The Hall of Fame seniors committee named Dick Stanfel and Jack Butler on Wednesday as finalists for election in the class of 2012. To be elected, they need the same 80 percent support as the modern era finalists when the full selection committee meets in Indianapolis on Feb. 4, the day before Super Bowl 46. A few thoughts about the nominees:
Although his playing career lasted only seven seasons, Dick Stanfel left his mark as one of the finest and most consistent offensive linemen of his time. In an era that valued technique over brute strength, Stanfel was fundamentally sound enough to be elected first team All-Pro five times and to be named to the N.F.L.’s all-decade team of the 1950s.
Stanfel was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 1951 draft (19th over all) from the University of San Francisco. There, he played for Coach Joe Kuharich and with the future Hall of Famers Gino Marchetti, Bob St. Clair and Ollie Matson. After missing his rookie year because of a knee injury, Stanfel stepped right in as a starter in 1952.
At 6-3 and about 235 pounds, Stanfel became an anchor at right guard for the next four seasons. He joined the Hall of Fame left tackle Lou Creekmur to form the core of Detroit’s offensive line on the championship teams of 1952 and 1953. “Joe Schmidt and Jim David were my roommates,” Stanfel later said of his years with the Lions, “and I had so many other great teammates… Bobby Layne, Doak Walker, Leon Hart, Pat Harder, Bob Hoernschemeyer.” ( Dwight Chapin, “Where Are They Now: Dick Stanfel”, San Francisco Chronicle, Jan. 27, 2002)
In those years, the offensive linemen had to keep their elbows bent and their hands close to their body for both run and pass blocking. They couldn’t extend their arms and push, as they do today. The best of them, like Stanfel, had to make up for it with smooth footwork and good balance. They needed to be able to move laterally just to stay in front of the pass rushers. Stanfel also had very good pulling speed in either direction.
Stanfel was reunited with Kuharich, now the coach of the Redskins, in 1956. He made first team All-Pro and was elected to the Pro Bowl in each of his three years in Washington. But when Kuharich was fired after the 1958 season, Stanfel retired at 31 to pursue what would be a long career in coaching.
Stanfel started as Kuharich’s offensive line coach at Notre Dame in 1959, joined Marv Levy’s staff at Cal in 1963, and entered the N.F.L. when Kuharich became the coach of the Philadelphia Eagles in 1964. He later coached the linemen with the 49ers, the Saints and the Bears. He summed up his coaching philosophy: “I told every player, ‘If you can get it done, I don’t care if you stand on your head. But if you can’t get it done, you better damn well do it my way.’ ” (Chapin)
Jack Butler is also a member of the N.F.L.’s all-decade team of the 1950s. He was a bright spot in an era when the Steelers had few winning seasons.
Butler, a Pittsburgh native, played his college football at St. Bonaventure. In 1951, the Steelers invited him in for a tryout. “I thought, ‘Hey, this is a terrific way to spend my summer,’ ” Butler recalled, many years later. ” ‘I won’t make the team but it will be a great way to pass the time.’ I never went back to school.” (Lew Freedman, “Pittsburgh Steelers: The Complete Illustrated History,” 2nd ed., MVP Books, 2011)
The Steelers initially intended to use Butler as an undersize defensive end, but injuries in their secondary led them to try him at cornerback. At a rangy 6-1 and about 200 pounds, he was a natural at his new position. He was even better later in his career at safety.
Butler finished his nine-year career in Pittsburgh (1951-1959) with 52 interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries in 103 games. That interception total was the second highest in league history when he retired. He scored 9 touchdowns: 4 by interception return, 4 by pass reception and 1 by the return of a recovered fumble. Butler was a three-time first team All-Pro (1957-1959) and was elected to four Pro Bowls (1955-1958).
Butler was an all-around defensive back. He excelled against both the run and the pass. He read the play well, had a good nose for the ball, and he had excellent hands. Butler was also a punishing tackler. When he played safety, the wide receivers weren’t too eager to meet him in the middle of the field. “Jack was one player that could have played with the great Steeler teams of the ’70s”, Dan Rooney said. “He was fast, smart, and tough.” (Freedman)
In the final game of the 1953 season, Butler intercepted Redskins quarterback Eddie LeBaron four times, tying an N.F.L. record that still stands. In the fourth quarter, he returned the last one 5 yards for the winning touchdown in a 14-13 victory. On the film, you see Butler, at right cornerback, jump the quick-out route after reading LeBaron’s eyes and the opening of the quarterback’s hips and shoulders. Excellent anticipation.
Butler’s career was cut short by a terrible knee injury in 1959. He tried to go into coaching but that knee was so badly damaged that he couldn’t get around on the practice field. In 1961, he began the second part of his football career as a scout for the Steelers.
In 1963, Butler joined LESTO (Lions, Eagles, Steelers Talent Organization), one of the early scouting services. By compiling reports on thousands of prospects from all over the country, these services saved the teams time, money and a lot of frustration. The name was changed to BLESTO when the Bears joined and BLESTO-V when the Vikings were added in the late ’60s. Butler ran BLESTO for over 40 years, retiring in 2007. “Pro football has been very good to me”, he once said. “It’s kept me from having to go to work.” (Freedman)
Dick Stanfel and Jack Butler will be considered by the selection committee for their accomplishments on the field, but they also stayed in the game and had distinguished careers after their playing days were over. They’re both football lifers and, early next year, will probably be called Hall of Famers.
Andy Barall writes about pro football history for The Fifth Down.
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