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From: Paul Flatley
Date: 2/11/99
Time: 7:09:01 PM
Remote Name: 209.86.179.163
I must admit that after 40 years the memories from High School have faded. Most of what I do remember occurred in sports. 1958-59 was both a good and a bad year for RHS sporting teams. The positive was winning all our football games in '58, going 9-0 and winning the North Central Conference. The low light happened when we lost in the basketball sectional finals to Hagerstown. I played in a lot of games in High School, college and the pros. I don't remember many of the good plays but I do recall most of the bad ones that I was involved in. The dropped ball over the middle in the College All-Star game in Chicago versus Green Bay. We still won the game. The blocked field goal and return for a touchdown late in the game which allowed Green Bay to comeback and beat the Viking 30-28. The dropped pass in the end zone In Cleveland, which would have won the game. A dropped ball near the goal line in Baltimore. But the one play I remember the most occurred on a Friday night at Lyboult Field in Richmond, Indiana. I met Tom Mack for the first time at Test Jr. High School. We both played on the football team. From Test we went on to compete together in High School. Richmond had a strong , winning program and you had to work hard to impress Coach Hub Etchison. Tom Mack was a good man. Tall, lean, (weren't we all) hard working, quiet, humble and a team leader. Tom was the tight end on the team and in those days the offense was more run than pass, which meant the tight end didn't touch the ball very often. I was the quarterback, I don't remember the opponent but I recall my most memorable play vividly ... It was a play action pass and Tom Mack had run a perfect pattern. He was headed for the end zone and...wide open...I overthrew him. Incomplete! A sure touchdown for Tom....a rare moment for him to "dance in the end zone." I have replayed that one play in my mind over and over thru the years. I can still see him running wide open. Tom Mack deserved to score and I didn't get him the ball. Tom Mack passed away a few years ago and will not be at our reunion. If he were there, I would reminiscence with him about that game and apologize again for not connecting. I wish I had one more chance to throw that ball to Tom Mack. I can see him in the end zone right now!