re: Jim Taylor Was Tough to Tackle

quote:
Taylor has a philosophy, and puts it in basic terms: "Football is a contact sport."

"You've got to make them respect you. You've got to punish tacklers. You've got to deal out more misery than the tacklers deal out to you."
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I was told a "Jimmy Taylor" story shortly after Katrina by Pass Christian's city building inspector, Ken Wittman. After conducting our business, Mr. Wittman noticed I had an LSU cap on, and asked if I was a football fan. "Yes, sir.", I answered. Then he asked, "Have you heard of Jimmy Taylor?" Well, of course I had. EVERYBODY knows who Jimmy Taylor is! Then he tells me he played football with Jimmy Taylor, which I did not know, and asked if I'd like to hear a Jimmy Taylor story...

Mr. Wittman was new to LSU after a year at Hines Jr. College. In his first practice, "as a 187 lb LB", he found himself facing Jimmy Taylor. At the time, he claims that he didn't know who Taylor was, but quickly found out. After running him over, Taylor looked at him on the ground and said words to the effect of "Welcome to LSU." Mr. Wittman said it was the hardest he had ever been hit.

I haven't really done the story justice in my re-telling, but it was hysterical to hear Mr. Wittman tell it, especially at a time when there wasn't very much to laugh about. He was a humble man with a wry sense of humor. He was part of the 1958 Nat'l Championship team (which he didn't mention).

Mr. Wittman passed away a year or two ago. I'm sure he's missed by his family and friends. He was a guy who everyone liked.