CLASS OF 2012 - JACK BUTLER
1951-1959 PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Jack Butler is yet another Steeler who has been elected to the Football Hall of Fame.

1951 Steelers coach, Johnny Michelosen, was pleased with his draft picks that year.  “I think we did exceedingly well,” he said. “There were not many outstanding name players this year, but I believe we managed to get a fair share.”

Michelosen was particularly enthusiastic about his number one choice, Butch Avinger, although the coach was down-to-earth when he commented, “I can imagine the selection of Avinger might have been a surprise to the average fan who reads about the college boys who make the long runs and score all the touchdowns.

Avinger was a blocking back and the average fan gets little opportunity to cheer a blocker.”

In total, Pittsburgh selected six ends, six tackles, three guards, three centers, three tailbacks, three wingbacks, four fullbacks and two blocking backs.

At the beginning of August, the Steelers were potentially going into their summer training camp at Alliance College, Cambridge Springs (near Lake Erie) with a squad of 58, although only 53 arrived. One important absence was halfback Joe Geri, who was holding out for more money.

Undrafted Jack Butler was one of the dozen wingmen making up the squad. One of Butler’s teammates was Bill Pavlikowski, who had suffered a broken arm when Boston University played Butler’s Bonaventure and Butler tackled Pavlikowski and fell on top of him.

As the Steelers training camp progressed towards the regular season, Jack Butler became more and more sure of a roster spot when the player numbers would be reduced to the statutory 33 at the beginning of October.

Pavlikowski fell by the wayside as the squad numbers ebbed and flowed, while Butler continued to make a sufficient impression on the coaches to remain with the team. Eventually, when the final reductions were made, Butler’s name was on the roster and he became a permanent fixture with the Steelers for nine years.

Jack Butler - how he became a Steeler>>>

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THE BEGINNING OF A FOOTBALL DYNASTY CONTINUED
(1974 history starts here>>>)

On June 25, less than a week from a potential strike, talks resumed between the players and the owners. John Thompson, director of the NFL Management Council, said he had brought several counter proposals to the multiple of the players’ demands.

To the question of whether there was any possibility of a breakthrough that might at least produce a postponement of the July 1 strike deadline, Ed Garvey director of the players association replied, “No, I’m rather pessimistic about that.

If they were really trying to bargain, they would have been here last week. There’s been no indication they would make an offer we can discuss.”

“Even if the owners were to make some concessions,” continued Garvey, it is unlikely that the players would withdraw the strike threat without an overall agreement.

After two days of talks, it became evident that there would be no concessions by the owners to the players’ 63 demands. The money-spinning exhibition season was now in danger as the talks broke up.

“Nothing has changed since March 16,” commented Bill Curry, president of the NFLPA. “We said freedom and they charged us with anarchy. They have not put forth a meaningful response to our demands.”

Curry confirmed that picket lines have been set up and would be established at each of the 26 NFL training camps, beginning in San Diego on July 3. The union also confirmed it would try to prevent rookies from reporting to camp and planned to picket the annual College All-Star game in Chicago July 26.

“We’re resigned to a strike,” said John Thompson when the talks collapsed and on July 1 it became fact. The players withdrew their labour and began to plan their picket lines.

The rookies, keen to get started in a glamorous career as a professional football player, were reluctant to put their livelihood in doubt. The Steelers number two draft pick, Jack Lambert (pictured left), said, “If I was established and a member of the union I would honour the strike, but I am not, so I will report to camp.”

Dan Rooney said he expected all the 45 draftees and free agents to report on July 15 and was also hoping the vets would join them on July 17 as was scheduled.

The union’s Bill Curry held a news conference at which he accused the owners of exploiting the rookies. “Every demand we have made will be to the advantage of these young fellows,” Curry stated. “The owners will play them and they will think they have made the team, but what will happen when the strike is over and the veterans report - they’ll be dropped.”

John Thompson for the Management Council responded vigorously to the union’s unfair labour practice suit, “The substance of the union’s charge is nonsense. The union’s definition of meaningful bargaining is total acceptance of its demands.

The union prefers litigation. No bargaining, no curlew, no discipline and not football. The union says we are trying to bust it. The quickest way to do that would be the union way to break up the league by our complete acceptance of their 90 demands.

Garvey charged the club owners are intimidating the rookies by telling them they will lose their bonuses if they don’t report to camp.”

The war of words had begun and the battle for the fans’ support was going to intensify.

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Last updated February 5th 2012.

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