2017); most post-season field goals in a career (56); most consecutive games in a single post-season with three or more field goals (4); most career points in post-season (234); most points in a single post-season (49); most field goals in a single post-season (14); most field goals in Super Bowls (7); most extra points in Super Bowls (13); most field goals in overtime (12); most consecutive field goals in NFL history (44); most Super Bowl wins by a place kicker (5); most Super Bowl appearances by a place kicker (5); and most play-off games by a place kicker (30), which also ranks second of any position (Tom Brady has 37).  When I get the time, perhaps I will be able to figure out a way to copy that half-page article and post it on here.   

 

At his age (he will be 46 in December), does he still have the ability to function at the levels demanded by the rigors of pro football?  He recently tied his longest field goal ever with a kick of 57 yards, so it appears that still has plenty of power and strength in that right leg of his.  He needs only 58 points to become the all-time scoring leader in NFL history (https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2018/8/22/17766108/patriots-kicker-adam-vinatieri-will-try-to-dethrone-falcons-alumnus-morten-anderson-in-2018).  Here's hoping that Adam, Dallas, Zach, and Bryan can all have successful seasons this fall.