Air Coryell legend Doug Wilkerson’s path to NFL was supposed to ride Duffy’s Underground Railroad

PHOTO: Doug Wilkerson is a member of the Black College Football Hall of Fame from his career at N.C. Central, but he planned to ride Duffy Daugherty's Michigan State Underground Railroad. That was until a schoolyard bet gone bad. By TOM SHANAHAN Doug Wilkerson’s death Monday at age 73 generated stories reflecting reverently on his career at three levels of football, professional, college and high school. And he deserved all the words of praise. He was as a…

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Carson Wentz could use teammate lesson from Brees, Rivers and Flutie

PHOTO: Philip Rivers (L) and Drew Brees as new teammates at the Chargers' 2004 mini-camp in San Diego. By TOM SHANAHAN The long simmering Carson Wentz trade discussions have included debate discussing more than simply what teams were willing to give up for the Philadelphia Eagles’ former golden boy quarterback. The answer to the first question has boiled over to a conclusion. The Indianapolis Colts are sending the Philadelphia Eagles a 2021 third-round draft pick and a conditional…

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Dan Dierdorf’s case for Don Coryell and the Pro Football Hall of Fame

PHOTO: Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Dierdorf and Don Coryell in St. Louis. By TOM SHANAHAN The NFL largely remembers Don Coryell for his dynamic Air Coryell teams in San Diego. Dan Dierdorf begs to differ. “We saw him first in St. Louis,” said Dierdorf. Coryell’s innovative passing game with the old St. Louis Cardinals was sandwiched between equally novel periods throwing the ball at San Diego State (1961-72) and during his San Diego homecoming with the…

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