It’s time for Reeves to take his place in Hall of Fame
As hard as it is to believe, George Strait isn’t a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Still harder to comprehend is that a bust of Dan Reeves isn’t being polished nightly by the staff of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
There is a Daniel Farrell Reeves in the Hall, but that Dan never played or coached professionally — though he was a trailblazer for racial equality, an innovator who hired the first scouting staff, and a visionary who expanded the NFL franchise to the Pacific Coast. The Dan Reeves I’m referring to is Daniel Edward Reeves, who had a successful career as both a player and a coach, and, as important, he did it with a commitment to character and integrity. Attributes the league, and this country, should be celebrating.
Daniel Edward Reeves had the choice between two sports. The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted the strong-armed quarterback from the University of South Carolina during the Major League Baseball draft, but Dan chose his greater passion: football. Even though undrafted, he chose to play for the Dallas Cowboys and, from 1965 to 1972, played running back under Coach Tom Landry.
Sports Illustrated memorialized Daniel Edward Reeves on its cover in 1967, and he rocketed into National Football League history in 1969 when Landry made him the first player-coach. In that dual role, it was this “Unwanted Cowboy” who, as a running back, helped the team win the 1970 National Football Conference championship and secure victory over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI. Those feats were followed by a second NFC win the very next year. Dan would “cowboy up” to win yet another NFC championship in 1975, leading to his third Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl IX, and two more NFC championship wins in 1977 and 1978 were followed by Dan’s fourth and fifth Super Bowl appearances. But who’s counting?
In 1981, at age 37, Dan was hired by new owner Edgar Kaiser Jr. to lead the team he had defeated in Super Bowl XII, the Denver Broncos. This was yet another chapter for the record books as Dan was then the youngest-ever head coach. Coach Reeves was awarded the well-earned Associated Press NFL coach of the year title in 1993. Throughout his 12 years in the Mile High City, Coach Reeves also won three American Football Conference championships that ushered his team into Super Bowls XX, XXI and XXIII, his sixth, seventh and eighth Super Bowl appearances. But again, who’s counting?
We all should.
Nine times Dan Reeves has competed in The Big Game, the ninth coming after he flew the Atlanta Falcons into their first Super Bowl on Jan. 31, 1999 — the same season that saw Reeves win his second AP NFL coach of the year title.
Naysayers complain Reeves’ two out of nine wins in the Super Bowl is unexceptional. I say let’s look at the big picture. There are coaches already in the Hall who have neither won a Super Bowl, nor as many games as Reeves. As a coach, he ranks No. 9 in all-time wins with 201, 11-9 in the postseason, and four Super Bowls as head coach. But Reeves was an all-pro running back as well.
I’m not the only one inquiring. SB Nation Mile High Report columnist Ian St. Clair asked in his 2017 article titled “Why isn’t Dan Reeves in the Hall of Fame?” He quotes the late NFL writer Don Banks: “In a span of 29 NFL seasons from 1970 to 1998, Dan Reeves was a player or coach on nine Super Bowl teams — which is almost one trip every three years.” Considering such extraordinary stats, Coach Reeves is clearly more than worthy as a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee.
And then there’s his character. He is a proven role model, not because of his Armani-like style on the sidelines, but because he dressed himself in something that never goes out of style: integrity. Reeves demonstrated true friendship and love for his players, as he helped them make the transition from college athletes to professional football players and men.
Oh, how Dan loves his players, friends, family and communities. During the playoff game in 1999, Terry Bradshaw stated in his postgame chat with Cris Collinsworth, James Brown and Howie Long: “We all love Dan Reeves. He’s truly a man’s man.” I was standing by Dan’s beautiful bride, Pam, when Bradshaw’s statement was broadcast, and she quipped in response: “It’s a good thing he’s a man’s man, because if he were a ladies’ man, he’d be a dead man!” We all laughed because those of us who know Dan best know that he’s definitely not a ladies’ man. But he’s not just a man’s man. Dan is a devoted and faithful husband, father, grandfather and, above all, God’s man.
Please understand that even though I’m simply citing the facts for this recommendation, I may be exiled to the children’s table for Christmas dinners after this one. You see, in the over 16 years since my father-in-love became eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, not once have I ever heard him bemoan the fact that his name keeps getting passed over. He long ago determined that pursuing God’s favor is far more important, meaningful and lasting than gaining man’s favor. He’s been labeled “unwanted” before, and that’s one of the most compelling reasons to place Dan Reeves into the Hall of Fame. Perseverance, loyalty, dedication, commitment, sacrifice, patience, honesty and faith are all hallmarks of this inspiring and humble man of character and integrity, to go with the talent producing the aforementioned results.
What better way for the NFL to celebrate the 2020 kickoff than to recognize a man who holds such a prominent place in its first 100 years? And Mr. Strait, perhaps you can add your renowned voice in song before his acceptance speech! Christine Moser, Vice President, Advertising; Justin Mock, Vice President, Finance and CFO; Bob Kinney, Vice President, Information Technology