R.I.P. Jim Ringo

One of the rocks of the Lombardi Packers dead at age 75.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aQx7Lda0RhWU&refer=us

 

When I think of Jim Ringo, I think of a great story I read once about Lombardi.

Seems Ringo decided to hire an agent to negotiate his next contract, a rather novel concept in the 1960s and one not exactly embraced by NFL executives.

Agent comes into Lombardi's office and introduces himself as Jim Ringo's agent, Lombardi shakes hands with him and asks if he could wait outside the office for a few minutes as Lombardi has an important phone call to make.

A few minutes later, Lombardi calls agent into his office and sits him down. Lombardi asks "what was it again you wanted to talk about?" The agent restates the whole spiel about him being Ringo's rep and wanting to negotiate a contract for his client. Lombardi says "Oh, there must be a misunderstanding. You see, Ringo isn't on our team anymore."

It turns out when the agent was out in the waiting room, Lombardi called the Eagles and quickly engineered a trade sending Ringo to Philadelphia.

 

I read the same story in Jerry Kramer's "Instant Replay."

But I recall seeing something not long ago that says a lot of the agent/trade his ass story was urban legend.

 

Didn't he coach the Buffalo Bills once in the 70s, too?

 

Ringo was afflicted with Alzheimer's, likely the result of head trauma from his playing days. He was at an assisted-living facility in Virginia Beach for over a year. I spoke to his wife for a story about the plight of ex-NFL players in July.

RIP

 

Yep. It was during their late O.J. decline period.

 

RE: I read the same story in Jerry Kramer's "Instant Replay."

But I recall seeing something not long ago that says a lot of the agent/trade his ass story was urban legend.


In David Maraniss' biography on Vince Lombardi, he wrote that Ringo did bring in an agent, but also was hoping to get traded to Philly because it was his hometown. Lombardi accommodated him on his trade request, but had to quickly train Ken Bowman on the art of snapping the ball. Maraniss also wrote that Lombardi never disputed the story, because he wanted it to serve as a lesson for other players.

 

Ringo was a Jersey guy from Philipsburg, not Philadelphia.

 

good coverage in Easton Express

http://www.pennlive.com/expresstimes/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-6/119553524394050.xml&coll=2&thispage=1

http://www.pennlive.com/expresstimes/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/119553527594050.xml&coll=2

 

My bad on the hometown. I was trying to remember what Maraniss wrote. I meant to say closer to his hometown.

 

Ringo was the offensive line coach when Lou Saban bailed out on Ralph Wilson (again) in October 1976. He finished that year as the interim HC, went 3-11 in '77, and was fired five days after the season ended.

Thoughts and prayers to Judy, family, and friends, and to everyone dealing with the scourge of Alzheimer's.