AND NOW, FOR THE REST OF THE STORY, Part 3

Cutting the original manuscript of A MATTER OF CONSCIENCE: Redemption of a Hometown Hero from 600+ pages to less than 400 was a painful process. The primary criteron used was whether a section contributed to the main theme of the book. Thus, a lot of the humorous stories of Bobby's high school, college, and coaching days were cut. This blog gives me the opportunity to share some of them with people who might have a personal interest. In this blog, I veer from funny stories and share a letter Bobby wrote to his high school coach and the coach's response to him. Anyone who knew Bobby or Coach Red Etter of Central High and later Baylor will appreciate Bobby's tribute to his coach.

January 25, 1983

Dear Coach Etter:

I read of your coming retirement with great sadness. Not only am I sad to see the football world lose such a noteworthy teacher and a man of honor and integrity from its ranks; but, I am also sad in a selfish sense when I realize that as a coach I will no longer be able to draw on your knowledge and advice. For me, it will be an immense loss not to be able to watch an Etter coached team, study your strategy, and look for new innovations.

I jest not, when I say of all the football materials I’ve read, films watched, clinics and seminars attended, and coaching received, I’ve never met your equal. In fact, I have found that some publications and coaches are years behind some of the things you were doing in the fifties.

Lastly, as a former player and friend I am sad to see an era that I was a part of come to an end. I feel that the umbilical cord is about to be broken, the last link severed from a cherished past; and I am so powerless to do anything about it, other than to hope that all you have worked for and created will somehow be salvaged and appreciated.

As a person knowledgeable in football, I can look back over my high school career and recall very vividly the plays you installed a few minutes before game time, adjustments made during the half, and your ability to utilize your material to the fullest and now realize that for the most part it was your coaching genius that produced the winners at Central. I’ve often wondered what your career would have read if you had stood in Bear Bryant’s or some other successful college coach’s shoes and had the money, coaches, talent and other resources that were available to them at your disposal.

Also, I would like to thank you for any achievement I might have accomplished during my high school career. I recognize the fact that my attendance at any other school would have produced nothing more than a mediocre product. I sincerely believe it was the coaching I received, your “T” formation, and the help and guidance from others at Central that was responsible for any fame that came my way.

From the earliest remembrance the only feelings I can recall from your players were those of profound confidence and a great proudness to be able to tell others you were our coach.

In closing, I would like to say that I can think of no other man who has honored his profession with more integrity and ability than you have. I would like to wish you well and hope you have many years of a happy retirement.

Respectfully,

Bobby Hoppe

***

Coach Etter’s handwritten reply – February 2, 1983

Dear Bobby,
Just a note to tell you that your letter is the nicest I have ever received. I guess everyone appreciates flattery, but it is important that we recognize it as such—nevertheless, the appreciation for both the “flattery” and the “flatterer” is sincere.

The truth remains that you did much more for me as a coach than I did for you as a player. You made the years 1950-51-52-53 (along with the help of many others) the greatest consecutive four years of my coaching experience. Your performance on a cold night in Nashville against Litton remains as the one greatest performance of any player I have coached against a team of equal ability.

The one thing that I can remember doing for you was “rescuing” you from the Riverview Pharmacy during the school year and persuading you to return to school! Since that time, I have marveled at your progress—not just as a football player, but as an individual making his presence in this world of value to others....

I will treasure my years with you at Central, your friendship since that time, and your letter will become one of my most cherished mementos of that friendship.

Sincerely,

E. B. “Red” Etter
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Published on April 17, 2011 19:54 Tags: conscience, football
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