Before Brian Billick Was a Coach, He Was a Player

Sure, Brian Billick won the 2000 Super Bowl and his current Ravens team is arguably the best in the league, but before the eight-year head coach made his name in the NFL, he was a lowly contestant on The Match Game. That's right, way back in 1977, Billick, his helmet hairdo, and his nifty leather sports jacket went on a game show trolling for dates. But it gets better. From IMDB:

Brian Billick, head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, appeared on Match Game. He was at the time a college assistant coach who had been cut from an NFL team. After failing miserably in the game, Richard Dawson joked, "Failed at football. Failed at Match Game. Where will you go now?" Billick went on to coach the Ravens to a win in Super Bowl XXXV.

Nothing like getting humiliated by a drunk, washed up, game show host (no word on whether Dawson tried to kiss Billick). And this, from Answers.com:

A young Billick was a contestant on the game show Match Game in 1977. Billick later appeared on The Gong Show in 1980, where he performed his famous "Spider Monkey" routine.Also was a contestant on Jeopardy!.

That makes sense. The only thing more embarrassing than getting shot down on television is appearing on The Gong Show to bust out the ol' "Spider Monkey" routine. Priceless.

(Photo courtesy of The Match Game via this unofficial web site.)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

1-09-2007 @ 6:56PM

steve said...

To the Goofball who wrote the column,

Us people in Baltimore are used to never getting due recognition from Press idiots and the rest of the NFL Media for our accomplishments as an Elite Football Team. Ya know...... the one that we are this year # what??? OOPS thats #1 for all can't see !!! No one ever remembered the first team to win the superbowl in the new milenium....Who??? Well ... say what you will about Brian Billick and our RAVENS now...but.. watch and see who's Team goes to the Top this year and embarrases the other contenders !!!!

Keep the insults comming..... we're used to it .. and used to winning here in Balto.