Rutledge served as the quarterbacks and tight ends coach for the New York Sentinels of the United Football League in 2009. "It was odd to see people react and want a piece of cloth off of somebody else who was wearing it. Everybody else was gone home for Christmas vacation, and I was like, 'What am I doing here?' He had left the University of Alabama in the spring of 1979 without a diploma. One of them said on the phone, 'What did you get me?' (Birmingham News file) In the 1980s,. His brother Gary Rutledge was also a quarterback at Alabama from 1972 to 1974. As big as it was, though, even in these days where everything is just a Google or YouTube search away, only a few accounts and descriptions from that night are available, mainly in school yearbooks and newspaper archives. That game meant that Rutledge got the nod to start the following week on Monday Night against the Philadelphia Eagles in a game that was to become infamously known as the "Body Bag Game". "And you're not going to be the first.". There are 90+ professionals named "Jeff Rutledge", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. Last year, Nathan was inducted into the Dolphins' Walk of Fame, immortalized alongside such legendary Dolphins as Dan Marino, Bob Griese, Paul Warfield, Larry Csonka and Nick Buoniconti in the sidewalk outside Miami's Sun Life Stadium. ''The first game Phil Simms goes down, they've got to get a quarterback. 3 QUARTERBACK, https://www.nytimes.com/1989/08/24/sports/uneasy-lies-the-head-of-no-3-quarterback.html, Frank Litsky, Special To the New York Times. "I did accept Christ in my life at that time, they say," Nathan says. ''I talked to Bill after practice Saturday,'' said Rutledge. Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. He was part of a team that earned back-to-back state titles at L. Frazier Banks High School in Birmingham, Alabama. Jeff Rutledge Stats | The Football Database So I ended up saying, 'Thanks, coach, but no thanks.' Unfortunately, he doesn't remember anything about it. An experienced communications and public affairs professional, with a record of effective strategic planning, outreach and engagement. On Sunday, the Jets lost their backup, Pat Ryan, for at least six to eight weeks with a sprained knee. The four of them -- Baumhower, Nathan, Stephenson and McNeal -- played in two Super Bowls together, but the Dolphins lost both games, to the Redskins in Super Bowl XVII and the 49ers in Super Bowl XIX. [3][6], Rutledge served as the quarterbacks and tight ends coach for the New York Sentinels of the United Football League in 2009.[3]. As a senior, he was a member of the 1974 Parade High School All-American team. Jeff Rutledge Career Stats | StatMuse After working as an assistant at Vanderbilt University and with the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL, Rutledge is now the head coach at Valley Christian High School in Chandler, Ariz. After four years at Alabama, Woodlawn's Tony Nathan was drafted in the third round of the 1979 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, where he played for nine seasons under Don Shula, including two Super Bowls. Another, a little fireplug of a linebacker who had moved to Birmingham from Texas the year before, became the surprise defensive star of the game. A creative problem solver with refined approach to crisis communications and media management. Jeff Rutledge III - Facebook Rutledge was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. Jeff Rutledges income source is mostly from being a successful Player. "We have, I think, one of the best alumni associations in the NFL," Nathan says. And much to the surprise of probably everybody who was there that night -- fans, players, coaches, cheerleaders and sportswriters -- neither one of the teams would go on to win it all that year. Rivals in high school, Nathan and Rutledge were teammates for four years at Alabama. After playing in three college all-star games following his senior season, Nathan fell behind in his classes, and he was worried he might flunk out his spring semester. ", Tony Nathan strikes a Heisman-like pose as he tries to avoid a linebacker. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. "His jersey would just be hanging on him," Woodlawn teammate Brad Hendrix says. Rutledge would never start an NFL game again but he did see spot duty in relief of returning starter Mark Rypien in the Redskins' 1991 Super Bowl Championship season, including some playing time in the last game of the regular season, again against the Philadelphia Eagles. Jeff Rutledge Jeffrey Ronald Rutledge Position: QB Throws: Right 6-1 , 195lb (185cm, 88kg) Born: January 22 in Birmingham, AL (Age: 66-029d) More bio, uniform, draft, salary info 2x SB Champ 8 17 10 SUMMARY Career G 117 AV 8 QBrec 2-7-1 Cmp% 52.1 Yds 3628 Y/A 6.9 TD 16 Int 29 FantPt 151.0 Jeff Rutledge Overview Game Logs Career Postseason 1979 1980 Nov 09, 1990 at 12:00 am. About Jeff Rutledge is a 66 year old American Football (American) Player born on 22nd January, 1957 in Birmingham, AL. he recalls. He finished his college career with a 33-5 record as a starter, which currently ranks him as the University of Alabama's seventh all-time winningest quarterback. printers and related vendors. "Up until my eighth-grade year, I had been going to Banks games all my life, watching Jeff Rutledge's older brother, Gary, and Johnny Musso play,'' Ragland says. ''My wife is frustrated,'' said Rutledge. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. "The touchdown was a busted play," he recalls. (Photo courtesy of Tony Nathan). Rutledge was born to Tony and Cheryl Rutledge in Cullman, Alabama, on April 21, 1989. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. "We both started to laugh.". He was a devoted husband and father and his favorite hobby was fishing. This week, Birmingham filmmakers Jon and Andrew Erwin began shooting a movie, "Woodlawn," which takes place during Nathan's days at Woodlawn High School and focuses in on that 1974 Banks-Woodlawn game. As the teams went through their pre-game drills, Woodlawn's Stearns noticed another assistant, Mike Logan, staring up into the stands with his mouth agape. "We had a ball. What is Jeff Rutledge's full name? "So it was a great lesson for me. The film builds to a finale where Woodlawn meets crosstown rival Banks, quarterbacked by Jeff Rutledge, who would eventually play at Alabama with Nathan. Jeffrey Hunter was born Henry Herman McKinnies Jr. on November 25, 1926 in New Orleans, Louisiana, an only child. "I told him, me being so far behind, I didn't want to flunk out. Jeff Rutledge, of Newport, represents the White River and his term expires in 2024. Newman serves as a criminal court judge in Miami-Dade County, and six years ago, he hired Nathan to be a bailiff in his courtroom. It was Grefseng's only touchdown catch of his Banks career. (Birmingham News file/Charles Nesbitt). And since Banks and Woodlawn were in the same region -- and both were competing in 4A, which was then the largest high school classification in the state -- only one of them would advance. It hardly seemed like a swan-song performance. William Nathan was sold, though, and eventually, so was his son Tony. Jeff Rutledge, who played at Alabama after he graduated from Bank High School, is pictured here during the 1976 Alabama-Notre Dame game in South Bend, Ind. While it has been reported that only one gate was open that night, Walter Garrett, who was the stadium manager at Legion Field for 38 years, says that both gates 7A and 7B at the south entrance to the stadium were open, as was customary at all Birmingham high school games there. Banks quarterback Jeff Rutledge, who would later lead Alabama to a national championship and play on two Super Bowl-winning teams, and Woodlawn running back Tony Nathan, who would become Rutledge's teammate at Alabama and go on to play in two Super Bowls of his own, were the marquee attractions. At the age of 32, starting his 11th season as a National Football League quarterback, Rutledge was not sure he would make the Giants. He received his degree from Alabama in Business Administration and in 2011, was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. Senior Consultant. He was a backup in Super Bowl XIV as a member of the Los Angeles Rams, he was a backup to Super Bowl MVP Phil Simms in Super Bowl XXI as a member of the New York Giants, and was a backup in Super Bowl XXVI as a member of the Washington Redskins. Tony Nathan, left, goes to midfield for the pre-game coin toss with his Woodlawn High School teammates Mike Allison, center, and Peyton Zarzour, right. (Birmingham News file/Robert Adams). "That's why, for two years, we had a lot of focus and attention on Woodlawn. . Jeff Rutledge Biography. "It was one heck of a game. ", RELATED:Remembering the 1974 Woodlawn-Banks game. (Birmingham News file/Charles Nesbitt). Fully committed to football now, Nathan became one of the key cogs in a wishbone offense that was clicking on all cylinders. He was a backup in Super Bowl XIV as a member of the Los Angeles Rams, he was a backup to Super Bowl MVP Phil Simms in Super Bowl XXI as a member of the New York Giants, and was a backup in Super Bowl XXVI as a member of the Washington Redskins. . Along the sidelines, one of the best coaches in Alabama high school football history would notch his 100th victory, but he would never win another. Rutledge led Montgomery Bell Academy to a 41-17 record from 20022006, with two state *les in 2002 and 2003 and a #15 ranking in the final USA Today Super 25 poll in 2003. I did believe. He resigned in the Spring of 2012 to return to Arizona to spend time with his family. Rutledge was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. I said, 'You have to wait until you see me.' So they put the pressure on him, too. I don't remember that whole week. No One Else Wanted Him. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. ABOUT | Jeff Rutledge Some of those who were in the stands that night can't say for sure who won, and even many of those who were on the fieldare hard-pressed to remember the final score. He played college football at Alabama, where he was the team's starting quarterback for their 1978 National Championship victory, and was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the ninth round of the 1979 NFL Draft. "He wasn't too pleased," Nathan recalls. Wore number 17 for the New York Giants. (Photo courtesy of Banks High School Facebook page). "But I was raised in the church anyway. DeOssie, who has been starting at inside linebacker, strained his back lifting weights. Trailing 35-14 with 10:37 left in the third quarter Rutledge replaced an ineffective Stan Humphries and led a great comeback. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Nathan is flanked by his parents William and Louise Nathan. At the age of 32, starting his 11th season as a National Football League quarterback, Rutledge was not sure he would make the. (Photo courtesy of Tony Nathan). Jeffrey Hunter - Biography - IMDb Although he was mostly used as a back-up, he has two Super Bowl rings - one from the New York Giants and another from the Washington Redskins. ", In the lunchroom, the Woodlawn students would break into impromptu pep rallies, standing in their chairs and yelling, "Rip Jets, rip Jets, rip those Sugar Jets." I think Tony could definitely play today. But he made a great play and I just kept running, and he threw it and I caught it.". "It was a miserable way to end your season.". He got permission from his academic advisers to drop his courses with a withdraw-passing grade and come back to finish his degree later. He was part of a team that earned back-to-back state titles at L. Frazier Banks High School in Birmingham, Alabama. ''I wanted to know what he was thinking. Among those 42,000 who came to watch was a freshman sorority girl from the University of Alabama, who was there not because she had any allegiance to either team but just because she heard it was a big game and she wanted to see it and be a part of it. I bought them last week. "I played with older guys, and I wanted to be able to play on their level," Nathan says. His most notable play with the Giants came in Super Bowl XXI in the third quarter. Jeff Rutledge, who played at Alabama after he graduated from Bank High School, is pictured here during the 1976 Alabama-Notre Dame game in South Bend, Ind. Jeff Rutledge - Head of Internal Communications - LinkedIn On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Perhaps that epic 1974 showdown at Legion Field between Birmingham high-school heavyweights Woodlawn and Banks would have been just another Friday night football game. [4], Rutledge is a Christian and attends Arizona Community Church in Chandler. [2] Rutledge spent most of his career as a back-up quarterback and a holder on kicks. In 2013, he married Laura McKeeman (who took Rutledge's name upon marriage), a reporter and host for ESPN and the SEC Network. 1-ranked Huffman Vikings -- Woodlawn fans started calling Nathan "Touchdown Tony" and began clamoring for pictures and autographs. The night before the game, Stearns says, members of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapters from both teams gathered for a joint meeting at Woodlawn. | Learn more about Jeff . fatal car accident in tulare county / how to endorse a check for mobile deposit wells fargo / jeff rutledge wife. All rights reserved (About Us). Rutledge would never start an NFL game again but he did see spot duty in relief of returning starter Mark Rypien in the Redskins' 1991 Super Bowl Championship season, including some playing time in the last game of the regular season, again against the Philadelphia Eagles. View the profiles of professionals named "Jeff Rutledge" on LinkedIn. Tony started playing pickup basketball games with some older boys in the neighborhood, and he was good enough that he was recruited to play in a rec league at Huffman Park. I do believe. After Nathan got out of coaching, another one of his former Dolphins teammates, guard Ed Newman, told him he had the perfect job for him. "It was the thrill of my life," Louise Nathan says. Or was it 17-7? A title search shows that Mr. Rutledge and his wife bought a property in Naramata for $1.15-million on Oct. 31, 2016. White says he was assured by the Legion Field crew that it would be able to handle the crowd. Tandy Gerelds left Woodlawn after the 1975 season to join his father in the family insurance business, but in 1984, he returned to coaching at Deshler High School in Tuscumbia. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. How tall is Jeff Rutledge? Josh Rutledge - Wikipedia He was worn out, and he was just tearing the rest of his jersey off.". Six years later, he led the Tigers to an undefeated 15-0 season and a 4A state championship. The quiet, introverted Nathan didn't know quite what to make of all that attention. Meanwhile, Woodlawn High School stands majestically in the same location on First Avenue North, just like it has since 1922, and the football team is still sending players to the NFL, including Chris Davis, the Auburn cornerback who was the last-second hero of the 2013 Iron Bowl. That spiritual awakening not only inspired the team, but it reverberated throughout the entire school, defusing some racial tension that Nathan says he felt his first couple of years at Woodlawn. "I'm 57 years old, and I'll run into people that I haven't seen in years and years and years and they talk about that game, that they were there. UNEASY LIES THE HEAD OF NO. Woodlawn, meanwhile, had a nice streak going, too, winning 11 in a row since it fell to Banks 17-7 in 1973.