Evening star., 1960-12-19
WIN, LOSE OR
NR ANAR
DNAV BY FRANCIS STANN
Taps at Griffith Stadium
IT WAS A DAY to remember

IT WAS DAY to remember
An hour before the game there a telephone call
for George Marshall he slipped coffee in Cal Grifths
old office Marshall cut of the caller quickly and scowled
sas he returned to the table
fs "Crackpots!" he muttered. where do they come
from? This guy was warning me to play my secondary
deep because he'd been watching the Eagles in practice
and they are going to throw long passes"
Three and a half hours later after the Eagles had
thrown touchdown passes covering 52 a. "a and ST yards
plus 7l-yarder that needed only nudge for Phiadel
phias fifth I'd it 1929 Eagles in the Redskins final
game in Griffith Stadium.
Only the fans in the stands threw anything longer
than Norm Van Brockn Sonny Jurgensen the Eagle
QuarterbacR Those the Snowballs they threw at
Santa Claus during the halftime show.
Now came the moment of truth .. the dressing room
scene
THE DOOMED MAN walked quickly into the Redskins
dressing room said 80 long" of the players and
walked quietly into his private office In pregnant
silence Mike Nixon stripped down. removed his long
underwear, and dressed for the street.
A newspaperman noisily cleared his throat Mike"
a.. he began.
mo comment" said the 10th head coach used up by
Marshall in "a seasons in Washington which does not in
elude three others sacked during five years in Boston
Let me just ask this much" another newsman said
will you be in Philadelphia week after next for thecol
lege draft?"
Eyes"
For the Redskins3"
"Yes"
A long pause.
II think so" Nixon finally qualified.
Marshall slipped quietly into the coaches room at the
top of his lungs.
Get that fellow on the phone!" he commanded Dick
McCann If he prints that story whoever gave him the
Information Is ar!"
4: A WIRE SERVICE reporter, according to Marshall
had written that Nixon actually had been fired long
ago November g. Immediately after the ST. Louis Car
dnals had routed the Redskins, AIT.
That's just not true!" George shouted into the phone
Look Mixes right here beside me. He'll tell you"
Nixon had his topcoat and was headed for the
door. Reluctantly, it appeared he came back
"He says you told him." Marshall said. "set him
straight"
minute later Mike hung up
"He says he'll retract it, Nixon said softly This time
he walked out of the door.
when was he really dismissed" man asked Mar
shall
"He wasn't dismissed His contract ran out" George
retorted, splitting hair.
HAS Nixon coached his last game for the Redskins?"
"Yes"
when did he know this would be his last game?"
= 1.-TWO weeks ago." Marshall said "It might have been
three weeks ago."
did you offer him another job?"
"Yes, permanent job doing something else. He
agreed, then changed his mind"
BILL McPEAK AN AIDE who was picked by Nixon
has been reported the next head coach.
why don't you just announce that McPeak is the
coach and cut out all this akand-dagger stuf? re-
porter asked.
Because nothng's settled" Marshall replied. Ive
consulted three other coaches, too"
But isn't it significant that McPeak didn't come to
the dressing before the game and hasn't shown
now?"
He's a MISSION" George said, hollowly Hes en-
Pertaining boys might draft for next season.
Do you still think your material this season was the
best since 1945, or in many years.?
Absolutely. The players were little erratic."
Well then, what do you think Of Nixon as coach2"
MARSHALL CHOSE his words before answering. q
think he's nice man. Too nice. Everybody thinks he's
tough guy. He isn't don't know what kind Of coach
Mike really is. He's only been head man two years."
But the material there?"
q. II think SO. Maybe I'm wrong and Nixon's right y
:, Aren't you tired OF making coaching changes?"
Are you kidding?" George demanded.
well, If you won't name head coach now, whom dC
telephone about plans for next year?" some
body wanted to know "Is there coach who'll be around
next year that can talk to?".
"Me," Marshall snapped
~ "