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Joe Kapp

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Joe Kapp
refer to caption
Kapp in 1960
No. 82, 22, 11
Position:Quarterback
Personal information
Born:(1938-03-19)March 19, 1938
Santa Fe, New Mexico,U.S.
Died:May 8, 2023(2023-05-08)(aged 85)
San Jose, California,U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school:Hart(Santa Clarita, California)
College:California(1956–1958)
NFL draft:1959/ Round: 18 / Pick: 209
Career history
As a player:
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As a coach:
As an administrator:
Career highlights and awards
NFL
CFL
NCAA
NFL record
As a coach
Career NFL statistics
TD–INT:40–64
Passing yards:5,911
Completion percentage:48.9%
Passer rating:55.1
Passing attempts:918
Passing completions:449
Career CFL statistics
TD–INT:136–129
Passing yards:22,725
Passing attempts:2,709
Passing completions:1,476
Player stats atPFR

Joseph Robert Garcia Kapp(March 19, 1938 – May 8, 2023) was an Americanfootballplayer, coach, and executive. He playedcollege footballas aquarterbackfor theCalifornia Golden Bears.Kapp played professionally in theCanadian Football League(CFL) with theCalgary Stampedersand theBC Lionsand then in theNational Football League(NFL) with theMinnesota Vikingsand theBoston Patriots.Kapp led the BC Lions to their firstGrey CupChampionship victory in 1964. With the Vikings, he led them to victory in the1969 NFL Championship Game,the only league championship in team history. Kapp returned to his alma mater as head coach of the Golden Bears from1982to1986.He was the general manager and president of the BC Lions in1990.

Kapp is a member of theCanadian Football Hall of Fame,theBC Sports Hall of Fame,theBC Lions Wall of Fame,theCollege Football Hall of Fame,and the University of California Athletic Hall of Fame. Kapp's #22 jersey is one of eight numbersretiredby the Lions.[1]In November 2006, Kapp was voted to the Honour Roll of the CFL's top 50 players of the league's modern era by Canadian sports networkTSN.[2]Sports Illustratedonce called him "The Toughest Chicano".[3]Kapp is the only player to play quarterback in theSuper Bowl,Rose Bowl,and theGrey Cup.

Early life

[edit]

Kapp was born inSanta Fe, New Mexico,to mother Florence García, ofMexican-Americanheritage, and father ofGermandescent.[3]He was raised in California, in theSan Fernando ValleyandSalinas,[3]where he played quarterback forHart High SchoolinNewhall,now a part ofSanta Clarita.[4]

Kapp playedcollege footballat theUniversity of California, Berkeley,where he led theCalifornia Golden Bearsto aPacific Coast Conferencechampionship in1958and theRose Bowl,where they lost toIowa.[4]This remains California's most recentRose Bowlappearance. Kapp was named anAll-American,and was also awarded theW. J. Voit Memorial Trophyin 1958 as the outstanding football player on the Pacific Coast. A two-sport athlete and fraternity member ofKappa Alpha Orderin college, he also played on thebasketball teamand was a member of the1956–57and1957–58squads that won thePacific Coast Conferencechampionships.[3]He earned a bachelor's degree inphysical educationfrom the university in 1959.[5]Kapp held the UC Berkeley record for most rushing yards by a quarterback untilChase Garbersbroke it in 2021.[6]

Professional career

[edit]

Canadian Football League

[edit]

TheWashington Redskinsselected Kapp in the 18th round of the1959 NFL Draft,giving them his rights to play professional football in the United States.[4]After the draft, Washington did not contact him, so his only choice was to accept the offer fromJim Finks,the general manager of theCalgary Stampedersof theCanadian Football League(CFL).[4]

Kapp joined the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL for his rookie season in1959.[7]The following year, Kapp led Calgary to their first playoff appearance in years. The season was a difficult one, because he injured his knee against theToronto Argonautsearly in the season, but did not miss any games, because he played heavily taped.[8]

In 1961, theBC Lions,then the CFL's newest franchise, traded four starting players to the Calgary Stampeders for Joe Kapp. The move paid off for the Lions when Kapp led the team to aGrey Cupappearance in 1963. The following season, Kapp led the Lions to their first Grey Cup victory in1964.However, the Lions proved unable to defend their championship in 1965.[4]

By that time, Kapp had proved he was an elite quarterback, and also developed the reputation of being a tough player and a great leader. While most quarterbacks dislike being hit, Kapp was the opposite. He loved to hit and when he took off on a run he'd try to run over defenders.[9]

Before the1967 CFL season,Kapp made the decision to return to the U.S. to play pro football. TheAFL'sOakland Raiders,San Diego Chargers,andHouston Oilerswere heavily pursuing him.[10]

Kapp ended up signing with the NFL'sMinnesota Vikingsin a multi-player "trade" between the CFL and NFL teams, one of the very few transactions to ever occur between the two leagues.[11]

The Minnesota Vikings in 1965 haddraftedrunning backJim Youngout ofQueen's UniversityinKingston, Ontario.[12]He had spent the1965and1966 seasonswith the Vikings, but wanted to return to Canada. The BC Lions were very interested in acquiring Young, but theToronto Argonautshad his CFL rights.[13]

The Minnesota Vikings general manager was Jim Finks, who had brought Kapp to Canada in 1959, and their head coach wasBud Grant,who had faced Kapp while coaching theWinnipeg Blue Bombers.Both Finks and Grant thought Joe Kapp would be the best replacement forFran Tarkenton,who had been traded to theNew York Giants.[14]To make this transaction possible, the BC Lions traded all-star defensive linemanDick Fouts,and futureCanadian Football Hall of Famerunning backBill Symonsto Toronto for the CFL rights to future Canadian Football Hall of Famewide receiverJim Young.[15][16]They then managed to get Kapp waived out of the CFL. The Vikings managed to waiveJim Youngout of the NFL, which allowed the BC Lions to sign him.[17]The expandingNew Orleans Saintswanted Young and it took some work from Finks to keep them from claiming Young. Kapp, now waived from the CFL, was free to sign with the Vikings, who had previously claimed his NFL playing rights from Washington.[18]

National Football League

[edit]

In1967,Kapp's first season in the NFL, he started 11 of 14 games for theVikings,compiling an unusual record of 3 wins, 5 losses and 3 ties. Kapp completed only 47 percent of his pass attempts with 8touchdownsand 17interceptions.Kapp also scored two rushing touchdowns. Of note, the team was winless without Kapp starting at quarterback. TheGreen Bay Packerswon the division (and theSuper Bowl).[19]

In1968,Kapp ledMinnesotato their first ever playoff appearance, losing to the favoredBaltimore Colts,24–14.[14]The Colts were upset a few weeks later by theNew York JetsinSuper Bowl III.[20]

Early in the1969 season,Kapp tied an all-time record when he threw for seven touchdown passes against the defending NFL championColtsonSeptember 28.[21]He is tied with seven other players (Sid Luckman,Adrian Burk,George Blanda,Y. A. Tittle,Nick Foles,Peyton Manning,andDrew Brees).[22]Kapp led the Vikings to a 12–2 record, and a berth inSuper Bowl IVafter defeating theLos Angeles Rams23–20 in the Western Conferencechampionship game,and theCleveland Browns27–7 in the last non-Super BowlNFLChampionship game.However, he was unable to lead the team to victory in theSuper Bowl,as the Vikings lost 23–7 to theKansas City Chiefs.On July 20, 1970,Sports Illustrateddubbed Kapp "The ToughestChicano"on the cover of its weekly magazine.[3]He received the team MVP, but refused the team MVP award, saying, "There is no one most valuable Viking. There are 40 most valuable Vikings."[23]

Prior to the 1969 season, the Vikings had exercised the option clause of his contract, so Kapp had played the entire season without a new contract. It was unusual for teams to use the team's option and not to offer a new contract prior to a season. This dispute made him afree agentfor the1970season, by the NFL's own rules.[24][25]

Despite Kapp being a Super Bowl quarterback, no team in the NFL made contact with him until after the start of the 1970 regular season,[26]when theBoston Patriots(1–1) signed him on October 2 to a four-year contract,[27][28][29]making him the highest paid player in the league. The Patriots gave updefensive backJohn Charlesand a1972 first round draft pick(which was used to selectlinebackerJeff Siemon) as compensation to the Vikings.[30]His first appearance for Boston was on October 11 atKansas City,relieving starterMike Taliaferroin the third quarter of a 23–10 loss.[31][32]

The Patriots of1970were a poor-performing team and the late-arriving Kapp played poorly himself that season, leading the team to the 26-team league's worst record at 2–12.[4]When the year ended, Rozelle demanded that Kapp sign a standard player contract. After conferring with his lawyer and theNFL Players Association,Kapp refused to sign.[4]

With the top pick in the1971 NFL Draft,the Patriots selected quarterbackJim PlunkettofStanford,the winner of theHeisman Trophy.Kapp reported to the newly renamedNew England Patriots'training campin1971,refused to sign a standard contract, and departed.[33][34]The headlines in the Boston papers read "KAPP QUITS!".[35]After this incident Kapp never played again; his 12-year career as a professional football player was over.[7]

Kapp started an anti-trust lawsuit vs. the NFL, claiming the standard NFL contract was unconstitutional and a restraint of trade. He won thesummary judgmentafter four years. The court had ruled that Kapp's trade was indeed restrained. It was two years later (April 1, 1976) in the trial for damages, that the jury decided that Kapp was not damaged.[36]

Although Kapp was not awarded any damages, in 1977 the rules at issue in the Kapp case were later revised, a new system was instituted, and a multimillion-dollar settlement was made between the NFL and theNFL Players Association.[37]

Post-football playing career

[edit]

Acting career

[edit]

In the 1970s and early 1980s, Kapp appeared in several television programs as well as theatrical film titles.[4]In most cases, the character roles were minor. Programs includedIronside,[4]The Six Million Dollar Man,[38]Adam-12,[9]Emergency!,[10]Police Woman,[9]Captains and the Kings,[39]andMedical Center.[10]Movies includedClimb An Angry Mountain(1972),[39]The World's Greatest Athlete(1973),[39]The Longest Yard(1974),[38]Breakheart Pass(1975),[9]Two-Minute Warning(1976),[39]Smash-Up on Interstate 5(1976),[39]Semi-Tough(1977),[4]The Frisco Kid(1979),[9]andOff Sides (Pigs vs. Freaks)(1984).[39]

California head coach

[edit]

In 1982, Kapp was hired as the head football coach at his alma mater, theUniversity of California, Berkeley.He had never coached before.[40]

In December 1981, Kapp made a promise to the football team that he would not consume any of his favorite alcoholic beverage,tequila,until the Golden Bears reached theRose Bowl,which they did not under Kapp; indeed, as of 2022, the Golden Bears have yet to return to the Rose Bowl – they were Pac-10 co-champions in 2006 but a loss to USC sent them to theHoliday Bowlinstead (in a 1994 interview, Kapp stated that he had resorted to drinkingruminstead).[41]

Kapp had several philosophies while coaching at Cal. He called his special teams the "special forces." He told his players to play "One hundred percent for 60 minutes." He also wanted the players to have fun. On Sundays, he would have his players play a game of "garbazz", described as a mix of basketball and football where the only objective is to pass the ball downfield. There are no football rules such as offsides or forward passes.[40]

In his first year as head coach in1982,the Golden Bears improved from 2–9 the year before to 7–4, and he was voted thePac-10 ConferenceCoach of the Year.[42]The 1982 season concluded withThe Play,the famous five-lateral kickoff return by Cal to score the winning touchdown on the final play of theBig Gameagainst archrivalStanford.[43]

During the1986 season,the Bears lost toBoston College,defeatedWashington State,then lost toSan Jose State.Following an embarrassing 50–18 loss atWashingtonon October 4, Kapp expressed frustration unzipping his pants in front of theSeattlemedia.[44][45][46]He was notified that he would be released after theBig Game,played in Berkeley. The Bears responded to the student section's pre-game chants of "Win one for the zipper" by beating theGator Bowl-bound #16Cardinal17–11, which gave Kapp a 3–2 record in the Big Game. He was carried off the field by his players,[47]amid chanting from the student section, "We want Kapp!"[48]

General manager of the BC Lions

[edit]

In an effort to recapture their past glory, theBC Lionsof theCanadian Football League(CFL) hired Kapp as the team's new general manager in1990.Kapp's tenure was marked by his tendency to recruit ex-NFL players such asMark Gastineauwhose best football days had passed. Kapp was fired eleven games into the Lions' schedule; his most valuable legacy was the signing of quarterbackDoug Flutie,who would blossom into a star in the CFL during the 1990s.[9][49]

Sacramento Attack head coach

[edit]

In 1992, Kapp was named the head coach of theArena Football League's Los Angeles Wings,[50]but the franchise never came into existence in Los Angeles, and moved to Sacramento as the Attack.[51]The franchise went 4–6 under Kapp, losing in the first round of the playoffs to theDetroit Drive.[52]After the season, the franchise moved to Miami, Florida.[53]

Personal life

[edit]

Kapp lived inLos Gatos, California,and made himself available as a guest speaker. He had a wife, four children, and four grandchildren. He was one of the owners of Kapp's Pizza Bar & Grill inMountain View, California,which contained memorabilia from his career and closed in 2015. His son, Will, followed in his footsteps as a fullback atUC Berkeley.[54]In 2015, grandson Frank Kapp continued the Cal football tradition as a freshman tight end with the Golden Bears.[55]

Kapp and fellowCanadian Football Hall of FameplayerAngelo Moscacame to blows at a 2011 Canadian Football League Alumni luncheon. The source of the bad blood between Kapp and Mosca was a hit Mosca made on Kapp's teammateWillie Flemingin the 1963Grey Cupgame. The hit, which Kapp and many others considered dirty, forced Fleming out of the game. Mosca'sTiger-Catsdefeated Kapp's Lions 21–10 for the 1963 championship.[56]

Health and death

[edit]

In February 2016, theSan Jose Mercury Newsreported that Kapp was suffering fromAlzheimer's disease.[57]He died from complications of the disease at a care facility inSan Jose, California,on May 8, 2023, at age 85.[4][58]

Head coaching record

[edit]

College

[edit]
Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
California Golden Bears(Pacific-10 Conference)(1982–1986)
1982 California 7–4 4–4 6th
1983 California 5–5–1 3–4–1 8th
1984 California 2–9 1–8 10th
1985 California 4–7 2–7 10th
1986 California 2–9 2–7 9th
California: 20–34–1 12–30–1
Total: 20–34–1
Source:[59]

References

[edit]
  1. ^"BC Lions Retired Numbers".BCLions.com.RetrievedAugust 20,2006.
  2. ^"TSN Top 50 Honour Roll".TSN.ca. November 28, 2006.RetrievedMay 1,2007.
  3. ^abcdeKapp, Joe (July 20, 1970)."A man of machismo".Sports Illustrated.p. 26.
  4. ^abcdefghijkGoldstein, Richard (May 9, 2023)."Joe Kapp, Quarterback Who Led Vikings to Super Bowl IV, Dies at 85".The New York Times.RetrievedMay 9,2023.
  5. ^Taylor, Dennis (October 1, 2021)."An El Sausal Legend: Joe Kapp's fiery career traced from Salinas".Voices of Monterey Bay.
  6. ^"Golden Bear Legend Joe Kapp Passes Away".pac-12.com.Archived fromthe originalon May 23, 2024.RetrievedMay 10,2023.
  7. ^ab"Joe Kapp Stats".Pro Football Archives.
  8. ^"Ex-CFL, NFL QB Joe Kapp dies at 85".CBC.May 9, 2023.
  9. ^abcdefRalph, Dan."'Tough as nails': Remembering quarterback Joe Kapp, 'one of the all-time great' B.C. Lions ".The Province.The Canadian Press.
  10. ^abcHalliburton, Suzanne (May 9, 2023)."Legendary Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joe Kapp dead at 85".Yardbarker.
  11. ^"Vikings Mourn Passing of Legendary QB Joe Kapp".www.vikings.com.RetrievedMay 10,2023.
  12. ^"Young flies from B.C. to enter Westdale Hall of Fame".The Hamilton Spectator.October 18, 2011.ISSN1189-9417.RetrievedMay 10,2023.
  13. ^"Former Vikings QB Joe Kapp dead at 85 after battle with dementia".Yahoo Sports.May 9, 2023.RetrievedMay 10,2023.
  14. ^abCraig, Mark (May 9, 2023)."Joe Kapp, first Super Bowl quarterback for the Vikings, dies at 85".Star Tribune.
  15. ^"Jim Young".BC Sports Hall of Fame.
  16. ^Snelgrove, Brian (August 6, 2010)."Retro Profile: Jim 'Dirty Thirty' Young".Canadian Football League.
  17. ^A. O. L. Staff (May 9, 2023)."Former Vikings QB Joe Kapp dead at 85 after battle with dementia".www.aol.com.RetrievedMay 10,2023.
  18. ^"Former Vikings QB Joe Kapp dead at 85 after battle with dementia".Yahoo Sports.May 9, 2023.RetrievedMay 10,2023.
  19. ^Flaherty, Dan (August 30, 2014)."The Story Of The 1967 Minnesota Vikings".thesportsnotebook.com.RetrievedMay 10,2023.
  20. ^Maule, Tex (January 20, 1969)."Say It's So, Joe: Jets upset Colts in Super Bowl III".Sports Illustrated.
  21. ^"Kapp's 7 TD passes take kick out of Colts".Pittsburgh Press.UPI. September 29, 1969. p. 36.
  22. ^"NFL Passing Touchdowns Single Game Leaders".Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  23. ^"Joe Kapp, NFL Quarterback".sportsillustrated.cnn.com.RetrievedApril 8,2002.
  24. ^"Kapp Decides Not to Return to Vikings".The New York Times.August 7, 1970.ISSN0362-4331.RetrievedMay 10,2023.
  25. ^Tupa, Mike."TupaTalk: Kapp was the relentless warrior".Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise.RetrievedMay 10,2023.
  26. ^"Ex-player sees move to cool off Joe Kapp".Lewiston Morning Tribune.(Idaho). Associated Press. October 1, 1970. p. 19.
  27. ^"Patriots obtain Joe Kapp; terms being worked out".Eugene Register-Guard.(Oregon). Associated Press. October 2, 1970. p. 3B.
  28. ^"Patriots sign Kapp".The Bulletin.(Bend, Oregon). UPI. October 2, 1970. p. 7.
  29. ^"Kapp says 'We'll be a winner' after signing with Patriots".Lewiston Morning Tribune.(Idaho). Associated Press. October 3, 1970. p. 10.
  30. ^Forbes, Gordon (October 5, 1970)."Colts, Vikings Get OK to Sign Mira".Philadelphia Inquirer.p. 24.RetrievedMay 10,2023– via newspapers.com.
  31. ^"Chiefs still bother Kapp; Patriots shattered, 23–10".Lawrence Daily Journal-World.(Kansas). Associated Press. October 12, 1970. p. 15.
  32. ^"Kansas City stops Boston Pats, 23–10".Lewiston Morning Tribune.(Idaho). Associated Press. October 12, 1970. p. 8.
  33. ^"Joe Kapp leaves Patriots".Lewiston Morning Tribune.(Idaho). Associated Press. July 17, 1971. p. 14.
  34. ^"Kapp quits camp without contract".Nashua Telegraph.(New Hampshire). Associated Press. July 17, 1971. p. 13.
  35. ^Carlson, Adam (May 9, 2023)."Remembering former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joe Kapp".The Viking Age.
  36. ^Times, Leonard Koppett Special to The New York (April 3, 1976)."Jury Rules Kapp Not Entitled to Damages".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.RetrievedMay 10,2023.
  37. ^Brady, Dave (August 9, 1978)."Court Reversal on Suit Proves Costly to Kapp".The Washington Post.
  38. ^abGardner, Steve (May 9, 2023)."Joe Kapp, former Vikings quarterback and Cal coach, dies at 85".USA Today.
  39. ^abcdef"Joe Kapp".Rotten Tomatoes.
  40. ^abFimrite, Ron (September 1, 1983)."The Anatomy of a Miracle".Sports Illustrated.pp. 212–228.
  41. ^Cheatham, Dan (May 3, 1994)."Interview with Joe Kapp".Cal Band Archive. Archived fromthe originalon June 9, 2007.
  42. ^"Golden Bear Legend Joe Kapp Passes Away".Pac-12 Conference.May 9, 2023. Archived fromthe originalon May 23, 2024.
  43. ^Straka, Dean (May 9, 2023)."Joe Kapp dies at 85: Legendary former Cal player coached Bears during iconic 'The Play' moment".CBS Sports.
  44. ^"Kapp unzipped; heat's on at Cal".Eugene Register-Guard.(Oregon). wire services. October 7, 1986. p. 3D.
  45. ^Cawood, Neil (October 7, 1986)."Beavers have their own problems".Eugene Register-Guard.(Oregon). p. 3D.
  46. ^Reilly, Rick(November 17, 1986)."Coming out of the desert darkness with the Sun Devils".Sports Illustrated.p. 32.
  47. ^"Bears give Kapp a win for farewell".Eugene Register-Guard.(Oregon). Associated Press. November 23, 1986. p. 9C.
  48. ^Glick, Shav (November 23, 1986)."Cal's 17–11 Upset of Stanford Gives Kapp Quite a Lift".Los Angeles Times.
  49. ^"Legendary B.C. Lions, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joe Kapp passes away at 85".3DownNation.May 9, 2023.
  50. ^Lonnie White (March 6, 1992)."Joe Kapp to Coach New L.A. Team: Arena football: The sport attempts comeback in city. Club will play at Sports Arena".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedApril 4,2013.
  51. ^Shav Glick (April 22, 1992)."L.A. Arena Football Team Scrubs Plans for Season".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedApril 4,2013.
  52. ^"1992 Sacramento Attack (Arena)".Pro Football Archives.
  53. ^"A Glance At The Past..."The Des Moines Register.April 25, 1993. p. 234 – viaNewspapers.com.Open access icon
  54. ^Cal BearsArchivedNovember 14, 2011, at theWayback Machine
  55. ^"Frank Kapp – Football".
  56. ^Toni Monkovic (November 28, 2011)."Joe Kapp, the C.F.L. and a 48-Year-Old Grudge".New York Times.RetrievedNovember 4,2013.
  57. ^Almond, Elliott (February 5, 2016)."The struggles of Joe Kapp: A football family copes with game's painful aftermath".The Mercury News.RetrievedFebruary 29,2024.
  58. ^"Former Vikings, Cal QB Joe Kapp dies at age 85".AP NEWS.May 9, 2023.RetrievedMay 10,2023.
  59. ^"Joe Kapp Records by Year".College Football Data Warehouse.Archived fromthe originalon September 7, 2015 – viaWayback Machine.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Olsen, Jack (October 19, 1970). "He Goes Where the Trouble Is. He is Joe Kapp, wandering quarterback, and last week he was in Kansas City, playing for the Boston Patriots, who are in deep trouble. Despite Kapp, the Pats lost, but wait until the new boy learns the system".Sports Illustrated.
[edit]
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