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Jack Reader had been a part of the National Football League
since forty years by the time of that interview and he had
been one of the pioneers, who had helped to create Super Bowl.
It was the 15nth of January in 1967, when the Green Bay Packers
scored a historical 35-10 against the Kansas City Chiefs in
front of 61.946 in Los Angeles to win Super Bowl as the very
first team in NFL history.
NFL Europe back in 2001
... and perhaps some will remember the 15nth of January in
1967, when the Green Bay Packers scored a historical 35-10
against the Kansas City Chiefs in front of 61.946 spectators
in Los Angeles.
Quarterback Bart Starr from the Packers was the MVP on the
field and Jack Reader and his NFL colleagues had started one
of the biggest sports events of all times.
For sure such an outstanding personal background qualifies
for a clear comment on the situation of the NFL in Europe
as he had been critical with smaller crowds in Berlin, Scotland
and Barcelona pointing at them as challenges for the NFL Europe
management.
Before the interview he must have had a bit of
mileage left behind on that busy day during the 1999 NFL Europe
season, when he had to supervise the derby between Galaxy
and Fire.
Every field goal one barrel of beer had been an
idea, that had appealed to him a lot more than the parking
situation and other less convincing encounters around the
stadiums.
Overall he had liked the Frankfurt
Galaxy and Rhein Fire
a lot, whilst the other teams had failed to impress the expert
visitor and Football messenger.
Meanwhile the NFL is working hard on expansion plans to extend
the really short season.
At a recent press conference at Rhein Fire Doug Quinn had
introduced the new management with John Beake, who had led
the Broncos twice to Super Bowl wins and Jim Connelly, who
is bringing in 16 years of commercial experience inside the
NFL from his stays in Japan and at other locations.
A great rise at the Claymores in week 1 of season 2001 with
16.000 fans and some 31.000 for a start at Rhein Fire are
some indicators that show the great potential involved.
A second team in Spain, one in France, Italy, Austria and
in Switzerland. All would be great.
Russia, Poland and other Eastern countries could also join
to make a real European League which would then create a major
impact resulting in larger media attention.
Anyway, not an easy mission for the new NFL Europe League
management, but great prospects surely exist.
What a man ...
NEW YORK (AP) -- Jack Reader, who spent nearly 50 years in
NFL officiating and worked two Super Bowls, has died. He was
82.
He died of cancer in Hingham, Mass., on Nov. 10, a day before
his birthday, the NFL said Tuesday.
Reader was the back judge in the first and third Super Bowls.
He was a referee and back judge in the AFL and NFL from 1960-74
before joining the officiating department as a supervisor.
He held various supervisory jobs until 2000 and was an observer
for the officiating department from 2001-06.
Reader was born in Lawrence, Mass., and served in the Army
Air Corps during World War II. He played football at Holy
Cross, graduating in 1950.
He is survived by two sons, a daughter and six grandchildren.
A Click here
or on the Jack Reader photo takes right away to the Video
Interview and the NFL Europe coverage at web62.com Internet
Television.
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