The Concussion That Almost Stopped Wilbert's Famous Run
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagles Blog
The Concussion That Almost Stopped Wilbert's Famous Run
Paul Domowitch, Daily News NFL Columnist
It’s one of the most famous plays in Eagles history.
"I Right Slot Split 46 Slant."
Wilbert Montgomery’s 42-yard touchdown run against the Cowboys in the 1980 NFC Championship Game.
And if we knew then about concussions and their long-term effects what we know now, it never would have happened because Wilbert never would have played in that game.
Montgomery rushed for 194 yards that day in the Eagles’ 20-7 win over the Cowboys. Rushed for 194 yards just a few days after being knocked out cold in practice by teammate Richard Blackmore.
"I didn’t think I was going to play in the game," said Montgomery, who will be participating in his fourth Super Bowl game today – his third as an assistant coach. He is the Baltimore Ravens’ running backs coach.
To escape the frigid weather in Philadelphia, coach Dick Vermeil took his team down to Tampa to practice before the Dallas game. During one session, Montgomery collided with Blackmore, an Eagles defensive back.
Montgomery was knocked unconscious.
"Today, it’s called a concussion," he said. "Back then, they said I got my bell rung. I was out. Next thing I know, I’m in the locker room. I wasn’t thinking quite clearly. The remainder of the week I didn’t practice. So they didn’t think I was going to play on game day."
If that had happened today, he wouldn’t. He would have had to pass several concussion tests and then get cleared by an independent neurologist. Even if he had made a miraculous recovery, there wouldn’t have been enough time for all of that to happen.
In fact, Montgomery didn’t start that game. His backup, Louie Giammona, did.
"The first two plays, Louis was the starting halfback," Montgomery said. "I came out of the tunnel and was standing next to Coach V (Dick Vermeil) on the second play of the game and told him I was ready to go. He said, 'Alright, go in.
"Next thing I know, Ron (Jaworski) called "46 slant." I started off to the left. (Left tackle) Stan (Walters) took out Too Tall (Jones). Petey (Perot, the left guard) X’d Randy White out and I was off and running. They made it easy. They did all the hard work. I just ran through the hole they made for me. It was a great win."
A great day. If only 2 weeks later we played like that in the super bowl. All 4 of our teams went to the championship game that year. Imagine that.— RobertB- @Robert, you're completely right. Imagine that!
Fact is, it is now completely unimaginable! I'd love to do a poll of all readers as to just whom they think will break through first for a championship. Let's handicap it:
- the Phils are sliding backwards quickly and are aging even more quickly with a depleted farm system
- the Eagles have (hopefully) hit rock bottom with this roster Reid and Company stuck Kelly with and can only go up with new management
- the Sixers, who seemed to be on the rise and then added a legit (but always injured) big-man, are nowhere cost to the team they were last season when they didn't have this big man
- the Flyers...who can explain how poorly they've come out of the gate, with an anemic an offense as any we've seen in the club's history, albeit for just nine games so far
All that said, here's my vote: the Union!!— advantasux - just re-read my post and need to offer two fixes:
- @Robert, my use of the words "Imagine that" were in reference to your use of the same words in your post, that there was once a time when all four teams were in the finals of their respective league championships, not about the fact that you, @RobertB, were right about something
- in the Sixers statement I made, I meant to write they "are nowhere CLOSE to the team they were last season"
— advantasux - I had endzone seats for that game. It was bitterly cold but everyone was excited to have the oppurtunity to kick the Cowboys in Philly, including Tom Landry with his fuzzy hat.
The play starts and here comes Wilbert out of nowhere as the hole opens up. It looks like he is shot out of a cannon as he sprints to the endzone. That play set the tone for the rest of the game and that play was one of the most exciting for Eagles' fans in the last 40 years.— tommy_the_k - That was arguably the greatest win in Eagles history other than the 1960 Championship game.— SteveS11
- maybe the greatest play in eagles history.
its the first one that always comes first to my mind.
it says "cowboys butts kicked."
— bloodymess - And Giles and Montgomery, Jeff Lurie, Comcast Spectracor and Ed Snider all thank you for your patronage to their businesses. And I thank you for inflating my shares of Comcast. I got in at $14 and it recently closed at $38. Thank you loyal fans and degenerate gamblers.— Sportyrider71
- Should be there, Dick. Should be there.
- Agree with Bloodymess. And to add to that Pat Summerall's TV call of it (The Montgomery 42 yard Td run) was one of the GREATEST TV TD calls EVER.— dudega
- Those days.... Real Eagle days— stardog
- Imagine that, it was quite a year for Philly sports, one we'll surely never see again. And yes, for any of us alive today, that was quite possibly the greatest Eagles play ever. Because of the game where it happened and who it was against. That was our Super Bowl right there.— PhillySubsMac
