"The Dancing Bear" Helped Lead Redskins to Prominence in 1970s

by Redskins Historian on Apr 8, 2011 4:23 PM EDT in Redskins History Corner

This season -- and believe me, there will be a 2011 season -- marks the 40th anniversary of George Allen's first year coaching the Redskins.

Yes, 1971, I remember it like it was yesterday. That year, Allen guided the 9-4-1 Redskins to their first post-season appearance in a quarter century. He did it with a team led by a bunch of grizzled, wily veterans nicknamed the "Over The Hill Gang," many of whom the Hall of Fame coach had acquired before the season through his customary wheeling and dealing on the trade market.

One such veteran was defensive end Ron McDole, who had starred on Buffalo Bills teams that won American Football League championships in 1964 and 1965 (the AFL merged with the NFL in 1970). Allen traded three draft choices for McDole, who made solid contributions to the coach's stingy defense in the 1970s, when the Redskins went to the playoffs five times, including an appearance in Super Bowl VII. McDole never missed a game in eight seasons as a Redskin and started all but one of a possible 121 games, including playoffs. In fact, Mr. Durability started nearly every one of the 250-plus games in his 18-year career.

I recently caught up with McDole when he was a guest on my TV show, "Burgundy & Gold Magazine."

The 6-4, 265-pound McDole, nicknamed "The Dancing Bear" because of his rotund physique, performed feats uncharacteristic for a defensive end. He intercepted 12 passes, perhaps the highest total for a defensive lineman in NFL history. He also blocked an abundance of field goals and extra points, recovered seven fumbles and recording three safeties. Today, he's among the all-time NFL leaders in safeties.

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When I read this title,

I thought it was something else…nevermind.

by monk81 on Apr 8, 2011 5:11 PM EDT reply actions

I thought I clicked the wrong bookmark for a second there too

by liger99 on Apr 8, 2011 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Great Interview

How well I remember “the dancing bear” and the over the hill gang. I’m happy to see that Ron is doing still well.

"Maybe we estomp you like you estomp de flag. What do you think about that?"

by ExPatCapFan on Apr 9, 2011 4:18 AM EDT reply actions

Thanks!

Yes, McDole is doing well. He and Pat Fischer are still good friends. They played football together at Nebraska and were reunited when McDole came to the Redskins in 1971. Fischer had already been here for three seasons.

Mike Richman
Redskins Historian & Freelance Writer
HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!

by Redskins Historian on Apr 10, 2011 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Somebody needs to write a book

The guys from the Over the Hill Gang and Gibb’s One teams need to sit down with a writer and regale all the goings on that happened over the years. It would have to be fantastic reading. These guys are not only great football players but great story tellers.

by DudleyDoright on Apr 9, 2011 8:59 AM EDT reply actions

Redskins history

I’ve written 2 books that span the entire history of the Redskins: the Washington Redskins Football Vault & The Redskins Encyclopedia. But focusing on one or both of those periods that you mentioned would be interesting.

Mike Richman
Redskins Historian & Freelance Writer
HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!

by Redskins Historian on Apr 9, 2011 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions

"Then Gibbs Said to Riggins..."

I have written a book about the Redskins that include stories from the Over-the-Hill Gang and Gibbs One that I hope you would enjoy. It is titled "Then Gibbs Said to Riggins…" and was published in Sept. ’09. It is a series of short stories and remembrances with the former players and coaches listed below. All but seven are from one-on-one interviews.

Coy Bacon, Mike Bass, Sammy Baugh, Don Bosseler, Jeff Bostic, Todd Bowles, Perry Brooks, Larry Brown, Bill Brundige, Bob Brunet, Dave Butz, Earnest Byner, Ken Coffey, Monte Coleman, Andre Collins, Stephen Davis, Vernon Dean, Clint Didier, Brad Edwards, Ricky Ervins, Pat Fischer, Joe Gibbs, Darryl Grant, Frank Grant, Darrell Green, Keith Griffin, Chris Hanburger, Ken Harvey, Len Hauss, Ken Houston, Sam Huff, Joe Jacoby, Roy Jefferson, Tim Johnson, Sonny Jurgensen, Billy Kilmer, Paul Krause, Jim Lachey, Marv Levy, Chip Lohmiller, Dexter Manley, Chales Mann, Martin Mayhew, LeCharls McDaniel, Ron McDole, Tony McGee, Marlin McKeever, Raleigh McKenzie, Ron Middleton, Rich Milot, Bobby Mitchell, Brian Mitchell, Art Monk, Mark Moseley, Mark Murphy, Mike Nelms, Neal Olkewicz, Tom Osborne, Brig Owens, Jack Pardee, Pat Richter, John Riggins, Gerald Riggs, Mark Rypien, Ricky Sanders, Ron Saul, Mark Schlereth, Jay Schroeder, Ed Simmons, Bruce Smith, Norm Snead, George Starke, Diron Talbert, Charley Taylor, Joe Theismann, R.C. Thielemann, Rusty Tillman, Doc Walker, Don Warren, Doug Williams

by Jim Gehman on Apr 9, 2011 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Thanks!

I’ll look it up. That’s the sort of stuff I was referring to.

by DudleyDoright on Apr 10, 2011 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions

This looks very cool....

I instantly recognize over 90% of the names on this list, so I had to google. It is now definitely on my b-day gift list. One of the amazon reviews mentioned it also comes with a CD of the play by play of that 72 championship game against the Cowboys, how cool is that? My girlfriend doesn’t really understand how I can watch a game several times over, I can just see her face when I try to explain that I was cheering at the audio of a game that occurred 40 years ago. I firmly believe every true young Redskins fan should take the time to understand the history and tradition of this team.

by MagicHat on Apr 10, 2011 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

You do some nice work there Redskin's Historian.

I’m too young to know some of the players you interview so it’s nice of you to provide some insight into Skin’s history.

For what it’s worth I rec’d your post.

I consider myself a one man wolfpack..@Diesel__44 on twitter.

by Diesel44 on Apr 9, 2011 7:39 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Thanks, Diesel44. You can watch all of

Thanks, Diesel44. Ron McDole is only one of the Redskins legends that I’ve interviewed in recent years. For my 2 Redskins history books and my TV show, “Burgundy & Gold Magazine,” I’ve interviewed players going all the way back to the Sammy Baugh era in the 1940s. Former Redskins featured on “B&G Magazine” have included Dexter Manley, Brian Mitchell, Ken Harvey, Neal Olkewicz, George Starke, Mark Moseley, Mark Rypien, Charley Taylor and Andre Collins. You can watch all of my shows to date on the following page: http://redskinshistorian.com/BGMagazine_blip.htm. To learn more about my books, The Redskins Encyclopedia and the Washington Redskins Football Vault, check out my Web site at www.redskinshistorian.com. Thanks for your interest!

Mike Richman
Redskins Historian & Freelance Writer
HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!

by Redskins Historian on Apr 10, 2011 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Great job Historian.....

truly appreciated. I will be going after Charlie Taylor next. His wife was on the staff at my elementary school and I just remember him as being such a class guy. Very similar, his way, to Darryl Green….very cool, but down to earth and just e smile that would make you feel instantly comfortable.

by MagicHat on Apr 10, 2011 5:18 PM EDT reply actions

Charlie Taylor was initially a running back with the Skins, but he was moved to WR. He could sure make the yardage

after the catch.

by Jefferson1935 on Apr 10, 2011 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Charley Taylor

Charley Taylor was moved to receiver in 1966. He was great at running with the ball after the catch. In fact, that’s what put him a “step” above his receiving contemporaries. He was big and strong and could break tackles. The following quote from NFL Films legend Steve Sabol is in my book, The Redskins Encyclopedia: "Charley Taylor was fantastic at taking a short pass over the middle and running with the ball through a broken field. He was maybe the best ever at gaining yards after the catch. He had some incredible runs. Tackler after tackler missed him. People forget he was once a running back. If they’d have kept the statistic of yards after the catch in his era, he would have some all-time records."

Mike Richman
Redskins Historian & Freelance Writer
HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!

by Redskins Historian on Apr 10, 2011 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions