As a senior, he was a member of the 1974 Parade High School All-American team. That same night, Banks' 35-game unbeaten streak came to an abrupt end when Rutledge blew out an ankle and the banged-up Jets lost 34-27 to West End. "It was a culmination of really four years of building up to that point," Woodlawn quarterback Denny Ragland remembers. Tandy Gerelds left Woodlawn after the 1975 season to join his father in the family insurance business, but in 1984, he returned to coaching at Deshler High School in Tuscumbia. Nathan played on the B-team his freshman year, and by his sophomore season, he earned a spot on the Woodlawn varsity as the starting free safety on defense. "Almost everybody who played in that (1974) game, you may not have been close friends with them, but you knew who they were," Grefseng, the Banks linebacker, says. 1957 Jeffrey Ronald Rutledge (born January 22, 1957) is a former American football quarterback and coach who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. ", Tony Nathan is joined by his wife, Johnnie, and his daughters Nichole, Natalie and Nadia at his induction into the Miami Dolphins Walk of Fame in 2014. QB Born: January 22, 1957 in Birmingham, AL Drafted: 1979 Rnd 9, Pick 246 by LA: College: Alabama: Career Stats Career Stats Game Log Game Log Splits Splits. Contact . Jeffrey Ronald Rutledge. BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Forty years later, the details have gotten fuzzier and the legends have grown larger. Quarterback Jeff Rutledge played 13 seasons for 3 teams. Jeff Rutledge Biography. "People drove up, saw the lines outside and just went on by. All rights reserved (About Us). (Photo courtesy of Tony Nathan). See also [ edit] Rule 5 draft results References [ edit] Football was going to be it. It helped, too, that both Banks and Woodlawn were also blessed with some enormously talented athletes who weren't named Rutledge or Nathan and who also went on to play in the SEC and the NFL. A three-year starter, he also led Alabama to the #2 National ranking in 1977. Rutledge would never start an NFL game again but he did see spot duty in relief of returning starter Mark Rypien in the Redskins' 1991 Super Bowl Championship season, including some playing time in the last game of the regular season, again against the Philadelphia Eagles. . (Birmingham News file). "There is no doubt in my mind that the delay in the game helped us,'' Banks' Grefseng says. In May 2013, Rutledge was hired by Valley Christian High School in Chandler, Arizona as a full-time staff member and also to lead the football program. (Photo courtesy of Tony Nathan). People around the country were starting to notice him, too. The week of the game, Jerry Stearns, who was an assistant coach at Woodlawn that year and later became the head coach there, recalls selling advance tickets at the school, something he says never happened before. (Birmingham News file/Charles Nesbitt). "I said, 'If we win (the next game) and they win, we are both going to be undefeated when we play each other, and it's going to be the biggest high school crowd there ever will be,'" White recalls. We have estimated 3 QUARTERBACK, https://www.nytimes.com/1989/08/24/sports/uneasy-lies-the-head-of-no-3-quarterback.html, Frank Litsky, Special To the New York Times. Welcome. Some of the choices Jeff Rutledge made during his journey to become an NFL assistant coach were difficult. "I played with older guys, and I wanted to be able to play on their level," Nathan says. That spiritual awakening not only inspired the team, but it reverberated throughout the entire school, defusing some racial tension that Nathan says he felt his first couple of years at Woodlawn. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. After seven seasons at Vanderbilt, Rutledge became the head coach at Montgomery Bell Academy, a school for seventh to 12th grade boys in Nashville. Rutledge earned MVP honors at the 1978 Sugar Bowl and also earned All-SEC honors in 1978 and 1979. With the arrival of head coach Tandy Gerelds in 1971, though, and the emergence of Nathan, who had a breakout junior season in 1973, Woodlawn started to level the playing field. I don't know exactly when, but I'll do it.'". Playing in the wishbone -- a four-pronged attack with two tailbacks, a fullback and the quarterback all sharing carries -- Nathan never amassed huge numbers like Crimson Tide workhorses Bobby Humphrey or Shaun Alexander or Trent Richardson, but for his career, he averaged an eye-popping 6.4 yards every time he carried the ball at Alabama. Where was Jeff Rutledge born? And since Banks and Woodlawn were in the same region -- and both were competing in 4A, which was then the largest high school classification in the state -- only one of them would advance. At 65 years old, Jeff Rutledge height not available right now. There are 90+ professionals named "Jeff Rutledge", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. We were playing in front of 20,000 people regularly, so we were getting some big crowds.". Anyone can read what you share. "We would go to the board of education and get tickets and we would be sold out in 30 minutes to an hour," Stearns says. "I said, 'What's wrong, Mike, they didn't have crowds like this at Locust Fork?'" By his senior season in 1974, Woodlawn running back Tony Nathan was one of the most sought-after high school football players in America. "It was time for people to actually get along -- no matter what race or color you were," he says. Rutledge, first, and then Stan Humphries were knocked out of the game, leaving emergency quarterback Brian Mitchell (a kick returner and former college quarterback) to finish the game. This week, Birmingham filmmakers Jon and Andrew Erwin began shooting a movie, "Woodlawn," which takes place during Nathan's days at Woodlawn High School and focuses in on that 1974 Banks-Woodlawn game. "Up until my eighth-grade year, I had been going to Banks games all my life, watching Jeff Rutledge's older brother, Gary, and Johnny Musso play,'' Ragland says. I wasn't too sure about him running the wishbone at that time, but he did a very good job and it was great to play with him.". Like Jackson, Nathan excelled at just about any sport he played. Nathan scored Woodlawn's only touchdown on a 13-yard run in the fourth quarter. The unsung hero, though, was a little linebacker named Greg Muse, who had transferred to Banksafter living in Texas. , money, salary, income, and assets. At the age of 32, starting his 11th season as a National Football League quarterback, Rutledge was not sure he would make the Giants. The four of them -- Baumhower, Nathan, Stephenson and McNeal -- played in two Super Bowls together, but the Dolphins lost both games, to the Redskins in Super Bowl XVII and the 49ers in Super Bowl XIX. Roberts, the starting left guard, has a slightly sprained left knee, which was reported improved. Once he started playing, though, she never let him quit. "And I didn't like that. "I wanted to go home. "I had some professors walk up to me and say, 'Hey, we were around when you were playing.'. ", Tony Nathan breaks free with his tear-away jersey flying in the breeze. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Rutledge was born to Tony and Cheryl Rutledge in Cullman, Alabama, on April 21, 1989. "It's . (Photo courtesy of Banks High School Facebook page). "They do a great job of keeping us involved in what's going on and keeping us involved with the fans. (Photo courtesy of Tony Nathan). DailyPress.com. Later, while at Belmont High School in Mississippi, Gerelds was diagnosed with brain cancer, and he died in 2003, coaching right up until the end. ", Woodlawn's Tony Nathan ran for 112 yards and scored a touchdown in the 1974 Banks-Woodlawn game, but Banks linebacker Greg Muse was all over him all night long. And Then There Were Three. "That's why, for two years, we had a lot of focus and attention on Woodlawn. Although he was mostly used as a back-up, he has two Super Bowl rings - one from the New York Giants and another from the Washington Redskins. According to our records, Jeff Rutledge is possibly single. When he retired from football, Nathan also got into coaching - first with the Dolphins and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and then at Florida International University. According to our Database, He has no children. In April 2010, Rutledge agreed to become the head football coach at Pope John Paul II High School in Hendersonville, Tennessee; where he coached for two seasons, leading the Knights to a 4-18 record. In the spring of 2007 Rutledge got his first NFL coaching job when he was hired as quarterbacks coach with the NFL's Arizona Cardinals,[5] with direct charge over Kurt Warner. Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. . When the other team did not pick up on Rutledge, he took the snap and did a sneak up the middle for yardage that gave the Giants a first down that would eventually lead to a go-ahead score. That game meant that Rutledge got the nod to start the following week on Monday Night against the Philadelphia Eagles in a game that was to become infamously known as the "Body Bag Game". Rutledge served as the quarterbacks and tight ends coach for the New York Sentinels of the United Football League in 2009. Tony Nathan holds his youngest brother, Cedric, after he announces in December 1974 that he will attend the University of Alabama. ''You gear up for a time when you're going to get together as a family. At the age of 32, starting his 11th season as a National Football League quarterback, Rutledge was not sure he would make the. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 22 January. "I did accept Christ in my life at that time, they say," Nathan says. ", Tony Nathan prepares to take a hand-off from quarterback Jeff Rutledge at the University of Alabama. The main building, built in 1922, was a grand, three-story structure that always looked more like a palace than a schoolhouse. Jeff Rutledge, of Newport, represents the White River and his term expires in 2024. "But at that time, I had a concussion. A few years ago, though, Nathan realized one thing was missing in his life. He finished his college career with a 33-5 record as a starter, which currently ranks him as the University of Alabama's seventh all-time winningest quarterback. After Thursday morning's practice, the Giants will leave for their annual welcome-home lunch at the Sheraton Centre. He finished his college career with a 33-5 record as a starter, which currently ranks him as the University of Alabama's seventh all-time winningest quarterback. He was a backup in Super Bowl XIV as a member of the Los Angeles Rams, he was a backup to Super Bowl MVP Phil Simms in Super Bowl XXI as a member of the New York Giants, and was a backup in Super Bowl XXVI as a member of the Washington Redskins. On Nov. 8, 1974 -- 40 years ago this Saturday - the two-time defending state champion Banks Jets met their eastern Birmingham rivals the Woodlawn Colonels in front of what was then and remains today the biggest crowd to ever watch a high school football game in Alabama. They included touchdown passes of 29, 20 and 43 yards. A three-year starter, he also led Alabama to the #2 National ranking in 1977. He also led the Crimson Tide to two Sugar Bowl appearances and two SEC Championships. New York Giants. In 2006, the Birmingham Board of Education decided to close the deteriorating middle school, too, saying it was unsafe and an eyesore. A title search shows that Mr. Rutledge and his wife bought a property in Naramata for $1.15-million on Oct. 31, 2016. The name still resonates in the state, especially since Jeff Rutledge was homegrown (Birmingham) and in 2011 was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. So I had never beaten them.". Drafted in the ninth round of the 1979 NFL Draft (246th overall pick) by the Los Angeles Rams, Rutledge played in 14 NFL seasons from 1979 to 1992 for three different teams. . Perhaps that epic 1974 showdown at Legion Field between Birmingham high-school heavyweights Woodlawn and Banks would have been just another Friday night football game. That year, the Cardinals made a late season run and earned a Super Bowl berth, but lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 27-23. [3][6], Rutledge served as the quarterbacks and tight ends coach for the New York Sentinels of the United Football League in 2009.[3]. Rutledge played collegiately at Alabama, where he was a member of three SEC Championship teams under Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. Louise Nathan roasted a raccoon that her husband, an avid hunter whom friends called "Coon Man," had bagged on one of his late-night coon hunts, and they invited Bryant to have dinner with them. He and his wife, Johnnie, who was his high school sweetheart at Woodlawn and his college sweetheart at Alabama, still live in the same house they bought in 1983. An estimated 42,000 fans filled the lower bowl of Legion Field for the 1974 Banks-Woodlawn game. I knew when I came to training camp that it would be tough. "It was one heck of a game. There's something always new at the courthouse.". All rights reserved (About Us). Once the game did start, Banks built an 18-0 lead on a pair of 21- and 16-yard touchdown runs by fullback Jerry Murphree and a 32-yard TD pass from Rutledge to Grefseng, who also doubled as a back-up tight end. "Some do come in with attitudes, and you just have to diffuse them before they go in front of the judge. Tony Nathan, left, talks with Jeff Rutledge, right, after the famous Woodlawn-Banks high school football game at Legion Field in 1974. We definitely love Miami. in Plant Science from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro and a Masters in Agronomy (Weed Science) from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He received his degree from Alabama in Business Administration and in 2011, was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. This Korean War-era Sabre jet, which was loaned to Banks High School in 1961, was repainted in school colors and prominently displayed on campus. [2] Rutledge spent most of his career as a back-up quarterback and a holder on kicks. So I've never come to camp feeling confident I'd be in place. Nose tackle Bob Baumhower, who was two years ahead of Nathan at Alabama, was already there when Nathan arrived for his first camp. "We don't have any of the highlight reels from the '70s that they have from Bo Jackson's day, but Tony did some phenomenal things on the football field and on the basketball court. Woodlawn students used to yell, ''Rip those Sugar Jets," which was a reference to this brand of cereal. So they put the pressure on him, too. Since then, Rutledge has been mostly a backup. Bill Battle, the young coach at Tennessee, wanted Nathan to come play for him in Knoxville, and Vols star quarterback Condredge Holloway showed him around on his official visit. Jeff Rutledge date of birth: January 22, 1957. After working as an assistant at Vanderbilt University and with the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL, Rutledge is now the head coach at Valley Christian High School in Chandler, Ariz. After four years at Alabama, Woodlawn's Tony Nathan was drafted in the third round of the 1979 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, where he played for nine seasons under Don Shula, including two Super Bowls. He had to meet with Coach Bryant to get him to sign off on it, too. It was Geralds, Nathan would say later, who talked him out of quitting football, and for that, Nathan remained forever grateful. Efforts to reach him for this story were unsuccessful. . YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. ', "She said, 'No, but even more so, you're not going to be a quitter. That game meant that Rutledge got the nod to start the following week on Monday Night against the Philadelphia Eagles in a game that was to become infamously known as the "Body Bag Game". Bryant sealed the deal by promising Tony he would get a shot at playing basketball at Alabama, too. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The next year, they got Bert Jones. Place kicker Ali Haji-Sheikh of the New York Giants kicks a field goal during a game against the New Orleans Saints at Giants Stadium on December 15,. He said, 'Well, make sure you promise me you're going to finish what you started. [4], Rutledge is a Christian and attends Arizona Community Church in Chandler. He played college football at Alabama, where he was the team's starting quarterback for their 1978 National Championship victory, and was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the ninth round of the 1979 NFL Draft. Six years later, he led the Tigers to an undefeated 15-0 season and a 4A state championship.
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