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Monaay, novemoer zt, lvrarage llRetiring from grid in three weeksBrodie to call signals as preacher•SAN FRANCISCO 'UPl) — John Riley Brodie retires in three weeks as a millionaire quarterback who will substitute preaching for pass.At 38. he has some regrets about leaving a job he has heW since 1957 with Ihe San Francisco 49ers. But at the same lime, he is anxious to launch a new career of scientific counseling to rehabilitate drug users, alcoholics and crim nals through the Church of Scientology.Exit Brodie the reader of defenses. Enter Brodie the healetcfcffejises.“I know I could play several more years of football, but everybody's life is a mutter of priorities and for the next few years mine are scientology and Narconon, said Brodiu who is the only pro football player to spend 17 seasons with :be team that drafted him.He explained, that Narconon is ’the action arm of the Church of Scientology specializing In life rehabilitation.“I'll bedireclor of an expanded program for Narconon In the Bay Area. he said. “It's a unique program in which we Iry to get people back to reality. We altack the confusions that want to make them leave reu Illy.“First of all. I'll take some advanced graduate training in scienlology and maybe get a doctor of divinity degree. I’ll also be colng some other stuff. There won’t he any problem in keeping busy.**Neither will he have a problem in paying his tuition or supporting his family of five children while reluming to his studies.Brodie confirmed upon his retirement he will begin receiving installments of a report nil$9uO,tiuS to SI million from club owners In the National Football League. That sum was paid to keep him from jumping lo Houston of the younger American Football League and triggered n merger of the two leagues in 1966.“All of that happened 7-8 years ago and I don't remember all the details” confessed John, but the facts nod figures reported at the time were pretty accurate:Despite his recent benching in ord/*r to give more playing lime to his successors — Joe Heed and Steve Spurrier — the former Stanford All-America maintains a zeal for football.I love the game. I’m a football addict, but third string quarterback is not where it'sat.“1 enjoyed going out (here and playing every weekend. But I've been doing it for 24 straight years and that ought lo be enough.Brodie. who has completed approximately 55 per cent of liis 4.5UD jwsses for 31yards and 214 touchdowns, says there's no chance he'll change his mind about retiring when the 49crs close the season at home with Pittsburgh Dec. 15. But he's keeping an open mind regarding the possibility of coaching football someday.I wouldn't hav'o announced my retirementif I hadn't meant it. he said. And l*ve made plans For the next year or so. However. 1 would like to keep an interest in the game. But at the moment I have no definite plans in this direction Brodie. whose brown hair has begun to recede. has remained remarkably healthy for aquarterback who is constantly hounded by half a ton of thundering beef. Itie 6-fuot-l signal caller has a quick release and a knack for reading defenses white avoiding unnecessarycontact.He missed 11 games in 1963 and eight more in 1972 because of injuries. He also was troubled by a sore elbow on his throwing arm a few years ago but credits Scientology’s spiritual consultations with curing the soreness.Turning to the pasl is something Brodie doesn't particularly relish. But he dues re* member-.the 1965 season in which he completed $2 per cent of his passes fur 3.112 yards and 3u touchdowns.“That was a memorable year and we had some great talent. Backs like John David Crow and Ken Willard Receivrrs such os Ber-nie Ca«ny. Dave Parks and Monte Stickles and guard John Thomas in an offensive line that played in the Pro Bowl.Still we finished with only n 7-6-1 record.Brotlc finally directed the 49ers lo their first division litters til 197U-7I-72 but San Francisco never got to the Super Bowl.Asked if he has any regrets about his 17 years with the 49crs. Brodie said. “I'm not one that hangs long on that stuff. It's been my whole life and it gave- me a whole bunch of what I've got.Despite being an outstanding golfer and playing once in the U.S. Open. Brodie says there's “absolutely no chance of him berom-' ingapro golfer.That's not among my priorities.JOHN MOM WtARSMUOASQtHe'k wear morrtJc of Doctor of Divinity toon
Newspaper Details
Argus
Fremont, California, US
Mon, Nov 26, 1973
Page 14
Full Page
Clipped by
Mid-Continent L.
MO, USA 22 May 2019
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