THE BALLAD OF AN ANONYMOUS HERO
If you are a fan of devout husker, exit the tape of the 1972 national championship game with Alabama.Fast foreword to the last play of the first quarter and you will find Johnny Rodgers to galloping down the field to a courtyard 77 Nebraska.Observe touchdown carefully as forms of wall and "put 'em in the corridors" husker three defensive linemen out seven players of Alabama and Johnny spring for another of his famous runs.
But today is day of Johnny.Belongs to one of these three linieros.Su numbers were 55 and his name is Bill Janssen. Bill fails to finish this game because sprained an ankle in the second quarter.
Janssen arrived in Nebraska in Red River High School in Grand Forks, North Dakota.His father was in the air force Unidos.Bill States was a 6'4 ", pound 215 giant and learned his skills soccer in Texas in other air force assignment."
"When I moved to North Dakota, was out of interest in sports," recalled Janssen.Hockey was great sport and I didn't know anything about.
No problem.
Nebraska took notice of a very talented soccer player in hockeyland.Una Husker Carl Selmer coaches visit and Monte Kiffin, apart from a small arm twisting of brother Bill, Carl, who played football for the Air Force Academy took the easy decision. Bill became a husker.
One of his first memories of Nebraska Football was in a rookie at the meeting with coach Bob Devaney.
"Coach Devaney walked in the dressing room of the House and began asking lots of questions," said Bill.
"How many of the guys played on computers where won more games lost?" Devaney requested.
"Perhaps one-third of boys erected their continuation armas.A, Devaney wanted to know how many guys played on computers where they lost more games that won."Once again, went up a third of the hands.Then asked what a coach of high school who told us how many of us had was too bad we lost because we play so well?"All hands went up."
"" Well this bullshit, "told Devaney."His coach does not tell the truth.Football is a game of errors. When you make fewer errors than the other guy, you win. Eliminate errors in Nebraska. That is why we won in Nebraska. "
"But there was a time or two when you didn't win Nebraska.""" You'll learn even more from those days ", said Janssen." I remember that very long, flat ride bus home from California when UCLA below of the arm of Mark Harmon, beat us 20-17 in 1972.Fullback, McAlestar, flew just above me in a work where needed some large yardage to stay at ella.Doug Dumler and I were captains when our streak game 31 came to an end. "This was not fun."
"Your best memory is the second national championship against Alabama game."My best performance was that first fourth comeback against Alabama punt. I am very proud of what we did on this play.Kiffin told us that it might be available to us and sure enough, when provisions we arrive to and enabled Johnny Juice, fue.Creo who broke the back of Alabama.We were 13-0 to another national championship.That was a fun ride home."
Janssen was drafted in the eighth round of the by Pittsburgh but pro football was simply not as fun as a schoolboy he.
"Football takes a toll on you and was taking a toll on me," said Bill."Is time for me to proceed."
Its harder assignment came almost at the same time.He and his wife were expecting twins.Twin daughters, Monica and Heather were born three months premature.Heather only survived during a day.
"Had only 24 and treated," said as a softness has over their eyes."Clear is that his daughter Heather took much of his father's heart special elsewhere."I committed to be the best father I could be
"If they meet Bill Street, probably wouldn't know about his football days.""" Not driving with that"said.""I even thought long and hard envelope if I do this," he said as he makes note of the large ring of gold in his right-hand with large red stone and a diamond in the centro.Es 1971 national championship ring.
"Is large, and some would say, a little sad, but taking into account the bruises and broken bones, I guess I've earned the right to usar.Me imagine that I will always be proud that I was anonymous heroes one Nebraska."
In fact, you are a hero, Mr. Janssen.De done you are.
Kenny Miller has been in the creative business for over 30. He has created two advertising agencies and is the author of two books: the last flight of Kilo Mike; and a visit to Hartington.Kenny is also a highly experienced professional pilot; published; photographer and a big storm chaser.Kenny also writes a column of sports, A history of booths, which tells the stories of former players from Nebraska and learned playing football. your site is [http://www.nebraskawriter.com]
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