RIP Bum Phillips

For all his personality and aphorisms, Bum was a great innovator as well. Maybe only Paul Brown and Bill Walsh exceeded him in that regard. The 3-4 defense, zone blocking and the use of video over film were among the concepts he either created or popularized.

 

Bum Phillips was once asked if the Oilers had an edge by playing Pittsburgh the Sunday after the Steelers played a Monday game. His response:

"No, but it would be if we got them after a Saturday night game."

He was not just a character but a hell of a coach. RIP Bum.

 

I always got a kick out of this one, too: "I don't mind being called 'Bum' as long as you don't put a 'Bum' in front of it.'"

RIP to a true character filled with character.

 

Wanna try that again?

 

Covered several of his Oilers teams. My favorite Bum-ism, when asked why he always took his wife with him on the road games: "Cuz she's too damn ugly to kiss good-bye."

 

For our Texas friends......

Bigger legend? Bum Phillips? Tom Landry? Darrell Royal? (All gone within the past year.)

 

Landry actually died in 2000.

And I loved Bum, and I'm not a Texan, but I think you have to give Landry or Royal the edge on that.

 

Aw, you're right. I was thinking of Pat Summerall (who announced a lot of their games). Shame on me.

Still, an interesting question to ponder.

 

Landry and Royal in that order.

 

Oh shit, he not only repeated something posted earlier, he also fucked up the quote. Classic.

 

Bum on greatness of Shula: he can take his'n and beat your'n, and he can take your'n and beat his'n.

 

I've always heard that quote as being about Bear Bryant. Apparently, the New York Times wasn't sure who Bum was talking about, either.

From the NYT's Phillips obit:

Phillips could be generous with praise for a fellow coach. Perhaps his best-remembered line came when he saluted Bear Bryant or Don Shula — perhaps both — depending on the version cited.

“He can take his’n and beat your’n,” Phillips said. “Or he can take your’n and beat his’n.”