Do you remember NT Bill Neill?

[MightyGiants]

https://x.com/BigBlueVCR/status/1900890977327607857

[spiderblue43]

Yes I do. From University of Pittsburgh..good rookie season..fell to the way side quickly. Part of the Giants resurgence in 81

[kartanoman]

We may never have heard of Jim Burt had Bill Neill's knee not been injured as it had been. He was never the same defensive force post-surgery.

One man's misfortune is another's golden opportunity. Jim Burt, backed up by Jerome Sally, not only adequately filled the big hole left by Neill, he became a Giants' legend as a free agent nose tackle, known as "Sluggo" to his teammates, for having his jersey so tight the 6 and 4 stretched under his armpits but, most important, originated the Gatorade shower on Bill Parcells after a dominating win over the Redskins in 1984.

Things worked out for Burt, Sally and the Giants as they eventually marched to victory in Suoer Bowl XXI. For Defensive Tackle stars Bill Neill, and the late Troy Archer, had their misfortunes not come to pass, it might have been either of them, or possibly both, joining the team for the ultimate celebration in Pasadena. Alas, we'll never know and be left with "what could have been."

Peace!

[Sem]

Jim Burt attended Orchard Park High School in western NY. I remember back in the late 80's, when I was working for IBM, a relatively new hire from the Buffalo area brought in his HS yearbook to work. He flipped the pages to his hockey team. In addition to his picture in the team photo, was, you guessed it, Jim Burt's. In addition to HS football, Jim Burt also played HS hockey. Can you imagine getting checked into the boards by him?