'A player's player.'

Sporting News, The, Jan 29, 1996 by Jackie Smith

The Dallas Cowboys and St. Louis Cardinals hooked up in some pretty fierce battles in the 1970s, with Dan Dierdorf and Ed (Too Tall) Jones smack in the middle of them. One game stands out because of the way it started. Jim Hart called a pass play and Dan said to me, "Watch what I do to him this time." Jones came in with his classic sweeping outside rush, which Dan had anticipated, and Dan leveled him. "I had to get his attention," was the simple explanation.

Dan had the attention of defensive ends throughout pro football during his 13-year career, and I was fortunate enough to play alongside him for most of those years. Although my background was dodging players, not writing about them, I want to tell you why I believe Dan should be voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame when selections are announced Saturday.

Someone once said, "Love is blind, and friendship closes its eyes," and so you might think I'm honoring our friendship instead of looking at the facts. It's not just me, though. Many knowledgeable football people wonder why Dan's bust has not already assumed its place between Len Dawson's and Mike Ditka's. Could be they realize that noggin of his is going to require an extra 50 pounds of bronze!

Let's look at his career. Dan played in six Pro Bowls, was an All-Pro five times and was voted NFC Lineman of the Year three consecutive years (1976 through '78). He was the league's first 300-plus pound lineman with speed and agility, the forerunner of offensive tackles such as Erik Williams and Willie Roaf of today. He was a player with great pride, courage and leadership.

The voters - a group of 36 sportswriters and broadcasters from across the country - are also more familiar with him and his personality more than with any other candidate in recent history because of Monday Night Football. It could be they need a little more insight into offensive tackle play to make a sound judgment. After all, they look at the game in overview: Who won or lost and why. I was kidding one of my sportswriter friends recently when I said, "Sportswriters are like observers of a battle. They watch the battle from the high ground a safe distance away, and when it's over, they come down and shoot the wounded." Their job is to comment on how the game was played, not critique the footwork of interior linemen.

Given that, we cannot expect them to appreciate the skills and performance levels of individual players, especially when it comes to a "non-statistical" position like offensive tackle. You can't look at game statistics and check out performance numbers for the right tackle. You could assume linemen played well if there were no sacks and over 300 yards in rushing for a game, but there are no stats on how each lineman performed. Conversely, what do we all know about Jerry Rice or Brett Favre?

All great players are multi-dimensional. It is more than their obvious athletic ability that puts them above the rest. They also excel because of their mind-set, personality and the expectations they have of themselves.

I remember Dan's rookie year (1971) at training camp in Bloomington, Ill. All of us were amazed as we watched him go through the agility drills and the 40-yard dash. We could not believe a man that big could move his body that fast. Suddenly the term "impact player" had a definition. This guy was special. The promise and hope of our initial observations were never disappointed.

It soon became obvious Dan had more to offer than great talent. His personality and quick wit kept us entertained. His serious and professional approach to the game made us take a closer look at our own attitudes. Throughout his career, we all sensed a brand of commitment that went beyond getting ready for a football game. He appeared to be on a personal quest to satisfy a self-imposed level of excellence. I believe his attitude came from his sincere reverence for the game. He seemed to consider playing one of life's blessings. Dan was a "player's player," the highest compliment a guy can receive. Dan had the absolute respect of those who knew him best.

One last thought. Many athletes have moved from the field to the broadcast booth, but very few have with the ability that is Dan's. It may be hard for some people to believe that one guy, especially a football player, could be so talented in two such different professions. It obviously would not be fair to use performance in one to come to conclusions about the other. Selectors are primarily print media observers of the game. Some of their observations come via television. I was told that a couple of the voters may be resentful because of Dan's success or do not like his style of commentary on the Monday Night games and are voting their displeasure. It's hard for me to believe that is the case. Maybe it's because as a proud member of this unique fraternity, I don't want to believe it.

With their votes, these men helped create this unique institution and assume the responsibility to maintain the integrity of the Han of Fame honor and the unique fraternity it represents. After all, they will forever share in its heritage and integrity. I have to assume by whatever method and in whatever time the selectors make their decisions that they would not jeopardize their personal legacies or that of the Football Hall of Fame.