KVB just tweeted this video out, and I’m glad he did. It’s the video of former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel “raising the ante” and guaranteeing that his New York Giants (then 7-4) would make the playoffs.
Of course, they did, making it all the way to the Super Bowl.
Sure, the Giants got spanked by the Ravens in that Super Bowl…but the Super Bowl is the Super Bowl, and getting there is an impressive feat no matter what the result of the Big Game is.
Considering how littered the history of sports is with meaningless and failed guarantees, I continue to be surprised at how relatively underappreciated Fassel’s guarantee is. Sure, it gets played from time to time during compilations of funny coach outbursts at press conferences, but I feel like it deserves more gravitas.
After two horrible losses (as recounted here), Fassel put his and his team’s necks on the line by guaranteeing they’d make the playoffs. Not only did they succeed, they made it all the way to the Super Bowl. Ante: raised.
Also, doesn’t it seem odd that Fassel, who had a .500+ record in his only NFL head coaching gig in New York (58-53) and made that Super Bowl along with two other playoff appearances in 7 seasons, hasn’t gotten another chance in the NFL? There have been some pretty bad coaches get head jobs…might a proven though unspectacular guy like Fassel have been a good choice at some point for someone?
But I digress.
Regardless of whether Fassel ever gets back into the NFL as a head coach, he’ll always be remembered for this awesome guarantee. I just think he should be remembered a little more for it.
So I’m raising the ante. If you want in, get in. If you want out, get out.
But this post will end with a funny picture of Jim Fassel.
He looks to be dancing, or to be preparing to do a standing push-up, or…well, who the hell knows.
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