USAT: Washington Wire audio clip

USAT: Washington Wire

Jan 26, 2022

Do you remember what you were doing 30 years ago today? - I was age 28, went to church service that morning, came home, watched the ESPN Sports Reporters episode I had recorded while at church. On that episode — I wish I still possessed it and could post it — I recall how the Washington Post’s Tony Kornheiser was the only one on the panel who predicted Washington to defeat Buffalo. In particular, I recall Mike Lupica’s bluster and smugness toward Kornheiser. - I have some vivid memories of the game as well. It was played in Minneapolis, but of course, it was indoors. I recall being very concerned because Buffalo had future (for certain) Hall of Famers Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Bruce Smith, Andre Reed and James Lofton. - I recall a Bills assistant coach had said some disparaging remarks about the Hogs, and following the Redskins winning, Marv Levy fired that coach. Joe Gibbs was interviewed and talked of how Buffalo was great and was the favorite, and the interviewer (I don’t recall whom) corrected Gibbs that Washington was favored and Gibbs responded, “We are?” - Thurman Thomas didn’t take the field when Buffalo first got the ball; that shocked me. We found out later, that Thomas on the sidelines could not locate his helmet. How do you not know where your own helmet is and it is the Super Bowl? - Some memories of the Washington defense have remained: Wilber Marshall being such an aggressive tackler that day, Washington’s pass rush was hurrying, hitting and sacking Jim Kelly for the entire first three quarters. Safety Brad Edwards hit Bills receiver Andre Reed and could have been penalized. When he was not, Reed erupted in a fit throwing his helmet to the turf, costing the Bills 15 extra yards. How about the blitz call of Andre Collins, rushing Kelly to throw an interception to Kurt Gouveia and it was 24-0 early in the 3rd quarter. - What memories of the offense do I still possess? Well, Art Monk put on a clinic in the first half on how to run pass routes. The Bills couldn’t cover him. When Earnest Byner scored on a pass from Rypien, I felt great for him, recalling how Byner had fumbled approaching the goal line in the ’87 championship game, preventing the Browns from facing Washington in Super Bowl XXII. - - Don’t let the final score of 37-24 fool you. When Mark Rypien hit Gary Clark in stride down the right sideline it was 31-10. Washington even added two more Chip Lohmiller field goals to lead 37-10. Game over! - Washington pulled back defensively, permitted Buffalo to throw underneath, using the clock, scoring twice late making the score respectable for those unaware of what had actually transpired. - We can’t live in the past, and I am not encouraging us to do so. Yet, that is the way it was when Washington was on top of the NFL world, 30 years ago today. - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Washington Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Washington Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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