Floyd Watson
(Floyd Watson notes – This short sports recollection is in two parts: Part One as I remember it, and Part Two, as Ron remembers it. Story updated with Ron’s response on April 30, 2021.)
Part One: As Floyd Remembers It
Recently while reading through the many great articles and remembrances of our East High Class of
1960, I came across a newspaper clipping in the sports section of the Gallery titled “East Guard Socked – Congratulating Losers Can Get Dangerous!” that brought back memories long forgotten about one football game and the lesson of good sportsmanship displayed by Ron Haun (at right).
As described by Nick Seitz, the Beacon Sports writer, “There’s such a thing as ingratitude. East High starting guard Ron Haun, in a blaze of good sportsmanship, removed his helmet and profferred his hand to a vanquished North High foe after the two schools met Friday night. His rival, ignoring the outstretched hand, washed a friendly smile off Haun’s face with a splendidly directed right cross that broke the Blue Ace’s nose. Haun was in uniform and scrimmaging for Coach Jim Barger’s eleven Monday. And all was not so blue on the prep front.”
This particular game against one of our arch rivals North High, resulted in, not just a win for us, but what could be described as a pretty good beating of a good team. Basically, our offense was working extremely well, and it seemed everything we did, both running and passing, worked. I do recall that Ron had told both Dan Kinney
and me in an early game huddle that when we ran to his side of the line he would just push this very big North High defensive tackle either to one side or the other so we could just run off of his block. So we did, and it worked extremely well; naturally, this big North lineman was getting pretty well teed off by the end of the game! With a final score of 47 to 21 in our favor, I can understand how he, and probably the North team, may not have felt so good immediately after the game. No one wants to lose, especially to an arch rival. (Right, Fullback Dan Kinney)
In retrospect, do I think it was a good idea for Ron to take off his helmet and proffer his hand to an opponent who may have felt somewhat humbled. I don’t know. Although it was a true symbol of sportsmanship, it may not have been such a good idea under these circumstances. Bottom line – although I may have also done a few unwise things while at East High, at least I never made headlines!
I’m now sending this to Ron to add his recollection. Or rebuttal?
(At left, Left Guard Ron Haun; below, Ron at a class reunion in 2005)
Part Two: As Ron Remembers It 
My rebuttal/recollection is as follows. Floyd did a remarkable job of storytelling. I think he should undertake a new career in writing fiction. Maybe he has already and I just missed it on The New York Times best sellers list. The actual story of what happened on that fateful night should not be repeated. But I must state for the record, I did provoke the giant North High defensive tackle referred to above.
But, as a lot of young men say, “It was not my fault” holds true for me in this episode Floyd so eloquently developed into his story. Our dear assistant coach, Cy Sickle, told me to perform a certain maneuver on the first offensive play of the game. I did as instructed and got a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanship-like conduct. The giant lost his mind and his focus for the rest of the game. Floyd was able to run blindly for several touchdowns through the holes I created. Best game Floyd had at East High! My game wasn’t bad either if I am allowed to blow my own horn.
Unfortunately, I still have trouble breathing through my nose. The giant’s huge fist smashed my nose in, and I still have the resulting deviated septum. And my mother almost had a heart attack when she saw all the blood on my white football jersey caused by the giant. If I remember correctly, my teammates thought it was really funny. Lots of laughs!
