Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-11-15
ATLMSON.S ANGLE

IOdbJClLAdll 4ldo OO1lC' EAASSA Al
graduation from Notre Dame
New York Yanks and finally
decided to call it Confessions
of a Gypsy Quarterba *.
(Coward-McCann, $3.50.
1t was at Cleveland that Rat
terman, a terrific piano player
and not a bad paSSer, acquired
the reputation of being the
highest paid non-working quar-
terback in the National Foot
ball League. AS if knowing
skeptics would doubt the state
ment, George obligingly lists
his salary scale for five years
at Cleveland totaling $4,000.
A guy could feel comfortable
enough on the bench for that
kind of money, and George says
it was a balm a few thou
sand words.
But Ratterman, or co-author
Robert j. Deindorfer, couldn't
resist the temptation to dig up
some old cheStnutS for inclu-
sion in the book. 1t wasn't
necessary, because Georges
antics would have been enough
to fill q fat book.
= y y
He tells of the time Lone
Star Dietz, coaching the Bos-
ton Redskins, instructed his
captain to kick off if he won
the toss. Dietz then started the
long climb to the scouts perch
where he intended to watch the
game. Arriving there, Lone Star
looked down and gasped as he
saw the Redskins lined up to
receive the ball.
Il told you to kick, not re-
ceive," he beloved into the
bench telephone.
I'VE did, COACH" the as
sistant on the other end re-
piled, and they ran it back
for a touchdown"
It's a true story, out of which
George Marshall got a lot of
mileage.
1t has a companion piece that
happened in Chicago when Dick
Mccain was general manager
OF the Redskins. A couple of
sleepy-eyed sportswriters missed
the team bus for the stadium
and Mccain frantically tried
to arouse them.
I've got a cab ordered for
you," he said, but you'll have
to hurry or you won't get there
for the kickoff"
Calm down." he was told.
We'll be there on time"
The scene changes to Wrigley
Field as the truant writer's stroll
nonchalantly into the pressbox
and see the Redskins and Bears
lined up for the kickoff.
Hey, Dick" one red-nosed
writer triumphantly called to
Mccain. Look down there"
Eyes, and look up there. "
Mccain replied, pointing to-
ward the scoreboard. 1t read:
Chicago. 81; Redskins, 0.
The Bears recovered three
fumbles in the first four min
uteS and scored three quick
touchdowns.
If you like such stories the
book is full Of them. But Rat
terman, now sheriff of New
port, KY. throws a few verbal
punches at some old teammates
and rivals. 1t was surprising to
see him refer to John and Vito
Kissell as tightwads, and to-
spell out why.
He even mentions Abe Glib
ron's appetite when the Red
skins line coach played guard
for the Browns. The way Abe
played he needed food, because
he was rated one of the busiest
and one Of the best.
Ratterman recalls that GER
tain older players would feignI
injuries near the end of the
season to guard against real
injuries that might abruptly
end their carers. And they fib'.
about their ages, of course.
An aging halfback friend Of
mine who fed off Canadian
football for three months came
back home $4,000 richer and
two years younger" George
writes.
George isn't telling any
secrets out Of school when he
writes that Coach Paul Brown,
fearing his teams dressing
room might be plugged" in a
foreign stadium, often desig-
mated the opening plays by
signs, or by writing on the