Camelot is truly a memory.
Perhaps the most popular person in Washington since John F. Kennedy, Joe Gibbs retired for the second time yesterday, and this time for good. After rebuilding the Redskins as promised, it’s time for home and hearth.
Good for you, Joe.
It was long expected, but sudden in the end. The death of Sean Taylor, his grandson’s fight with cancer and the self-described hardest season of his 16 in Washington despite making the playoffs convinced Gibbs to forgo his final season.
Two months ago, some fans might have said good riddance. After all, since returning in 2004, Gibbs endured his two worst seasons as a coach. There was only one playoff victory and a whole lot of late losses more common during Norv Turner’s tenure than Gibbs’ first go-round.
But really, nobody wanted to see Gibbs leave no matter how many troubling losses piled up, no matter how many strange calls were made. There was always hope the magic of three Super Bowls would return. And for a moment, even Gibbs thought the Redskins were going to the Super Bowl before losing to Seattle on Saturday. The final month was proof of Gibbs’ greatness.
So now is the perfect time to exit. Leave on a high note. Don’t overstay the welcome. Gibbs departs with his image restored, the franchise in good shape. Few have that sense of timing.
“I definitely feel like we have things in place here to do what we want to do,” Gibbs said. “Whoeever gets it, it’s the greatest football job there is.”
Well, yes and no. First, it looks like assistant head coach/defense Gregg Williams isn’t getting it. At least, not as the first choice. Bill Cowher is on deck, a move long expected. Second, with an aging roster, $21 million over the salary cap next year and offensive playcaller Al Saunders and quarterback Todd Collins possibly gone, the Redskins may be suddenly rebuilding rather than reloading.
But that’s the future. Gibbs first deserves a proper escort home to North Carolina where NASCAR interests will be his primary passion once more. His son Coy Gibbs is starting a motorcross team. Then there’s plenty of side interests and Dan Snyder on the phone with his “special advisor.” Really, no one believes Gibbs will slow down, just relocate his base to home.
Gibbs’ departure is just a year or two ahead of schedule. Snyder wanted Gibbs to stay so long the coach joked of giving the owner six names for his pallbearers.
“This is something no one wanted to see happen, but all of us respect and understand,” Snyder said. “Joe will always be the best of Washington.”
The final bow was 54 minutes long. Lots of names remembered. Plenty of stories. A few laughs.
“I was always treated better than I deserved in Washington,” Gibbs said.
No, Gibbs received exactly what he deserved. Several dozen fans at Redskins Park greeted Gibbs with cheers, gifts and even one shouting “Run for President.”
He may be gone, but Gibbs won’t be forgotten.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
