An otherwise unremarkable game will live forever–because of one player and one play.
The stage was set. The date was January 31, 1993, Super Bowl Sunday. The game: Buffalo Bills vs. Dallas Cowboys. Marv Levy was the head coach for Buffalo. Jimmie Johnson roamed the sidelines in Dallas. The game was played at the iconic Rose Bowl.
The game was hyped, as all Super Bowl games are. But it wasn’t much of a game, really. The Cowboys were blowing out the Bills. But then came a moment–an inspirational moment, too. Enter Bills’ receiver Don Beebe.
The score was 52-17, with under five minutes left to play. Frank Reich, the backup quarterback, was in for the injured Jim Kelly. Reich dropped back to pass, and Beebe ran a fly pattern down the left side. Reich was hit. He fumbled.
Beebe looked back and saw defensive lineman Leon Lett scoop up the ball and head for the end zone. Lett had clear sailing ahead.
Lett neared the goal line and started celebrating. He didn’t see Beebe, who was sprinting toward him. Beebe stripped the ball. Lett was shocked. Beebe just walked back to the sideline.
The refs ruled the play a touchback: Buffalo ball on the 20.
Although that play took place nearly 30 years ago, Beebe still gets letters from around the world. Sometimes it’s about football, but other times it’s about something more — about persistence and the importance of never giving up.
Don Beebe never did.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqGNTUQSuPM
