Syracuse Orangeman coaching legend Dick MacPherson was hired to fix the woeful Patriots. (Somebody had to do it.) He’d field a surprisingly competitive team in 1991 but the team would regress in 1992 and he’d be fired at season’s end after an 8-24 record. Fear not though, this is when Patriots’ lore gets good as the next coach hired was Bill Parcells.
Coach MacPherson though should be remembered though, rightfully so, for his work at the college level, which started way back in 1958 with the University of Illinois. He’d make stops at the University of Massachusetts, Cincinnati, and Maryland before going to the pros as an assistant with the Denver Broncos of the AFL from 1967-1970. He’d return to coach at Massachusetts from 1971-1977, then off to the Browns for the next 3 seasons to coach linebackers.
In 1980 Dickey Mac would make his mark taking over for the Orangemen at Syracuse turning the college sports program around. He’d coach there for the next 10 years before 2 final years with the Patriots, and retire. His cumulative college record was 111-73-5. MacPherson was inducted into the CFHoF in 2009 and he provides commentary on the Syracuse Orangemen radio network.
EPITAPH:
8/8/2017- Dick MacPherson passed away at the age of 86, surrounded by friends and family in Syracuse, NY.
John Brodie led the PCC in nearly all the passing categories in 1956 while playing QB at Stanford.
He completed 139 of 240 passes for 1633 yards and 12 TDs that season and finished 7th in Heisman voting.
Selected in the 1st round of the 1957 NFL Draft (3rd overall) by the San Fransisco 49ers.
He’d be groomed as the heir apparent to Y.A. Tittle in San Fransisco.
After a rough couple of seasons, he’d finally hit his stride by ’61 when he was firmly established as the team’s starter.
He’d lead the league that year averaging 9.1 yards per attempt.
In 1965, he had one of his finest seasons as a pro, completing 242 of 391 attempts, for 3112 yards and 30 TDs, and leading the league in most passing categories.
Then in ’68 he’d complete 234 of 404 passes for 3020 yards (22 TDs) to lead all passers.
1970 saw another banner year with 24 TD passes on 223 attempts along with 2,941 yards to lead the NFL.
Retiring from football after the 1973 season, Brodie played 17 seasons in all, appearing in 259 games, and starting 201 of them.
Brodie’s love for sports ran deep and he quickly became a force on the PGA golf circuit, and later in life a member of the Champion’s Tour.
He was also a gifted announcer and color man for both sports for many years.
ACCOLADES:
All Pro 1965, ’70
Pro Bowl 1965, ’70
San Fransisco 49ers Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame (’86)
Number 12 Retired- San Fransisco 49ers
NFL Comeback Player of the Year 1965
NFL MVP 1970
African-American Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame 2010
Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame
NOTES:
Way, way back in 1993, I met John Brodie on the course early in the day at the CGA Youth Golf Tournament with Steve Spurrier and Dick Anderson. He loved the drawing I did of him and he laughed because I didn’t have one of the Ol’ Ball Coach.
John really didn’t sign TTM very much until the last year of his life, and this certified like many others were usually out of reach financially for me. I just got lucky on this one.
Brodie should’ve been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame some time ago IMHO. I feel that his career, spanning 3 decades, and owning all the 49ers passing records at the time of his retirement really should merit a bit more consideration.
One of the many overlooked legendary quarterbacks who came through the 49er organization before Montana and Young, Brodie was a passing machine throughout the 1960s.
ATT
CPD
YDS
PCT
TD
INT
RAT
4491
2469
31548
55
214
224
72.3
EPITAPH:
1/23/26- On Friday January 26th, it was announced that John Brodie had passed away at the age of 90. No cause of death was given.
Card: StarPics 1991
Acquired: In Person 1991, Dallas Cowboys Training Camp
The heir to Chris Miller for the Oregon Ducks, Bill Musgrave enjoyed an excellent college playing career. With a logger jam at quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, Musgrave would not make the team roster after being drafted by them in 4th round of the 1991 draft. He’d sign with the San Fransisco 49ers and he’d post a 71 quarterback rating throwing 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. He’d stay with the 49ers through 1994 and then sign with the Denver Broncos staying there through the 1996 season. Bill jumped almost immediately into coaching where he has remained since, working a season a piece for the Raiders and Eagles, and two for the Panthers. Musgrave returned back to the college ranks in 2001 tutoring future Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub at UVA. Again he’d surface in the pros with the Jaguars for the next two seasons through 2004 and the Redskins for 2005. Musgrave later spent the most time with the Atlanta Falcons from 2006 – 2010, -later signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2011 to be offensive coordinator. Musgrave experienced his first offensive play calling with the Eagles and Ray Rhodes, so he probably is a member of the Rhodes’ coaching tree.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
