Loved Bum's teams, liked the persona of Bum the colorful character, but mixed feelings about Bum the coach.
He ran Earl Campbell into the center of the formation again, and again, and again until Campbell was crippled for life.
He did it mercilessly. He didn't vary the paybook, didn't give Campbell other plays to run,didn't vary the offense to give Campbell some rest, didn't do anything but run Cmpbell into the A-gap at a waiting defense that did its best to stop him. Look at Bum's demeanor on the sidelines as he did so. Bum Phillips ruined Earl Campbell prematurely. Earl Campbell in his prime was the hardest-running, hardest-hitting power back I've ever seen.
What Bum Phillips did to him was inhumane, cruel, and he could have got more from Campbell, longer, had he been less dispassionately pig-headed. He had other weapons.
It's on tape. I seen it, and I seen it on live TV when it was going on.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/25/2024 10:43AM by mtramfan.
