Mike Webster, the greatest center in NFL history on the greatest team in NFL history, died today at the young age of 50. He was a childhood hero of mine, and a part of me died as well when I heard the news. Looks like the big guy in the sky has a big game planned up there...first Johnny Unitas (QB), then Bob Hayes (WR) and now Mike Webster. Thanks for the memories, Mike. Hall of Fame center Mike Webster dead at 50 Terry Bradshaw: "The last 10 days, we've lost Johnny Unitas, Bob Hayes and now Mike. What I wouldn't give to put my hands one last time under the greatest center of all time. I'm sure up in heaven, Johnny U. is doing it for me."
They say that awwwlll good thangs must eyind... Players from what I'll always consider the true Golden Era of NFL football (post NFL-AFL merger, pre first expansion) are beginning to die off. The Colts were still in Baltimore, the Cardinals were still in St. Louis, the Rams were still in LA and Houston's team was called the Oilers. Howahd Co-sell, Frank Gifford and Dandy Don Meredith were (are) Monday Night Football. (EA Sports needs to develop a game with play-by-play samples from these three and an intro sample from John Facenda, yes they do). Webster was a big part of pro football's greatest franchise. He'll be missed.
I'm sorry that Mike Webster has died, but I don't really need to know that Terry Bradshaw wants to touch his butt one last time.... And I'll second the notion of somehow adding Facenda to Madden 2004... "Lombardi. A certain magic still lingers in the very name. It speaks of duels in the snow and cold November mud."
Amen. Too many great players of Webster's caliber were forgotten as soon as they hung up their jerseys in spite of their years of great play, especially before the era of free agency and big money that didn't arrive until it was too late for guys like him to take advantage of it (not that centers command a great salary, but...) Rest well, Mike, along with Hayes and Unitas -- two other golden age NFL guys.
The Steelers and their owner, the Rooney family, did step up and help Webster. It's an unfortunate tragedy but the Steelers are a class organization, perhaps the most classy of all American professional franchises. Rooneys, NFL especially generous to troubled Webster