Ted Kennedy: Football player.

[Padraigh ProAmerica]

During his time at Harvard, Ted Kennedy played end on the Harvard
footbal team; he was good enough to be offered an NFL contract.

What if he had decided to play pro ball? After he retired (say by age 33
or so), would his career help or hinder his potential political career,
or would he have moved into coaching?

"True religion affords government its surest support. The future of this
nation depends on the Christian training of our youth. It is impossible
to govern without the Bible."
George Washington

[G G]

Post by Padraigh ProAmerica
During his time at Harvard, Ted Kennedy played end on the Harvard
footbal team; he was good enough to be offered an NFL contract.
What if he had decided to play pro ball? After he retired (say by age 33
or so), would his career help or hinder his potential political career,
or would he have moved into coaching?
"True religion affords government its surest support. The future of this
nation depends on the Christian training of our youth. It is impossible
to govern without the Bible."
                   George Washington

Any change early in his life eliminates Chappaquiddick. Maybe if he
busts his knee playing ball, he can't swim out of the car and perishes
with the girl??? making a fourth terrible death in that family.

[Scott Eiler]

Post by G G

Post by Padraigh ProAmerica
What if he had decided to play pro ball? After he retired (say by age 33
or so), would his career help or hinder his potential political career,
or would he have moved into coaching?

Any change early in his life eliminates Chappaquiddick.

... as we know it. But it won't eliminate Ted's love for fast cars,
women, and alcohol. He'll simply join a legion of sports legends who
get in trouble that way.

[Jack Linthicum]

Post by G G

Post by Padraigh ProAmerica
What if he had decided to play pro ball? After he retired (say by age 33
or so), would his career help or hinder his potential political career,
or would he have moved into coaching?

Any change early in his life eliminates Chappaquiddick.

... as we know it.  But it won't eliminate Ted's love for fast cars,
women, and alcohol.  He'll simply join a legion of sports legends who
get in trouble that way.

There is also strong possibility he wouldn't make the Green Bay
Packers. He was 6-2 and 200 pounds and not fast. He was too small for
the newly evolving position of tight end which required great blocking
skills and not fast enough for the wide end. It would be 1961 before
Vince Lombardi found his tight end in Ron Kramer, who had been on the
1957 roster as "left end". The possibility of Kennedy surviving as a
player was, therefore, thin.

[The Old Man]

Post by Jack Linthicum

Post by G G

Post by Padraigh ProAmerica
What if he had decided to play pro ball? After he retired (say by age 33
or so), would his career help or hinder his potential political career,
or would he have moved into coaching?

Any change early in his life eliminates Chappaquiddick.

... as we know it.  But it won't eliminate Ted's love for fast cars,
women, and alcohol.  He'll simply join a legion of sports legends who
get in trouble that way.

There is also strong possibility he wouldn't make the Green Bay
Packers. He was 6-2 and 200 pounds and not fast. He was too small for
the newly evolving position of tight end which required great blocking
skills and not fast enough for the wide end. It would be 1961 before
Vince Lombardi found his tight end in Ron Kramer, who had been on the
1957 roster as "left end". The possibility of Kennedy surviving as a
player was, therefore, thin.

Ahhh, but if he decides to bulk up using steroids, he might develop
the size (if not the speed) to be an early (proto) tight end. Of
course, Lyle Alzado claimed to have also taken steriods and died of a
brain tumor at age 43 in 1992. I could see such an end for Teddy.

[Jack Linthicum]

Post by The Old Man

Post by Jack Linthicum

Post by G G

Post by Padraigh ProAmerica
What if he had decided to play pro ball? After he retired (say by age 33
or so), would his career help or hinder his potential political career,
or would he have moved into coaching?

Any change early in his life eliminates Chappaquiddick.

... as we know it.  But it won't eliminate Ted's love for fast cars,
women, and alcohol.  He'll simply join a legion of sports legends who
get in trouble that way.

There is also strong possibility he wouldn't make the Green Bay
Packers. He was 6-2 and 200 pounds and not fast. He was too small for
the newly evolving position of tight end which required great blocking
skills and not fast enough for the wide end. It would be 1961 before
Vince Lombardi found his tight end in Ron Kramer, who had been on the
1957 roster as "left end". The possibility of Kennedy surviving as a
player was, therefore, thin.

Ahhh, but if he decides to bulk up using steroids, he might develop
the size (if not the speed) to be an early (proto) tight end. Of
course, Lyle Alzado claimed to have also taken steriods and died of a
brain tumor at age 43 in 1992. I could see such an end for Teddy.

Steroids, in 1955?

The current history of anabolic steroids as abusable drugs
began in 1954 among Olympic weightlifters.(1,2,4)
In 1956, Dianabol (Methandrostenolone) was first marketed in the
United States, clearing the way for the use of anabolics by U. S.
athletes.(4) At first, only world-class athletes in high-
strength sports such as weight lifting abused anabolics.(5,6)
Among Olympic athletes, anabolic steroids were a problem as long
ago as 1964.(6) Athletes and their trainers developed high dose,
multiple-drug regimens that were not based on scientific
research. These methods of use were passed by word of mouth from
one training group to another. Even today, the use of many types
of steroids in high doses has never been examined in controlled
scientific studies.(5)


REFERENCES 1. Kleiner SM. Performance-enhancing aids in sport - health
consequences and nutritional alternatives. J Amer Coll Nutr 1991 Apr;10
(2):163-76. 2. Bergman R, Leach RE. The use and abuse of anabolic
steroids in olympic - caliber athletes. Clin Orthopaed Rel Res 1985
Sep;198:169-72. 3. Pope HG, Katz DL. Homicide and near-homicide by
anabolic steroid users. Journal Of Clinical Psychiatry 1990 Jan;51(1):
28-31. 4. Windsor R, Dumitru D. Prevalence of anabolic steroid use by
male and female adolescents. Med Sci Sports Exercise 1989 Oct;21(5):
494-7. 5. Wilson JD. Androgen abuse by athletes. Endocrine Reviews
1988;9(2):181-99.

[The Old Man]

Post by Jack Linthicum
Steroids, in 1955?
The current history of anabolic steroids as abusable drugs
 began in 1954 among Olympic weightlifters.(1,2,4)
 In 1956, Dianabol (Methandrostenolone) was first marketed in the
 United States, clearing the way for the use of anabolics by U. S.
 athletes.(4)  At first, only world-class athletes in high-
 strength sports such as weight lifting abused anabolics.(5,6)
 Among Olympic athletes, anabolic steroids were a problem as long
 ago as 1964.(6)  Athletes and their trainers developed high dose,
 multiple-drug regimens that were not based on scientific
 research.  These methods of use were passed by word of mouth from
 one training group to another.  Even today, the use of many types
 of steroids in high doses has never been examined in controlled
 scientific studies.(5)

Okay, it is a bit early for Teddy to get into the Steriod-abuse, but
he did come from a wealthy family. If he ~really wanted~ to get into
professional football and needed to bulk up to do it, I would think
that his father might have the connections to get him what he needed.
And while it's banned now, was it then (in the NFL, not the Olympics)?
Did anyone know the potential for harm that steriod abuse could have?

[The Horny Goat]

On Sat, 5 Sep 2009 03:29:09 -0700 (PDT), The Old Man

Post by The Old Man
Ahhh, but if he decides to bulk up using steroids, he might develop
the size (if not the speed) to be an early (proto) tight end. Of
course, Lyle Alzado claimed to have also taken steriods and died of a
brain tumor at age 43 in 1992. I could see such an end for Teddy.

Well that would certainly affect his sex life...

[The Horny Goat]

On Thu, 3 Sep 2009 06:59:23 -0700 (PDT), Scott Eiler

Post by Scott Eiler

Post by G G

Post by Padraigh ProAmerica
What if he had decided to play pro ball? After he retired (say by age 33
or so), would his career help or hinder his potential political career,
or would he have moved into coaching?

Any change early in his life eliminates Chappaquiddick.

... as we know it. But it won't eliminate Ted's love for fast cars,
women, and alcohol. He'll simply join a legion of sports legends who
get in trouble that way.

So what are you suggesting? Teddy moves to Texas and becomes a big
NASCAR fan?!?

[Stan Boleslawski]

Post by The Horny Goat
On Thu, 3 Sep 2009 06:59:23 -0700 (PDT), Scott Eiler

Post by G G

Post by Padraigh ProAmerica
What if he had decided to play pro ball? After he retired (say by age 33
or so), would his career help or hinder his potential political career,
or would he have moved into coaching?

Any change early in his life eliminates Chappaquiddick.

... as we know it.  But it won't eliminate Ted's love for fast cars,
women, and alcohol.  He'll simply join a legion of sports legends who
get in trouble that way.

So what are you suggesting? Teddy moves to Texas and becomes a big
NASCAR fan?!?

Doesn't have to go to Texas or the South. Bill France
bought out or partnered with local stock car promoters
in other parts of the US to bring them into NASCAR.
The Northeast seemed to lose eminence once
absorbed into NASCAR very fast, though.

Alternately, Teddy could get into Formula One, drag
racing, Indy car racing or SCCA racing.

But he doesn't have to get into racing to find
fast cars, women, and booze allurring. Many
athletes in all sports have without going into
racing.

Best
Stan B.

[James Nicoll]

Post by Padraigh ProAmerica
During his time at Harvard, Ted Kennedy played end on the Harvard
footbal team; he was good enough to be offered an NFL contract.
What if he had decided to play pro ball? After he retired (say by age 33
or so), would his career help or hinder his potential political career,
or would he have moved into coaching?

Given the alarmingly short average lifespans of pro footballers,
the odds are not bad he'd have been dead in his mid-50s. I'd count that
as hindering his political career.

[Jack Linthicum]

Post by Padraigh ProAmerica
During his time at Harvard, Ted Kennedy played end on the Harvard
footbal team; he was good enough to be offered an NFL contract.
What if he had decided to play pro ball? After he retired (say by age 33
or so), would his career help or hinder his potential political career,
or would he have moved into coaching?

        Given the alarmingly short average lifespans of pro footballers,
the odds are not bad he'd have been dead in his mid-50s. I'd count that
as hindering his political career.
--http://www.livejournal.com/users/james_nicollhttp://www.cafepress.com/jdnicoll(For all your "The problem with
defending the English language [...]" T-shirt, cup and tote-bag needs)

He might last as long as Heath Schuler, who spent five years wandering
around the NFL as a error-prone quarterback for three teams. He has
been rated the fourth-worst bust in the history of the league. In 2006
he was elected to the House, defeating an eight-term Republican
incumbent. If Kennedy started with Green Bay and had the same five
year career as Schuler, he would be let go about the time his brother
was elected President. Thereby, Ted would be available in 1962 for the
election for the seat vacated by his brother and the football
experience might make him more attractive.

[Bucky]

Post by Padraigh ProAmerica
What if he had decided to play pro ball? After he retired (say by age 33
or so), would his career help or hinder his potential political career,
or would he have moved into coaching?

The Kennedys moved heaven and earth and the Massachusetts legislature
to put Teddy in the Senate in 1962. Nothing about playing a few years
with Green Bay is going to change that. He might play a few seasons
with the pre-Lombardi Packers, but as noted elsewhere, talentwise he
was not a first stringer. I doubt any of Joe Sr's boys would've stayed
long in a job as a bench warmer (except Jack in the Senate). When
Lombardi takes over the Packers in 1957, Teddy cuts out, goes back to
Bean Town for some glamor job, maybe with the Pats, maybe as a TV
sports commentator where he improves his speaking style over OTL,
until they need him to organize the western states for the 1960
election. Back on track for his 1962 elevation to the Senate.

        Given the alarmingly short average lifespans of pro footballers,
the odds are not bad he'd have been dead in his mid-50s. I'd count that
as hindering his political career.

As dying young did for his brothers? Naw, if he fattens up and lives
only until the mid 80s, that's at least long enough for Joseph K the
3rd (Bobby's oldest and the family's former darling) to take over the
family seat in Congress.

[Yeechang Lee]

Post by Bucky
The Kennedys moved heaven and earth and the Massachusetts legislature
to put Teddy in the Senate in 1962. Nothing about playing a few years
with Green Bay is going to change that.

It can't hurt the Kennedys' image. A war hero Senator/President, a
crime-busting lawyer/Attorney General, and now a pro football
player. It'll make the family seem even more all-American than in OTL,
if that's possible.

Post by Bucky
until they need him to organize the western states for the 1960
election. Back on track for his 1962 elevation to the Senate.

Without his Virginia law degree, Kennedy will have to find something
else to do in Massachusetts from 1960 to 1962 besides being a
prosecutor. Actually, if his football career is only a couple of years
long (as it is for most who make an NFL roster), he could retire in
1958, enroll in law school immediately, take a year off for the 1960
election, and still graduate in time to run for the Senate. He'd want
to attend school in Massachusetts to maximize his exposure to the
voters, though.

[MummyChunk]

Post by Padraigh ProAmerica
During his time at Harvard, Ted Kennedy played end on the Harvard
footbal team; he was good enough to be offered an NFL contract.
What if he had decided to play pro ball? After he retired (say by age 33
or so), would his career help or hinder his potential political career,
or would he have moved into coaching?
"True religion affords government its surest support. The future of this
nation depends on the Christian training of our youth. It is impossible
to govern without the Bible."
George Washington

I think Teddy probably would have made a great pro ball player. Especially with a head like that....


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