On the TunneySide of Sports May 16, 2022 #900 Up next… Missing Don Shula
After further review… Don Shula was arguably the greatest head coach in NFL history. He was also one of my very closest friends for many decades.
Recently I was reminded of a conversation that took place between former Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese during one of their monthly lunches where they would get together, eat, tell bad jokes, reminisce, and watch the horses at Gulfstream Park.
During this lunch, they started talking about a play in their first Super Bowl together, a loss against Dallas, where Griese was under such defensive pressure he ran backward to elude it. And backward. Something Coach Shula was wont to refer to as ‘minus-29 yards.
And this is where I come into the conversation. As it was recounted to me, Griese pulled out a letter from me dated August 17, 2004. I officiated that game and also did the coin toss. I confirmed that Griese was chased by three Cowboys on that play while Shula always insisted that it was just one.
Famously, my friend poked fun at me by saying “You know Tunney was voted the second-best of 200-and-something officials, right? All the others tied for first.”
He was my friend and colleague for over 30 years. I miss him every single day.
How will you honor the people who left such an impact on your life and those of others?
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Jim’s Bobblehead and books examining the philosophy and value of sports can be found in the many books he has written.
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