Roger Staubach won the Super Bowl MVP award 50 years ago this week. Here’s one story from his famed football career you may not know.
Roger Staubach was my first sports hero. I’ve always admired Staubach, not only as a great NFL quarterback and leader on the field, but for the classy way he always carried himself away from the game, as well. His personal and professional life–before and after pro football–are equally stunning in terms of awe-inspiring accomplishments.
Staubach won the college football’s highest honor, the Heisman Trophy at Navy in 1963. He would have been an instant No. 1 draft pick in the NFL, except for one thing. Since he was enrolled in the Naval Academy, Staubach was therefore committed to serving four full years as an officer. Not only that, but it was likely that he’d end up first on a ship and then later in Vietnam (which is exactly what happened). The Dallas Cowboys were way ahead of their time in the 1960s, drafting Staubach in the 10th round, which meant his rookie season would be five full seasons later in 1969 (that is, if he returned from the war healthy, or at all). Of course, that ended up as the bargain draft pick of the decade. Staubach played only ten seasons but enjoyed a Hall of Fame career, including five Super Bowl appearances, and two wins, including the MVP 50 years ago in SB VI.
After football, Staubach was even more successful. Sadly, many ex-athletes end up flat broke and declare bankruptcy. But Staubach started his own company and is now worth $600 million. Many business rankings list him as the richest former professional athlete in history. Not that money is necessarily the end-all barometer for success. Nonetheless, Staubach’s life has been remarkably productive and scandal-free. He’s also reportedly helped dozens of former players, including his ex-teammates, who did not enjoy nearly that level of financial success. It’s hard to find anyone who says something bad about Roger Staubach.
This brings us now to the story of “the kid.”
Staubach appeared on the NFL Channel recently as part of an esteemed panel discussion. They were talking about the greatest quarterbacks and coaches of all time, and obviously, Staubach was a voice worth listening to. That’s when he told a fascinating story from his college football days that I’d never heard before and seemed to surprise other people on the panel, including the Manning brothers (Peyton and Eli), and others. I think the story reveals a lot about Staubach and shows much about his character.
Staubach was a bona fide superstar at Navy. After beating Notre Dame, Navy played Texas in the Cotton Bowl for the national championship. Staubach was scheduled to be on the cover of LIFE magazine the week of Nov. 23rd, 1963 (unheard of for a college football player). Seven million copies were scheduled to be printed. But gunshots in Dallas changed the course of history and caused LIFE to yank the early copies with Staubach’s photo, to pay tribute to John F. Kennedy instead.
READ MORE HERE: THE LONG LOST ROGER STAUBACH LIFE COVER
That most memorable fall football season, Staubach practiced daily with the Navy Midshipmen. He attended classes, received top grades, played great football, and handled his celebrity status as Annapolis’ most famous resident with flying colors. After each daily practice, Staubach was undoubtedly exhausted. He had so much going on. But almost every day right after practice ended, an 11-year-old kid showed up next to the field and asked Staubach to play catch. This was probably the last thing Staubach wanted to do, but he did it anyway. So, they threw the ball back and forth. Five minutes on some days, Ten minutes on other days. But Staubach always made time to play catch with the kid. Imagine how exciting it was to play football with Roger Staubach when you’re 11.
The kid happened to be the son of an assistant at Navy. His dad Steve, was a backfield coach and a scout during the offseason. So, his son got to attend all the fall practices and even play catch with some of the Midshipmen, including his favorite player — Roger Staubach.
Staubach went on to tell this story. He also wove in an important lesson of life. You never know how things will turn out. You never know what kid you help today will find that act meaningful and inspiring. You never know when saying a kind word, or tossing a ball around will be remembered later when that kid grows up, matures, become an adult, and then enters coaching and eventually goes on to become perhaps the greatest head coach in NFL history.
Yes, that 11-year-old kid who played catch after practice with Roger Staubach was named — Bill Belichick.
And now, you know the rest of the story.