reggie roby (1961-2005): an appreciation...
courtesy of long time reggie roby fan miami spice:
That Reggie Roby was a great punter--one of the best ever--is indisputable. He played in the NFL for 16 years, and made the Pro-Bowl 3 times. One year he led the league averaging almost 46 yards a kick. His hang-time was notoriously long, and returners feared it. He out kicked the kicking machine at practice...seriously. He could hit the top of domed stadiums during his punts.
More importantly, Reggie Roby brought a certain savoir faire to punting. Reggie Roby made punting cool, he made it cool because he destroyed the dominant punting paradigm. He rocked a wristwatch on the field, you know, to track his hang time. He was an African American punter, and I believe he was the only one for most of his career. The 'Cane's current African-American punter, Brian Monroe, calls him an inspiration.
He was a big guy, bigger than some of our down lineman--dude just loomed over the line, ten yards deep. And more like a safety than a punter, he just blew up guys that happened to get past the punt return unit--I wish I could find a clip of one of his tackles.
He even held out for more cheddar--very un-kicker-like, more like a quarterback or a linebacker--and then got traded when Joe Robbie wouldn't step up and give him the cheese he deserved. He then promptly became an All-Pro for the 'Skins the very next year.
I loved Reggie Roby, almost as much as Mark Duper and Bruce Hardy, the super-quick wide receiver and the super-reliable tight end, respectively, for those great 'Fins teams. And I wasn't alone. People rocked Reggie Roby jerseys. Let me repeat, people wore the PUNTER's jersey. And because we had Reggie at the same time as Dan the Man, Reggie didn't see the field that often. So when he did come on, there was this anticipation in the stands that he was just going to kill the ball. Which he ALWAYS did. Reggie Roby never shanked. Ever.
We hear now that Reggie shanked it quite a bit off the field, which saddens me, especially given his reputation as a great guy with a huge heart. Fortunately, my memory of him will not be of those things, it will always be of him sending Jets' returners backwards as they tried to chase down one of his kicks. And Bills' returners getting blown up just as they hit the seam and thought they were free. Or some returner from the Pats lining up for the kick 55 yards downfield out of fear and mad respect.
We will miss Reggie Roby.
That Reggie Roby was a great punter--one of the best ever--is indisputable. He played in the NFL for 16 years, and made the Pro-Bowl 3 times. One year he led the league averaging almost 46 yards a kick. His hang-time was notoriously long, and returners feared it. He out kicked the kicking machine at practice...seriously. He could hit the top of domed stadiums during his punts.
More importantly, Reggie Roby brought a certain savoir faire to punting. Reggie Roby made punting cool, he made it cool because he destroyed the dominant punting paradigm. He rocked a wristwatch on the field, you know, to track his hang time. He was an African American punter, and I believe he was the only one for most of his career. The 'Cane's current African-American punter, Brian Monroe, calls him an inspiration.
He was a big guy, bigger than some of our down lineman--dude just loomed over the line, ten yards deep. And more like a safety than a punter, he just blew up guys that happened to get past the punt return unit--I wish I could find a clip of one of his tackles.
He even held out for more cheddar--very un-kicker-like, more like a quarterback or a linebacker--and then got traded when Joe Robbie wouldn't step up and give him the cheese he deserved. He then promptly became an All-Pro for the 'Skins the very next year.
I loved Reggie Roby, almost as much as Mark Duper and Bruce Hardy, the super-quick wide receiver and the super-reliable tight end, respectively, for those great 'Fins teams. And I wasn't alone. People rocked Reggie Roby jerseys. Let me repeat, people wore the PUNTER's jersey. And because we had Reggie at the same time as Dan the Man, Reggie didn't see the field that often. So when he did come on, there was this anticipation in the stands that he was just going to kill the ball. Which he ALWAYS did. Reggie Roby never shanked. Ever.
We hear now that Reggie shanked it quite a bit off the field, which saddens me, especially given his reputation as a great guy with a huge heart. Fortunately, my memory of him will not be of those things, it will always be of him sending Jets' returners backwards as they tried to chase down one of his kicks. And Bills' returners getting blown up just as they hit the seam and thought they were free. Or some returner from the Pats lining up for the kick 55 yards downfield out of fear and mad respect.
We will miss Reggie Roby.
posted by fredeeky at
10:14 AM
2 Comments:
great job mac fu. you like that bottom photo or what?
Nice job - heartfelt, warm, and a joy to read. I nearly cried, but I held back fearing my face would get all puffy. Who knew he touched so many?
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