Met Steve Grogan - Pats Legend
Last night I worked an event with WEEI, and I got to meet the OG New England Patriots QB, Steve Grogan. He was there for a meet n' greet at The Backyard Bar and Grille in Enfield, CT. Considering the size of the restaurant, I was surprised to see how many people came out to see him. Lots of people had their #14 throwbacks on, others brought commemmorative footballs or trading cards for him to sign, but most just seemed content with a personalized signed picture and a photo op.
It was really fun to hear the stories that people would tell him because everyone had great memories. His responses were very interesting too because he had a really deadpan responses about the games he played. Somebody said something about the 85 Superbowl, and he said, "Yeah, it was really fun until the game started." Of course, Tony Eason started the game, and failed to complete a pass. Grogan had better success coming on in relief, but the game was pretty much out of reach by halftime.
He also expressed some bitterness about the playoff loss to The Raiders (L.A.) in 1976. "That was THE year, and man, they robbed us." Grogan had a great season in 1976, his second year in the league. He set an NFL record with 12 rushing TDs by a QB, and that record would stand until Cam Newton came into the league in 2011. He led the team to its first 11+ win season, going 11-3, and unseating the defending champion Pittsburg Steelers.
The bitterness from that loss comes from a contentious fumble that essentially ended the game. Grogan agreed that he felt "vindicated" when he watched the "Tuck-Rule Game" (also against The Raiders). A fan said that the falling snow in both games made the comparison even stronger, and Grogan said "Definitely." He said he'd have loved to have won it, but at least he was able to witness a redeeming moment by a QB to which he compared himself, Tom Brady.
Talking about his draft status, he said he was "overlooked and unknown" (falling to the 5th round) "like Brady." However, unlike Brady Grogan earned his spot as a starter by outdueling former Heisman winner, and future Superbowl champion, Jim Plunkett (w/ Raiders). Injuries and other QBs (Tony Eason notably) pushed him out of the starting lineup, but Grogan remains a Patriots icon because he left it all out there, and that's all you can ask.
Grogan was one of the toughest guys in the league, and many fans expressed their amazement regarding how tough he was. A sampling of his injuries according to The Globe: "5 knee surgeries; screws in his leg after the tip of his fibula snapped; a cracked fibula that snapped when he tried to practice; two ruptured disks in his neck, which he played with for 1 1/2 seasons; a broken left hand (he simply handed off with his right hand); two separated shoulders on each side; the reattachment of a tendon to his throwing elbow; and three concussions." Despite this lengthy list, Grogan played for 16 seasons in an NFL much grittier than today's.
Grogan was a running QB that could throw, and he was commonly referred to by fans at the event as "one of the most exciting players to watch ever." He brought a bottom-feeding franchise to a Superbowl, and he kept the team consistenly relevant when he was in the game. As a Patriots fan, we owe him a debt of gratitude for paving the way to where we are now. Likewise, we've got to thank him for enduring a loss in '76 so that Brady could have the good karma to get the benefit of the tuck-rule call. What happens if Brady doesn't have instant replay?
Thanks Steve. We wish you all the best. Thanks for the memories, and thanks for leaving it all on the field. You battled every step of the way, constantly facing nay-sayers, and you came out the other side as a legend. #14 on the field, #1 in our hearts.
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| He has enormous hands, and he looks really young for his age, 59. |
He also expressed some bitterness about the playoff loss to The Raiders (L.A.) in 1976. "That was THE year, and man, they robbed us." Grogan had a great season in 1976, his second year in the league. He set an NFL record with 12 rushing TDs by a QB, and that record would stand until Cam Newton came into the league in 2011. He led the team to its first 11+ win season, going 11-3, and unseating the defending champion Pittsburg Steelers.
The bitterness from that loss comes from a contentious fumble that essentially ended the game. Grogan agreed that he felt "vindicated" when he watched the "Tuck-Rule Game" (also against The Raiders). A fan said that the falling snow in both games made the comparison even stronger, and Grogan said "Definitely." He said he'd have loved to have won it, but at least he was able to witness a redeeming moment by a QB to which he compared himself, Tom Brady.
Talking about his draft status, he said he was "overlooked and unknown" (falling to the 5th round) "like Brady." However, unlike Brady Grogan earned his spot as a starter by outdueling former Heisman winner, and future Superbowl champion, Jim Plunkett (w/ Raiders). Injuries and other QBs (Tony Eason notably) pushed him out of the starting lineup, but Grogan remains a Patriots icon because he left it all out there, and that's all you can ask.
Grogan was one of the toughest guys in the league, and many fans expressed their amazement regarding how tough he was. A sampling of his injuries according to The Globe: "5 knee surgeries; screws in his leg after the tip of his fibula snapped; a cracked fibula that snapped when he tried to practice; two ruptured disks in his neck, which he played with for 1 1/2 seasons; a broken left hand (he simply handed off with his right hand); two separated shoulders on each side; the reattachment of a tendon to his throwing elbow; and three concussions." Despite this lengthy list, Grogan played for 16 seasons in an NFL much grittier than today's.
Grogan was a running QB that could throw, and he was commonly referred to by fans at the event as "one of the most exciting players to watch ever." He brought a bottom-feeding franchise to a Superbowl, and he kept the team consistenly relevant when he was in the game. As a Patriots fan, we owe him a debt of gratitude for paving the way to where we are now. Likewise, we've got to thank him for enduring a loss in '76 so that Brady could have the good karma to get the benefit of the tuck-rule call. What happens if Brady doesn't have instant replay?
Thanks Steve. We wish you all the best. Thanks for the memories, and thanks for leaving it all on the field. You battled every step of the way, constantly facing nay-sayers, and you came out the other side as a legend. #14 on the field, #1 in our hearts.
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