My Friend Sam

(My friend, Sam Jankovich, quietly slipped out the side door of life early Wednesday morning.  It was, I believe, an out of character passing for this man who never did anything small.  His was a big personality and he leaves a void in the many lives he touched.  I'm sure he's already shaking things up in the hereafter and giving a major goosing to all who need it.  God speed Sam.  I look forward to getting a loving browbeating from you when once again we meet.)

(The following is a re-post from March of 2018.)

Sam Jankovich

I have been fortunate in my life to have collected a fairly large and eclectic posse of characters I am privileged to call my friends.  The Skipper, Country Al, Tito, Johnny Boy, Tailspin Tommy, Battlin' Buzz, Nasty Ned, Big Fat Chrissy, Cool Rick, Bobby T., and my old buddy Willie the Moff to mention a few of the best.  Last year I was lucky enough to add another, Sam Jankovich.

This past weekend I set the cruise control at 90 and hauled Sam from his home in Hayden Lake, Idaho to Billings, Montana for his induction into the Montana Football Hall of Fame.  He's in his 80's now and recently gave up driving.  I was honored, and a little crazy, to be his chauffeur for a couple of days in order to be part of all the hoopla surrounding such an event.  This wasn't Sam's first hall induction; he's already enshrined in several as a result of an outstanding career as a player, coach, university athletic director and a memorable stint as the general manager of the New England Patriots, but, this one meant the most to him.

I was introduced to Sam by his longtime friend and neighbor, Melissa Moss, who, along with Sam's beloved Margaret, a true saint, made the Hall of Fame journey.  It was an unforgettable experience.  Sam is a man of strong opinions who wisely chooses not to keep them bottled up.  Lucky for me he also appreciates anyone who is inclined to lob a little rhubarb in his direction.

Sam: "You drive like crap!  I ought to push you out at the next gas station."

Me: "When you come out out of the men's' room old man there'll be a smoking patch of rubber where this vehicle used to be."

 

Leaving Muzzy's after Wop Chop stop

Then we laugh and move on to the next insult.  I love the guy!  On the way, Margaret, who'd heard it all before, Melissa, and I were treated to tales from his days as athletic director at Washington State during the late '70s and early '80s in addition to stories of his seven-year run as A.D. at the University of Miami where he won national titles in 1983, '87 and '89.  His two seasons as chief executive officer of the New England Patriots were anything but fun being fraught with tons of turmoil as the team transitioned for the ownership of Victor Kiam to Robert Kraft.  According to Sam, it was the least enjoyable time of his football life.  He later concluded his career as president and general manager of the Las Vegas Gladiators of the Arena Football League.  Also, it can't go unmentioned that, in spite of my threatening to quit in mid-journey, Sam insisted on entertaining us with multiple choruses of the football fight songs of every team he ever played for, coached or managed.  Oh, the humanity!!


Sam's hometown of Butte marked the halfway point in our 500-mile journey to Billings and the Hall induction.  For a couple of months, he had been reverently speaking of the wonders of something called the "Wop Chop" available only at the semi-legendary Muzzy's Freeway, a rustic joint just off the 90 freeway in Butte, run by an old pal of Sam's.  Admittedly this gut bomb consisting of a battered slab of deep-fried pork served on a bun with onion, pickle and yellow mustard lived up to Sam's superlatives.  I liked it well enough to buy one of Muzzy's extra-large T-shirts and am already contemplating a return for more greasy highway goodness.  I'll save the heart attack for later.

Margaret and Melissa at the Burger Dive

We arrived in Billings just in time for the Friday night reception and cocktail party featuring many former and current Hall of Fame inductees, including Kansas City Chiefs great, Jan Stenerud.  Most had been coached by Sam and were excited to see him.  Then on Saturday, it was off to check out the Burger Dive in downtown Billings which had been a recent winner of the Food Network's best burger contest featured on their "Man vs. Food" show.  The burgers, we all agreed, were most likely the best we'd ever had.  Bring on the crash cart and alert the by-pass team!


Saturday evening's awards ceremony was sold out with more than 500 people in attendance.  Sam was the first to be inducted; he gave a heartfelt and rousing acceptance speech which earned him a standing ovation.  His usual lighthearted bluster was gone.  It was a quietly emotional and humble friend who thanked all who had made it possible for him to have such a career.  This was a side of him I had never seen.

They all wanted to talk to Sam.

There were many media representatives, including a unit from ESPN, and all wanted to spend time with Sam.  It made for a long day for a man in his ninth decade but he powered through it all like a champ.


We began our return trip to Idaho on Sunday with another stop in Butte to see Sam's great-grandson baptized in the Serbian Orthodox church he has loved all his life.  On Monday, before heading out, we stopped at the Metals Sports Bar to have breakfast with Ray Ueland the bar's owner and another longtime friend of Sam's.  Ray had arranged a Sunday night gathering at the Butte Civic Center for Sam that was attended by many former players from his coaching days.  I snapped a picture of the plaque honoring Sam at that venue and remarked aloud how much he once looked like the late Danny Thomas in his prime and wondered why he now looked like Fred Mertz.

Sam:  "I wish you were still on the radio so I could turn you off!"

Me:  "Shut up and get in the car, Fred."

On the road home, we all agreed that the weekend had been a wonderful success, with Sam still marveling at all the kind words and accolades he had collected from so many he had mentored over his long career.

The greatest use of a life is to spend it on something that will outlast it.  Sam Jankovich accomplished all that with class and humility.  His is a life well lived.  I am proud and grateful to call him friend.

Sam:  "Shut your trap and drive radio boy!"