Gary Reasons
(by Phil Rippa)
As a member of the New York Giants
Super Bowl winning teams, Gary Reasons will always have a soft spot in
my heart. Another in the long line of ugly looking white guys who
played for the New York football teams in the 80s (Joe Klecko, Dave
Jennings, Marty Lyons, Jeff Hostetler, etc...) Reasons had a fine fine
forgotten career.
Reasons might have been the best
football player to come out of the Southland Conference (I will fight
anyone who says Jeremiah Trotter). A three time All-American from the
I-AA conference, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of
Fame. Reasons played his almost his NFL career with the Giants – who
picked him up in the 4th round of the 1984 draft (his final season was
played with the Cincinnati Bengals. Stupid Ohio.)
#55 also just happened to be
involved in some of my all time favorite Giants moments. He was the one
who took the fake punt 30 yards in the 1990 NFC championship game to
help the G-Men rally against the Niners (I can still envision my Mom
trying to turn the TV off right before Matt Bahr’s winning kick because
it was time for dinner. Sweet sweet Baked Ziti). But more importantly,
Reasons delivered my favorite hit in all the years of watching
football.
It was during the 1989 regular
season in Denver in the snow (Mmm... football weather). 4th and Goal
for the Broncos from maybe a yard out. Elway hands to Bobby Humphrey.
The seas part and it looks like easy sailing. Reasons emerges from
nowhere and absolutely stuffs Humphrey (I think he knocked Humphrey’s
mouth piece out but I would have to rewatch the tape). Turnover on
downs. Giants went on to win the game. The hit made the NFL Films Top
100 Hit list. The slow mo from field level of the hit is amazing. And
this isn’t even mentioning the fact that Reasons also made the hit on
third down to force the 4th and Goal.
I also love the man who is now the
coach of the AFL2 Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz. I couldn’t even make that
up. YARD DAWGZ!!!!!!!!!!
NY
Giants Team History Page
OK
City Yard Dawgz Home Page