Butler's NFL stars given Super Bowl gold salute
BUTLER TWP — Golden footballs for a golden era.
Two Butler football standouts of the middle 1960s — Terry Hanratty and the late Rich Saul — were honored at a pre-game ceremony Friday night at Art Bernardi Stadium. They received golden footballs provided by the NFL in commemoration of last year's 50th Super Bowl anniversary.
The high school alma mater of every player to participate in a Super Bowl received a golden football to display. The players themselves received one as well.
“We're clearing space in our trophy case outside of our gym to display these footballs,” Butler athletic director Bill Mylan said. “We actually received them last December, but thought it was appropriate to present them before our first football game.
“An achievement like this from former Butler football players ... Hopefully, this will open some eyes as to what football used to be like around here. We're trying to bring the program back toward that.”
Hanratty went on to play quarterback at Notre Dame and was a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers' first two Super Bowl championship teams. Saul went on to play linebacker at Michigan State and was a center in the NFL for 12 years.
Saul played for the Los Angeles Rams against the Steelers in Super Bowl XIV.
“During that Art Bernardi era, we had 62 players from here go on to play Division I college ball,” Hanratty said. “I can think of 10 guys alone from the team I was on. That was an incredible time.
“I scored the first touchdown ever in this stadium. It was in the corner of that far end zone (by the scoreboard) against Beaver Falls in 1964.”
Hanratty started at quarterback for Butler in his senior year only. He started at defensive back as an underclassman.
“I played nine games at quarterback,” he said. “My 10th game was with Notre Dame, against Purdue on national TV. That was nuts.”
Hanratty and Bernardi both said Butler should have received three golden footballs Friday. Butler graduate Ron Saul — Rich's twin brother — was on the Washington Redskins' team that defeated Miami, 27-17, in Super Bowl XVII. He was on injured reserve that season, however.
The NFL's rules for the golden football stated that the player had to actually participate in a Super Bowl game to receive the golden football.
“They should have amended that rule for guys who were hurt and couldn't play,” Bernardi said. “Ron was such a big part of that team.”
Ron Saul joined his brother's widow, Eileen Saul, in accepting the golden football on Rich Saul's behalf.
“Rich would have loved to have been here,” Eileen Saul said. “He was so proud of Butler. At every level of football he played, he told people about those Butler teams he played on.
“He'd be thrilled the Rams moved back to Los Angeles. Our family got season tickets this year.”Eileen Saul and the rest of her family live in Orange County.Ron Saul had no problem with not receiving a golden football himself. He was honored to represent his brother.“I got the ring and $75,000. I can do without the ball,” Ron Saul said, grinning. “I had my seventh surgery in 13 years that season. I screwed up my knee.“But Richie ... Richie was the best. He was one of the top two middle linebackers in the country his senior year at Michigan State before he destroyed his knee. All four ligaments were gone. The doctor wasn't sure he'd ever be able to walk without a limp.“He winds up getting drafted in the eighth round by the Rams. (Rams coach) George Allen told him he needed a center. Rich had never played that position, ever. He wound up making All-Pro six times in 12 years,” Saul said.Hanratty believes Butler's football legacy goes far beyond what was presented on the field Friday.“Toss in Ron Saul's Super Bowl year and Coach Paul Uram's four with the Steelers — that's eight Super Bowls out of Butler,” he said.“I bet no other high school in the country can make that claim.”
