Gail I loved your Dad and those Steeler teams. They would get beaten badly on the scoreboard, but the other teams sure felt it the next day. God bless Bill Saul.
I remember the film from when I was a kid. He IS presented as an underdog type of character on an underdog team. He sounded blue-collar tough and it was a muddy, rough game. The film captured the raw nature o the game then.
I came across this gem in Jerry Kramer's "Instant Replay" book, Preseason game against the Steelers, August 12, 1967: "We played sloppy, but we still won 31-20. I'd just as soon forget the game, but I won't forget one play. I blocked the middle linebacker, kept him out of the play, and when the play was over, he started to fall. As he did, he grabbed my shoulder pads, swung me around and threw me to the ground. No reason at all. I got up and looked him in the eye, and he was grinning and giggling like a damn fool. I don't know his name, but he was number 50. We play the Steelers again in December, and it's an easy number to remember." Shame on you Bill!! Lol!!
Still love those unis. Those lousy Steeler teams provided a great backdrop for what was to come. My Dad took me to a couple of games in the 60s and those are great memories, even though they lost both games.
I used to be a regular at the Emerald Tavern, especially during football season. Bill was a great guy who told some great stories about his playing days. We miss u buddy. 😟
I found that interesting also. My family had Ram season tickets in the 1970's and saw Rich Saul play for many years and had no idea Rich was Bill Saul's younger brother. They didn't seem to look or act anything alike from film I've seen.
Herman Munster? Fred Gwynne, yeah. Sounds a little like him, too. Not a thing wrong with that, either, perfect for a linebacker. That’s old school hard nose stuff right there. Dude had a great face for a guy thats going to hit you like that, too. Good vid, this is another reason why I love NFL films. The mic’d up thing is one of my favorite things about them, too. I’m glad his family gets to see the respect we have for him. I hope they do, anyway.
Bill Saul was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in the second round of the 1962 NFL draft. In the 1964 preseason he and the Colts' first round pick of the 1964 NFL draft Marv Woodson were traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers for Lou Michaels and the Steeler's third round pick in the 1965 NFL draft. The Colts would end up drafting offensive guard Glenn Ressler. Saul was a good hard nosed player but unfortunately he was on some lousy teams.
I remember seeing the clip when I was a kid back then. Like Butkus, he kind of epitomized the Steeler defense. If they were going to lose, they'd go down swinging - very much an underdog stance that commanded respect. I remember reading where Browns great running back, Leroy Kelly, said that going up against Pittsburgh's defense back then , "was no party."
The funniest part of this video is after the game when a fan (likely a teenager) asks him for of a piece of his equipment, and Bill Saul says the players are not allowed to do so. He never refuses to give an autograph to a youngster.
I'm reading the Noll 'His Life's Work' book and Chuck either traded Saul after taking the job. He thought Saul played too undisciplined and made too many of tackles 10 or 15 yards downfield due to lacking discipline for the position.
reillyhilda, He actually was a good MLB, certainly not Pro-Bowl caliber or anything of that nature, but despite his physical limitations he was effective on both run and pass. He could have likely had a pretty long career, being with the Steelers for a number of years longer. He was pretty much finished by the time Bill arrived, not because of his style of play, but because he couldn't play any longer. Noll's predecessor, Bill Austin was a flop as a head coach.
Bill Saul was always a favorite to me. He was what the NFL once was. Tough and apologized to no one.
Thank you, Rev. Bill was my father, and I was a baby/child during his playing days. I crave footage of that time.
Man I loved watching highlights of your father! A shame he never got to play on a good team!
Gail I loved your Dad and those Steeler teams. They would get beaten badly on the scoreboard, but the other teams sure felt it the next day. God bless Bill Saul.
Wow your father represents what the NFL was all about.
BTW I didn’t know Rich & Ron are his younger brothers. That must’ve been one tough household.
I remember the film from when I was a kid. He IS presented as an underdog type of character on an underdog team. He sounded blue-collar tough and it was a muddy, rough game. The film captured the raw nature o the game then.
12/10/23.56 years ago today,Bill Saul made NFL films history.
I remember him well. I saw the clip when it came out. They couldn't have picked a better guy. Tough voice, tough team, tough job. He did his job well.
This guy was a natural for the camera, because he didn't give damn about fame, he just wanted to do his job!
R.I.P. Bill Saul. Note: He died in 2006
I remember Bill Saul, what a great player...he had heart.
Blast from the past!! I remember that name! Bill Saul!
I came across this gem in Jerry Kramer's "Instant Replay" book, Preseason game against the Steelers, August 12, 1967: "We played sloppy, but we still won 31-20. I'd just as soon forget the game, but I won't forget one play. I blocked the middle linebacker, kept him out of the play, and when the play was over, he started to fall. As he did, he grabbed my shoulder pads, swung me around and threw me to the ground. No reason at all. I got up and looked him in the eye, and he was grinning and giggling like a damn fool. I don't know his name, but he was number 50. We play the Steelers again in December, and it's an easy number to remember." Shame on you Bill!! Lol!!
He started the Pittsburgh Steelers Tough,Rugged,Hard Nosed Linebacker Lineage. Saul,Lambert,Hinkle,LloydPorter,Harrison and Shazier
Still love those unis. Those lousy Steeler teams provided a great backdrop for what was to come. My Dad took me to a couple of games in the 60s and those are great memories, even though they lost both games.
I wish they were the Steelers' throwback unis.
My uncle!! Such a g
I used to be a regular at the Emerald Tavern, especially during football season. Bill was a great guy who told some great stories about his playing days. We miss u buddy. 😟
From Butler Pa. remember him well hi Bill its Ronda Dunn !
“Stick them Muthers” lol😂
I didn't know that Rich Saul was his brother who played for the L.A. Rams back in the early 70's, interesting.
1970 - 1981
And there was a third brother (Ron Saul) who played for the Redskins. Rich and Ron were a lot younger than Bill.
I found that interesting also. My family had Ram season tickets in the 1970's and saw Rich Saul play for many years and had no idea Rich was Bill Saul's younger brother. They didn't seem to look or act anything alike from film I've seen.
All the Saul brothers from Butler, PA! Same as Terry Hanratty!
Herman Munster? Fred Gwynne, yeah. Sounds a little like him, too. Not a thing wrong with that, either, perfect for a linebacker. That’s old school hard nose stuff right there. Dude had a great face for a guy thats going to hit you like that, too. Good vid, this is another reason why I love NFL films. The mic’d up thing is one of my favorite things about them, too. I’m glad his family gets to see the respect we have for him. I hope they do, anyway.
Funny thing is Bill Saul and Fred Gwynne were about the same size, so the comparison makes total sense.
"Stick it down their ear"
I'm watching this on 12/10/21
Bill Saul was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in the second round of the 1962 NFL draft. In the 1964 preseason he and the Colts' first round pick of the 1964 NFL draft Marv Woodson were traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers for Lou Michaels and the Steeler's third round pick in the 1965 NFL draft. The Colts would end up drafting offensive guard Glenn Ressler. Saul was a good hard nosed player but unfortunately he was on some lousy teams.
That was Great!!!
Loved it - brought back good memories & Thanks
I remember seeing the clip when I was a kid back then. Like Butkus, he kind of epitomized the Steeler defense. If they were going to lose, they'd go down swinging - very much an underdog stance that commanded respect. I remember reading where Browns great running back, Leroy Kelly, said that going up against Pittsburgh's defense back then , "was no party."
The funniest part of this video is after the game when a fan (likely a teenager) asks him for of a piece of his equipment, and Bill Saul
says the players are not allowed to do so. He never refuses to give an autograph to
a youngster.
I love this clip. Great stuff.
True Blue‼Class act👌🏽
Thank you, Rev!
football needs to come back to the era of 60s-70s now they might as well wear dresses as unis
1:44
Older brother of Rich (Rams) and Ron Saul (Oilers and Redskins).
I'm reading the Noll 'His Life's Work' book and Chuck either traded Saul after taking the job. He thought Saul played too undisciplined and made too many of tackles 10 or 15 yards downfield due to lacking discipline for the position.
reillyhilda Andy Russell made the point that he go after blockers not the ball carriers.
reillyhilda, He actually was a good MLB, certainly not Pro-Bowl caliber or anything of that nature, but despite his physical limitations he was effective on both run and pass. He could have likely had a pretty long career, being with the Steelers for a number of years longer. He was pretty much finished by the time Bill arrived, not because of his style of play, but because he couldn't play any longer. Noll's predecessor, Bill Austin was a flop as a head coach.
Saul
i stopped watching football years ago, you couldn’t pay me to watch..
Andy Russell wouldn’t say that to his face