The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Jack Kemp, RIP

Jack Kemp, RIP

A noted advocate of libertarian reforms, Kemp was the losing vice-presidential candidate in 1996 against Clinton/Gore, and a former secretary of HUD.

Prior to that, he was the Bills' starting QB for six seasons, and the AFL's MVP in 1965.

Obscure trivia: Kemp tried to break into the NFL for three years before he hid paydirt with the AFL. He managed to get in 18 pass attempts in three years, all for the Steelers. You can probably win some bar bets with that knowledge.

Even more obscure trivia: Kemp was on the Giants' "taxi squad" roster in 1958 during the "Greatest Game Ever Played," but was their third-string QB and never took the field in that game or any other for the Giants. The Giants had an unbelievable organization in those days. Their offensive co-ordinator was Vince Lombardi, and their defensive co-ordinator was Tom Landry! Their stars included future TV personalities Frank Gifford and Pat Sumerall. They lost that game in OT to the Colts of Johnny U, Raymond Berry, Lenny Moore and fullback Alan Ameche, who scored the winning TD by bulldozing through a goal-line stand with his shoulder down. The final result made the game seem close, but it was not. The Colts dominated the game, but failed to put the ball across the line in the second half. They had 27 first downs to New York's 10, and their defense forced Gifford to make two key fumbles.