Ex-coach Bum Phillips dies at age 90

Discussion in 'NFL General' started by truebluefan, Oct 19, 2013.

  1. truebluefan

    truebluefan Administrator Staff Member Administrator

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    Bum Phillips, the folksy Texas football icon who coached the Houston Oilers during their Luv Ya Blue heyday and also led the New Orleans Saints, died Friday. He was 90.

    Son Wade Phillips, the Houston Texans' defensive coordinator, confirmed the news on Twitter.

    Phillips died at his ranch in Goliad.

    Born Oail Andrew Phillips Jr. in 1923 in Orange, Phillips was a Texas original in his blue jeans, boots and trademark white Stetson -- except at the Astrodome or any other dome stadium because he was taught it was disrespectful to wear a hat indoors.

    "Mama always said that if it can't rain on you, you're indoors," Phillips said.

    Phillips loved the Oilers, and when coaching the team in the 1970s, he famously said of the Cowboys: "They may be 'America's Team,' but we're Texas' team."

    He took over as coach of the Oilers in 1975 and led Houston to two AFC Championship games before he was fired in 1980. He was responsible for drafting Heisman Trophy winner Earl Campbell, the player who was largely credited with the success of the franchise.

    It was a time marked by a frenzied fan base that filled the Astrodome to root for the Oilers and wave their blue and white pompons during games.

    Houston lost to Pittsburgh 34-5 in the AFC Championship game in Campbell's rookie year. The Oilers returned to the game the following season only to be beaten again by the Steelers, this time 27-13.

    Read more http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9...houston-oilers-new-orleans-saints-dies-age-90
     
  2. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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    I remember him as coach. He was one of the best at it. Earl Campbell was amazing.
     

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