Arbanas played before my time so I never saw him play on the field. But several years ago my pastor told a story about him setting up the sermon, and no, I don't have any idea today what the connection was between the story and that sermon.
Fred Arbanas played with a glass eye. During the course of the game it had popped out. The officials stopped play and everyone searched the ground until it was found. As Fred got everything in place to begin again, an official came to him and said "I'm glad that was just a glass eye. What would have happened if that had been your other eye?" Fred's response: "No problem. I'd just retire from playing and become a referee." [Reply]
Originally Posted by The Red Death:
Arbanas played before my time so I never saw him play on the field. But several years ago my pastor told a story about him setting up the sermon, and no, I don't have any idea today what the connection was between the story and that sermon.
Fred Arbanas played with a glass eye. During the course of the game it had popped out. The officials stopped play and everyone searched the ground until it was found. As Fred got everything in place to begin again, an official came to him and said "I'm glad that was just a glass eye. What would have happened if that had been your other eye?" Fred's response: "No problem. I'd just retire from playing and become a referee."
He and Ditka were the start of TEs becoming the offensive weapon they are today. A lot of those old Chiefs lived around Red Bridge. That YMCA always had superior kids football teams. [Reply]
Played flag football against his son. On defense played DE and he was the toughest kid in the league to set the edge against. He changed the TE position. Those teams were so stacked on both sides. RIP. [Reply]
Mr Arbanas is American Football League All-Time Team first team TE. He and Lenny the cool were his favorite players. Good to hear he was a great guy to boot. RIP Champion! [Reply]