Hewritt Dixon

[Bob Gill]

Does anybody know why Dixon quit after the 1970 season? It was one of his best: He played every game, ran for 861 yards, and the Raiders fell just one game short of the Super Bowl for the third season in a row. He was only 30. Did he get hurt in training camp the next year, or something like that?

[Jay Z]

Dixon hurt his knee in the first quarter of the first preseason game in 1971. He was supposed to come back in October, was put on the taxi squad and never activated. Had surgery in the off season. Came back in 1972, moved to tight end. Had another knee surgery and was released in October.

[Bob Gill]

Ah, very good. That explains it, then.

Same question, another player: What about Otto Schnellbacher? After leading the league in interceptions in 1951 (for the second time in four seasons), he never played again. I always had the idea that he went to Canada, as a lot of players did at that time, but it seems that was wrong. So what happened with him?

[TodMaher]

Ah, very good. That explains it, then.

Same question, another player: What about Otto Schnellbacher? After leading the league in interceptions in 1951 (for the second time in four seasons), he never played again. I always had the idea that he went to Canada, as a lot of players did at that time, but it seems that was wrong. So what happened with him?

He officially retired on September 18, 1952. Officially because of "pressure of business in his Topeka insurance agency." But he really wanted more money from the Giants according to the New York Daily News.

[JohnR]

Coincidentally, there's a new dvd release of the 1951 Giants HL film by Rare Sportsfilms. First rate production by Winik, it has more player closeups and ground camera footage than most films from that era. Marty Glickman narrates.

[Bob Gill]

He officially retired on September 18, 1952. Officially because of "pressure of business in his Topeka insurance agency." But he really wanted more money from the Giants according to the New York Daily News.

Ah-ha, so that explains it.

These days I'd guess it's next to impossible for a player to quit in or near his prime for financial reasons, because even the ones who lose in negotiations still wind up with more money than many people will make in a lifetime.

[Lee Elder]

He officially retired on September 18, 1952. Officially because of "pressure of business in his Topeka insurance agency." But he really wanted more money from the Giants according to the New York Daily News.

Ah-ha, so that explains it.

These days I'd guess it's next to impossible for a player to quit in or near his prime for financial reasons, because even the ones who lose in negotiations still wind up with more money than many people will make in a lifetime.

It is also very important to note the terrific improvements in surgical techniques in the decades since those guys played. Knee injuries, as an example, get better care now. Dixon might have been able to continue a longer career with today's medical care.