Trace Armstrong, the Bears’ No. 1 draft choice in 1989, has finally made it to a Super Bowl. He’s hurt and won’t play. He’s on injured reserve, as if he is representing his first team in a twisted sort of way.
“Did I play for the Bears?” asked the defensive lineman for the Oakland Raiders. “I’ve been hit in the head a lot since then. I vaguely remember State Street.”
Armstrong is spending the week in team meetings encouraging teammates and in team media sessions answering questions that range from pirate history to possible war with Iraq. As president of the NFL Players Association, Armstrong is one of football’s most articulate spokesmen.
As for the difference between Buccaneers and Raiders, Armstrong is clear:
“Buccaneers tend to wear a lot of silk stuff, bright, vibrant colors. When you think of Buccaneers on the high seas of the Caribbean, I think of a lot of dancing and singing and stuff. Raiders are a whole other thing. You’ve got the guy with the eye out and that whole deal.”
The Bucs agreed Wednesday. Defensive tackle Warren Sapp said the “lowest of all lows” was when former coach Sam Wyche “tried to make us put orange [pants] and orange [jerseys] on.”
Bucs safety John Lynch recalled the old logo of the pirate who looked more swishy than swashbuckling.
“The guy winking at you wasn’t too intimidating,” Lynch said. “We were ridiculed nationally.”
More Top Picks Tables Plant
The Bucs changed colors and logo in 1997 but haven’t convinced Armstrong.
“I know they changed colors, but it’s much easier to look intimidating when wearing black than you are when wearing pewter or whatever they call it,” Armstrong said.
“You think Bucs and you think pirates of the Caribbean. You think Raiders and you think like the Vikings going up and down the coast of Normandy.”
Probably not, but Armstrong made his point.
Claimed Raiders coach Bill Callahan, a Chicago native, “Everybody in his heart wants to be a Raider.”
Armstrong once wanted to be a Bear. After playing for the Bears, Miami Dolphins and Raiders, Armstrong also has insight into three organizations steeped in tradition.
“The first thing we have with the Raiders is talented players and a front office not afraid to be bold and take chances on players both young and old,” Armstrong said. “We’ve got somebody at every position group that has been to Pro Bowls and played in big games and knows what it takes. Those guys have created a culture of winning, and that rubs off on younger guys.”
Armstrong said there are similarities to the Bears he recalls.
“The same thing that made Mike Singletary great made Jerry Rice great,” he said. “It’s love of the game, commitment, working hard.”
Callahan points to ex-Raiders Hall of Famers Fred Biletnikoff (receivers coach) and Willie Brown (squad development) as reinforcing pride in “a unique fraternity.”
“It’s a big part of it,” Armstrong said. “When you put on that uniform, you realize you’re playing with an organization, really a family, that reaches back to the 1960s.
“The uniform hasn’t changed. And there are guys like Ted Hendricks, George Blanda, George Atkinson that you see every weekend on Sunday.
“That creates a team culture and you know that once you’re a Raider, you’re always going to be a Raider.”
Jon Gruden is this week’s notable exception.
Armstrong, 37, might be next year’s exception. He may have suited up for the last time as a Raider because the team will be cutting salaries next year to get under the salary cap.
“I want to play football again. I’m not done,” Armstrong insisted. “It’s killing me not to be part of this on the field. I’m not ready to give it up yet.
“It’s frustrating, but I’d rather be here hurt than be home healthy.”