Once Again, Hornung Shows Class

Letters and calls of commendation are coming in an avalanche to Pete Rozelle, the retiring commissioner of the National Football League.

They have been initiated by club owners, executives, coaches, sportswriters, heads of broadcasting networks, old shipmates from his World War II days on a mine-sweeper and the general public.

After 29 years in the position, which is more tenure than any other sports leader, he has a record that is highly visible and ready for evaluation.

But perhaps the most significant message Rozelle received came from a player, a man he once suspended for betting on games in the league, including games involving his own team. The individual in question is Paul Hornung, former Notre Dame All-American, Heisman Trophy winner, All-Pro selection with the Green Bay Packers and the fabled “Golden Boy” of yesteryear.

It might be expected that Hornung would resent what happened in 1963 and hold Rozelle responsible for the penalty that had to be assessed--suspension for a year from the NFL. But he doesn’t feel that way and even expressed his feelings in writing. The Baltimore Evening Sun has obtained a copy of the personal correspondence Hornung sent to Rozelle, which is reprinted here:

“Dear Pete:

“No one in the history of professional football has ever given more or been more responsible for the popularity of the game than Pete Rozelle.

“Long after we’re gone, your name will stand beside the few who really made a difference . . . Halas, Rooney, Mara, Lombardi, Lambeau . . . and not take a back seat.

“You can rest knowing that there never was a better commissioner of any sport and that, during your stay, professional football became the most popular sport in America.

“I am proud to have known you.

“Sincerely, Paul Hornung”

In retrospect, Horning has said he deserved the punishment Rozelle dealt him. He never alibied or tried to fix the blame elsewhere.

He accepted the discipline, suffered for the year he was away and came back to give the Packers three more productive seasons.

Ultimately, Hornung was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Hornung and Alex Karras, of the Detroit Lions, drew the same sentence from Rozelle in 1963 in a case that created extensive controversy and was described in bold headlines across the country.

They had violated the trust their teams and the league had placed in them and, consequently, had to pay for it. The Rozelle decision was painful for Hornung, his widowed mother and for friends and admirers. He had been a glamour player, endowed with good looks and an engaging personality. Plus, he was highly respected for what he could contribute on the field.

Rozelle insisted it wasn’t a decision he wanted to make, but he knew it was one he couldn’t dodge. He was aware that the integrity of a sport was on the line and that such activity couldn’t be condoned or swept under the rug by the league office.

It wasn’t a cheap grandstand play by Rozelle to make himself look good. It was unpleasant and repugnant to have to read the incriminating evidence and testimony that was presented and, under the circumstances, follow up by interviewing Hornung and Karras. Then came the Rozelle ruling: Both were found guilty and had to forfeit their eligibility for a year.

“Those were particularly troubled times,” Rozelle says. “Paul and Alex accepted what I had to do. I never believed they thought it was a personal vendetta but realized it was a call that had to be addressed. This was serious violation of the rules.”

So Rozelle stepped off the penalty and hoped public confidence in the NFL would not be damaged. It wasn’t. Hornung and Karras returned to productive careers with their respective teams and were welcomed back--after paying a serious price for gambling on games while their reputations were besmirched.

Now comes Hornung’s unsolicited tribute to the man who ordered him off the field 26 years ago and was responsible for inflicting the most humiliating torment he has ever known. To Hornung’s everlasting credit, there is no grudge, resentment or acrimony.

Rozelle’s reaction was sincerely and simply expressed, “I’m overwhelmed, but knowing Paul like I do, I can’t say I’m entirely surprised. He has always been a gentleman.”

Football went on to become more popular than ever despite the Hornung-Karras betting incidents. And, Hornung and Rozelle go their separate ways with regret over what happened but with the utmost respect for each other.

It would seem this is what being a man is all about.