The 12th Man - Literally

Some players today insist that they never watch sports on the news, read the papers or listen to sports radio. Take that for what you will, but back in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s some players had no choice. That’s usually how they found out if they got cut. Head Coach Clive Rush sometimes forgot this piddling little detail.

After camp in both the 1969 and 1970 season, running back Bob Gladieux learned he got cut not from Clive Rush, but from Don Gillis. The first year, it scared him because he was out of a job, but after the Patriot resigned him after the first week’s game, he figured out what was up. There was a clause in his contract that he would get a bonus if he made the roster on opening day. If he signed after the first game, obviously he didn’t make the roster by opening day, now did he?

When this happened again in 1970, Gladieux was a little peeved and decided to take his revenge on the Patriots the best way he knew how – he went on a week-long bender. It’s unclear whether more people claimed to have been at Fenway Park when Ted Williams hit his final home run or to have seen Gladieux roaming the Back Bay during all hours of that week.

Come opening day, Gladieux was still feeling the effects of the booze from the previous Tuesday when his friend asked if he wanted to go to the game. Sure, what the hell. So Gladieux and his buddy picked up a case of beer for the trip and made their way down Route 1 to catch the Patriots shock the young, soon-to-be powerhouse Miami Dolphins. What happened next has become part of Patriot folklore and like many myths almost everyone has a different version of the event. My father certainly has had his share of versions, all of which he denies today (including one where he said the running back was not Gladieux, but former Heisman Trophy winner Joe Bellino). He did say them and I have witnesses.

With that said, the following account may be the closest to being accurate with some literary license taken by the Old Man. According to Dad, Gladieux and his friend were sitting behind them when the game started. After sharing greetings, the four began to enjoy the game.

What those four did not know was the drama that just played out in the Patriots locker room. Running back John Charles refused to sign a new contract (maybe his roster bonus wasn't high enough) and Billy was miffed. So right before the game, as Charles is taping his ankles, Sullivan ran into the locker room and confronted the player (as you will see Billy and locker room confrontations go together like peanut butter and jelly). Charles still refused to sign the contract and Billy cut him on the spot. Take that.

"Um, Mr. Sullivan," Clive Rush said.

"Yeahssss, Clive."

"Now we're short a running back."

Hummmmm, who to get? Who to get? Who to get?

From here, we’ll use Gladieux’s version of the story. Down in the concession area, waiting in line, Gladieux was spotted by a member of the Patriot’s staff. "We can't wait until after week one to screw you out of your roster bonus", the staff member said. "We need to screw you now. Suit up." (Okay, I made the quote up.)

A few minutes later, Gladieux, smelling like a Tennessee brewery, was in full uniform ready to cover second half kick off. For this, Bob had a plan. He was going to run as fast as he could to the sideline as far away from everyone else as possible. Good enough, but there was one glitch. The return man cut to that same sideline and ran into Gladieux, either that or he passed out from the fumes.

Back up in the stands, the three companions were still complaining about the beers when they heard this announcement over the loud speaker.

“On the tackle, Bob Gladieux.”

“Guess we’re not getting those beers,” Gladieux’s buddy signed as his friend was vomiting on the sidelines.

By the way, Gladieux never did get the roster bonus for 1970. He wasn’t on the opening roster - missed it by about 30 minutes.