THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 2, 1995 TAG: 9510020122
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Guy Friddell
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
The Washington Redskins, 13-point underdogs on the betting line before Sunday's game, upset 27-23 the Dallas Cowboys - deemed by many to be unbeatable in the regular football season.
``Who's going to beat 'em?'' the seers would ask in an incredulous tone, implying you were a fool if you disagreed.
Certainly the Redskins wouldn't win, 'twas said. It'd take another year of seasoning and trades before they could beat anybody!
When the Redskins unhorsed the Cowboys Sunday, it was as if David's little brother Joey had felled Goliath with a yoyo.
To find out how they did it, read Jim Ducibella's vivid story in today's Sports section and listen to his radio show on station 1310 AM at 9 a.m. today.
Surely he will play ``Hail to the Redskins'' on his saxophone.
Had you asked me a week ago who'd win Sunday, I'd have said, ``The Redskins!'' My forecast arose for an arcane reason: REDSKINS SECOND-STRING QUARTERBACK GUS FREROTTE HAS A WINNING NAME!
Frerotte is a bucaneering name.
He is subbing for first string Heath Shuler, sidelined by injuries. Shuler, an otherwise estimable youth, is not likely to mount a winning streak until he finds a name that strikes fear in the foe and puts cheer in his team.
He has an excellent name for a businessman. I would buy a boxcar of junk bonds from Heath Shuler. I wouldn't bet on him on the gridiron.
The first thing Joe Theisman did upon finishing a notable career at Notre Dame and joining the Redskins was change the pronunciation of his last name from Theesman to Thighsman.
He knew he wouldn't advance in the pros as Joe Theesman, a name more fitting for a minister than a quarterback. As Joe Thighsman he smote the foe hip and thigh.
When Theesman became Thighsman I felt he had betrayed his roots. But, fortunately, I didn't get around to proclaiming it in the newspaper. Sonny Jurgensen, even potbellied near the end, couldn't miss with a name nearly as flamboyant as his red mane.
And didn't Johnny Unitas have the right name - John U-nite-us - when, eyes bleak as chips of blue ice, he led the Baltimore Colts in that all-time great 1958 game with the New York Giants steered by Charlie Conerly (no slouch as a name either). But icy Unitas, throwing sideline passes to Raymond Berry in the waning seconds, won.
Joe Montana has a name fit for the greatest quarterback, and, close behind, old Dan Marino keeps bringing Miami from behind. And isn't it apropos that Randall Cunningham rallies the Eagles and Denver's John Elway has his way so often as time is running out?
Remember Slingin' Sammy Baugh performing miracles and George Blanda, an aging centaur at 46, trotting out to boot the game-winning field goal?
Great ones have names that sing.
You can remember many more. ILLUSTRATION: Gus Frerotte
The Redskins' Gus Frerotte has a buccaneering name.
by CNB