Aug 4, 2012; Canton, OH, USA; Fans look at busts at the Pro Football Hall of Fame before the 2012 enshrinement at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Now that 2012 has passed us by, the new year, 2013,  has now been accompanied by Don Coryell being passed up again in another attempt at the Hall of Fame. 

A true offensive genius, Coryell was not even chosen as one of the 15 finalists for the 2013 class. 

We all know that he passed away in 2010.  But his teachings and offense are alive now more than ever in the majority of NFL team’s playbooks.  Actually, they are all over playbooks at every level of football.

Despite never going to a Superbowl, the man left an everlasting mark on the game that we all know and love today.  It is an absolute travesty that Coryell has yet to be enshrined amongst the greatest to ever have a part in professional football.

Coryell was obviously way ahead of his time.  He believed that you could win a game by passing the ball without much of an emphasis at all on the running game. 

Does that sound familiar?  Does that sound like 90% of today’s NFL?  Both of those answers are, of course, yes. 

I already have my issues with the system/writers that are in charge of deciding who receives football’s highest honor.  It is my sincere hope that something can be done to bring in a new system or panel of individuals to determine one’s place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

In the eyes of countless football enthsiasts, Don Coryell has already earned his place in Canton.  Unfortunately, we will have to wait at least one more year to see it happen.

Thanks a lot for reading.

BoltUp!!!

BoogaP

His offensive concepts and mentoring of people like Joe Gibbs have left their mark on football forever. Fouts, among others, are still lobbying for his enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I, for one, will be rooting for this as well. Though, it is difficult for coaches that did not win a super bowl to get enshrined, it is not impossible.

Coryell was the first guy to say,

Let’s go vertical and make some big plays.

Never forget that. The game never will.

Bill Williamson of ESPN posted the memorial arrangements in his blog. If you remember Don Coryell and you can make it, great. The speakers should be very insightful and very moving, as friends and people who were influenced by him. Here are the arrangements, thanks to Bill Williamson!

The San Diego Chargers have announced there will be a public celebration for former San Diego State and Chargers head coach Don Coryell on July 12. He died Thursday at the age of 85.

It will take place at the Viejas Arena at San Diego State University at 2 p.m. In a release by the Chargers, it was announced that long-time friends of Coryell will speak. It is requested that in lieu of flowers, anyone who wants to honor Coryell’s legacy can make a donation to the Don Coryell Scholarship Endowment at San Diego State University and mailed to:

The Campanile Foundation
Attn: Don Coryell Scholarship Fund
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-4313
Tax ID #33-0868418

Rest in piece, Air Coryell. You may be gone, but you will never be forgotten.