I figure that this is GQ material, rather than CS. Move if appropriate.
With the great Wellington Mara’s passing, so much well-deserved tribute has been paid to him.
However, I remember from the 70’s (maybe it was earlier) a feud developing between Wellington and his nephew, Tim, who also owned a significant interest in the team. I read that their aversion to each other became so severe that adminstrative staff arranged so that the two could work in the same building, and be assured of never even laying eyes on each other. This, as I understood it, was a major, divisive factor in the Giants organization, and resulted, at least in part, in the many of the drafting, trading, and hiring blunders that the team had through most of the 70’s, at least. Remember Andy Robustelli, General Manager?
The Fumble in 1978, and especially it’s aftermath, seemed to compel some manner of reconciliation in the name of the team (and to the credit of both parties), but I still believe that the two still avoided each other as much as possible for many years after that.
I know, at least, that there was a feud. What was it about? Was it ever resolved before Tim died, I think in the early 90’s? Did it have a substantial effect on the administration of the team over the time it existed?
I should have mentioned that Wellington Mara was the principal owner of the New York Giants football team for decades, and an elder statesman in professional football. He passed last week.
Tim learned and continued his father’s work in the business after Jack died in 1965. Uncle Wellington continued running the on field work such as the draft, trades & coaches and took on more responsibilities in the front office. As the years went on, Tim learned enough to know Wellington was running the team into the ground. Bad trades and worse drafts. Tim wanted to fire Allie Sherman, but kept his mouth shut. He rubber stamped Sherman’s firing when Wellington was ready and went along with Alex Webster’s hiring. He watched as Wellington continued screwing up the team and convinced Wellington to hire a Director of Football Operations for the sake of his health. Wellington agreed and they hired Andy Robustelli and agreed with Robustelli’s choice of Bill Arnsparger for head coach.
Things were OK between Tim, Well & Andy until Robustelli signed Larry Csonka behind Tim’s his back. Tim was furious and believed Uncle Welly was still calling the shots, Robustelli was his puppet. This started a series of disputes between the 2 “owners” (Tim represented himself, his mother & his sister as 50% ownership). Pete Roselle mediated over several non-public disputes between them over the next few years. After The Fumble, Wellington was ready to hire a new coach and GM. Tim came out in public for the first time and announced that he wanted to run the team in a different direction, Wellington’s way didn’t work anymore. That’s when it got ugly and went public.
Pete Roselle was credited with recommending and pushing them to hire George Young, but his real legacy to the Giants was convincing Wellington to allow Young full control without his interference, which was what Tim wanted all along. Young succeeded because Uncle Welly was finally out of the picture. It took Tim 13 years, but he saved the team. Sadly, we’ll probably never see Tim’s name in their ring of honor as his cousins continue to erase his name from Giants history.
I think this is better suited to the Game Room than GQ. Note that this thread was started in 2005.
Colibri
General Questions Moderator
This thread comes up on a Google search so I felt it OK to update it from my personal knowledge.