Wednesday September 19, Norm Buliach spoke at the monthly Kennedale Chamber Luncheon, entertaining the members and visitors with stories of his football career.
Mr. Buliach was a high school All-American out of LaMarque, Tx who played college ball at TCU. He was drafted in 1970 in the first round by the Baltimore Colts (for the younger generation that is Indianapolis Colts). He told the audience that this was the days before the high salaries. He signed for $18,000 and was told to buy his own shoes and report to rookie camp. But he didn?t know better or care because he was doing what he loved. Besides that he was in total awe because he was in the presence of legendary quarterback Johnny Unitas. He did admit he made a very rookie mistake by speaking in Unitas?s huddle, a mistake that he never repeated. {{more}}He was in heaven his rookie season playing for Don Shula, gaining over 500 yards and playing and winning in the Super Bowl against the Dallas Cowboys. He thought then that this pro-ball thing was going to be easy. Ten years later that was his one and only Super Bowl ring. ?Big Boo? went on to play 3 years for the Colts, 2 years for the Philadelphia Eagles and finishing with 5 years in Miami. He was retired by an elbow in the face that fractured his jaw in three places and required major surgery to repair.
He said that he no regrets and still likes to tease his friends ?Too Tall? Jones and Larry Cole of the Dallas Cowboys who still recall the Super Bowl game that was stolen from them in ?71. Dallas lost that game 16-13 when the Colts kicked a field goal with 5 seconds left to play. Buliach retired as an all-pro running back with over 5,000 yard in total offense and a single game club rushing title of 198 yards (vs Jets in 1971) that stood for twenty-nine years.
The Kennedale Chamber holds monthly luncheons on the third Wednesday of the month. Visitors are welcome with reservations by calling 817-985-2109.
Comments are closed.