by Adam Lazarus
Rear Adm. Ron Christenson
Jonnie Cooks
Bill Curry
Bob Daugherty
Bruce DeHaven
Tom Depolis
Clint Didier
Ray Didinger
Dan Dierdorf
Boyd Dowler
Ron Erhardt
James Farrior
Vince Ferragamo
Msg. Rick Fuller
Mark Gaughan
Don Gleisner
Hank Gola
Jeff Hostetler
Whitney Houston (via agent)
Erik Howard
Kent Hull
David Isby
Jim Kelly
Mark Kelso
Arthur Kent
John Kidd
Kim Kolbe
Lynn Larson
Marv Levy
Maestro Jahja Ling
Adam Lingner
Mike Lodish
James Lofton
Bob Long
Jack Maitland
Ted Marchibroda
Dr. Ricardo Martinez
Leigh Montville
Eric Moore
Earl Morrall
Bob Mrosko
Don Nehlen
Milt Northrop
Bart Oates
Jim O’Brien
Ernie Palladino
Bill Parcells
Bill Polian
Gary Reasons
Doug Riesenberg
Mark Rush
Howard Schnellenberger
Bruce Smith
Jim Steeg
Cheryl Stupar
Mike Sweatman
Darryl Talley
Steve Tasker
Lawrence Taylor
Lt. Tom Van Leunen
Everson Walls
Warren Welch
Will Wolford
Notes
Prologue: November 9, 1986
6 “What it made”—Jeff Hostetler, author interview, January 26, 2010.
6 “I wanted desperately”—Jeff Hostetler with Ed Fitzgerald, One Giant Leap (New York: Putnam, 1991), 126.
6 “I knew they”—Frank Litsky, “Giants Put a Clamp on Eagles,” New York Times, November 10, 1986.
6 “It gets boring”—Frank Litsky, “Hostetler Will Take Any Job He Can Get,” New York Times, November 16, 1986.
7 “And I hope everyone”—Frank Litsky, “Hostetler Will Take Any Job He Can Get,” New York Times, November 16, 1986.
7 “The Giants told me”—Ottis Anderson, “Super Bowl XXV: Ottis Anderson,” in Super Bowl: The Game of Their Lives, ed. Danny Peary (New York: Macmillan, 1997), 347.
7 “This is like”—Frank Litsky, “Anderson Happy to Be a Giant,” New York Times, October 10, 1986.
7 “Embarrassed. That’s it”—Frank Litsky, “Giants’ Anderson Learning a Blocking Role,” New York Times, October 26, 1986.
8 “somewhat saddened”—Anderson, “Super Bowl XXV: Ottis Anderson,” 347.
8 “To be honest”—Dave Anderson, “Anderson’s ‘Sweetest’ Season,” New York Times, December 25, 1989.
8 “There was a pretty”—Jeff Hostetler, author interview, January 26, 2010.
9 “I went through”—Malcolm Moran, “The Wait Is Over for Bills and Fans,” New York Times, January 22, 1991.
9 “We felt that”—Michael Janofsky, “Bullough Dismissed by Bills,” New York Times, November 4, 1986.
9 “I’m very excited”—Janofsky, “Bullough Dismissed by Bills.” New York Times, November 4, 1986.
10 “I think defensively”—Syracuse Post-Standard, “New Turn in Direction,” November 4, 1986.
10 “It’s a young team”—Michael Janofsky, “Bullough Dismissed by Bills,” New York Times, November 4, 1986.
10 “It’s easy to lose”—Paul Zimmerman, “A New Namath, but with Knees,” Sports Illustrated, September 15, 1986.
10 “I hate losing”—Bill Utterback, “Learning to Lose,” Pittsburgh Press, November 9, 1986.
10 “Marv had an immediate”—Jim Kelly with Vic Carucci, Armed & Dangerous (New York: Doubleday, 1992), 96–97.
11 “I’ve seen hurricanes”—Scott Pitoniak, “A Winning Debut, 16-12,” Democrat & Chronicle, November 10, 1986.
11 “They were mixing”—Steve Hubbard, “Intensity is Lacking in Defeat by Bills,” Pittsburgh Press, November 10, 1986.
12 “No wonder”—Steve Tasker with Scott Pitoniak, Steve Tasker’s Tales from the Buffalo Bills (Champaign, Ill.: Sports Publishing, 2006), xv.
12 “The ball was”—Ed Bouchette, “Steelers Swept to Defeat on Gusts of Bill Wind,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 10, 1986.
12 “I kept saying”—Scott Pitoniak, “Bills Notebook,” Democrat & Chronicle, November 10, 1986.
13 “Mark throws it”—Steve Tasker, author interview, June 17, 2010.
13 “We were relaxed”—Scott Pitoniak, “Bills Notebook,” Democrat & Chronicle, November 10, 1986.
13 “Thank God”—Scott Pitoniak, “Bills Notebook,” Democrat & Chronicle, November 10, 1986.
Chapter 1: Every Pennsylvania Boy Wants to Play for JoePa
15 “Mom and dad”—Ralph Bernstein, “Is Ron or Doug Best Linebacker,” Bradford Era, August 18, 1977.
16 “I think he’ll”—Bob Fulton, “Vikes Face Huge Yough,” Indiana Evening Gazette, August 31, 1978.
16 “The fact that”—Hostetler, One Giant Leap, 28.
17 “It came down”—Hostetler, One Giant Leap, 43.
17 “This is great”—Hostetler, One Giant Leap, 44.
18 “I was in the locker room”—Bill Utterback, “Cultivating His Dreams Hostetler Learned Virtues of Work, Patience on Farm,” Pittsburgh Press, January 20, 1991.
18 “We all learned to”—Kelly, Armed & Dangerous, 4.
18 “He had something”—Rick Telander, “Has Anybody Here Seen Kelly,” Sports Illustrated, February 27, 1984.
18 “I always told”—NFL Films Presents, Show #10, 1996.
19 “Looking back now”—Rick Telander, “Has Anybody Here Seen Kelly,” Sports Illustrated, February 27, 1984.
19 “[East Brady] was a small”—Jim Kelly, author interview, January 22, 2010.
19 “I wanted to”—Jim Kelly, author interview, January 22, 2010.
19 “Well, look at it”—Wilt Browning, “2007 ACC Football Legend: Miami’s Jim Kelly,” ACC.com, (November 13, 2007).
20 “Quarterback was the”—Kelly, Armed & Dangerous, 22.
20 “Lots of big linemen”—Sports Illustrated, “Scorecard,” ed. John Papanek, April 2, 1979.
20 “Jeff only wanted”—Hostetler, One Giant Leap, 45.
21 “Jeff Hostetler isn’t”—Terry Nau, “Paterno Eyes Future as Army Faces Lions,” Daily Intelligencer, October 12, 1979.
21 “At this stage”—Gettysburg Times, “Hostetler Gets Nod,” September 6, 1980.
21 “There’s a lot”—Altoona Mirror, “Quotes about Freshman Often Scarce,” October 22, 1980.
22 “I played extremely well”—Jeff Hostetler, author interview, January 26, 2010.
22 “For the bowl”—Jeff Hostetler, author interview, January 26, 2010.
22 “Joe had to”—Jack McCallum, “The Place Where He Belongs,” Sports Illustrated, September 27, 1982.
22 “It was probably”—Jeff Hostetler, author interview, January 26, 2010.
23 “would constantly”—Kelly, Armed & Dangerous, 25.
23 “When I coached”—Howard Schnellenberger, author interview, December 9, 2009.
24 “We felt we had”—Joe Juliano, “Hurricanes Stop Penn State, 26-10,” Tyrone Daily Herald, November 5, 1979.
24 “Just a few”—Jim Kelly, author interview, January 22, 2010.
25 “Schnellenberger was”—Mark Rush, author interview, January 8, 2010.
25 “We’re not a real”—John Clayton, “Hurricanes Bury Penn State Hopes, 26-10,” Pittsburgh Press, November 4, 1979.
25 “This day will”—Joe Juliano, “Hurricanes Stop Penn State,
26-10,” Tyrone Daily Herald, November 5, 1979.
26 “Afterward, Paterno”—Kelly, Armed & Dangerous, 31.
26 “contagious”—Kelly, Armed & Dangerous, 35.
26 “something popped”—Arthur Daley, “The Injury Jinx,” New York Times, November 13, 1968.
27 “It was awesome”—Jim Kelly, author interview, January 22, 2010.
27 “In order for us”—Gordon White Jr., “Miami Enhances Reputation,” New York Times, November 2, 1981.
28 “People are going”—Gordon White Jr., “Miami Enhances Reputation,” New York Times, November 2, 1981.
28 “Everywhere around”—Sports Illustrated, “College Football: The Top 20,” September 1, 1982.
28 “Unfortunately, we”—Mark Rush, author interview, January 8, 2010.
29 “I would drag”—Mark Rush, author interview, January 8, 2010.
30 “I always wanted”—Syracuse Herald-Journal, “Draftees Bargaining,” May 3, 1983.
30 “Buffalo would”—Kelly, Armed & Dangerous, 57.
31 “Jim and I always”—Mark Rush, author interview, January 8, 2010.
31 “His signing is”—Jim Achenbach, “Houston ‘Gambles’ on Kelly,” Sarasota Herald Tribune, June 13, 1983.
31 “We had Jim Kelly”—Palm Beach Post, “Kelly and Rush Sign with USFL Gamblers,” June 10, 1983.
31 “There are risks”—Gary Taylor, “Hurricane Kelly Inks Big Contract with USFL Gamblers,” Tyrone Daily Herald, June 11, 1983.
32 “Our family had”—Post-Gazette, “Hostetler Decides to Leave Penn State; Cites Backup Role,” January 7, 1981.
32 “My older brother”—Jeff Hostetler, author interview, January 26, 2010.
32 “It was a cold”—Jeff Hostetler, author interview, January 26, 2010.
32 “Jeff came in”—Darryl Talley, author interview, December 18, 2009.
33 “He was our”—Don Nehlen, author interview, April 22, 2010.
34 “The Oklahoma”—Don Nehlen, author interview, April 22, 2010.
34 “Jeff was a great”—Darryl Talley, author interview, December 18, 2009.
34 “Ole Hoss, Ole Hoss”—Sarajane Freligh, “When One Dream Died, Another Began for Hostetler,” Philadelphia Inquirer, October 20, 1983.
34 “He is more handsome”—Sarajane Freligh, “When One Dream Died, Another Began for Hostetler,” Philadelphia Inquirer, October 20, 1983.
35 “I still had friends”—Hostetler, One Giant Leap, 92.
36 “We had him”—Bob Duffy, “Penn St. Rips W. Va., 41-23,” Boston Globe, October 23, 1983.
36 “Later my family”—Hostetler, One Giant Leap, 93.
36 “Nothing seemed to”—Annapolis’ The Capitol, “‘Believing’ Pays Off,” December 23, 1983.
37 “a great educational”—William Wallace, “Unsigned Giants in Camp,” New York Times, May 23, 1984.
37 “I didn’t know”—Jeff Hostetler, author interview, January 26, 2010.
37 “I thought that”—Jeff Hostetler, author interview, January 26, 2010.
37 “After all our changes”—Craig Wolff, “‘Cutthroat Time’ for Giants,” New York Times, July 16, 1984.
38 “He’s not ready”—William C. Rhoden, “Gray Quits Camp in Contract Dispute,” New York Times, July 31, 1984.
38 “It was Penn State”—Hostetler, One Giant Leap, 112.
38 “Now he’s doing real”—Frank Litsky, “Hostetler Will Take Any Job He Can Get,” New York Times, November 16, 1986.
39 “I knew it was”—Hostetler, One Giant Leap, 136.
39 “If Hostetler plays”—Frank Litsky, “Simms’s Status Still Not Clear,” New York Times, November 26. 1988.
39 “The reason I”—Frank Litsky, “Giants Defeat Saints at Wire,” New York Times, November 28, 1988.
40 “I’m hot”—Frank Litsky, “Giants Defeat Saints at Wire,” New York Times, November 28, 1988.
40 “I’m through here”—George Willis, “QB Rutledge Gets the Call and Responds,” Newsday, November 28, 1988.
40 “George asked me”—Bruce Lowitt, “Managing to Be Humble,” St. Petersburg Times, January 25, 1991.
40 “The rule of”—Bruce Lowitt, “Managing to Be Humble,” St. Petersburg Times, January 25, 1991.
40 “I went in and”—Jeff Hostetler, author interview, January 26, 2010.
40 “I thought he was”—Bill Parcells, author interview, July 16, 2010.
40 “the lowest point”—Hostetler, One Giant Leap, 139.
41 “gut feeling”—Hostetler, One Giant Leap, 138.
41 “I thought Jeff”—George Willis, “Hostetler Guides Giants,” Newsday, November 6, 1989.
41 “I think our”—Frank Litsky, “Hostetler Accepts His Role As the No. 2 Quarterback,” New York Times, November 8, 1989.
41 “I wanted him”—George Willis, “What’s Not to Like,” Newsday, October 1, 1990.
41 “I think [Parcells]”—NFL Films, America’s Game, 1990 Giants.
42 “I thought it”—George Willis, “6-0, With a Little Luck Giants Rally in Final 3:21 to Beat Upstart Cards,” Newsday, October 22, 1990.
42 “I didn’t have”—Jeff Hostetler, author interview, January 26, 2010.
43 “Jeff is the”—Jeff Hostetler, author interview, January 26, 2010.
43 “Seven, eight weeks”—NFL Films, America’s Game, 1990 Giants.
Chapter 2: Quarterback Lack
46 “Each week”—Frank Litsky, “Eagles Keep Giants from Turning to the 49ers,” New York Times, November 20, 1990.
47 “There’s a lot”—Gerald Eskenazi, “Giants Need Remedy for Streaking Vikings,” New York Times, December 6, 1990.
47 “[Parcells said to me]”—Gerald Eskenazi, “Parcells Is Ill but He’s on Giants’ Sideline,” New York Times, December 10, 1990.
48 “He didn’t make”—Gerald Eskenazi, “Parcells Is Ill but He’s on Giants’ Sideline,” New York Times, December 10, 1990.
48 “We didn’t tackle”—Frank Litsky, “Giants Awaken and Clinch Division,” New York Times, December 10, 1990.
48 “We weren’t”—Frank Litsky, “Giants Awaken and Clinch Division,” New York Times, December 10, 1990.
48 “We’re not physical”—Dave Anderson, “Cancel L. T.’s Rocking Chair,” New York Times, December 10, 1990.
49 “He’s a one-man”—Syracuse Herald-Journal, “‘One-Man Wrecking Crew’ Salvages Giants Win over Vikes,” December 10, 1990.
49 “We’d gotten”—Dave Anderson, “Cancel L. T.’s Rocking Chair,” New York Times, December 10, 1990.
49 “I just remember”—Kim Kolbe, author interview, October 6, 2010.
49 “We’ve taken”—George Willis, “A Giant Sigh of Relief,” Newsday, December 10, 1990.
50 “I don’t think”—George Willis, “Giants Preview: Conference Call?” Newsday, December 15, 1990.
51 “For a new league”—Rick Telander, “Life with Lord Jim,” Sports Illustrated, July 21, 1986.
51 “they need more”—Gerald Eskenazi, “Bills Sign Kelly to Record Pact,” New York Times, August 19, 1986.
51 “messiah”—Howard Schnellenberger, author interview, December 9, 2009.
51 “I can remember”—Kent Hull, author interview, December 11, 2009.
52 “It’s all about the”—John Oeshser, “Indianapolis Colts President Bill Polian: Trading Out of First Round of 2010 NFL Draft a Possibility,” Indianapolis Colts Examiner, April 22, 2010.
53 “He ended his career”—Kerrville Times, “OSU Wins Snowy Sun Bowl,” December 27, 1987.
53 “This is the best”—Bill Polian, author interview, May 12, 2010.
54 “Thurman is the”—Ted Marchibroda, author interview, December 5, 2009.
54 “What would they”—Lindsay Kramer, “Wealth of Optimism, if Not Talent,” The Post-Standard, September 3, 1988.
54 “Hopefully . . .”—Kevin Harmon, “Kelly Eager to Start Afresh,” Syracuse Post Standard, September 8, 1990.
55 “No one had ever”—James Lofton, author interview, June 14, 2010.
56 “If you think”—Vic Carucci, “Kelly Lobbies For More ‘Gun’ Use,” The Buffalo News, September 19, 1989.
56 “They chose not”—Bib Finnan, “Narrow Escape,” Elyria Chronicle Telegram, January 7, 1990.
57 “There was an important”—Marv Levy, Where Else Would You Rather Be? (Champaign, Ill.: Sports Publishing, 2004), 330.
57 “We used it sparingly”—Ted Marchibroda, author interview, December 5, 2009.
58 “That’s where”—Mark Kelso, author interview, May 26, 2010.
58 “Everybody liked it”—Ted Marchibroda, author interview, December 5, 2009.
58 “It was a miserable”—Frank Litsky, “A Tough Day for Giants and Quarterbacks,” New York Times, December 16, 1990.
58 “I don’t care”—NFL Films: New York Giants 1990 Video Year Book.
59 “On both drives”—Kelly, Armed & Dangerous, 180.
59 “We’re not going”—Frank Litsky, “Bills’ No-Huddle Offense Is No Big Deal, Giants Say,” New York Times, December 14, 1990.
59 “I guess a lot”—Frank Litsky, “Bills’ No-Huddle Offense Is No Big Deal, Giants Say,” New York Times, December 14, 1990.
60 “I just turned”—Vic Carucci, The Buffalo Bills and the Almost-Dream Season (New York: Simon & Schuster,1991), 113.
60 “Jim’s like the”—Carucci, The Buffalo Bills and the Almost-Dream Season, 109.
61 “That’s when”—Dave Anderson, “Super Bowl Detour for X-Rays,” New York Times, December 16, 1990.
61 “I was turning”—Syracuse Herald-Journal, “Simms May Be Lost for Rest of Year,” December 17, 1990.
62 “It was a tough”—Gerald Eskanazi, “Day for Backups to Call Shots,” New York Times, December 16, 1990.
62 “my hand was”—Frank Litsky, “A Tough Day for Giants and Quarterbacks,” New York Times, December 16, 1990.
62 “We were moving”—Frank Litsky, “A Tough Day for Giants and Quarterbacks,” New York Times, December 16, 1990.
62 “We were running”—Bob Glauber, “Hostetler Vows to Be Ready,” Newsday, December 16, 1990.
62 “If you told”—Frank Litsky, “Another Loss for Giants: Simms Is Out Indefinitely,” New York Times, December 17, 1990.
63 “Not making those”—Frank Litsky, “A Tough Day for Giants and Quarterbacks,” New York Times, December 16, 1990.
63 “We’ve been pathetic”—Paul Zimmerman, “Rough Stuff,” Sports Illustrated, December 24, 1990.
