I had to read it twice.
According to Russ Francis, he and Bucko Kilroy used to go antique collecting together. "Bucko was a world-class collector of antiques and antiquities, which he later became, as I liked to remind him," says the famed tight end.
Bucko Kilroy in an antique store? All 6 feet 3 inches and 200-whatever pounds of him? I would think they'd make him sign a waiver before they'd allow him to set foot in the joint.
Suffice it to say, Bucko looking over some Louis XIV desk or chair is not an image that would easily be formed in the minds of the countless people who encountered him in the course of an epic and singular 64-year NFL career, and that would most specifically be the case for the many foes who needed long, hot showers (and perhaps a trip to the hospital) after spending a Sunday afternoon on the other side of ball from Francis Joseph Kilroy, who -- pay attention, please -- made three All-Pro teams as an offensive guard and three All-Pro teams as a middle guard.
I think we can safely say they don't make them kind no more.
Bucko Kilroy the player was legend enough. Tough and unapologetic, he dished it out and took it in the trenches with such gusto that he had a reputation as one of the most hated and feared (and respected) men in the league. But those 13 years as an Eagle were merely the prelude to a 51-year second act as scout and executive. And make no mistake: His service lasted right up to the minute of his death last Tuesday at the age of 86. Bucko's "scouting consultant" title with the Patriots in recent years was no joke. Scott Pioli made it his business to make sure that every one of his scouts spent time with the man who, in the opinion of many, invented modern football scouting.
"Gil Brandt and Bucko put together a system in Dallas," recalls recently retired general manager (Baltimore, Cleveland, New York Giants) Ernie Accorsi. "We never had a system. We drafted OK, but it was by the seat of the pants. Everyone talks about Gil and the computers, but Bucko never got enough credit. He took that scouting system to New England and really refined it. He took it to the next level."
Scouting? Did someone say scouting? You mean like the 1973 Patriots draft? That's the year director of player personnel Bucko Kilroy delivered John Hannah, Darryl Stingley, Sam Cunningham, and, way down there in the 14th round, Ray "Sugar Bear" Hamilton. Not bad, huh?
The famed Combine? Care to guess who came up with that idea? George Blackburn and, of course, Our Man Bucko.
