Webb Simpson’s fabulous bunker hole out for birdie at DEAN & DELUCA
Raymond Clayborn made fast tracks out of Fort Worth Trimble Tech in 1973, then left his footprints all over Texas" record books.
Led the Longhorns to Southwest Conference track titles in 1976 and "77 and league football championships in "73 and "75.
All-American, two-time All-SWC and named to the SWC"s All-Decade team in football.
Clayborn was so fast and fearsome, the Patriots made him the 16th pick of the "77 draft, and with the exception of Tony Dorsett and maybe Stanley Morgan, no first-rounder that year had a better career.
Finished with 36 interceptions, tied for most in Patriots history. And Clayborn played in an era when passing was for the left lane only.
As terrific as he was as a defensive back and return man, though, a locker-room story stands out in the memories of most pro football fans from the "70s.
Among sportswriters from the era, it"s practically biblical.
On Sept. 9, 1979, after the Patriots had plastered the Jets 56-3 in Foxboro, Boston sportswriters crowded around the locker of receiver Harold Jackson, who"d caught three touchdown passes. The surplus spilled over into Clayborn"s locker, an intrusion he didn"t take lightly.
Clayborn had apparently been in a bad mood all week. Reportedly been in at least one fight in practice.
One media member objected to Clayborn"s manners. The Globe"s Will McDonough boasted a reputation as Boston"s most feared writer. And not just for his adjectives, either.
Growing up in Southie, he"d reportedly been chummy with mobster Whitey Bulger, subject of Black Mass. As one writer put it, not a few Boston sports figures respected McDonough because they"d heard he could get you a papal blessing or your legs broken. Probably in the same phone call.
Anyway, events escalated quickly. Depending on what you read, Clayborn tried to poke McDonough in the chest and found his eye instead.
McDonough -- an inch shorter and 20 years older -- delivered a right cross that even Rougie Odor would have envied, and Clayborn tumbled back into his locker. Goliath"s fall got less press.
The ensuing melee blurred most accounts, though it"s fairly certain Patriots owner Billy Sullivan ended up in a laundry bin.
McDonough"s son, Sean, who went on to a fine broadcasting career, said the incident gave him instant cachet. My dad can beat up your dad? Hey, my dad beat up an NFL player!
As for Clayborn, the NFL fined him $2,000. Apologized the next day, promising no more tantrums.
Proved as good as his word, too, though some in New England may still hold it against the Katy, Texas, resident. For the third year in a row, he finished runner-up in Patriots Hall of Fame voting. Still, it"s not as bad as losing to a sportswriter.
Twitter: @KSherringtonDMN
First clue about Art Briles" culpability was his reaction to Sam Ukwuachu"s rape conviction last August, second by one of his Baylor players in 19 months. Called it "unfortunate." Unfortunate? Wasn"t quite level of contrition or sympathy situation required. Reflected Briles" shocking indifference about safety of campus females, at least when his football players were involved. Let"s hope it"s wake-up call for coaches everywhere. ... Baylor now owns two of state"s biggest college athletics scandals ever, both in this century. Basketball murder/Dave Bliss cover-up of 2003 still too fresh in memory. ... Interesting reaction from Jeff Banister to reporter"s question about majesty of Nomar Mazara"s 491-foot homer, longest in MLB this season. Terse response seemed to suggest, "If we make too much fuss, kid starts swinging for Home Run Porch every time." Not much chance. Never saw player so young, so disciplined. Whoever came up with "Big Chill" as nickname nailed it. ... Return of Yu Darvish stretches out rotation, which was already solid. Bigger question: What happens when A.J. Griffin comes back? He"d worked his way into mix before flare-up. Who loses when he"s back? Martin Perez? Derek Holland? Colby Lewis? Prediction: Banister will go with hot hand. ... Ricky Williams running San Francisco"s pot-friendly Power Plant Fitness gym is like Henry Ford operating local car dealership. ... Dwight Freeney may be 36 but still registered eight sacks in 11 games for Arizona last year, and without offseason or training camp. Pass rush remains glaring need for Cowboys, but Stephen Jones says they"re not interested. At least not yet. If Freeney would take one-year deal, they should offer. ... Texas" Charlie Strong ahead of curve by firing DBs coach Chris Vaughn in February. Former Ole Miss assistant accused of multiple violations in NCAA allegations, including ACT fraud scheme. ... Fifth-grader Nihar Janga of Leander, outside Austin, ties for Scripps National Spelling Bee title, throws up "X" in tribute to Dez Bryant, who tweeted his approval. Nihar correctly spelled "gesellschaft," which, roughly translated, means two tickets to Cowboys game. ... Question: If trend of finding new positive results in previous Olympic test samples keeps up, is any generation safe? Hide your medals, folks. ... Best postseason news for Mavs fans? Going five with OKC was big deal after all.
This Topic is Missing Your Voice. View Comments
Source: http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/other-sports/moresports/2016/05/28/sherrington-1979-former-ut-ne-pats-star-clayborn-found-painful-way-media-can-truly-hard-hitting
No comments:
Post a Comment