George Webster - lived life as a lucky warrior
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George Webster - a great linebacker and a great person
Sometimes we have to pay attention to what is important in life. The recent death of George Webster should serve to remind us all how lucky we are and how great he was.
Your humble author has had the good fortune to witness many star athletes at Michigan State University and meet some of them up close and personal.
Kirk Gibson played in a basketball league using my name (it was my best season ever!)
Magic Johnson used to visit the YMCA to speak to the youngsters about basketball. My work study job teaching swim lessons was at the same YMCA.
George Webster visited the Spartans at a basketball game in recent years. My season tickets were near by.
For you younger fans, you may be saying George who?
George Webster played for legendary football coach Duffy Daugherty back in the sixties. Duffy claimed Webster was the best player he ever coached. George was involved in the famous 10 -10 tie with Notre Dame in 1965. Both teams were voted National Champions for that season.
NFL Football Squibster side note: Once, as a boy, your intrepid author was taken to a golf tourney in Owosso Michigan by his father. My dad said, “Come on, want you to meet somebody”. He then introduced me to all time great coach Duffy Daugherty. Duffy’s caddie that day was Brad Van Pelt, famous Spartan and famous New York Giant (Brad was from Owosso). In the next foursome, my father introduced me to legendary hockey player Gordie Howe. To say the least, it was one memorable day!
George was declared All American twice on a team loaded with future pros, including Bubba Smith, at Michigan State University.
George went on the star for the Houston Oilers. He made the All Star team 3 times.
After being selected by the American Football League’s Houston Oilers as the fifth player overall in the first round of the 1967 draft, Webster’s position was changed. In an exhibition game against the Cowboys, opposing QB Don Meredith completed a square-out to “Bullet” Bob Hayes, a former Olympic speedster. Hayes thought he had broken into the open, but was brought down from behind by #90, Webster, a linebacker. source
Listen to some of these quotes on George.
George Webster, considered the greatest football player in Michigan State history, didn’t hit like most players.
“He doesn’t tackle people,” his coach, the late Duffy Daugherty, used to say. “He explodes them.”
Henry Bullough, Webster’s former defensive coordinator in college and in the NFL, said he was like a “cobra striking.” source
Unfortunately George had failing health that many felt was the effect of his football playing days. He applied for an injury disability pension, but the NFL did not see it his way.
Many people including former players that played with him or even against him tried to raise money to help him out to no avail. George suffered from too many maladies, including cancer and lack of circulation that led to the amputation of both legs.
“He never complained,” Bullough said of Webster’s tough times in recent years. “He always said, ‘I’m the luckiest guy in the world because I’ve got all these friends.’
“He went out like he lived. He went out a warrior.” source
NFL Football Fan Question Do you feel like a lucky warrior in your life?
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