Baltimore Colts | THE BIG RED ZONE

In Larry Wilson’s first preseason game in 1960, he was burned by the legendary Raymond Berry, a humbling experience that propelled Wilson to work harder and transition from cornerback to a Hall of Fame safety.

Berry passed away on May 25 at the age of 93. The Hall of Fame wide receiver played 13 seasons with the Baltimore Colts.

The Unforgiving Preseason Welcome

Wilson was drafted as a halfback by the Chicago Cardinals in the 7th round out of Utah after the 1959 season.

The Cardinals offered no bonus but a $ 9,500 salary contingent on him making the team. He almost didn’t.

Wilson lasted only one practice at running back.

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Charley Winner, who played college football at Washington University and was the head football coach of the St. Louis Cardinals from 1966-1970, passed away on July 18, 2023, at the age of 99.

Winner spent 37 years in the NFL as a coach or executive. However, there were no press releases about his death. Over the weekend, an anonymous user on X, formerly known as Twitter, informed me of the former Big Red coach’s passing. I found a short obituary here.

Charley Winner lived a remarkable life and his passing shouldn’t go unnoticed.

WWII Hero

Charles Height Winner was born in Somerville, NJ, and starred as a two-way player for the Somerset High School football team. Winner stood only 5-feet, 6-inches tall but had great speed. As a running back, he scored 11 touchdowns his senior year and was named first-team All-County.

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