In brief: Cogdill, NFL great from WSU and LC, turns 75

NFL: One of the greatest wide receivers in the history of the Detroit Lions and the NFL is Gail Cogdill (pictured above), the 1960 Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year and three time Pro Bowler whose team career receiving yards record was untouched for 30 years until Herman Moore broke it in the 1990s.

With sleeves cut short above the biceps and dabs of eye black high on his cheekbones, the movie-star handsome receiver was poetry in motion as he brought fans to their feet at Tiger Stadium with his third-down circus grabs across the middle and diving receptions into the end zone.

As Cogdill (Washington State, Lewis and Clark High) turns 75 today, his oldest daughter Kristen Cogdill Dunlap spoke to Detroit-area sports writer Bill Dow. She fondly recalled growing up with a dad who was much more than a football hero.

“Ever since I was a little girl I have been in awe of my dad. He was always so cool, and to this day we are still thick as thieves,” said Dunlap, a model and sales executive who lives in Arizona.

As for her father reaching his 75th birthday, Dunlap paused briefly, her voice breaking.

“It’s hard to believe how the years flew by. I still see Dad as I did when I was a little girl looking up to him.”

blog.detroitathletic.com

Filmmaker claims right to release

NFL: A documentary filmmaker said he had the right to release a recording of then-Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams exhorting his players to physically punish targeted San Francisco players.

In a statement posted on his promotional website, Sean Pamphilon said he and former New Orleans special teams standout Steve Gleason (WSU/Gonzaga Prep) “have a production agreement that I have followed.”

Gleason, who has ALS, had been allowing Pamphilon to document his struggle against the incurable disease.

Associated Press