Lyle's Second Go

    In 1982，when I was coaching the Raiders， the owner of the team talked with me about a possible trade for Lyle Alzado. After watching him on tape，I didn't think he was that good, but the owner felt we could make Lyle better by creating the right environment lor him. We made the1.

    That summer at training camp，Lyle was having a hard time. He had that look in his eyes that many young players and some old players get when things aren't going 2.One morning Lyle came into my office and he looked like he hadn't slept. Here was a huge man, with his head about as3as it could go. We talked, or rather, I listened. The main point was that Lyle felt his career (职业生涯）was over and it would be best for him and for the team if he retired (退役）.He apologized for4us since we had just traded for him.

    Lyle was always an emotional person. This is one of the reasons he was a good player. He5all that emotional energy with him, ready to lire out at the snap of the ball (开球）.Now he was in front of me， almost crying. I thought for a moment， realizing we had to keep that 6going. Then I went through my reasons why he should not retire. At the end of our talk， I said，“You go out and play your very best, and let us7if you still have it. Personally， I think you do.”

    In January 1984. Tampa Bay Stadium. Super Bowl XVIII. With less than two minutes remaining, we were leading 38-9. We were the world champions of professional football. I saw Lyle，crying like a baby. I had to turn away quickly，or I would have joined him in 8.

    I remembered that morning in my office， and what Lyle， and what the Raiders， had achieved since he came to us. If Lyle hadn't given his career another shot, he wouldn't have had this victory. Maybe the Raiders wouldn't have had this victory. During that moment， I felt one of the greatest satisfactions of my coaching career.