The Great Quarterback Sneak
 

Back in 1971, a Sports Illustrated writer named George Plimpton participated in a series of activities that were filmed and shown on ABC. Among them, he tracked big game in Africa and performed a stand up comedy act in Las Vegas.

One of them involved his spending the first month of training camp with the Colts as their fifth string Quarterback. It was, sort of, a precursor to Hard Knocks, and is available on Youtube.

A lot of things are noticeable right away. Practices are much more intense, Quarterbacks are tackled by the head, players are much smaller, and injuries like concussions are shrugged off.

It’s quite good.

1080p Link:

https://youtu.be/wHuWMk0d3cs

He actually played QB in a NFL preseason game for the Colts in '71.

He ran 4 plays during halftime of a Colts Lions preseason game. It was a stunt, but it’s interesting to note the stark differences in the way they handled training camp then versus now. First day of camp…two a day’s in full pads, full out contact.

Bill Curry was a pro bowl Center, and looking at him, you ask how? He’s this short, pudgy guy who couldn’t have cracked 240, soaking wet.

Okay, I really enjoyed this video and it's content left with some questions?

Why the fuck is the Oklahoma drill no longer a thing? There is nothing particularly violent about it? I remember running this drill in jr high at 5' tall and 88 lbs. I thought nothing of it and enjoyed it.

I would have been 8 years old at the time this was filmed. But, why do some players have the names on the back of the uniforms and others don't?

Can you imagine today the 2nd day of TC having full pads and doing two a days? At that time 80% of the players weren't even in shape when TC began.

Damn Plimpton was slow as fuck.

He did it originally with the Detroit Lions, writing a book about the experience called Paper Lion. That book was turned into a 1968 movie with Alan Alda playing the part of Plimpton. For a moment there....I felt like C&O, but then quickly realized, there is only one ColtsFreaks historian!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_Lion