Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-09
WIN, LOSE OR
DRAW By FRANCIS srApu
The End of the Line

THERE WERE MELANCHOLY undertones to the 2lst
annual Touchdown Club dinner Ted Williams much at
ease in front OF the mcrophone facing pitcher used
the expression II know I'm at the end of my career Otto
Graham wrapped it real good This is last
Cleveland's great quarterback fatty stated,
Later in upstairs suite Ma Statlers Otto confirmed
his retirement Even the old pros the premses-Cif
Battles, Bucky Harris Andy Farkas and Mickey Vernon
challenged Graham that You better
Harris sad than in the playo with the Rams Besides
pointing that familiar crooked finger at OTTO whats going
to become of Paul Brown when you eave?"
you quit kind of early yourself" Otto reminded Harris.
Anyway I'm "a years old retired year but it didn't
stick is entitled to two retrements, think.
Otto grinned then said When retired year ago there
stipulation. If and when Brown needed me. would
come back There's such stipulation far as next
is concerned"
ONE WHO WAS CRoWD1NG the Graham Harris-Battles-
Farkas-Vernon knot asked:
Suppose the Clevelands get beat in the Chicago
Al-Star game like they did last year? win you back
and them again?"
Cleveland won't get beat next time" Otto guaranteed.
"We-although wasn't member of the squad at the time
got caught with pants happen again.
promise you.
LAS for Paul Brown" he said Bucky Harris II didn't
make him great coach He already Maybe helped
but that's all"
Harris dean of all big league baseball managers smiled
inly Gould be- Otto he said but it doesn't hurt coach
manager to have Battles Farkas Graham or
Ted Williams on his side
Harris caught glimpse of Vernon his right side and
added;
Right here is guy could use next season. I think
we're going to have pretty good ball club Detroit but
I'd go home lot happier had Vernon right And to
think of all the when Mickey could make any
difference"
ANOTHER WHO HAD joined the group was George Halas
of the Chicago Bears who affirmed that he has called quits
coach. From George will confne himself to
acting and counting his money.
"The guy who had lot to do with changing pro foot
ball. George saying, was Sid Luckman don't mean to
he greater paSser than Sammy Baugh or Otto
Graham but Sid put the real emphasis the quarerback
Importance Luckman like another coach, except he
the field"
Graham, free of all commitments asked if he
ever called play his TITS fairly we'll established
commented man. that Paul guards the
game after nearly every play and gives the word"
That's true" Otto conceded, but didn't always hear
the word that over Browns head lot
of times Mostly called what Paul directed But there
were occasions when well, sort of mprovised."
BY THIS TIME Otto was sitting on dvan and noun
tain OF Ray Krouse, moved next door. Wake the
and tell the people," Ray murmured you
up the New York Giants You beat out of ball game
you no-account"
ut thought out of nowhere" Graham said I'VE
made up the play in hudde You're not mad are you,
Ray?"
Krouse grmaced Brain guys those quarterbacks" he
shifted Ray pounded ham-Szed hand his thigh and
added II wish could have got real shot this guy"
Otto took it this point "Krouse and 80 per
the others in ball don't try MAIN the quarterbacks
he said. THAT story how complained of being beaten
up was not entirely true Shucks pro quarterback has
got to expect rough handling"
KROUSE SAID, WINKINCi, "Say it out loud coach"
"All right Otto said, I'm "a and I've had I'm darned
sick and tired of having monsters lay hands on me-"
I've had to contact Otto occasions Krouse said
"but I'm damned if what did illegal"
Hes right" Graham said Ray Just does -
whats legal" Krouse finished my job is shake you
up little bit Therere other guys who want to do more"
ed Sprinkle" otto sighed. HE just rough"