Oldies But Goodies

Football Digest, Nov, 2000 by Barry Wilner

CLAY MATTHEWS, LINEBACKER

The older brother of Bruce, Clay was a premier linebacker until he was 40, a starter for his entire career. Toward the end, he often came out on passing downs, but many of today's top linebackers do the same thing--and they're in their 20s.

"Until the day he stopped playing, Clay could hit harder than anyone and would work harder than anyone," says June Jones, who coached Matthews on the Falcons.

"A lot of people enjoy specific parts of the game," Clay says. "They maybe enjoy the Sundays, enjoy the paydays, enjoy the notoriety, or the six months off. I really enjoyed the whole thing, working at it, practicing. I enjoyed getting better, trying to work things out. Sunday was a bonus for me."

WARREN MOON, QUARTERBACK

After spending his formative years in the CFL Moon didn't need a period of adjustment to the NFL. He was so effective once he joined the Houston Oilers in 1984 that the team built an entire offense--the run-and-shoot--around his arm, athletic ability, and savvy.

Later in his career, when he reached that supposed wall known as age 35, Moon still was going strong. Despite all the mileage on his arm, he could be counted on to throw 500 or so times and to consistently hit the long ball.

At 40, in 1997 with the Seattle Seahawks, Moon had 25 TD passes and completed 313 of 528 throws. For the past two seasons, he has provided a comfort zone for the Chiefs as a backup. He claims this is his final season. We'll see.

MARCUS ALLEN, RUNNING BACK

The MVP of Super Bowl 18 for the Los Angeles Raiders, Allen eventually was buried on the bench by a vindictive Al Davis, the team's boss. But when Allen became a free agent in 1993, he signed with Kansas City and resurrected his career.

In 1995, at 35, he led the Chiefs in rushing with 890 yards, as K.C. posted the league's best record (13-3). The next year, he was the team leader again with 830 yards. And in his final season in 1997, when he was 37, he established the NFL career record for rushing touchdowns with 123.

"I don't know how you can measure how much Marcus meant for the NFL and to the fans around the country," says Donnell Bennett, who played with Allen in K.C.'s backfield. "He had a grace and a style that none of us will forget."

JACKIE SLATER, OFFENSIVE LINEMAN

The Los Angeles Rams' third-round draft pick in 1976, this superb tackle blocked for seven 1,000-yard rushers and 23 quarterbacks and was the last active NFL player to have been in a huddle with Joe Namath. When Slater retired from the Rams at age 41, following the 1995 season, the only people ahead of him on the all-time list for games played were George Blanda (340), Jim Marshall (282), and Jan Stenerud (263).

EARL MORRALL, QUARTERBACK

In 1972, Earl Morrall was a typical NFL second-string quarterback: He was smart, experienced, and happy to have a job.

As a bonus, he played for the Miami Dolphins. Morrall knew there was something special brewing under Don Shula in the Orange Bowl, but it seemed like he'd observe it all form the sideline. However, when starter Bob Griese got hurt, the 38-year-old Morrall stepped in and kept Miami's unbeaten streak alive.