I drew this cartoon for Universal Press (my syndicate) in the almost near stupor of completing my Super Bowl Cartoon Marathon for ESPN.com on Sunday night/Monday morning. I must admit. All-nighters are much harder than they used to be but there simply is no other way to do the 10 cartoons I needed to do (9 for the SB blog and the 1 for the syndicate.) Any way, I hope you enjoy. And if you know a Patriots fan, it’s the perfect little “in your face” cartoon to e-mail every few days or so until the start of next season. Just a thought.

Two old Geezers,
standing by the bleachers,
chewing their players out all day.
They’re pouting and sulking,
snarling and hulking,
Two Asses who grimace and bray.

They can’t stand to grin,
They can’t stand to win
They whine when they can’t get their way.
They have absolutely no fun
I can’t wait til they’re done
With this upcoming Super Bowl day.

The other night while driving I happened to catch the tail end of a KOA radio interview with one of my favorite former Broncos, Craig Morton. I grew up in west Texas watching Morton play for the Cowboys. I was one of the few who rooted for Morton over Staubach during their big duel for the starting QB’s job. When he was traded to Denver I became a bigger fan of his because of his williness to play hurt and lead a team to it’s first Super Bowl. Morton is a smart man. I’ve always thought that. I’m just glad I don’t have to caricature him any more. He was the hardest caricature I ever had to draw. I used to pull out the Andy Kauffman (the comedian) photo file for help capturing the nuances of Craig’s look (they look a lot alike. Really they do)

Morton spoke in the interview with Dave Logan and Dave Krieger about Peyton Manning and he said one thing that stuck with me. If Peyton were his son, he wouldn’t allow him to continue his NFL career. The risks outweigh the riches. And I so agree. What’s the point of putting your life on the line. I think the same thing about Brian Dawkins. Why continue risking it. Walk away, while you can.

“For when the One Great Scorer comes
To write against your name,
He marks-not that you won or lost-
But how you played the game.”
― Grantland Rice

There are so many different ways I could have approached this cartoon. I find it terribly sad that Paterno ended his time at Penn State with a horrific scandal. But I feel terribly sad for the victims it claimed. Joe Paterno once stood for everything that is right about college athletics. He preached integrity and honor and commitment to a larger cause. He taught young men to excel, not only on the field but off it as well. I almost used the Grantland Rice quote in this cartoon. I think perhaps it fits Paterno’s legacy more than any other quote I can think of. But the simple imagery of a stoic figure on the edge of eternity, with his trusty companion at his side seemed an apt tribute to the man and his mission. So today, at the passing of a coaching legend, I choose to remember him with dignity. I think, perhaps, he deserves at least that much. And more.

Every cartoon I draw is a judgement call. Whether it’s during the initial stages of thought process where I weed through all of the ideas I’m mulling over to find the one I think works best, or with an editor looking over roughs I send him who then helps me to pick the best one, it often comes down to the luck of the draw (no pun intended) as to which cartoon sees the light of day. I often have multiple “layers” of roughs I keep in the drawing program I use with the computer tablet I draw on, that usually get tossed once I draw the final cartoon. This time I thought, what the heck, it’s the end of the Broncos season, so why not ink and color one of the roughs I didn’t use for 9News on Sunday night. So you here you are. One from the cutting room floor. Enjoy.