A class act

Roger Carlson

LA JOLLA - The only motive to remove myself from the customary

Daily Pilot Friday Night meat-grinder, putting together Saturday’s

edition, was to honor someone who deserved it, Paul Salata, who was being

distinguished with honors at the Torrey Pines Hilton by the National

Football League Alumni.

That, and a shove in the back from my quasi-editor, Bill Lobdell (does

that make him Quasimodo?)

Like a few years back with George Yardley at the Naismith Hall of Fame

basketball ceremonies in Springfield, Mass., there are some things that

you just can’t not do, regardless of schedules and commitments.

So there I was, shoes shined, with my NFL helmets tie my granddaughter

gave me some time back and an NFL XVII tie tack which had been gathering

moss, amid all these giants of the NFL gathered to honor the Class of

‘99: Len Dawson of (mostly) the Kansas City Chiefs, David “Deacon” Jones

of Fearsome Foursome fame with the Rams, and Paul Salata, whose tireless

efforts to do for others in the name of the NFL, were the central

objects.

A gathering of some 450 packed the scene and with a first-cabin flourish,

the show went off without a hitch. Leather Helmet awards were presented

to Dawson and Jones, and Salata received a Lifetime Achievement award.

Like most endeavors of this sort, I found myself coming away with fringe

benefits.

Dawson was eloquent, gracious and clearly showed why he’s still around in

the broadcasting department. A shining illustration of class and

integrity. He called the moment second only to his 1987 induction into

the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Jones was true to form. Very, very funny, very, very dedicated to

himself, outrageous most of the time, but under it all, a great example

of a man committed to helping the underdog.

Salata? There seemed no question he belonged when presented by longtime

friend Jim Tunney, but for the first time, I’m sure, in a long time,

somewhat humbled in the face of such luxury.

He cracked a couple of jokes, but for the most part, projected a sense of

pride in the game which he was a part of, and continues to be in his role

as the creator of Irrelevant Week, the annual week-long parody

celebrating the last player taken in the NFL Draft.

Jones, who has an opinion on just about everything that moves, and

probably would claim the tag”I’m the Greatest,” except a boxer of some

note a few years back already has a patent on that one, had something to

say about Paul Salata, as well.

“I love Paul Salata,” said the Deacon. “Everywhere I go in Orange County,

and points beyond, there’s Paul Salata, ahead of me, doing something for

humanity.”

Then he turned to the Salata table and continued: “He must be dying or

something. So he’s busy trying to clean up his old life to get into

heaven,” stealing all the laughter which most would have conceded to

Salata in this sort of arena.

Later he turned toward Salata’s bigger-than-life photo on stage, and

said, “What an ugly kid, but what a man.”

Later the larger-than-life Deacon Jones thanked his particular sponsor

leading up to the award and surmised that the NFL group must have gone

along with the nomination out of fear they would be assassinated if they

didn’t.

That was perhaps 10% of the Deacon’s presentation, which had the crowd

laughing harder than any Jay Leno Show could hope to have.

And that’s where all this is headed ... Leno and his (often very funny)

bashing of the NFL, a current crop which no doubt deserves every Jay Leno

barb it gets because of the misdeeds of some of the individuals who are a

part of it.

When you hear one negative story after another involving NFL types, there

is a tendency to forget all of the good things that have come from this

organization, and the NFL Alumni stands at the front of the parade for

its commitment to youth and to helping out, big time, where it’s needed.

Said Deacon Jones: “I’m going to change the inner city. If not me, then

who? And then he went on to bash those players who have given the NFL a

black eye like no one else. Jay Leno couldn’t hold a candle to Jones, who

must be undefeated in every eye-to-eye confrontation he’s ever faced.

The crowd ate it up, because that’s exactly how everyone in the NFL

Alumni organization must feel as they see their game being given one

shiner after another, then polished by Jay Leno, and others.

What I saw Friday night was a group of athletes and former athletes who

enjoyed the pride it deserved, and from top to bottom, it is a selfless

organization that constantly harps on the fact there is no i in the word

team.

The awards dinner was part of the group’s Charity Golf Classic at La

Costa, which is the big money-raiser for its commitment to “Caring for

Kids.”

People like Randy Minniear, the Chairman of the Board, Frank Krauser, the

President and CEO, Orange County representative Jack Faulkner, and all of

the rest of the working of the NFL Alumni, deserve your good thoughts.