I am fortunate to have a friendship with former Chargers receiver and AFL legend, Lance Alworth. This past week I saw Lance and we spoke a bit about Tales from the American Football League, of which he is a subscriber and daily reader.
I am going back to see Lance again, likely towards the end of this week, and we will conduct an interview that will be posted to Tales… The twist with this interview is that I am giving Tales readers an opportunity to pose the questions.
If you had a chance to ask Lance Alworth a question, what would it be? Here is your chance to come up with something. I will be asking Lance 20 questions from you readers. Here is the way this will work:
- Post your questions in the comments section below.
- One question per person.
- Please, no inappropriate questions. They will be deleted and not asked.
- I will take the first 20 questions with me, and incorporate them into the interview. The audio interview will be posted to Tales, likely next week.
That’s it. You might ask about his favorite players, Sid Gillman’s offense, his favorite moment in the AFL, or any number of other things. Have some fun with it!
First, thanks for the memories Lance. What a time it was, the 1960’s. Speaking of said, time is the great equalizer in sports, wear and tear accumulating for players physically (loss of speed, strength & longer recovery time from injury) as well mentally (decline in concentration/willingness to take hits and even a lessened love of the game perhaps.)
Via personal experience or generally, does an ‘great’ player (or player of any status that matter) realize at a point in time that their skills are beginning to decline?
How do they compensate? Experience alone? (comes to mind a MLB pitcher whose fastball is no longer what it was for example, so they try to become more an pitcher than a thrower.) Is the process perceptible while occurring or is it more so an insidious process that all of a sudden shows up, one day?
Specific reference to Lance’s era in the 1960’s rather than to the modern-day with its medicinal/PEDs and training/nutrition evolution.
What was it like playing against the Raiders defence, especially Jack Tatum?
Hi, Lance:
I, too, say: “Thanks for the memories!” My question: Which AFL defensive back presented you with the biggest challenge? http://bit.ly/LanceAlworth
Which two or three opposing AFL teams’ stadiums were the toughest to play in as a visitor and why?
What was it like to play in those AFL-NFL exhibition games from 1967-69?
Why did you choose Al Davis as your presenter for the Hall of Fame induction ceremony?
first, I would like to thank Lance for his gracious manner and fan help with those of us who write to him My question would be one that I asked former Philadelphia Eagle and Hall of Fame member Alex Wojhciehowitz from when he played. How would you rate the players of your era to those of today?
Lance, you probably get this alot, much has been made about 1963 Championship team. In a team with best offense and defense in the AFL, how do you think the Chargers would have held up against the Bears in world championship game?
Bills fan here, can you talk about playing in the rock pile, in Buffalo..and maybe your take on the 64 and 65 championship games against..my Bills..and thoughts on Cookie Gilchrist..thanks
I never saw you play, but I enjoyed reading about you when I was a kid in the late ’70’s. I remember reading about the ’63 Chargers and the ’71 Cowboys, and the role you played on both teams.
In the late ’70’s, the Cowboys were wildly famous, with fans all across the nation. On the other hand, the ’63 Chargers were, for the most part, remembered by Charger fans and serious students of the game. Both of those championship teams had great players, like Lowe, Lincoln, Faison, Ladd, Staubach, Hayes, Duane Thomas, Ditka, and Lilly.
How would you compare the ’63 Chargers and the ’71 Cowboys? Feel free to answer in as much (or as little) detail as you’d like. Which team was better, if you want to answer that?
What were the circumstances that led to you leaving the Chargers after 1970 and how was your time in Dallas compared to the San Diego years? Thanks!
Mr. Alworth, like a few others who have weighed in with a question, I would like to first thank you for the great football memories. Growing up in the 1960’s there was nothing better than having a Chargers game to watch on Sunday afternoon. That high octane offense and stellar defense was fun to watch. Now it is question time … You played for two great head coaches in the pros; Sid Gillman and Tom Landry. My question is what differences were there playing for them? Thank you.
This is serious.
Beatles or Stones, and why?
I’m happy to ask it, but you have piqued my curiosity, so I gotta ask… Why?
Hi Lance,
In your complete run in the A.F.L. what single player in your opinion did you think was the most physically gifted
athlete that you ever saw play?
Any team, any position.
Thanks Lance!
Kirk Robinson
What was it like having Duane Thomas as a team mate?
First of all, thank you for the many thrills you provided in your great career.The question that I’d like to ask you is this,did Al Davis have any influence in your decision to sign with the AFL? Again, thank you for many great memories.
prior to ’67, the raiders played in a little shoebox called frank youell field. any thoughts or memories about playing at this jr college football field?
Lance, you’re were my favorite. Growing up, I was used to see ends wearing numbers in the 80’s. Seeing no. 19 catching passes was different; it was an example of the AFL thinking outside the box. What I wanted to know was how different was it to run pass routes in the NFL compared to the AFL.
I starte dwatching Football when I was 12 ( 1967 ) I saw the Jets Play the chargers..and that was it..an AFL fan for life..The Jets were my FAv team, mostly because of Namath being a Hungarian QB from western PA..but I am a football fan..and #19 was one of my favotites…I still play football ( flag) and at 58, I play against guys I used to coach, and at times, their kids!…My number has always been 19.
what was your favorite game…and why?
The 1960s rules were much more lenient. Clotheslining and horsecollaring were allowed – not to mention much looser “bump and run” rules. As one who played under the old rules, and as a fan, do you think the quality and enjoyability of the game is better under present rules?
Lance,Did you like the nickname “bambi”?
Lance, what other receiver in the AFL did you admire or have a friendship with?
Lance,what was your special moment when you thought you “arrived” in professional football?
Todd,Sorry I asked more than one question,you pick the best one to ask,after the classic “Beatles or Stones” question I thought the next question was going to be “paper or plastic” so I had to get things back on track.
Lance; There were a lot of quality defensive backs in the AFL. Which AFL defensive back gave you the most difficulty?
I grew up in Buffalo experiencing the whole 10 years of the AFL’s existence, and I have never really heard the players side regarding the arrangements of the merger. For years I have wondered what the sentiment of the players was regarding how it would be executed. Did they look forward to being brought under the “umbrella” of the NFL, or would they have preferred the two leagues to remain separate operating entities with the league champions meeting to contest for the Super Bowl Trophy? I, for one, was one of many fans who was chagrined to see the demise of the AFL eagle logo and the Spalding J5-V, as well as the “polluting” of the league with the transfer of Baltimore, Cleveland and Pittsburgh to create the AFC.
Best question submitted!
Why did you change from #24 to #19…and why 19…did you pick it ?
Alright, guys… There are some great questions here. I will be calling Lance today to schedule the interview. Thanks for submitting questions, and keep an eye out for when I post the interview, most likely next week!!
Do you regret not going to your home state university, Mississippi, rather than Arkansas?
Todd,
Please ask Lance to compare and contrast the AFL passing game with today’s game ( use of slot receivers today, lack of physicality off the line of scrimmage today, etc. ). Thanks.
Thank you Mike Metzler ! Like you I was “anti-merger” (except for a world championship game and perhaps a common draft). Paul Hamilton, the Raiders moved into the Oakland Coliseum in 1966 (I had season tickets then). Bob Neuman, Jack Tatum did not become a Raider until 1971 and Lance Alworth had already left the Chargers by then. But I digress. I would ask Lance what sold him on the relatively new American Football League. I’m sure glad he signed with the AFL even though it meant him bedeviling my beloved Raiders for several years !
What life advice would 73 year old Lance Alworth give 19 year old Lance Alworth?
In response to the Mississippi question above, are you nuts? Who wouldn’t leave Mississippi to go to Arkansas. Go Hogs! Actually I believe the answer is that Vaught would not have him since he was married already.
Todd, no question for Lance; just a thank you for making this an audio interview. As I’m getting older the eyes are diminishing just a bit more, and so anytime we can hear rather than see, you’re helping me out. Thanks again!
Dear Lance,
My father played safety for the Oilers(1960-66) and he told me on more than one occasion that what separated you from the other great AFL receivers, and there were many, was your ability to fight for the ball. What would you attribute this to and why don’t you seem to see this in most receivers. Thanks, Dave Glick
To Mr. lance alworth;
I was just sending you an email to see if you still sign your sports cards by any chance
I have just a few which are not in the best of shape since being handled a lot and shown to others.
If you still do sign your cards could you please email me back to let me know where to send them?
Thanks again for your time and reply
Richard valentine
… [Trackback]
[…] Find More Information here to that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/what-would-you-ask-lance-alworth/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Here you will find 45319 more Info on that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/what-would-you-ask-lance-alworth/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Information to that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/what-would-you-ask-lance-alworth/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] There you can find 71626 more Info to that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/what-would-you-ask-lance-alworth/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Find More on to that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/what-would-you-ask-lance-alworth/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Find More on on that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/what-would-you-ask-lance-alworth/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Information on that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/what-would-you-ask-lance-alworth/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Read More here on that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/what-would-you-ask-lance-alworth/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Find More Information here to that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/what-would-you-ask-lance-alworth/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Read More to that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/what-would-you-ask-lance-alworth/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Find More on on that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/what-would-you-ask-lance-alworth/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Info on that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/what-would-you-ask-lance-alworth/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] There you can find 7523 additional Info to that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/what-would-you-ask-lance-alworth/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Here you can find 2307 more Information on that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/what-would-you-ask-lance-alworth/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] There you will find 43840 more Info to that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/what-would-you-ask-lance-alworth/ […]
… [Trackback]
[…] Information on that Topic: talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/what-would-you-ask-lance-alworth/ […]