Berlin vs Mannheim

On November 17th 1978 the Berlin All-Stars traveled to Mannheim to face the Mannheim Chiefs in the USAREUR Semi-Finals. The Berlin team consisted of the best players chosen from 4 teams that played each other during the season in Berlin. With only 10 days of practice and facing a Mannheim team that outscored their opponents 380 to 26 the All-Stars were outmatched. But the game still had to be played.

[@robertkeville9593]

I was the coach of the Mannheim team on that day. We had a wonderful group of kids who played hard each and every game. We were not notified of the Berlin game until 4 days prior and our star player, Jimmy 'Rubber band man' Jackson couldn't make the weight limit. That is no excuse. Berlin showed up with a very good team and a great game plan and took it to us. My hat is off to all of them. It was a great victory. I really miss all of the kids and my coaching career in Germany. I coached 4 years total and given that I was assigned to the 1st ID out of Sullivan Barracks and in the field quite often it was a minor miracle that I and my assistant coaches were able to even do the job. Thanks to John Ables, Defensive coach, Edward Hale, Offensive coach and Major Knowlton assistant coach we were able to get the job done. I wonder what the boys who are now men are doing. Thank you Mr. Jaynes for posting this wonderful video. I never would have expected it. Bob Keville Head Coach, Mannheim Chiefs.

[@chloecastleton6113]

I know this is a football game, but I definitely would like to get this comment out, if anyone is interested. I'm diligently looking for and buying the old "rubber carcass" soccer balls used in a any of American High school soccer games between 1968 and 1985. I know the girls teams used rubber soccer balls frequently, but I think the boys did too, especially if the fields were wet. The stitched leather soccer balls literately sucked up the water like a sponge and made the ball waterlogged and heavy. The rubber soccer balls back then, were actually well made, and performed quite good. I'd sure like to get my hands on a few of them today!! I'd pay a good €750 for one (even if flat or damaged), used in games throughout the 1970s and into the 1980s. I always wonder what happened to all the sports balls, when most of the High schools and Middle schools closed? It would be sad to think that most of that stuff was tossed out (even if the balls were flat or very worn). ((Side note)), they can also be from the middle schools as well. Contact me anytime, if anyone can help.