The `B' Line . . . August 1, 2002
8/1/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 1, 2002
This is another "B" Line column, a periodic collection of news items of particular interest to members of the Baylor "B" Association. Contribute news about you or your teammates via e-mail to Dutch Schroeder (Dutch_Schroeder@baylor.edu), Reba Cooper (Reba_Cooper@baylor.edu), Kyle Penney,(Kyle_Penney@baylor.edu) or Jack Loftis (Jack.Loftis@chron.com). The mailing address is Baylor "B" Association, P. O. Box 8120, Waco, TX 76714
HOUSTON KICKS OFF AGAIN - Baylor football letterman and Sports Hall of Fame member Al Witcher was a member of the first professional football team in Houston, the 1960 Oilers. And he probably can rest assured that the new Houston Texans will not match the success of his former team and win a championship in their inaugural season.
As the Texans prepared for their first game ever, an Aug. 5 exhibition against the New York Giants, Witcher remembers fondly how the Oilers defeated the San Diego Chargers 24-16 in the American Football League's first title game. The contest was played on Jan. 1, 1961 before 32,182 fans in Houston's old Jeppesen Stadium. "Rice (University) wouldn't let us play in its stadium and, of course, there was no Astrodome, so we played on a high school football field," Witcher said. During the season he performed at linebacker on defense, on all special teams and at times was the tight end on offense. In a game against the Buffalo Bills, the regular TE was hurt and Witcher had to go both ways through much of the afternoon. "I finally had to tell Coach (Lou) Lymkus that I just couldn't take it and had to have some rest," he said. "And on another occasion I caught a pass and also intercepted one in the same game. We lost, but a Houston jeweler gave me a watch because nobody else on the team had done any better that day." . . .
GRUFF BUT GOOD - Witcher says Lymkus was a terrific coach. "He could be gruff, but he knew his football," he said. "And he expected you to use ever fiber in your being when you played for him." . . . Witcher also has respect for Bud Adams, who brought the 1960 Oilers into the league and operated the team in Houston until it was moved to Nashville in 1998, eventually became the Tennessee Titans. He said Adams brought members of the 1960 championship team to Nashville in 2000 for a 40th anniversary celebration. "We had a great time and all of our expenses were paid by Bud," Witcher said. Perhaps that should be considered a bonus, since Witcher remembers that he only made $8,500 in 1960 - plus $1,025 for winning the championship (Charger players pocketed a mere $718) . . . After lettering for Baylor in 1957-58-59, Witcher had one year of law school behind him when he entered pro football. When the 1961 season rolled around the Oilers offered Witcher $12,500, but he decided to end his playing career and return to Baylor where he coached the freshman team and re-entered law school. "Coach (John) Bridgers got me a scholarship that paid for my books and tuition," he recalls . . .
OTHER BAYLOR BEARS - Had Witcher remained with the Oilers he would have played only five more games for Lymkus, who was the first of many coaches to be hired and then fired by Adams. In all, 15 head coaches have worked for Adams, 16 if you factor in Wally Lemm's 1961 and 1966-70 stints. "Lou was a great coach, but not the best diplomat," Witcher said. Newspaper reports from 1961 indicate that Adams fired Lymkus on the spot after the two got into a fierce argument . . . Witcher says he is still an Oiler/Titan at heart and doesn't expect to adjust his allegiance any time soon. He notes that following his retirement as an Oiler, one of his great hopes was that the once almost-unstoppable pass-catch combo of Don Trull and Lawrence Elkins would continue to make sparks for the Oilers the way it once had for Baylor. But injuries, odd coaching decisions and a veteran Oiler quarterback named George Blanda interfered with the plan. Another disappointment for Witcher involved losing his 1960 AFL championship ring. However, he was elated when his children made arrangements to secure a duplicate and presented it to him as a Christmas gift . . . Today Witcher practices law in Waco with the firm of Naman, Howell, Smith & Lee . . .
JACK LOFTIS
CO-CHAIRMAN
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
