Dick Vermeil's induction

[colhenrylives]

Ancient football relationships continue to manifest themselves. When ex-NFL coach Dick Vermeil was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame last week, one of his finest ex-players from his earliest head coaching days at Hillsdale High School (San Mateo) was in attendance (along with several teammates, all in their late 70's now) at the ceremony. Don Leydig, an outstanding prep running back in the early 1960s, and the others made it a point to be there in Canton, Ohio. Vermeil, a Calistoga native, was Hillsdale's head coach 60 years ago. He went on to bigger and better things as we all know. Leydig became Hillsdale's principal 30 years after playing for Vermeil. Like Vermeil, Leydig is retired now.

 

[parkdale]

Ancient football relationships continue to manifest themselves. When ex-NFL coach Dick Vermeil was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame last week, one of his finest ex-players from his earliest head coaching days at Hillsdale High School (San Mateo) was in attendance (along with several teammates, all in their late 70's now) at the ceremony. Don Leydig, an outstanding prep running back in the early 1960s, and the others made it a point to be there in Canton, Ohio. Vermeil, a Calistoga native, was Hillsdale's head coach 60 years ago. He went on to bigger and better things as we all know. Leydig became Hillsdale's principal 30 years after playing for Vermeil. Like Vermeil, Leydig is retired now.

Do Dick cry at the ceremony?

 

[parkdale]

Do Dick cry at the ceremony?

*Did

 

[larry legend33]

Calistoga kid

 

[Bubba3000]

I loved how Dick spent most of his time acknowledging other people, very selfless.

 

[remc]

Do Dick cry at the ceremony?

😄

 

[remc]

Ancient football relationships continue to manifest themselves. When ex-NFL coach Dick Vermeil was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame last week, one of his finest ex-players from his earliest head coaching days at Hillsdale High School (San Mateo) was in attendance (along with several teammates, all in their late 70's now) at the ceremony. Don Leydig, an outstanding prep running back in the early 1960s, and the others made it a point to be there in Canton, Ohio. Vermeil, a Calistoga native, was Hillsdale's head coach 60 years ago. He went on to bigger and better things as we all know. Leydig became Hillsdale's principal 30 years after playing for Vermeil. Like Vermeil, Leydig is retired now.

His brother Al built the football program at Moreau Catholic back in the 70s. They were very successful for a while in the old Catholic Athletic League in the Eastbay

 

[colhenrylives]

The old East Bay version of the CAL: St. Mary's, O'Dowd, Moreau, Salesian, St. Elizabeth's, DLS? Not sure of the alignment back in the day. Original CAL disappeared in the summer of 1967 with the formation of the WCAL.

 

[TurtleLoveCA]

It was a magnificent day for Hillsdale. NFL did a fantastic job of creating shirts and hats specific to the schools the inductees came from. To see the Hilldale Knights Dick Vermeil shirts worn by his players was really special. Vermeil mentioned Hillsdale SEVEN times.

 

[remc]

The old East Bay version of the CAL: St. Mary's, O'Dowd, Moreau, Salesian, St. Elizabeth's, DLS? Not sure of the alignment back in the day. Original CAL disappeared in the summer of 1967 with the formation of the WCAL.

Yes, the old East Bay version. Plus St Patrick Vallejo and St Joseph Alameda( they never had a football program though)

 

[northbaybbguru]

I had the opportunity to do business with Dick and his wife Carolyn up here in Santa Rosa on a few occasions over the last 20 yrs and let me just say I'm not sure I've met a sweeter, nicer couple than these 2. They are so friendly and just are the textbook example of class.

I'm very happy for Mr Vermeil.

Just wanted to put this out here on record.