FWST: Danny Villanueva's greatest kicks, then and now

[fgoodwin]

Danny Villanueva's greatest kicks, then and now

http://www.star-telegram.com/oldboys...ry/686016.html

Posted on Fri, Jun. 06, 2008
By RAY BUCK

One kick stands out in Danny Villanueva's memory.

Game-winning field goal.

Nov. 13, 1966, at DC Stadium.

Cowboys 31, Redskins 30.

He has total recall of that game, right down to the fan who walked into the visitors’ locker room and handed him the ball.

“I think his name was Pete Richert,” Villanueva said. “He pitched for the Washington Senators.” Huh?

Richert — a left-hander who spent 13 seasons in the major leagues (1962-74), most notably with the Dodgers, Senators and Orioles — suddenly appeared at Villanueva’s locker after the game.

He was joined by a young boy carrying a football.

(Note: In 1966, the NFL didn’t employ gigantic nets to gobble up FGs and PATs.)

“I caught the ball you kicked,” Richert told Villanueva. “Here ... just give my son any ball, and you can have this one. I’m an athlete. I know what these things mean.”

[excerpted]