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Chuck Pitcock, 57; former USFL player, 1987 NFL Scab player
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appl...@gmail.com
Jan 14, 2016, 10:03:29 AM1/14/16
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http://intheminors.sportsblog.com/posts/10572207/pitcock-embodied-the-bandits--usfl-spirit.html
When I received a message last night from a former Tampa Bay Bandits standout, it was not what I expected.
Earlier that day, Keith Clark and I had been reminiscing via Facebook about the days of the USFL and the Tampa Bay Bandits. When I posted the picture above, Clark immediately lit up. "Good ole Chuck Pitcock," he wrote. "#64 the kind of guy you want on your team."
Clark - the 6'4" 225 lb. linebacker from Memphis State, who would later star for the Bandits - contacted me late last night. I just knew he was going to tell me he had reached out to Chuck and that he was excited about being part of The USFL Project. But, I could tell right away he had a much different tone, even though he had just typed words on a screen. I knew it had affected him greatly.
Word had come down that Pitcock, who had been battling health issues and had been in Tampa General Hospital recently, had passed away just a little over a month before his 58th birthday.
Pitcock graduated from Gulf High School in New Port Richey, FL, the same school that produced ESPN sports anchor Sara Walsh, professional golfer Darron Stiles and Duke University Athletic Director Kevin White. He went undrafted out of Tulane in 1981. Then a new league formed in 1982 with aspirations of playing in 1983 - the United States Football League. The Bandits passed on Pitcock as well, not only in the regular draft but in territorial selections too.
Still, Pitcock remained undeterred. He tried out for the Bandits and made the cut with coach Steve Spurrier. Little did they know how much of an impact "The Wild Man" would make on the franchise. He never lead the team in statistical categories but teammates and fans always knew where he was on the field and on the sidelines. His impact in the Tampa community was felt throughout the Deep South, always stopping for autographs and pictures and never afraid of a local microphone.
He would later play for the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but he will always be remembered as a Tampa Bay Bandit. Always.
And as everything retro typically comes back around in style, Pitcock would enjoy a resurgence in fame with the release of Mike Tollin's ESPN 30 For 30 entitled "Small Potatoes: Who Killed The USFL". Within the first 30 seconds, Pitcock's presence was felt:
On a personal note, this is exactly what I dread to see as the founder of The USFL Project (https://www.facebook.com/TheUsflProject/). Every time an icon from the USFL passes, it's a step closer to the day that my project will be finished. Unlike the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB who will continue to draft and churn out players, the day will come when I turn on ESPN and the talking head on screen will say "The last living player from the United States Football League has died." Those words will collectively end the history that I am so desperately trying to preserve.
I have been honored to have so many associated with "The $1 League" reach out and want to be a part of this... Keith Clark, Derek Holloway, Jeff Gossett, Dick Coury, Trumaine Johnson, Mel Gray, Scott Boucher, Ken Dunek, Fred "Curly" Morrison, Walter Lewis and so many more that are too numerous to mention. These guys have called me or reached out to me on Facebook wanting to be a part of this. This is why I do it. I want these items to be a part of a museum that celebrates the life of the USFL. Not for money, fame or anything else. I want the spirit of this league to live on long after I'm gone.
Just like we celebrate the life and spirit of one of the great personalities of the USFL, Chuck Pitcock. Rest In Peace #64. Spike that ball one more time from above so we can all feel the rumble.
When I received a message last night from a former Tampa Bay Bandits standout, it was not what I expected.
Earlier that day, Keith Clark and I had been reminiscing via Facebook about the days of the USFL and the Tampa Bay Bandits. When I posted the picture above, Clark immediately lit up. "Good ole Chuck Pitcock," he wrote. "#64 the kind of guy you want on your team."
Clark - the 6'4" 225 lb. linebacker from Memphis State, who would later star for the Bandits - contacted me late last night. I just knew he was going to tell me he had reached out to Chuck and that he was excited about being part of The USFL Project. But, I could tell right away he had a much different tone, even though he had just typed words on a screen. I knew it had affected him greatly.
Word had come down that Pitcock, who had been battling health issues and had been in Tampa General Hospital recently, had passed away just a little over a month before his 58th birthday.
Pitcock graduated from Gulf High School in New Port Richey, FL, the same school that produced ESPN sports anchor Sara Walsh, professional golfer Darron Stiles and Duke University Athletic Director Kevin White. He went undrafted out of Tulane in 1981. Then a new league formed in 1982 with aspirations of playing in 1983 - the United States Football League. The Bandits passed on Pitcock as well, not only in the regular draft but in territorial selections too.
Still, Pitcock remained undeterred. He tried out for the Bandits and made the cut with coach Steve Spurrier. Little did they know how much of an impact "The Wild Man" would make on the franchise. He never lead the team in statistical categories but teammates and fans always knew where he was on the field and on the sidelines. His impact in the Tampa community was felt throughout the Deep South, always stopping for autographs and pictures and never afraid of a local microphone.
He would later play for the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but he will always be remembered as a Tampa Bay Bandit. Always.
And as everything retro typically comes back around in style, Pitcock would enjoy a resurgence in fame with the release of Mike Tollin's ESPN 30 For 30 entitled "Small Potatoes: Who Killed The USFL". Within the first 30 seconds, Pitcock's presence was felt:
On a personal note, this is exactly what I dread to see as the founder of The USFL Project (https://www.facebook.com/TheUsflProject/). Every time an icon from the USFL passes, it's a step closer to the day that my project will be finished. Unlike the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB who will continue to draft and churn out players, the day will come when I turn on ESPN and the talking head on screen will say "The last living player from the United States Football League has died." Those words will collectively end the history that I am so desperately trying to preserve.
I have been honored to have so many associated with "The $1 League" reach out and want to be a part of this... Keith Clark, Derek Holloway, Jeff Gossett, Dick Coury, Trumaine Johnson, Mel Gray, Scott Boucher, Ken Dunek, Fred "Curly" Morrison, Walter Lewis and so many more that are too numerous to mention. These guys have called me or reached out to me on Facebook wanting to be a part of this. This is why I do it. I want these items to be a part of a museum that celebrates the life of the USFL. Not for money, fame or anything else. I want the spirit of this league to live on long after I'm gone.
Just like we celebrate the life and spirit of one of the great personalities of the USFL, Chuck Pitcock. Rest In Peace #64. Spike that ball one more time from above so we can all feel the rumble.
cathyc...@aol.com
Jan 14, 2016, 10:38:39 AM1/14/16
to
Scab? 1974 is calling, wants its antiquated epithets back.
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