[Must See TV] A Football Life - Houston '93 (NFL Network 12/10 8pm CT)

[Keith]

At 8pm:''A Football Life'' - Houston '93 - In 1993 the high-flying Houston Oilers fielded one of the most talented teams in football, expected by many to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. What ensued was one of the wildest, most controversial seasons any team has ever had, a season that may have changed the course of pro football in one of America's largest cities.

Followed by:"A Football Life: Backstory" - Houston '93 - A deeper look at the premiere of A Football Life: Houston '93 that includes special guests, unseen footage and viewer interaction.

For those who didn't live it... this was a truly amazing season in so many ways.

[Warren]

Reminder bump. Ought to be interesting.

[painekiller]

Watch this show and you will see why Bud is not in the HOF.

He created that mess.

[Keith]

Often had the feeling in those days the team was winning in spite of its owner, not because of it.

Two key actions from Bud contributed to the mayhem, both highlighted by the program: (1) hiring Buddy Ryan and not involving HC Jack Pardee in the process, further demoting Pardee into a figurehead for the team, and (2) setting an ultimatum that the team would be broken up if they failed again.

Ryan had no obligation to report to Pardee. This is a model that fails beyond just the realm of football. And while threatening players' and coaches' jobs if they do not perform is really not a crime in the NFL, doing so when the mental state of the team was so fragile following the Buffalo loss was just classic Bud with his poor timing.

Bud obviously lacked the PR/media sheen the Texans now possess in spades. Talk about an over-correction.

What's interesting in looking back, as a fan, is watching how the fan base reacts... the Oilers had seven straight playoff years and zero AFC Championship game appearances. In some ways, the team was a victim of its own moderate success.

[HPF Bob]

But you couldn't say Bud Adams was too cheap to build a championship team. That club was just stacked at so many positions and yet, again and again, they choked in the post-season. In Denver, they choked. In Buffalo, they choked. At home against Kansas City, they choked. You can't really blame those on Bud (and I'm no fan of Bud Adams). As an owner, he spent to have all the pieces for a championship team put together and he did that.

As for going into the Hall of Fame, I'll bet it eventually happens. He owned a franchise for 50 years. Probably easier to put him in now that he, himself, isn't around to screw it up.

[painekiller]

As for going into the Hall of Fame, I'll bet it eventually happens. He owned a franchise for 50 years. Probably easier to put him in now that he, himself, isn't around to screw it up.

I completely agree with this. The man deserves to be in the Hall, but he is not because he was a bone head.

[Warren]

I noticed that NFL Network is re-airing this at 2 pm CT today. Definitely worth a watch.

[popanot]

Man, it's hard to watch that Jeff Alm segment. I remember when it happened during the season but had forgotten most the details over the years. He knew he has likely going to jail for DWI and vehicular manslaughter and decided to take his life. Just tragic.

[HPF Bob]

I always presumed Alm was distraught over the death of his best friend, not the future prison ramifications.

[chuck]

I always presumed Alm was distraught over the death of his best friend, not the future prison ramifications.

I did, too. I can't really bring myself to watch anything from that era. I'm struck by an incredible sadness surrounding all of it. Potential wasted is probably the worst kind of sadness as far as I'm concerned.

[popanot]

I always presumed Alm was distraught over the death of his best friend, not the future prison ramifications.Probably both.