(Photo courtesy of Tony Nathan). We just couldn't put the icing on the cake.". How old is Jeff Rutledge? Continue with Recommended Cookies. Bryant paid several visits to the Nathan home, and he often brought with him an entourage of assistants and past and current Tide players, including Joe Namath, Johnny Musso and Ozzie Newsome. Trivia (4) Quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams (1979-1981), New York Giants (1983-1989) and Washington Redskins (1990-1992). It's been very interesting. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Rutledge served as the quarterbacks and tight ends coach for the New York Sentinels of the United Football League in 2009. Playing in the wishbone -- a four-pronged attack with two tailbacks, a fullback and the quarterback all sharing carries -- Nathan never amassed huge numbers like Crimson Tide workhorses Bobby Humphrey or Shaun Alexander or Trent Richardson, but for his career, he averaged an eye-popping 6.4 yards every time he carried the ball at Alabama. He had left the University of Alabama in the spring of 1979 without a diploma. Soon enough, though, Tony would be all around the ball. Our defensive game plan was awesome.". He said he hadn't decided whether to keep two or three quarterbacks.''. His finest moment as a professional player came when as a member of the Redskins he came off the bench in a game versus the Detroit Lions in 1990. (Birmingham News file/Charles Nesbitt). But Norman, Okla., was cold and rainy when Nathan went to visit, and besides that, Switzer never bothered to come visit Nathan and his parents in Birmingham. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. fatal car accident in tulare county / how to endorse a check for mobile deposit wells fargo / jeff rutledge wife. At 65 years old, Jeff Rutledge height not available right now. He was worn out, and he was just tearing the rest of his jersey off.". 195 lbs (88.5 kg) Rutledge is a Christian and attends Arizona Community Church in Chandler. ", Woodlawn's Tony Nathan ran for 112 yards and scored a touchdown in the 1974 Banks-Woodlawn game, but Banks linebacker Greg Muse was all over him all night long. "That's a scary thought now," the 58-year-old Nathan says of what might have been. Electronic version of this article was lost during the computer . So I had never beaten them.". "It was always the biggest game of the year, for both sides," Rutledge says. The easygoing Nathan had the ideal temperament for the job, Newman told him. Simms is the Giants' starter and Jeff Hostetler is No. He finished his college career with a 33-5 record as a starter, which currently ranks him as the University of Alabama's seventh all-time winningest quarterback. Senior Consultant. He was a backup in Super Bowl XIV as a member of the Los Angeles Rams, he was a backup to Super Bowl MVP Phil Simms in Super Bowl XXI as a member of the New York Giants, and was a backup in Super Bowl XXVI as a member of the Washington Redskins. Once the game did start, Banks built an 18-0 lead on a pair of 21- and 16-yard touchdown runs by fullback Jerry Murphree and a 32-yard TD pass from Rutledge to Grefseng, who also doubled as a back-up tight end. Jeff Rutledge, Nathan's old rival from Banks, was now his teammate, quarterbacking the Tide. Another one of football's coaching greats, Don Shula of the Miami Dolphins, drafted Nathan in the third round of the 1979 NFL Draft, and even though it was a long way from Birmingham or Tuscaloosa, Miami was like a home away from home for Nathan. That year, the Cardinals made a late season run and earned a Super Bowl berth, but lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 27-23. "I think (defensive lineman) Marty Lyons could play today. That game meant that Rutledge got the nod to start the following week on Monday Night against the Philadelphia Eagles in a game that was to become infamously known as the "Body Bag Game". TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. [3][5][6] Rutledge led Montgomery Bell Academy to a 41-17 record from 20022006, with two state titles in 2002 and 2003 and a #15 ranking in the final USA Today Super 25 poll in 2003. "But at that time, I had a concussion. "I'm 57 years old, and I'll run into people that I haven't seen in years and years and years and they talk about that game, that they were there. "But it didn't bother me that I was forced to go to Woodlawn because a lot of my friends were at Woodlawn, too.". A backup for most of his career, he was a member of the New York Giants team that won a Super Bowl in Super Bowl XXI and the Washington Redskins team that won Super Bowl XXVI. It wasn't so much the football I wanted. Jerry McDonald, a split end and defensive back, turned down college football offers and decided to play baseball instead after he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates. "We just sat up there and watched," Martin, now retired, recalls. Menu Log In Sign Up "It was the thrill of my life," Louise Nathan says. ", RELATED: Turning back the clock at Legion Field. ''I wanted to know what he was thinking. The quiet Nathan, who teammates say tried to shy away from all of the attention, was one of Birmingham's first superstar black athletes in a city that was still adjusting to integration. If Roberts misses Saturday night's game, as seems likely, Damian Johnson will move to left guard and Brian Williams will replace Johnson at right guard. Those were the days when running backs wore tear-away jerseys, which ripped when opposing players tried to bring down the ball carrier by grabbing ahold of his jersey. (Birmingham News file/Charles Nesbitt). He was a backup in Super Bowl XIV as a member of the Los Angeles Rams, he was a backup to Super Bowl MVP Phil Simms in Super Bowl XXI as a member of the New York Giants, and was a backup in Super Bowl XXVI as a member of the Washington Redskins. The film builds to a finale where Woodlawn meets crosstown rival Banks, quarterbacked by Jeff Rutledge, who would eventually play at Alabama with Nathan. ", Tony Nathan strikes a Heisman-like pose as he tries to avoid a linebacker. From Banks, defensive lineman Freddie Knighton signed with Alabama, running back Jerry Murphree went to LSU, and linebacker Bob Grefseng played at Ole Miss. On signing day, both Bryant and Alabama basketball coach C.M. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. He had to meet with Coach Bryant to get him to sign off on it, too. Hoover, Alabama. On fourth down with a yard needed, he was sent by head coach Bill Parcells for a potential decoy play. Rutledge, first, and then Stan Humphries were knocked out of the game, leaving emergency quarterback Brian Mitchell (a kick returner and former college quarterback) to finish the game. Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. Along the sidelines, one of the best coaches in Alabama high school football history would notch his 100th victory, but he would never win another. Birmingham, AL. William Nathan was sold, though, and eventually, so was his son Tony. "You wouldn't have known him to be any different from any of the other players on the team," Hendrix, who went on to play briefly with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys and San Diego Chargers, says. (Photo courtesy of Tony Nathan). "I wanted some kind of meat to serve him," William Nathan remembers. After Nathan got out of coaching, another one of his former Dolphins teammates, guard Ed Newman, told him he had the perfect job for him. Or was it 17-7? Jeffrey Ronald Rutledge (born January 22, 1957) is an American football coach and former professional quarterback. "Well, Shula knew what talent was," Nathan says. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Their two-year reign as 4A state champs also ended with a 12-0 shutout loss to eventual champion Homewood in the first round of the playoffs. (Photo courtesy of Tony Nathan). Welcome. "It was supposed to be a quick pass but somebody got in there and almost sacked Jeff. He was a basketball guy.". Jeff Rutledge. The kids are disappointed. So by the time he arrived at Woodlawn High School to start the ninth grade, his reputation as a wizard of the basketball court preceded him. Among those 42,000 who came to watch was a freshman sorority girl from the University of Alabama, who was there not because she had any allegiance to either team but just because she heard it was a big game and she wanted to see it and be a part of it. Dunn and Anthony Murray and that would go on to make it to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, losing to eventual champion Indiana. He said, 'Well, make sure you promise me you're going to finish what you started. (Birmingham News file/Robert Adams). Jeff Rutledge. Unfortunately, he doesn't remember anything about it. . Jeff Rutledge was born on January 22, 1957 in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. The regular season game was played in . YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. And when the game finally did kick off a half-hour or so later, the crowd kept pouring in well into the second quarter. in Plant Science from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro and a Masters in Agronomy (Weed Science) from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. When the Cardinals hired a new offensive coordinator at the end of that season, Rutledge and most of the offensive staff were fired. His two older sisters went to Banks, but after the Birmingham schools were desegregated, he was zoned for Woodlawn. Some of the choices Jeff Rutledge made during his journey to become an NFL assistant coach were difficult. Nathan says. When the teams ran back onto the field for the third time, the lower bowl of Legion Field was practically full. Jeff Rutledge, Nathan's old rival from Banks, was now his teammate, quarterbacking the Tide. Trailing 35-14 with 10:37 left in the third quarter Rutledge replaced an ineffective Stan Humphries and led a great comeback. Now he is here and his family is there, and no one is happy. They've been married for going on 37 years now, with three children and nine grandkids. And to himself. The family will receive friends from 12:00-1:30 pm, Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at . Tony is a very revered guy here in our community, here in our church community.". "It really did.". But, Knoxville, too, was a little too far from home for Nathan. BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Forty years later, the details have gotten fuzzier and the legends have grown larger. ", The Banks players huddle around head coach Shorty White during the 1974 Banks-Woodlawn game at Legion Field in Birmingham. In April 2010, Rutledge agreed to become the head football coach at Pope John Paul II High School in Hendersonville, Tennessee; where he coached for two seasons, leading the Knights to a 4-18 record. That was Laura Holmes, whom Rutledge later met when his Fellowship of Christian Athletes adviser suggested that he ask her to go with him to the team banquet following his freshman year at Alabama. That spiritual awakening not only inspired the team, but it reverberated throughout the entire school, defusing some racial tension that Nathan says he felt his first couple of years at Woodlawn. "He's very respected here," McNeal says of his old teammate. If they cut me and someone picks me up, they would have to get someone else not familiar with their system.'' QB Born: January 22, 1957 in Birmingham, AL Drafted: 1979 Rnd 9, Pick 246 by LA: College: Alabama: Career Stats Career Stats Game Log Game Log Splits Splits. "I don't even know if he realized how good he was back then. I will make you that promise. He has established himself as a trusted advisor providing advice and direction to organizations in some of the most heavily regulated . As the teams went through their pre-game drills, Woodlawn's Stearns noticed another assistant, Mike Logan, staring up into the stands with his mouth agape. There's something always new at the courthouse.". The stoic Nathan even teared up as walked across the Coleman Coliseum stage to receive his diploma from outgoing UA President Judy Bonner. If all of the gates had been open, they would have had 60,000 people.". That University of Alabama sorority girl who was in the stands at Legion Field that night? He finished his college career with a 33-5 record as a starter, which currently ranks him as the University of Alabama's seventh all-time winningest quarterback. "The other thing about the wishbone, if you were a truly good back in the wishbone, you had to block, too,'' says Murray Legg, who, as a defensive back on those Alabama teams, often went up against Nathan in practice. Nov 09, 1990 at 12:00 am. ''I talked to Bill after practice Saturday,'' said Rutledge. His wife, Laura, a former Miss . "Before Bo, there was Tony," Ragland says. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. In overtime, he hit Art Monk with a vital 40-yard pass on third and 15 to help set up Chip Lohmiller's game-winning field goal. Jeff Rutledges income source is mostly from being a successful Player. Rutledge lived up to his star billing that night, completing 9 of 10 passes for 188 yards and that touchdown to Grefseng. Wore number 17 for the New York Giants. I still get chills thinking about it.". How tall is Jeff Rutledge? "It was Banks-Woodlawn. Everybody else was gone home for Christmas vacation, and I was like, 'What am I doing here?' Based in Dallas, Texas with over 20 years of experience in concept, design, art direction, and production of print and web materials including: magazine / newspaper ads, brochures, collateral, direct mail, email graphics, logos, signage, and web graphics. After working as an assistant at Vanderbilt University and with the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL, Rutledge is now the head coach at Valley Christian High School in Chandler, Ariz. After four years at Alabama, Woodlawn's Tony Nathan was drafted in the third round of the 1979 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, where he played for nine seasons under Don Shula, including two Super Bowls. "So it was a great lesson for me. He is married to his wife Laura and has 3 children.[7]. Nathan played on the B-team his freshman year, and by his sophomore season, he earned a spot on the Woodlawn varsity as the starting free safety on defense. [2] Rutledge spent most of his career as a back-up quarterback and a holder on kicks. Quarterback Jeff Rutledge played 13 seasons for 3 teams. After games, fans mobbed Nathan to get a piece of his jersey. Fast learner, critical thinker with an eye for efficiency, and generally fun guy. "Some do come in with attitudes, and you just have to diffuse them before they go in front of the judge. Trailing 35-14 with 10:37 left in the third quarter Rutledge replaced an ineffective Stan Humphries and led a great comeback. Ragland, the former Woodlawn quarterback, recently watched an ESPN documentary about another Birmingham-area sports legend, Bessemer's Bo Jackson, and it reminded of that 14-year-old kid he first met at freshman football practice. "What are you doing with that grip?'" Rutledge led Montgomery Bell Academy to a 41-17 record from 20022006, with two state *les in 2002 and 2003 and a #15 ranking in the final USA Today Super 25 poll in 2003. See also [ edit] Rule 5 draft results References [ edit] . are hard-pressed to remember the final score. In overtime, he hit Art Monk with a vital 40-yard pass on third and 15 to help set up Chip Lohmiller's game-winning field goal. Jeffrey Ronald Rutledge. Nathan played his entire NFL career with the Dolphins - retiring in 1987 after nine seasons in the aqua and orange - and he has continued to make Miami his home, even when NFL assistant coaching jobs took him to Tampa Bay, Baltimore and San Francisco. My parents raised me that way. He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 38 years, Traci (Ellis) Rutledge and their four children, Hannah, Jacob, Marilynn, and Haylee Rutledge; his two granddaughters, Amelia and Ramona Banerjee as well as his many nieces, nephews, and their families-all of whom he cherished greatly. "And when they were picking teams, I wanted to get picked. He played college football at Alabama, where he was the team's starting quarterback for their 1978 National . (Birmingham News file). Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. UNEASY LIES THE HEAD OF NO. "I didn't have to worry about cutting grass because they played all the time.". "It's been home a long time," Nathan says. Former Buyer/Planner at Rutledge Properties LLC. "This was before Bo Jackson," Ragland, the Woodlawn quarterback, says. Alabama Crimson Tide football yearly statistical leaders, History of the New York Giants (19791993). In April 2010, Rutledge agreed to become the head football coach at Pope John Paul II High School in Hendersonville, Tennessee; where he coached for two seasons, leading the Knights to a 4-18 record. said Rutledge. All rights reserved (About Us). "It was odd to see people react and want a piece of cloth off of somebody else who was wearing it. Jeff Rutledge, who played at Alabama after he graduated from Bank High School, is pictured here during the 1976 Alabama-Notre Dame game in South Bend, Ind. He was part of a team that earned back-to-back state *les at L. Frazier Banks High School in Birmingham, Alabama. He received his degree from Alabama in Business Administration and in 2011, was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. (Birmingham News file/Charles Nesbitt). "I knew some of those guys, and I'm like, 'Why would y'all be out here in the hot sun watching freshman football?'" . If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.