Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-10-15
ATCHISON..,S
A NC (
Bobby Loyne-A Big Lacquer
BY LEWIS +. ATcHIsoN

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME amazing football players
in the Pittsburgh seelers history, beginning with the
tabled Johnny Blood and continuing through such as
Whizzer White, Bill Dudley, Elbe Nickel and Ernie
Stauner Men of great talent nexhausble courage and
flair for the dramatic The Steeers will present another
player from the mold Sunday when they knuckle
down against the Redskins at Griffith Stadium. That
would be Bobby Layne 32yearod quarterback of
pro footballs all-tme greats.
Much has been written about Layne, not all of it
on the sports pages but it has been mostly figures and
facts pertaining to his forward passing record The man
himself seems to be human, albeit fiery person. endowed
with normal quota of shortcomings as we'll as an
abundance of finer qualities.
Zone of guys" said Ed Kiely Pittsburghs publicity
director, waS telling of the others how waitress
had mistaken him for Bobby when his listeners
interrupted. .5.. g
You're too fat and too tight to be mistaken for
Layne the second fellow said And that's abont the size
of it, Kelly added. when you're with Bobby, you
know you're with big Lacquer" s.f ii a3a
THE TERRIBLE-TEMPERED LAYNE is known to be-,
rate his teammates in fashion that would have made
some Of footballs old horses blanch Rival players
have asked Steeler friends how and why they submit
such verbal abuse. fs
ts like Walt Kiesling says Kiely explained referring
to of Pttsburghs assistant coaches "he greatest
thing about him is his take-charge ability eS' says
he's never seen more amazing athlete-and KieS has
been around long time. The players respect Bobby
because he knows what he's doing and they confidence
in him. In the huddle he tells them to look him in the
eye How are you gonna get the play you don't look
me in the eye? he asks So they look him in the eye
Woe to that hapless creature who misses assign
ment and fouls up play Coach Buddy Parker Caspar
MlquetoaSt himself doesn't have to utter corrective
word Layne lays the culprs out in lavender Aveteran
of IL years in the league Layne is regarded another
coach the field There probably isn't situation of
any kind that he hasn't faced and handled during those
years.
ONE OF THE MOST CURIOUS things about Layne
is that he's all phases of pro football from last
place finish with the late and lowly New York Bulldogs
949), who had Idol record to four Western Division
and three world championships with the Detroit Lions.
Few football players have travelled widely than
Bobby for he began his career with the Chicago Bears,
after being selected the Steeefs No. draft choice in
1948 Pittsburgh owed Chicago its top draft choice that
year. 90 ~
I'VE owed them choice" Kely explained. "and they
wanted him."
Layne did all right for the Bears in his few appear
ances but George Halas still had Sid Luckman who was
to play two more years. an outstanding sophomore in
Johnny Lujack and promising newcomer in George
Blanda, who also kicked field goals. Layne
baggage off he went to the bright lights of New
for year. He did well with the Bulldogs too finishing
sixth in the league with 155 competitions in 299 attempts
for 196 yards Bobby also had the distinction of leading
the league with 10 fumbes.
Parker had theory about those fumbles" Kelly
said 1.-THE Bulldogs line WELL not exactly stone WALL
and Buddy noticed that Layne pulling back from
the center too quckly-sometmes without the ball-to
get away from the tackers pouring in him. Buddy
decided that with good line in front of him Layne
wouldn't do that
"And Bobby once told me-" Ed went on, chat after
playing with the Bulldogs he knew he would be
afraid of anything, any team in pro football 1t must
have been terrifying experience"
$3.50
NEITHER PARKER, KELLY NOR Pittsburgh sports
writer's could believe Coach George Wilson Of the Lions
would trade Layne the Steeers when the matter
preached during telephone conversation last Parker
who'd left Detroit abruptly the year before thought
Wilson, his former assistant pulling his leg when asked
if he'd be interested in deal for Bobby.
Buddy called at the Office about o'clock and
asked me to stick around while that he might have
trade for the morning papers," Kiey said 81 thought
nothing could get at that time-this was after we'd
played two league games-coud be worth waiting around
for, but when Buddy told me might get Layne
couldn't believe it.
Neither could the newspaper guys" Kiely continued
/ / See ATcHIsoNs ANGLE Page E.