Post by Lithfan on Jan 10, 2016 9:38:25 GMT -5
January 10, 1960
The first player to sign a contract with the New York Titans, signed his contract on this date, Jan 10, in 1960, the great Don Maynard.
Maynard had been a two sport star at Texas Western University. In addition to football, he starred on the track, having won the Texas State Collegiate Championships in the 100, 220 and 440 yard runs. He was drafted in the 9th round of the NFL draft as a running back by the New York Giants. After one season in New York, where he was used primarily as a return man, he was released. During that 1958 season, he actually earned more money as a plumber than as a football player, earning $7,500 from the Giatns, but making over $8,500 as a plumber in the offseason.
"I'm the only plumber," he would tell a reporter years later, "that caught a pass from Namath. A little joke on the side, but all you've got to know about plumbing is pipe don't bend, and manure don't run uphill."
After being released by the Giants, Maynard signed with the Hamilton Tiger Cats of the CFL. After three games at Hamilton, he got a call from Vince Lombardi, in his first year as Head Coach in Green Bay. Lombardi had been an assistant coach with the Giants and liked Maynard, hoping he would join him in GB.
"I told him I've already played three games up here," Maynard recalled. "And he said, 'Well, if you're happy, I'll let you stay.' Back then, they could have created a bit of a court deal and kept me from playing, but that's another great point of how great Vince Lombardi was in dealing with people and players."
He came to the Titans thanks to Head Coach Sammy Baugh. Baugh coached in college at Hardin-Simmons University, who played against Maynard and Texas-Western. He knew Don and wanted him to return to New York, but this time with the Titans. On January 10, 1960, he agreed, becoming the first player to sign a contract with the new franchise.
Maynard was one of three original Titans to still be on the roster when the team, renamed the Jets, won the Super Bowl after the 1968 season. LB Larry Grantham and RB Bill Mathis were the other two.
Source: NJ.com and The Sunday Herald
The first player to sign a contract with the New York Titans, signed his contract on this date, Jan 10, in 1960, the great Don Maynard.
Maynard had been a two sport star at Texas Western University. In addition to football, he starred on the track, having won the Texas State Collegiate Championships in the 100, 220 and 440 yard runs. He was drafted in the 9th round of the NFL draft as a running back by the New York Giants. After one season in New York, where he was used primarily as a return man, he was released. During that 1958 season, he actually earned more money as a plumber than as a football player, earning $7,500 from the Giatns, but making over $8,500 as a plumber in the offseason.
"I'm the only plumber," he would tell a reporter years later, "that caught a pass from Namath. A little joke on the side, but all you've got to know about plumbing is pipe don't bend, and manure don't run uphill."
After being released by the Giants, Maynard signed with the Hamilton Tiger Cats of the CFL. After three games at Hamilton, he got a call from Vince Lombardi, in his first year as Head Coach in Green Bay. Lombardi had been an assistant coach with the Giants and liked Maynard, hoping he would join him in GB.
"I told him I've already played three games up here," Maynard recalled. "And he said, 'Well, if you're happy, I'll let you stay.' Back then, they could have created a bit of a court deal and kept me from playing, but that's another great point of how great Vince Lombardi was in dealing with people and players."
He came to the Titans thanks to Head Coach Sammy Baugh. Baugh coached in college at Hardin-Simmons University, who played against Maynard and Texas-Western. He knew Don and wanted him to return to New York, but this time with the Titans. On January 10, 1960, he agreed, becoming the first player to sign a contract with the new franchise.
Maynard was one of three original Titans to still be on the roster when the team, renamed the Jets, won the Super Bowl after the 1968 season. LB Larry Grantham and RB Bill Mathis were the other two.
Source: NJ.com and The Sunday Herald
