What is with Bronco’s fist in the air?
I saved this post specifically for the New Mexico game because New Mexico is where the “fist” originated. As you should now know, Coach Mendenhall came to Provo courtesy of Mr. Gary Crowton and Mr. Rocky Long. In New Mexico, Coach Mendenhall was an assistant defensive coach, keeping tabs on the safety position. Even in Albuquerque, he was extremely passionate about coaching the safeties, but also carried a special fondness for the renegade special teams unit: the kick-off cover team.
You are smirking because I used the word renegade. Well, just imagine having to run full 60 yards at full speed only to launch yourself into blockers weighing upwards of 230 lbs. It is not a team for the faint of heart, the players that run down for kick-off cover have to love contact, especially the contact that leaves your thoughts scrambled, head aching, and could possibly have an ill effect on your future earnings.
I was man enough to play on a few kick-off cover teams, I was knocked out in the 05′ TCU game attempting to “bust the wedge”. -The wedge is made up of the 3 or 4 players that group together in front of the ball carrier and attempt to stay conscious as players crash into them with no regard for their future-. In 2006, I was on a kick-off team which was named the berzerkers. Do you know what that means, (do you even know how to spell it?) because I can’t think of a better word to describe the mentality needed.
So now that you understand the mind set of the players Coach Mendenhall was trying to inspire, you will better understand Bronco’s raised fist. (I dug back into the archives for this story, and by archives I mean 01′ or 02′)
Coach Mendenhall was given the job of coaching a kick-off cover team that was disrespected and looked at as a chore rather than an opportunity to make a play. The first thing Bronco did was he changed the players on the team to a few starters -a guy named Brian Urlacher- and a few other players that Bronco described as being “not quite right”. He then challenged this group to be the most physical, mean, crazy and ruthless special teams unit on the team. He encouraged the Lobo kick-off unit to be the team leaving opponents in their wake on their way to destroy the ball carrier. And do you know what happened? The team started to react to his challenge. They began to view the kick-off cover team as an honor and privilege, not simply a task.
As the unit’s swagger increased, they developed the attitude necessary to have zero concern for life or limb. Bronco needed a sign or a defining symbol that could bind his kick-off cover unit together, and that is where the raised fist originated. As his unit’s performance was perfected, Bronco would raise his fist in the air to symbolize their accomplishments.
Then as players took notice of the symbol, they too raised their fist in the air both before the kick-off cover team took the field and after they had eradicated their opponents. As the players on the sideline began raising their fists in the air, the crowd followed suit until the stadium was full of fists in recognition of the kick-off cover unit.
During Bronco’s time in Provo the fist has taken on a new meaning. It has become one of Bronco’s most characteristic traits as he raises his fist in tribute of his players’ performances on the field. Just watch. Whenever there is a great play or a key stop, the fist will be in the air. Steady and true as a reminder that players change, situations vary, but the fist will symbolize all that is right about football.
Is it time to bring back the raised fist in the crowd, I think it would be awesome for everyone to do it when there is a great play?
So that post gave me goose bumps. I’l have to take note of the fist raised on Saturday.
Why has the kickoff team struggled so mightily this year? If Sorenson doesn’t put in 7 yards deep in the endzone, I fear every returner (even the mediocre ones) will make the Cougars look like the Vikings against Reggie Bush last night.
I loved being on the “hit squad” in high school. I was forced to play D line because of lack of size in my school and our defense banked on bringing all of our linebackers every single play (At least that’s what it seemed like). Because of these 2 factors all I ever did was sit around and contain. I loved playing football because of the kickoff. I lived to fly down the field and ruin anyone I could find. I was never more pumped up than when we circled up and shouted “Hit squad!” right before taking out a few of the other team’s players. In my personal opinion the kickoff is one of the best things about football. Go Cougs! Light up some Lobos on the kickoff this week! I’m sure there will be plenty of opportunities.
Did you get knocked out on the kickoff Cory Rodgers took to the house in that ‘05 TCU game? That was an absolute killer and sucked the life out of the stadium right after Beck’s bomb to Watkins. Let’s pretend that game never happened…
I love this post. I love the insights you reveal on your blog. Thank you and keep them coming!!
QUINN… I AM SURE THAT YOU HAVE CREDIBILITY IN YOUR EXPLANATION SO I AM ADDING THIS AS A SUPPLEMENT NOT A CORRECTIONWHEN WE WERE IN ALBEQUERQUE OUR SOPHOMORE YEAR THERE WERE TWO PLAYERS THAT CAME TO VISIT COACH IN THE LOBBY OF THE HOTEL. WHEN THEY LEFT THEY GAVE HIM THE FIST. CONCERNED THAT WE MIGHT VIEW THIS THE WRONG WAY HE EXPLAINED TO THE DEFENSE THAT THE FIST MEANT “TO THE END.” AS YOU MAY RECALL IN THE TEAM MEETING AFTER THE GAME WHEN HE REVIEWED THE AWESOME EFFORT OF MATT ALLEN TO GET INTO THE ENDZONE HE RELATED BACK TO THIS AND EXPLAINED THAT BOTH PLAYERS HAD THE INTEGRITY AND DETERMINATION TO GIVE THEIR ALL “TO THE END.” IT IS A SIGN OF COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION AND AS YOU MENTIONED FINISHING THE JOB “TO THE END.”
I SHOULD MENTION THEY WERE TWO LOBO PLAYERS
Thanks Staff it is always good to have someone backing up what you are saying. I remembered the fist story from early in my career so it was good to have you reinforce the meaning of the fist. That sounds lame, we are talking about a fist. Thanks.
It seems that almost everyone is criticizing the kickoff cover team lately. While I agree that they are not performing up to the level of the rest of the team yet, they have forced at least 2 fumbles that I can remember. So they may not be perfect in coverage yet, but they are still making a positive impact on the games.
Special teams before Crowton was atrocious. I loathed watching special teams on the field. Only in the last two years have I had confidence in the special teams and that’s due to the way Bronco has coached them. They perform much better now than a few years ago, where teams would regularly get to the 40 and 50 yard line on kick returns.
When I said before Crowton above I meant Bronco…
re Steven’s suggestion about raising the fist in the stands: Sounds like a great thing for the coach and for the team, but I would be hesitant to join in as a fan in the stands, since my investment to the success of the team is so much less. Quinn, what do you think players would feel about regular fans joining in on this?
Mark, I don’t see why you couldn’t participate is saluting the players efforts on the field. Whether it is with a raised fist or cheers, just so long as you are not casual in your support. Let it hang out, that’s what makes football fun.
I AGREE THAT YOU SHOULD JOIN IN BUT DON’T EXPECT THE FIST PUMP IN THE STANDS TO CARRY THE WEIGHT THAT IT DOES WHEN IT COMES FROM COACH MENDENHALL. DO WHATEVER YOU WANT IN THE STANDS TO CHEER AND SUPPORT AND MOTIVATE, BUT THERE IS ONLY ONE MENDENHALL FIST
I am a Bears fan from Sao Paulo, Brazil.
I really liked your blog with the Bears mention item. I grew up watching Walter Payton and William Perry.
I try to follow as much NFL news as I can with the internet.
Leave your response!
Categories
Archives
Meta
Good Info.
Most Commented