It's true. We had a friend growing up that was a referee for PAC-10 games. His son invited my brother to Stanford-Cal game in 1982. Who knew:
- The game would end with arguably the craziest play in college OR pro football history.
- Our friend, Jack Langley, along with the rest of the officiating crew seen in this video, would lose their jobs after this game. You see, the third lateral toward the top of the screen the players knee was down, but Jack and another close by official missed the call. This play, as crazy as it was, would never have been completed if his whistle rang out when the Cal players knee hit the ground. As it stands, it is legendary.
By the way, as the 34th anniversary of "the play" approaches, a couple notable factoids:
- if you watch this video, watch the shock of the Stanford students holding the annual rivalry prize "the ax" after the play unfolds, and then toward the end of the video Cal students come over and take it.
- This crazy play actually ruined the heroics of a come-from-behind, last minute field goal, led by Senior Stanford quarterback.....John Elway, playing his final college game.
- Among other interesting players and coaches on the field that day: Stanford offensive coordinator Jim Fassel, Cal: Head Coach Joe Kapp, quarterback Gale Gilbert- father of Rams 2014 6th round pick Garrett Gilbert, and defensive lineman Ron Rivera (Now coach of the Panthers)
- One personal factoid- in my brother Mike's Forrest Gump file- he was on the field during this play with Jacks son John, and came away with a souvenir,- one of the famous Stanford band fishing hats. Mike had the hat for years, but lost it in a move. Was it the guy in the end zone that got knocked over at the end? He lost his hat. Mike isn't sure. He said there were a few hats on the field.
Enjoy the video:
View: https://youtu.be/roqj_Wh_k9Q
