“Unveiling the Enigmatic Football Mastermind Who Shaped History”
Upon our return from the initial training camp in Thousand Oaks, California, which Johnson found lacking in heat, I received a call at my desk, likely from Marge Anderson, the secretary for the coaching staff. The urgency in the message led me straight to Johnson’s office. As I entered, my eyes landed on the latest edition of the Weekly spread out on his desk, showcasing a feature story on the seasoned third-string quarterback, Babe Laufenberg. I took pride in the layout, especially the artwork crafted by our illustrator, Bubba Flint, depicting the NFL journeyman beside a map of the United States marking his various NFL destinations.
To my surprise, Johnson was not pleased. “What is this doing here? We just drafted two quarterbacks in the first round (Aikman and Steve Walsh), and we’re highlighting Babe Laufenberg?” he exclaimed disdainfully. Despite it being deep into August, I reminded Johnson of our publication schedule of 40 issues per year, each spanning 48 pages. I pointed out that Walsh graced the cover of that particular issue, with stories on both Aikman and Walsh featured prominently.
“If ever there was a time to run a story on Babe Laufenberg, it is now,” I explained.
Grudgingly, Johnson acquiesced. “Uh, okay. I was just curious about your rationale,” he conceded. My intuition suggested that Johnson’s true annoyance stemmed from a noteworthy quote Laufenberg had shared during camp, attributing his newfound motivation to the coach’s influence.
Laufenberg had remarked, “If he asked me to run 26 miles through the hills, I would. If he wanted me to carry water bottles, I would. If he wanted me to get a haircut like his… well, there’s a line to be drawn somewhere.”
Reflecting on the past, during Johnson’s stint with the Fox crew and my coverage of a New England Patriots Super Bowl practice as a pool reporter, I marveled at his attention to detail. Despite the monumental task of building the Cowboys, Johnson had still found time to oversee the Weekly.
“That sounds like me,” he reminisced. “Back then, I was involved in everything. I even handled contracts until a near altercation over Mark Stepnoski’s deal made me reassess. I had to delegate tasks to focus on the bigger picture.”
And now, here he stands, relinquishing more responsibilities. In conclusion, I express gratitude for the unforgettable moments shared with Jimmy Johnson, a true legend of the NFL.
