Legends

Your editorial (Jan. 17), “Life and Death of a Legend,” on Jim Crowley’s passing at the age of 83 was of particular interest to me as a 1943 Fordham graduate, since those years under Crowley were really the last of the great Fordham football teams. A major football de-emphasis program began at Fordham after the war and has lasted until this date.

For the record, though, the Notre Dame line was known as “The Seven Mules” in contrast with the “Four Horsemen” backfield of the same era. The “Seven Blocks of Granite,” to which you refer as Notre Dame’s line, was actually the Fordham line in 1937--from which came the great Vince Lombardi and still more legends.

Just wanted to be sure the trivia buffs are kept on track. Again, all Fordham and Notre Dame men appreciated your remembrance of a great player, coach and human being.

P.S. I am including a trivia question on the above subject.

With the passing of Jim Crowley, many older football fans remember the legendary “Seven Blocks of Granite” of Fordham fame in 1937. Vince Lombardi was one of the seven linemen. Can you name Crowley’s line coach that year?

Answer: Frank Leahy who later became head coach of Boston College and after that became most famous as Notre Dame’s head coach.

HANK BARRETT

Whittier