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Hunter is a police drama television series starring Fred Dryer as Sgt. Rick Hunter and Stepfanie Kramer as Sgt. Dee Dee McCall, which ran on NBC from 1984 to 1991. However, Kramer left after the sixth season (1990) to pursue other acting and musical opportunities. The seventh season saw Hunter partnered with two different women officers. The titular character, Sgt. Rick Hunter, was a wily, physically imposing, and often rule-breaking homicide detective with the Los Angeles Police Department.

Created by Frank Lupo, the show in its early episodes played as television's answer to Dirty Harry.^{[citation needed]} Even after the show's violence was toned down during the second season in hopes of boosting ratings, Hunter and McCall still managed to resolve many cases by shooting the perpetrators dead.

The show's executive producer during the first season was Stephen J. Cannell, whose company produced the series. (This was one of the few series made by his company that he did not either create or co-create.)

Show history[link]

This article or section may fail to make a clear distinction between fact and fiction. Please rewrite it according to the fiction guidelines, so that it meets Wikipedia's quality standards. (February 2010)

Season 1 (1984–1985)[link]

Initially placed in a Friday-night slot against Dallas, the show struggled to find an audience and drew criticism for its often graphic depiction of violence. In the first season, the producers sought to create a hook by giving the main character a catch phrase, "Works for me", which was sometimes used two or three times an episode and was even tacked on to the end of Mike Post and Pete Carpenter's opening theme music. Several early episodes featured montages set to popular songs from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, in a style not unlike the way Miami Vice used music.

Mid-way through the first season, with ratings showing no sign of improvement, Cannell gave network chief Brandon Tartikoff a private screening of a two-part episode ("The Snow Queen") that had yet to air and asked him to give the show time to find its feet. Tartikoff liked what he saw and put the show on hiatus until a better time slot could be found. Two months later, Hunter returned to the screens on Saturday nights and viewership slowly started to rise. The first season finished in 65th place.

Season 2 (1985–1986)[link]

For its second season, Cannell brought in his mentor, Roy Huggins, best known for his work on Maverick and The Rockford Files, to refine the show. As the new executive producer, Huggins toned down the violence, softened the main character's fractious relationship with his superiors, dropped a backstory concerning Hunter's family ties to the mob, and played up the chemistry between Hunter and McCall. Huggins also moved the show's setting out of the back streets and into the more desirable areas of Los Angeles. Emboldened, Dryer and Kramer frequently toyed with the scripts by ad-libbing, and the Hunter character broke the fourth wall for the first time with an aside to viewers at the end of the two-parter "The Beautiful And The Dead".

Probably the most memorable aspect to the second season was the 2-part episode "Rape and Revenge." The story dealt with a psychopathic foreign diplomat who meets McCall and wants to have a relationship with her. When she says no, he goes crazy and then attacks and rapes her in her home. This two-parter was considered very controversial for its realistic and shocking depiction of a violent rape scene, which was not common in TV shows at the time. Because of the controversial plot and acting, "Rape and Revenge" is one of the most remembered and popular episodes of the series.

Another important aspect to the second season was towards the end of the season (in the episode "The Return of Typhoon Thompson") viewers were first introduced to Hunter and McCall's favorite street informant—the eccentric but humorous Arnold "Sporty" James, played by Garrett Morris.

Viewers also responded to Huggins' changes, and the show's second season ended in 38th place in the Nielsen Ratings. Hunter continued this progress to become a mainstay of NBC's Saturday night schedule.

In syndication the Season 2 intro was replaced by the season 1 intro. The season 2 intro had Rick Hunter entering a women's locker room in one scene, and him and McCall pointing their guns at each other with the bathroom light on in another scene.

Season 3 (1986–1987)[link]

Just before work on the third season began, Dryer threatened to walk out unless his salary, reportedly US$21,000 per episode, was raised and creative changes were made. Cannell hit back with a US$20 million breach-of-contract suit. A compromise was reached, with Dryer reportedly landing a new deal worth US$50,000 per episode. The third season, again helmed by Huggins, saw the arrival of Charles Hallahan as Captain Charlie Devane—who remained Rick Hunter and McCall's captain for the rest of the show, eventually becoming one of the main stars, and even being included in the opening credits of the show; something none of the previous captains in the series had achieved before. In the episode "Shades" (which was the season finale...but aired later in the summer—July 1987) when Hunter went missing, Dee Dee teamed with a somewhat ditzy Columbo-like Detective Kitty O'Hearn (Shelley Taylor Morgan)--who also showed up later during fourth seasons 3-part "City of Passion."

Another remembered episode for 3rd season was "Requiem For Sergeant McCall"—which was a contradiction to a storyline from the beginning of the show. When the show first started in 1984 supposedly McCall's husband (Steven McCall) was killed five years before, in 1979, by a "punk" kid during a routine stop. At that time both Steven and Dee Dee were newly married and starting out as rookie uniform cops. But in 1987, for 3rd season, they created this episode ("Requiem") where now, supposedly still just 5 years before (which now would be around 1982 instead of 1979), Steven was an actual homicide detective (while Dee Dee was still just a rookie) and he was working on a big murder case that ended up getting him killed. In this episode Steven's killer is getting paroled and McCall is doing anything she can to get him back in prison—plus trying to solve the original murder case that her husband died trying to solve five years earlier. This was the show's first season in the top 30, coming in at 25th.

For the third season there was also a strange tie-in with an older detective show -- Hart To Hart, with Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers (1979–1984). In Hunter’s third season opening theme song, during the montage of pics there is a scene out front of a Los Angeles mansion with a Mercedes station wagon, a Rolls Royce, and a Porsche out front. This was a scene-clip from an old episode of Hart To Hart (the Mercedes Station Wagon was actually one of the Hart's cars) that, for some unknown reason, was thrown in for the starting of Hunter. It's even more strange, considering Hart To Hart was an ABC show, while Hunter was an NBC show.

Season 4 (1987–1988)[link]

Huggins retired at the end of the fourth season, which placed 18th in the Nielsen Ratings. A three-part storyline, "City of Passion," teamed Hunter and Dee Dee with Detective Kitty O'Hearn (Shelley Taylor Morgan) and her new partner, Sgt. Brad Navarro, played by Erik Estrada. Together they captured the serial rapist called "Big Foot." Originally the plot of the 3-part "City of Passion" had McCall getting raped again—this time by Big Foot, and she had to deal with the pain and emotions as she did in 2nd season's 2-part "Rape & Revenge." However, Stepfanie Kramer immediately balked at this and argued the rape idea had already been done, and to repeat it, as well as having her character put in a situation to get raped again, was ridiculous. Kramer threatened to walk from the series unless the script was changed. Producers and writers agreed and a compromise was made. Big Foot would attack and "attempt" to rape McCall but she would fight him off before it happened.

Also known as one of the more memorable episodes for fourth season was "The Black Dahlia." The famous unsolved L.A. murder case from 1947 is thrust back into headlines as bones with identical cuts just like the Elizabeth Short (Black Dahlia) murder are discovered under an old building being torn down. Did the killer of the Black Dahlia also murder this woman back in '47? It's discovered the killer is still alive, and when he sees McCall (who does somewhat resemble Elizabeth Short), he thinks the Black Dahlia has come back from the dead to "get" him. He of course goes insane and comes after Dee Dee! Supposedly Hunter and McCall solve the famous murder case 41 years to the day (1947–1988) as the episode aired on the anniversary date of the real-life murder. As a special message at the end states, the real-life case is still open and the real killer has never officially been caught (although in the years since '88 there have been several new theories and evidence supporting them—however none have been definitely proven).

Season 5 (1988–1989)[link]

For the fifth season, George Geiger took on the role of executive producer, having worked in the same capacity on Scarecrow and Mrs. King and as co-executive producer on Miami Vice. In the first four seasons, Hunter and McCall typically worked on cases together, allowing the producers to showcase the chemistry between the actors. But the fifth season increasingly had them working apart, ostensibly to lessen the workload of Dryer and Kramer and to allow richer, more complex stories.

The season focuses mainly on Hunter having a lot of homework.

Some of the most memorable episodes of the fifth season was the special 3-parter "City Under Siege"--which had a special intro for each of the 3 parts. It dealt with a psychotic woman and her crazy boyfriend that go around terrorizing people in Los Angeles that the woman felt had "wronged" her in some way—Hunter being one of the intended victims. It also focused on the huge crime spree throughout the city and the pressure the police department was under to get it under control. In part 2 Laurelle Brooks guest starred as Allison a naive high school cheerleader who becomes a victim of the crime spree. At the end of the episode there were special statistics that gave the numbers of how much crime was down in L.A. that year. The fifth season placed 17th in the Nielsen ratings.

Season 6 (1989–1990)[link]

By the sixth season, Dryer's growing influence had won him the role of executive producer. Probably the most remembered episode of the sixth season was the episode "Unfinished Business." During this episode the audience suddenly learns that Hunter and McCall had actually once slept together, causing a rift in their working relationship. Fred Dryer stated that this episode was filmed to try to appease fans and the network, who were constantly wanting Hunter and McCall to get together. However, Fred Dryer and Stepfanie Kramer stated they did not want that to happen, because once it did Hunter would become Hart To Hart.

Another memorable episode this season was "Yesterday's Child". In this episode, A Vietnamese man visits Hunter and pleads with him to take on the case of a robbery / murder at an upscale car dealership, of which his son was the main suspect. Over the course of the conversation, Hunter discovers that the 17-year-old suspect was actually his own son. It is revealed that the boy was the product of a relationship Hunter had with a woman while he was in Vietnam.

Also for this season homicide was moved to the more updated Parker Center, instead of their old downtown division building. So instead of jeans and an old sports jacket, a lot of times Hunter was seen in a full suit and tie. However, at the end of the sixth season, which placed in the top 25 of the Nielsen Ratings, Stepfanie Kramer decided to leave the series to pursue a career in music. After six long but "beautiful" years fans were saddened with the season's 2-part finale (another famous 2-part episode "Streetwise"), where McCall was shown marrying an old flame and moving out of Los Angeles.

Season 7 (1990–1991)[link]

For the seventh and final season, the producers moved Hunter and Capt. Devane from divisional homicide to the elite "Metro" unit based at the Parker Center, and NBC shifted the show to 10 p.m. on Wednesdays. A new female co-star, Darlanne Fluegel as Officer Joanne Molenski, was brought in. However, it was reported that she had creative differences/issues with Fred Dryer and halfway through the season she decided she wanted out. So, they decided to have her leave the show by having her character be murdered by a female serial killer in the 2-part episode "Fatal Obsession." Her replacement for the second half of the season was Lauren Lane as Sgt. Chris Novak—supposedly a former girlfriend of Hunter's. Hunter's signature unmarked vehicle, a moss green 1977 Dodge Monaco, was also finally replaced (after an accident with Molenski's cruiser in the season's first episode) by an updated new silver 1990 Ford LTD Crown Victoria. Hunter was now also back to wearing jeans and a shirt. Also for the first time (barring the sixth season finale) Hunter also made sporadic appearances in uniform.

However, the new partners and changes did little to please fans/viewers after Stepfanie Kramer's departure. Later, it was stated that: "Hunter without his McCall was like trying to drive his old Monaco without any gas...the show just didn't go anywhere." The show's ratings took a nose-dive and after seven popular gun-blasting, fist-smacking, car-chasing years, it was officially cancelled at the end of the season.

Reunions/Revivals[link]

Four years after the original series ended, a reunion NBC TV movie, The Return of Hunter: Everyone Walks in L.A., saw Dryer and Charles Hallahan reprise their roles as Rick Hunter and Charlie Devane—Hunter had now also been promoted to lieutenant. Airing on NBC on March 6, 1995, the movie ironically seemed to take the Dirty Harry idea as the plot—a psycho wants fame and/or to be noticed and begins terrorizing the city to gain media attention. Along the way he becomes infatuated with attention from Hunter, eventually wanting to kill him. Stepfanie Kramer, pregnant at the time, did not reprise her role as "Dee Dee McCall". The TV-movie co-starred Barry Bostwick, Miguel Ferrer, and John C. McGinley.

Seven years later in November 2002, eleven years after the original series ended, the reunion TV movie Hunter: Return to Justice made its premiere to strong ratings. This time Stepfanie Kramer also returned to her role of "Dee Dee McCall", and the show's setting switched from Los Angeles to San Diego—as Hunter's current L.A. partner is killed in the line of duty. So, Hunter decides to take some time off and go see McCall, who is now living and working as a cop in San Diego. Of course once the "dynamic duo" of Hunter and McCall get together the bullets begin to fly! Also, ironically in this movie McCall is engaged to be married—however tragedy prevents this from happening. The ironic part is, when Kramer left the original series after the sixth season her character supposedly left to get married to an old boyfriend—her last episode ending at her wedding. In this reunion movie McCall's marriage and/or husband from before is never explained or mentioned. It was reported that there was to be a scene explaining how McCall's husband whom she married at the end of season 6 had died. During the last scene we learn that Hunter has requested a transfer from L.A. to San Diego so he can now work with McCall again. Charles Hallahan was not able to appear as "Capt. Charlie Devane" again, as he had died from a heart attack five years earlier in 1997. This reunion movie was dedicated to his memory at the end.

Given the success of the TV movie, Cannell, Dryer and NBC attempted to bring back Hunter as a regular series. In the weeks following the April 2003 airing of another TV movie, Hunter: Back in Force—basically the "Pilot" for the new series, the network decided to broadcast three new one-hour episodes of Hunter ("Vaya Sin Dios," "Untouchable," and "Dead Heat"). Another two episodes were filmed (as originally there were to be five episodes aired) but never shown in the U.S, as suddenly NBC decided to cancel the new series. Later Fred Dryer cited "creative difficulties" and budget constraints as the reasons for the new show's unexpected end.

Cast and crew[link]

Original series[link]

• Fred Dryer ... Det. Sgt. Richard "Rick" Hunter
• Stepfanie Kramer ... Det. Sgt. Dee Dee McCall (1984–1990)
• Darlanne Fluegel ... Off. Joanne Molenski (1990–1991)
• Lauren Lane ... Police Sgt. Chris Novak (1991)
• Michael Cavanaugh ... Capt. Lester D. Cain ("Pilot" Only)
• Arthur Rosenberg ... Capt. Lester D. Cain/Commander Lester D. Cain (1984/1987)
• John Amos ... Capt. Dolan (1984–1985)
• Bruce Davison ... Capt. Wyler/Dep. Chief Wyler (1985–1986/1987)
• Charles Hallahan ... Capt. Charles "Charlie" Devane (1986–1991)
• John Shearin ... Lt. Ambrose Finn (1985–1988)
• James Whitmore, Jr. ... Sgt. Bernie Terwilliger (1984–1986)
• Garrett Morris ... Arnold "Sporty" James (1986–1989)
• Richard Beauchamp ... Carlos (Asst. M.E.) (1985–1987)
• Perry Cook ... Barney Udall (Coroner) (1986–1990)
• Stanley Kamel ... Gov. Agent Brad Wilkes (Occasional) (1987–1988)
• Courtney Barilla ... Allison Novak (1991)

Revival series[link]

• Fred Dryer ... Lt. Richard "Rick" Hunter
• Stepfanie Kramer ... Sgt. Dee Dee McCall
• Mike Gomez ... Capt. Roberto Gallardo
• Michelle Gold ... Off./Det. Cynthia Monetti
• Sid Sham ... Off./Det. Sid Keyes
• Meredyth Hunt ... Det. Krysta Carson (TV Movies Only) (2002–2003)
• Frank Grillo ... Det. Terence Gillette (TV Movies Only) (2002–2003)
• Kenneth Taylor ... Off. Mueller (TV Movies Only) (2002–2003)
• Robert Crow ... Off. Wilcher (TV Movies Only) (2002–2003)
• Alex Mendoza ... Det. Anthony Santiago (Series Episodes Only) (2003)

Episodes[link]

DVD releases[link]

Anchor Bay Entertainment released the first three seasons of Hunter on Region 1 DVD between January 2005 and January 2006.^[1][2][3] Due to poor sales, no further seasons were released.

On October 14, 2009, it was announced that Mill Creek Entertainment had acquired the rights to several Stephen J. Cannell series including Hunter.^[4] They subsequently re-released the first 2 seasons on DVD.^[5][6]

On July 27, 2010, Mill Creek released Hunter - The Complete Series, a 28-disc collection featuring all 152 episodes of the series.^[7]

Production[link]

Firearms[link]

In the first season and for several subsequent seasons, the pistol that Hunter carries is a Heckler and Koch P9S 9 mm with a muzzle compensator attached. It is also the pistol in the title introduction. McCall used a stainless Beretta 90 in the first season. The Walther PPK that McCall uses is most likely a Walther PPK/S.

During the first two seasons, Hunter used a Desert Eagle in .44 Magnum and McCall used a Walther PPK in .32 ACP.

In several episodes, a Franchi SPAS 12 12 gauge shotgun was kept in the trunk of Hunter's car.

During the second season for a couple of episodes, Rick Hunter used a Smith & Wesson 629 in .44 Magnum (2½" bbl).

During one episode of the second season, Rick Hunter used a .44 Magnum Desert Eagle in stainless steel with an extended barrel.

During seasons 3 and 4, Hunter used an Astra Terminator in .44 Magnum.

During one episode of the fifth season, McCall used a .38 Special S&W Model 60 this time in stainless steel.

During seasons 5 through 7, Hunter used a 9 mm Beretta 92F/FS

During seasons 5 & 6 McCall also used a .44 Magnum Smith & Wesson 629.

Vehicles[link]

In the "Pilot" TV movie, Hunter drove a junker blue 1977 Dodge Monaco and a junker 1970 Ford LTD. Because Hunter constantly was getting into wrecks chasing bad guys and would regularly "bust" up any cop car he was given, supposedly the department would only let him drive the complete junkers that would barely run. Once the series started (Fall 1984), during the first season, Hunter drove a junker 1972 Chevrolet Impala, a junker 1971 Chevrolet Nova, an old 1974 Plymouth Satellite and a junker 1979 Chevrolet Caprice Classic. A 1971 Impala was actually shown exploding to end the episodes using Chevrolets. Monacos seemed to be the cop car of choice, as second season saw Hunter occasionally driving a junker multi-side panel colored 1977 Monaco (jokingly referred to as the "Partridge Family" Monaco), as well as other '77 models in yellow, brown and black. After the show was more "established" and starting with the third season and clear on through the first episode of seventh season, Hunter drove a Moss Green 1977 Monaco. This car was in better condition than the previous Monacos and became Hunter's trademark vehicle — to the point that when it was destroyed in the third season, it was replaced with an identical one. During the seventh and last season, Detective Hunter got and drove a new Silver 1990 Ford LTD Crown Victoria.

During the first two seasons, McCall drove a Garnet Red and Silver 1984 Dodge Daytona Turbo Z. Then starting with season three and on through season five, McCall drove a Bright Red 1987 Daytona Shelby Z (Sometimes though, a "Turbo Z" badge on this Daytona is also clearly visible). During the sixth season - her final season, she drove a Gold 1990 Dodge Dynasty. (There was an episode during the 4th or 5th season that showed the outside of what was supposedly McCall's house and there was a yellow 1987 Ford Mustang out front. However, McCall is only shown driving it once and then it was never shown again.)

Both Officer Joanne Molenski and Sgt. Chris Novak, during last season, drove a tan/beige 1990 LTD Crown Victoria.

For the revivals/reunion movies and new series: In the first reunion movie, The Return of Hunter: Everyone Walks in L.A., Hunter drove a black 1995 Ford Crown Victoria. In Hunter: Return to Justice, McCall drove a silver 2002 Mercedes Benz CLK320 Convertible. In Hunter: Back in Force and the subsequent new series, Hunter drove a black 2003 Crown Victoria Police Interceptor and McCall occasionally drove a black 2003 Ford Expedition.

Film[link]

In 2009 it was announced that a movie adaptation is in development with a screenplay by Frank Lupo and Fred Dryer, to be directed by Frank Lupo for Columbia Pictures, Overture Films and Warner Bros. Pictures.

In October 2009, it was reported that John Travolta would headline the upcoming adaptation playing Hunter and it was confirmed that Jessica Alba will play Dee Dee McCall. In June 2009, Sony Pictures set a tentative release date of October 15, 2010 for the film. Supposedly filming began in Los Angeles in October 2009. However, no real info can be found concerning this movie. Even other reputable sites such as IMDB do not have anything about a 2010 "Hunter" movie, and nothing about it or the characters of Hunter and McCall are listed or mentioned under Travolta or Alba. So, whether or not this movie really is in production is not really known or definite. As of 2012, Sony and Warner Bros. decided to film the movie sometimes in the Spring.

International airings[link]

• In Australia, the show was shown on the regional station GTS/BKN & PRIME.
• In Barbados, the show was shown on CBC TV 8.
• In Brazil, the show was shown on Rede Globo, dubbed in Portuguese.
• In China, the show was dubbed in Standard Chinese and aired on STV. Hunter was one of the first US series to air regularly in China. Although Dryer is still widely recognised in China, his efforts to set a Hunter movie there in the late 1990s did not bear fruit. [1] The Hunter TV series is a favorite of the disgraced former Beijing Mayor Chen Xitong who had quoted the name, character and events of the TV series in various speeches he delivered.
• In Colombia, the series was presented as "El cazador" (Spanish for (the) Hunter). It was broadcast by Producciones JES on Cadena Uno every Saturday night at 21:45, from 1987 to 1991. The final season was never aired in Colombia.
• In Costa Rica, the show was shown on Teletica Canal 7 as "El cazador".
• In Czech Republic, the show was shown on TV Prima.
• In France, the show was shown on TF1 as "Rick Hunter".
• In Germany, the show was shown on Sat.1.
• In Hong Kong, ATV broadcast the show.
• In Indonesia, the show was shown on TVRI.
• In Italy, the show was shown on Rai Due, Rete 4 and Iris.
• In Norway, the show was shown on NRK (in 1986).
• In the Philippines, the show was aired on RPN-9.
• In Sweden, the show was shown on TV4.
• In Turkey, the show was shown on Star TV and Kanal D.
• In the United Kingdom, the first two seasons aired regionally on terrestrial broadcaster ITV, the remainder on satellite channel Sky One.

See also[link]

• Sledge Hammer! A parody show with a similar lead character.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Hunter at the Internet Movie Database
• Hunter at TV.com

John Frederick "Fred" Dryer (born July 6, 1946 in Hawthorne, California) is an American actor and former football defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). Dryer played 13 years in the NFL, playing 176 games, starting 166, and recording 104 career sacks with the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams. Dryer is the only NFL player to score two safeties in one game.

Following his retirement from football, Dryer had a successful career as a film and television actor, notably starring in the series Hunter. His height (6'6" or 1.98 m) and physique was useful for his action roles.

College career[link]

The son of Charles F. Dryer and Genevieve Nell Clark, Dryer began his football career at Lawndale High School in Lawndale, California, and then attended El Camino Junior College before transferring to San Diego State University (SDSU).

Dryer was inducted to the El Camino C.C. Athletic Hall Of Fame in 1988, as a charter member^[1] and was the Athlete of the Year for his 1966 performance on the football field. Dryer was also a 1966 Junior College All-American^[2]

During Dryer's junior and senior seasons, in which he lettered both seasons, at San Diego State, the Aztecs had a combined record of 19-1-1. They were the College Division National Champions in both seasons. In 1967 they topped both the Associated Press and United Press International polls as #1. In 1968 San Diego State was voted the champions by UPI and North Dakota State topped the AP poll and thus the two schools shared the College-Division title.^[3] Dryer was voted the outstanding defensive lineman on the team and as such was the recipient of the Byron H. Chase Memorial Trophy.^[4] One of Dryer's teammates was Carl Weathers, who played Apollo Creed in the first four films of the Rocky series. In 1967 the Aztecs allowed 12.9 points a game on defense, which is still ninth in SDSU history. In 1967 and 1968 the Aztec run defense allowed just 80.1 and 100.1 yards per game, still fourth and fifth, respectively in school annals after nearly forty years.^[5]

Dryer was named to the Little All-America team in 1968 since at the time the school was 1-AA. Dryer played in the East-West Shrine Game in San Francisco, the Hula Bowl in Honolulu and the College All-Star Game in Chicago where the college stars played the world champion New York Jets.^[6]

In 1988, Dryer was inducted into the San Diego State University Aztec Hall of Fame.^[7] In 1997 Dryer received college football's ultimate honor in being voted to the College Football Hall of Fame and is one of only three SDSU Aztecs in the collegiate Hall of Fame. When voted into the San Diego Sports Hall of Fame in 1998, Dryer joined athletes such as Ted Williams, Dan Fouts, Dave Winfield, and Tony Gwynn in receiving the preeminent recognition for a San Diego athlete.

NFL career[link]

Dryer was drafted in the first round of the 1969 NFL Draft by the New York Giants and won a starting job as a rookie. He was the starting right defensive end from 1969 through 1971. He led the team in quarterback sacks each of those three seasons with 8½ in 1969, 12 in 1970 and 8½ in 1971. He was among the defensive leaders in other categories as well. In 1969 he tallied 58 tackles (39 solo), six passes deflected and forced two fumbles and recovered two. The next season Dryer was an alternate to the Pro Bowl but could not play due to a bruised hip. He was Second-team All-NFC after recording 69 tackles (53 solo) four pass deflections, three forced fumbles, while recovering two to go along with his 12 sacks. In 1971 he again led team with 8½ sacks, and totaled 62 tackles (33 solo). Dryer also deflected two passes, forced two more fumbles and recovered two for the third consecutive season.^[8]

Dryer was traded to the New England Patriots in February 1972 for three draft choices (a first, second, and sixth), then on draft day of that year he was dealt to the Los Angeles Rams for a first round draft pick and backup defensive end Rick Cash. In his first year with the Rams he backed up left defensive end Jack Youngblood making only four starts but playing in every game despite a broken hand and broken nose. His primary role in 1972 was to come in on likely passing downs and rush the passer. He had 40 tackles (17 solo) and 4½ sacks.

In 1973, Dryer started all 14 games on the right side and became the only NFL player ever to have two safeties in the same game by dumping opposing passers in the end zone twice in the fourth quarter. He ended the season with 10 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and recovered 3 fumbles (all three were second on the top-ranked Rams defense). After the season he was a Second-team All-NFC pick by Pro Football Weekly. He finished the season with 39 tackles (21 solo) s passed knocked down, three forced fumbles and three fumbles recovered.

In 1974 he had 15 sacks, which co-led (with Youngblood) the NFL (unofficially, sacks were not officially recognized by the NFL until 1982) and was voted the Rams Outstanding Defensive Lineman and was named All-Pro and All-NFC. Statistically, he had another solid year versus the run, totaling 49 tackles (34 solo) and two forced fumbles.

Dryer scored his first NFL touchdown in 1975 on a 20-yard interception return against Philadelphia. After scoring his touchdown against the Eagles, Dryer promised that if he ever scored another, he would set his hair on fire in the end zone. Against the Eagles that day, he chose to celebrate by "rolling six", a touchdown celebration where the player scoring rolls the ball like an imaginary pair of dice with some of his teammates looking on. He ended 1975 with 12 sacks, behind only Jack Youngblood and was voted All-NFC. Additionally, Dryer played in the 1975 Pro Bowl, was a Second-team All-Pro selection as well. Statistically, Dryer was excellent against the run with 61 tackles (39 solo) and two passes deflection, two fumbles recovered to go along with the 20 yard TD interception.

Due to rule changes in NFL offensive line Dryer's play started to decline some. Always a small player, the new rules heavily favored larger players. Dryer coped with a 55-tackle, 5-sack season (33 solo). He did deflect two passes and for three fumbles in 1976 which were along the team leaders. In 1977 Dryer adopted a new diet and was winning praises from NFL sportwriters for the start he had. He recorded 35 tackles (28 solo) and 6 sacks. He also knocked down four passes, recovered three fumbles and caused one fumble. The next season, 1978 was much of the same. Dryer was the starting right defensive end on the NFL's #1 defense. Personally, he had 51 tackles (33 solo) and forced two fumbles, recovered three, blocked a kick and blocked one pass on route to a Ram record of 12-4.

He played in Super Bowl XIV when the Rams met the Pittsburgh Steelers after the 1979 season. That season he was honorable mention All-NFC after recording 49 tackles (31 solo) 10 sacks and three forced fumbles and recovered one. Against the New York Giants on October 28, 1979, Dryer recorded a career-high 5 sacks. In 1980 Dryer split time his right defensive end position with third-year player Reggie Doss. They combined for 67 tackles (Dryer 31, 20 solo) and 12 sacks (Dryer 5½, Doss 6½).

Dryer ended his career with 104 career sacks, although since he played prior to 1982 when sacks became an official statistic they are not credited in the NFL record books. Dryer played on a tough Los Angeles Ram defense that during the decade of the 1970s, allowed fewer points, fewer total yards, fewer rushing yards, and sacked more quarterbacks than any other defense during that time-frame.^[8]

In January, 1981, Dryer made the cover of Interview magazine, published by Andy Warhol from the late 1960s through the early 1990s and was considered the very essence of "magazine chic". The magazine was noted for the full face Warhol-designed covers that featured prominent newsmakers. Dryer was the first and (probably) only NFL player to make the cover amongst people like Cher, Sting, Truman Capote, John Travolta, Mick Jagger, and many other "A" list celebs and the avant-garde.

In 2003 the NFL Alumni presented Dryer with its Career Achievement Award which is presented to former NFL players "For Getting to the Top of His Field".

Record game[link]

Fred Dryer's record-setting game on October 21, 1973, at Los Angeles was a 24-7 win over Green Bay.

Down 20-7 in the fourth quarter, the Packers found themselves deep in their own territory when Dryer came storming in from the right side of the defense and chased down Green Bay quarterback Scott Hunter, dropping him in the end zone for a safety. On the Packers' following possession near their own goal line, Dryer attacked again. He looped through the middle of the Packer's offensive line and dragged backup quarterback Jim Del Gaizo down for his second safety of the game, setting a new NFL record.

For his efforts, Dryer was named the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Week.

Scoring[link]

• LA - FG Ray 44
• LA - Jackson 46 pass from Hadl (Ray kick)
• GB - B. Smith 23 pass from Lane (Marcol kick)
• LA - FG Ray 40
• LA - L. Smith, 1 run (Ray kick)
• LA - Safety, Dryer tackled Hunter in end zone
• LA - Safety, Dryer tackled Del Gaizo in end zone

Acting career[link]

Prior to the start of his show business career, Dryer flexed his acting muscles when he helped cover Super Bowl IX for SPORT magazine. Fed up with the grandiose and self-important nature of the NFL's championship match, then-editor Dick Schaap hired Dryer and Rams teammate Lance Rentzel for this journalistic assignment. Donning costumes inspired by The Front Page, "Scoops Brannigan" (Dryer) and "Cubby O'Switzer" (Rentzel) peppered players and coaches from both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings with questions that ranged from clichéd to downright absurd. This became the inspiration for the eccentricities that surround Media Day at the Super Bowl.^[9][10] Dryer also briefly served as a color analyst on CBS's NFL coverage in 1981.

In the early 80's when producers/ creators Glen Charles, Les Charles and James Burrows were developing the soon-to-be hit sitcom, Cheers, Dryer, along with two other actors, was considered for the role of lead character, Sam Malone. Ted Danson ultimately won the role, but Dryer later appeared as sportscaster (and former Red Sox teammate of Sam's) Dave Richards in the episodes "Sam at Eleven", "Old Flames", "Love Thy Neighbor", and "'I' On Sports".

Dryer's best-known acting role came in the 1980s television crime drama Hunter, in which he costarred with Stepfanie Kramer. Dryer also starred in the action-thriller movie Death Before Dishonor as well as Mike Land in the TV series Land's End (21 episodes, 1995–1996). He portrayed legendary^{[citation needed]} DC Comics military hero Sgt. Rock, during his appearance on Justice League. Dryer got married in May 1983 (divorced in 1988) to actress and Playboy centerfold Tracy Vaccaro,^[11] who also worked with him on Hunter and Land's End. Together, they have at least one daughter.^[11] Dryer still resides in Los Angeles and has his own production company (Fred Dryer Productions).

Fred Dryer is frequently mentioned in season two of Adult Swim's Frisky Dingo as presidential candidate Xander Crews's prospective running mate. There is also a collage of images of him in Simon's room.

In January 2009 Fred Dryer can be seen in a more intense role for cable TV commercial for SMS research company,^[12] which obliquely makes reference to his NFL record of two safeties in a game from 1973. Fred Dryer is also now a spokesman for the law service Injury Solutions.^[13]

Hunter[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official site
• Fred Dryer at the Internet Movie Database

Stepfanie Kramer (born August 6, 1956) is an American actress, writer, and singer/songwriter. She is probably best known for her role as the tough-minded detective, "Sgt. Dee Dee McCall," on the NBC TV series Hunter."^[1] She has been nominated for an Emmy in Special Class Programming and won the Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress Award, honored by the First Americans in the Arts organization in 1995, 2002, and 2003.^[1] She was voted one of the most beautiful women in television in 1988, through a national TV Guide poll of viewers. Kramer has written and directed for television, and is also a singer.

Biography[link]

Kramer was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She is part Native American from her mother's side.^[2] Her father was a classically-trained violinist and her mother a high-fashion model as well as an artist.^[3]

Professional life[link]

Kramer's professional acting career started in the late 1970s, while she was still in school. She guest-starred in several television shows, such as Starsky and Hutch, Dynasty, Bosom Buddies, and Knots Landing. Kramer graduated from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts/West, where she has later taught as a guest instructor.^[1] Kramer starred in the NBC sitcom We Got It Made in 1983. Her big break came in 1984, when she landed a starring role in Hunter, the latest creation of television mogul Stephen J. Cannell.^[4] After a rough start, the show became an international hit, being broadcast for seven consecutive seasons. Kramer starred in six of them, a total of 130 episodes.^[4] In an interview with Jay Leno in 1989, Kramer admitted that she had not believed the show would be as long-lived as it was.^[3]

Already in 1986, Kramer said that she was working on a rock album with composer Mike Post, who had composed music for Hunter. She also announced that an album might be published the following year.^[3] That never happened, however, but in 1990, Kramer announced her departure from Hunter. Although the press claimed it was to concentrate on her music career^[5] in a television news interview, Kramer commented her choice with the following: "I have been most fortunate in that I've acted, written, and directed while on Hunter. It is time for me to move on to the next phase of my life, both professionally and personally."

Shortly after leaving Hunter, she began recording an album in England with producer Nils Lofgren. The album was never released. In 1992 Kramer married and moved to Colorado. Two years later she gave birth to a daughter. She continued to write music and star in successful made-for-TV movies and indie films. She is a trained mezzo soprano,^[1] and during the hype of her TV career, she had showcased her musical abilities on several episodes of Hunter, as well as on Bob Hope television specials.^[5] Stepfanie's first album saw the light of the day on October 12, 1999. The debut album, One Dream, contains ten adult contemporary songs. Most are original songs which prove Kramer's talent as both a composer and lyricist.^[6] The Great American Song Book, her second album, came out early in the year 2008.^[7] On it, Kramer covers 14 classic songs recorded live in a one-woman show which she performs on the road in various national performance venues. In 2008, she represented the U.S. by performing at the International Music Festival in Queretero, Mexico.^[8] As a singer, she has performed around the globe.

Kramer has continued to work as an actress. After her departure from Hunter, she has appeared in several TV shows and movies. Her most notable movie projects include: Twin Sisters (1992), Beyond Suspicion (1994), The Dogwalker (1999) and The Cutting Edge: Going for the Gold (2006). She also reprised her role as, "Dee Dee McCall," in the two Hunter television movies (2002 and 2003).^[4] Due to their strong ratings, NBC attempted to bring the television show back, but unfortunately the 2003 revival was canceled after only nine episodes.

Kramer has teamed with writer David Chisolm to write feature films, as well as with Southwestern novelist Jann Arrington Wolcott to write a collection of short stories.^[1] Kramer has also completed a book reading of the award-winning musical in New York, A Twist of Fate.She also was a special guest in the Los Angeles stage production of "Menopause - The Musical".^[9]

Personal life[link]

On May 24, 1992, Kramer married Mark Richards. The couple divorced in February, 2001.^[2] Together they have a daughter, Lily Claire Richards, born in 1994. Since the divorce, Kramer and her daughter have relocated to California. According to Stepfanie's official website, her daughter "is the greatest production she has ever been involved in".^[1]

Filmography[link]

• The Secret Circle (2012) — Kate Meade
• The Cutting Edge: Going for the Gold (2006) — Kate Mosley-Dorsey
• Hunter — Lt. Dee Dee McCall (4 episodes, 2003)
• Hunter: Back in Force (2003) — Det. Sgt. Dee Dee McCall
• Hunter: Return to Justice (2002) — Dee Dee McCall
• Twice in a Lifetime — Delia Harmony/Dana Rudolph (1 episode, 2000)
• The Dogwalker (1999) — Helene
• Moloney — Rebecca Kitchens (1 episode, 1997)
• Thrill (1996) — Teresa Colson
• Abducted: A Father's Love (1996) — Loretta Hymens
• Deceived by Trust: A Moment of Truth Movie (1995) — Sarah Ann Collins
• Beyond Suspicion (1994) — Karen Rikehardt
• Twin Sisters (1992) — Carol Mallory/Lynn Cameron
• Coins in the Fountain (1990) — Nikki Taylor
• Hunter — Det. Sgt. Dee Dee McCall (1984–1990)
• Take My Daughters, Please (1988) — Jessica Fletcher
• Favorite Son (1988) TV Mini Series — Stevie Chandler
• Bridge Across Time (1985) — Angie
• The A-Team — Fire Chief Annie Sanders (1 episode, 1984)
• Hunter (1984) — Det. Sgt. Dee Dee McCall
• Mike Hammer — Lisa (1 episode, 1984)
• We Got It Made — Claudia (1 episode, 1983–1984)
• Riptide — Tracy (1 episode, 1984)
• The Dukes of Hazzard — Anna Louise (2 episodes, 1984)
• The Man with Two Brains (1983) — Beautiful Girl Hit by Car
• Trapper John, M.D. — Cheryl (2 episodes, 1981–1982)
• The Devlin Connection — Gwendoline Adams (1 episode, 1982)
• Knots Landing — Marni (2 episodes, 1981–1982)
• Bosom Buddies — Jennifer (1 episode, 1981)
• Dynasty — Melanie (2 episodes, 1981)
• Vega$ — Cathy (1 episode, 1980)
• Married: The First Year (1979) — Sharon Kelly
• The Secret Empire — Princess Tara (unknown episodes, 1979)
• Fantasy Island — Contessa Christina Kastronova/Denise Morot (2 episodes, 1979)
• The Runaways (1 episode, 1978)
• The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries — Jill Sommers (1 episode, 1978)
• Eight Is Enough (1 episode, 1978)
• Starsky and Hutch — Manicurist (1 episode, 1977)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official Stepfanie Kramer Web Site
• English/French Fansite dedicated to Stepfanie Kramer
• Stepfanie Kramer at the Internet Movie Database
• Hunter & McCall.com A Fan-Based Hunter Web Site

Donald David Coryell (October 17, 1924 – July 1, 2010) was an American football coach, who coached in the NFL first with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1973 to 1977 and then the San Diego Chargers from 1978 to 1986. He was well known for his innovations to football's passing offense. Coryell's offense was commonly known as "Air Coryell". Coryell was the first coach ever to win more than 100 games at both the collegiate and professional level. He was inducted into the San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame in 1986. Coryell is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Early career[link]

Don Coryell enlisted in the Army in 1943 and spent 3½ years as a paratrooper.^[2] He played defensive back for the University of Washington from 1949 to 1951. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of Washington.^[3] He was a high school coach in Hawaii where his teams ran a version of the I formation running game.^[4] He would also coach at the University of British Columbia (where he compiled a 2 win, 16 loss reord),^[5] Wenatchee Valley College, and a military team at Fort Ord.^[2] As head coach at Whittier College from 1957 to 1959, Whittier won conference championships in each of Coryell's three years.^[6] He would also rely on the I formation at Whittier.^[2][4] In 1960, he was an assistant coach under John McKay for the USC Trojans, where the I formation would be its signature offense for decades.^[4] While the origin of the I formation is unclear, Coryell was one of its pioneers.^[2]

San Diego State University[link]

Coryell coached 12 seasons with the San Diego State University (SDSU) Aztecs, using the philosophy of recruiting only junior college players. There, he compiled a record of 104 wins, 19 losses and 2 ties including three undefeated seasons in 1966, 1968 and 1969. His teams would enjoy winning streaks of 31 and 25 games, and would win three bowl games during his tenure.^[7] Coryell helped lead SDSU from an NCAA Division II to an NCAA Division I program in 1969.^[7]

It was at SDSU that Coryell began to emphasize a passing offense. Coryell recounted, “We could only recruit a limited number of runners and linemen against schools like USC and UCLA. And there were a lot of kids in Southern California passing and catching the ball. There seemed to be a deeper supply of quarterbacks and receivers. And the passing game was also open to some new ideas.^[4]” Coryell adds, "Finally we decided it's crazy that we can win games by throwing the ball without the best personnel. So we threw the hell out of the ball and won some games. When we started doing that, we were like 55–5–1.^[8]"

John Madden served as Coryell's defensive assistant at SDSU. Madden had first met Coryell attending a coaching clinic on the I formation led by McKay.^[8] "We'd go to these clinics, and afterward, everyone would run up to talk to McKay," said Madden. "Coryell was there because he introduced (McKay). I was thinking, 'If (McKay) learned from him, I'll go talk to (Coryell).' ^[8]"

At San Diego State, Coryell helped develop a number of quarterbacks for the NFL, including Don Horn, Jesse Freitas, Dennis Shaw and future NFL MVP Brian Sipe. Wide receivers who went on to the NFL include Isaac Curtis, Gary Garrison, and Haven Moses.^[9] Coryell also coached two players who later became actors: Fred Dryer and Carl Weathers.

St. Louis Cardinals[link]

The Cardinals under Coryell had three consecutive seasons (1974–1976) with double-digit victories and won two consecutive division titles (1974–1975). Those were the only division titles the Cardinals ever won while in St. Louis. Prior to 1974, the Cardinals had not been in the playoffs in 26 years since 1948 when they were the Chicago Cardinals. In 1975, the "Cardiac Cardinals" won seven times in the game's last minute.^[10] Multi-purpose back Terry Metcalf set an NFL all-purpose yards record at the time in 1975. When St. Louis did not re-sign Metcalf and he left for the Canadian Football League after 1977, Coryell departed also ^[10]

Dan Dierdorf developed into an All-Pro offensive lineman under Coryell and would later be voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Cornerback Roger Wehrli and tight end Jackie Smith were already established All-Pros prior to Coryell's tenure at St. Louis, and they are also members of the Hall of Fame.

San Diego Chargers[link]

In 1978, when Don Coryell began coaching the San Diego Chargers, the Chargers had a win-loss record of 1–4 for that season. The team broke their losing streak with eight additional wins and three losses that season after Coryell became head coach.^[11] The Chargers 9–7 record was their first winning season since 1969.^[12]

He won three straight division titles (1979, 1980, 1981) with the Chargers, reaching the playoffs four consecutive times. Previously, the Chargers had not been to the playoffs since 1965. With Dan Fouts as quarterback, San Diego's "Air Coryell" was among the greatest passing offenses in NFL history. The Chargers led the league in passing yards an NFL record 6 consecutive years from 1978 to 1983 ^[13] and again in 1985. They also led the league in total yards in offense 1980–1983 and 1985. The Pro Football Hall of Fame called Coryell's offenses "one of the most explosive and exciting offenses that ever set foot on an NFL field."^[14] Fouts, wide receiver Charlie Joiner, and tight end Kellen Winslow would all be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame from those Charger teams.

Fouts was only the 2nd player to pass for 4,000 yards in a season in 1979 before establishing a new record for total passing yards in a season in 1980 and again in 1981. In a nine-game strike-shortened 1982 season, Fouts averaged 320 yards passing per game, an NFL record that stood until Drew Brees averaged 342 in 2011.^[15][16] With Winslow, Coryell redefined the tight end position into a deep, pass-catching threat too fast for a linebacker and too big for a defensive back. Coryell was astute to realize that "If we're asking Kellen to block a defensive end and not catch passes, I'm not a very good coach ^[17] ."

In San Diego, Coryell groomed another set of all-purpose backs in James Brooks and later Lionel James, a mere 5'6" and 171 pound running back, who broke Metcalf's record in 1985 while also setting a record of 1,027 receiving yards by a running back^[18] . A rookie in 1978, John Jefferson went on to become the first receiver in league history to gain 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons while also grabbing 36 touchdowns. Traded away from Air Coryell by ownership because of a contract dispute,^[19] Jefferson never reached 1,000 yards again in his career. Wes Chandler was acquired to replace Jefferson. In the 1982 strike year, Chandler, set the record of 129 yards receiving per game that is still an NFL record.^[20]

Detractors of Coryell point to the Chargers' defensive shortcomings given that his defenses were in the bottom ten league-wide from 1981 to 1986.^[21] However in 1979, the Chargers allowed the fewest points (246) in the AFC. In 1980 their defense led the NFL with 60 sacks spearheaded by a frontline of All-Pros in Fred Dean, Gary "Big Hands" Johnson and Louie Kelcher. The group was locally nicknamed "the Bruise Brothers",^[22][23] coined from a popular act at the time, The Blues Brothers.^[24] However, in 1981, Dean, like Jefferson, was traded away due to a contract dispute with ownership.^[25] Dean contends he was making the same amount of money as his brother-in-law who was a truck driver.^[26] The Chargers' defense would never be the same afterwards as it surrendered the most passing yards in the NFL in both 1981^[27] and 1982.^[28] Meanwhile, Dean would go on in the same year to win UPI NFC Defensive Player of the Year (while playing in only 11 games) and help lead the San Francisco 49ers to a Super Bowl that year and again in 1984. Dean was inducted to the NFL Hall of Fame in 2008.

"I can't say how much it affected us, because we did make it to the AFC championship game," said Johnson of the loss of Dean. "But I could say if we had more pass rush from the corner, it might've been different.^[29]"

Tom Bass, who was a defensive coordinator for Coryell with both SDSU and the Chargers, said Coryell focused on offense during practice. He left the coaching of defensive players and the defensive game plan to Bass."In planning and designing defense, he simply had no interest," said Bass.^[30]

Hall of Fame Consideration[link]

Coryell's failure to lead his teams to a Super Bowl has presumably kept him out of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.^[31] Voters have cited his 3-6 postseason record as further evidence.^[32] His teams' defenses were not as strong as its offenses, which could be attributed to the offensive unit scoring quickly and not providing the defensive side sufficient rest.^[33] Tony Dungy, a Super Bowl head coach, says that "If you talk about impact on the game, training other coaches -- John Madden, Bill Walsh, Joe Gibbs to name a few -- and influencing how things are done, Don Coryell is probably right up there with Paul Brown. He was a genius.^[31]" Sports Illustrated writer Jim Trotter, who votes on the Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Selectors, said selectors are hesitant to vote for coaches when there is a backlog of deserving players.^[34]

Coryell's direct development of future coaches included Super Bowl head coaches Madden and Gibbs, Super Bowl offensive coordinators Ernie Zampese and Al Saunders, as well as Jim Hanifan and Rod Dowhower. Adding to the Coryell coaching tree, Super Bowl offensive coordinator Norv Turner tutored under Zampese, and another Super Bowl offensive coordinator Mike Martz studied under both Zampese and later Turner.^[35] Dan Henning coached under Gibbs.

Fouts says, "He influenced offensive and defensive football because if you are going to have three or four receivers out there, you better have an answer for it on the other side of the ball. If it wasn't for Don, I wouldn't be in the Hall of Fame.^[36]" "Whoever heard of the nickel or dime pass defense before “Air Coryell” forced opponents to come up with strategies to combat Coryell’s aerial assault?" wrote Fouts to Hall of Fame voters in support of Coryell's induction.^[37]

In Madden's Hall of Fame induction speech, he mentioned his time at San Diego State "with a great coach that someday will be in here, Don Coryell. He had a real influence on my coaching. Joe Gibbs was on that staff, too.^[38]"

Gibbs also lobbied for Coryell's induction into the Hall of Fame, stating "(Coryell) was extremely creative and fostered things that are still in today's game because he was so creative. I think he's affected a lot of coaches, and I'd like to see him get in.^[39] " Mike Martz, who won a Super Bowl as the offensive coordinator of the "Greatest Show on Turf" with the St. Louis Rams and advanced to another Super Bowl as the Rams' head coach: "Don is the father of the modern passing game. People talk about the 'West Coast' offense, but Don started the 'West Coast' decades ago and kept updating it. You look around the NFL now, and so many teams are running a version of the Coryell offense. Coaches have added their own touches, but it's still Coryell's offense. He has disciples all over the league. He changed the game," adds Martz.^[36] "I'm not sure why that hasn't been acknowledged by the Hall of Fame.^[3]"

Winslow points out that Coryell had an indirect hand in the 49ers', Washington Redskins' and St. Louis Rams' Super Bowl teams. "They call it the West Coast offense because San Francisco won Super Bowls with it, but it was a variation of what we did in San Diego. Joe Gibbs' itty-bitty receivers on the outside and two tight ends in the middle, (that's) a variation of Coryell's offense in San Diego. It's just a personnel change, but it's the same thing. When the Rams won their Super Bowl, it was the same offense, same terminology. For Don Coryell to not be in the Hall of Fame is a lack of knowledge of the voters. That's the nicest way that I can put that. A lack of understanding of the legacy of the game.^[40] "

"In the offense we won the Super Bowl with in 1999, the foundation was Don Coryell," former Rams coach Dick Vermeil said. "The route philosophies, the vertical passing game ... everything stemmed from the founder, Don Coryell. The genius.^[41]"

In 2010, Coryell for the first time was among the 15 finalists considered by the Hall of Fame selection committee on the Saturday before the Super Bowl. He was not selected.^[42] After Coryell's passing later that year, Chargers President Dean Spanos said "He revolutionized the game of football, not only in San Diego, but throughout the entire NFL. Don Coryell was a legend not only with the Chargers but throughout San Diego. Though unfortunately he did not live long enough to see it, hopefully one day his bust will find its proper place in Pro Football’s Hall of Fame.^[4]" Delivering a eulogy at Coryell's funeral, Madden noted, "You know, I'm sitting down there in front, and next to me is Joe Gibbs, and next to him is Dan Fouts, and the three of us are in the Hall of Fame because of Don Coryell." Choking up and then pausing, he continued, "There's something missing."^[43]

Coaching personality[link]

Coryell was adored by his players. "The most important thing to me about Don Coryell is him as a person. He actually cared about us as players. A lot of coaches don't even know who you are," said Fouts.^[44] Coryell did not want to intimidate his players and instead treated his players with respect, allowing them to showcase their strengths. "I don't think a coach has to be a son of a bitch to be successful. I think you can treat men like men," he said.^[45]

Death[link]

Don Coryell died on July 1, 2010 at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa, California. The cause of death has not been officially released, but Coryell had been in poor health for some time.^[17]

References[link]