Dan Pastorini gets real about life and the Houston Oilers | Dave Ward's Houston

Houston Oilers quarterback opens up to legendary ABC13 anchor Dave Ward about the NFL, racing and life
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[@Sldumas1983]

Pastorini was a very underrated quarterback man he was a tough sob they don’t make them like him anymore

[@charlesfinnigan3904]

underrated punter too early in his career!

[@thomasdonlin5456]

Yes and was on beyond sorry teams early in his career. I suffered through those seasons being a native Houstonian.

[@thepaulbrownshow3206]

Well said!

[@williamcarey8529]

Mike Renfro DID make that catch!!

[@TexasBarnRats]

This is Houston history GOLD!

[@Sldumas1983]

I got goose bumps listening to this my favorite NFL team of all time we know Houston should have been in super bowl

[@67marlins81]

Makes you wonder if your Oilers would have made the first Super Bowl appearance ( after 1978 season ) against Dallas, and won a Texas Grudge match instead of my Steelers. Even as a 6th grader Bradshaw/ Steelers fanatic l, would have cheered on Houston for that Super Bowl!!!

[@yourlocalbluntfriend4136]

@@67marlins81 I believe that would’ve kept the Oilers in Houston.

[@67marlins81]

@@yourlocalbluntfriend4136 You're probably right.

[@primateproductions126]

I had the privilege of meeting Dan around 7 years or so ago in Sacramento Ca. at the airport. Such a great guy. I grew up in the era he played and he was kind enough to answer my questions. I told him the time he played were the best years in the NFL. I was very happy to meet him. A true class act.

[@Evan72782]

Cool i met him a few days ago

[@r.williamcomm7693]

Brings back memories. Pastorini was always a classy player. Oilers were so good with him that I wished they’d won a Super Bowl in 1980 season but Oilers traded him. I didn’t know that anyone had ever criticized him because he was a warrior when he played my Steelers.

[@yoliehines4399]

Dan, was my favorite player with the Oilers 🙏💙

[@pauladupree8679]

So loved the Oilers! Pastorini could throw!

[@sentimentalblue6720]

Thank you Dan!!!

[@aubreymhollinsjr8146]

Right on Dan

[@glennafcnewyalk5925]

Dan was my very first sports idol as a kid. He is the first sports jersey I ever asked my parents for. When my #7 white and blue Oilers jersey came in the mail I wore it so much I wore it out inside a year. I am thrilled to see him doing so well in this vid. Thank you Mr. Ward for a wonderful trip down memory lane.

[@charlieivey6506]

I'm a diehard dolphin fan, but I loved the Oilers. Great memories.

[@olben1095]

They were fun to watch in the 70’s. So much talent on that team.

[@UberKrispy]

Man this is epic interview

[@michaelbrown7118]

DANTE!! He was a Warrior. Worst trade ever when they got Stabler.

[@casinosnoopy9900]

That was my brother that arrested Dan in College Station. Dan and Earl were my childhood heroes, glad you got sober Dan.

[@bertjones3235]

Dan Pastorini... one of my favorite Houston Oilers players. Never understood the 1980 trade.

[@stevehicks399]

Great memories

[@redsammy7789]

Well put Dan. I went to some of those love ya blue days games and it was a special time in Houston back then, what a team the Oilers were from top to bottom, it was like they all meant to be together with bum as the coach.

[@carlcampbell6827]

Dan Pastorini as a baseball pitcher I could never imagine. That guy was a unique and legendary quarterback with championship ability with the right team.

[@fredyells5648]

One of my favorites.

[@kevinnonmacher9043]

Remember Billy “Whiteshoes” Johnson. The oilers had a kind of cool and mystique that was only possible in the 70s. I was at the Dome the Monday night when Earl had the 86 yard touchdown run against Bob Griese and Miami Dolphins. Tremendous!

[@67marlins81]

I grew up a Steelers fan as a kid in the 70s, Terry Bradshaw was my hero. So while I hated the Oilers, I certainly respected Pastorini's toughness. Now having read more about him, many things stand out: how brutally honest Pastorini was about how terrible coach Peterson was in the early 70s ( he said out loud he couldn't believe how the coach ever got a job! ); how lousy the people of Houston were treated by Bud Adams and his increasingly high demands; how lousy of a no-class jerk Al Davis was to him when he went to Oakland in 1980; and how much more he could have achieved if he'd been better protected at the line. From a Steelers fan, I'll tip my cap to Dan any day.

[@carlbenson6412]

Dan was a part of my division as a star player on an excellent team from the mid 1970's thru the very late 1970's...as a lifelong Bengals fan I'll never forget their inspired win over the Bengals that knocked my Bengals out of the division championship & the playoffs ('77) in the last game of the season...the Bengals run ended that day in Houston also. I heard that the Steelers sent every player special monogrammed luggage cause the Bengals would have gone to Denver instead of the Steelers for the divisional playoffs...not a great memory but, those Oilers were a tough, tough team & Dan Pastorini will always be one of the smartest & toughest QB's of that era in my book...great interview thanks.

[@Winnie122459]

Classy man!

[@coltoncampbell3919]

I miss Dave ward

[@lavrentichudakoff2519]

Great interview of a great man.

[@depaola63]

Dan was a STUD✊

[@troutaholic8834]

Dante was as tough as a two dollar steak. If it were not for the Steelers, he would be a super bowl champion.

[@davidb7854]

Awesome interview! Dan was the best and toughest QB I've ever seen play the game. Was a huge piece of the heart of Luv Ya Blue! He'd get back up and keep fighting no matter what. Very deserved Houston Sports HOF member. Should be in the NFL HOF!

[@newNILRULEisgreat.2504]

My comment ended up on the wrong video - This is an absolutely great interview-this interview brings back so many memories- Our Great Houston Oilers- and 2 of the many people who were part of our lives

[@chrismoses722]

Pastorini was a great QB and tough as hell. His career should’ve ended on a better note. He deserved much better.

[@thomasmoncrief883]

That trade for Stabler was the worst the Oilers/Titans ever made ..I love Bum but that was a horrible trade.

[@Sldumas1983]

Thomas Moncrief Bum and Dan later on realized that mistake 👍

[@davidb7854]

Yeah. Great to hear this miscommunication explanation. I couldn't believe Bum would do that either but sounds like he felt he was keeping his word to Dan. And THAT I can believe.

[@thepaulbrownshow3206]

His book TAKING FLAK is one of the best football bio’s in print.

[@kennethc9996]

Let's get the Oilers back!!!

[@carlcampbell6827]

How could anybody forget Dan? I lived in Santa Clara CA and followed his career. It was pretty crazy for players back then. Dan wore a flack jacket because in those days, if you remember defensive players were taught how to injure, maim and totally destroy quarterbacks. Preserving quarterbacks would be a joke then. Imagine getting smashed in the head by the forearm or slammed head first into the turf by a defensive lineman as a legal hit!

[@dallasbrubaker6054]

He also married a Playboy Playmate if I remember right

[@anastasiapoulos8018]

He lived in my townhouse complex and to all the kids he was the hero. I asked for his autograph at least eight times. He always obliged. I was more of a baseball fan. My parents were divorced and my dad liked the Dallas Cowboys. Anyway, years later I was in sales at Continental Airlines and told him about the 8th time I asked for his autograph at age 10. His ex-Playboy wife let out their German Shepherd on me. I peed in my pants. I didn’t care about football but had a crush on how handsome he was at the time. I didn’t care about football at ten! LOL

[@r.williamcomm7693]

Oilers were never the same after trading Pastorini to the Raiders. Always enjoyed watching him play.

[@kevinnonmacher9043]

Warren Moon was last gasp before the Tennessee exit.

[@r.williamcomm7693]

@@kevinnonmacher9043 Yes you’re right. I used to love watching Moon play. I don’t know that anyone threw a tighter spiral than Moon.

[@chrisscovitch7237]

CONGRATS ON THE WIN. GLAD TO SEE YOUR STAYING IN THE RANKS OF RACING.. WHAT ABOUT PRO, FUNNY'S OR TOP FUEL. NHRA FAN, SCOBIEAKALINK WRAYBAND. laurel, Md.

[@crisjohnson2584]

Dan, you’re wrong… you ARE a MAJOR chapter in the history of the team. Oilers- Titans forever. Titan up.

[@jtvegas8761]

Just imagine if the oilers would have not cut steve Largent, they would of had hellish receiver..

[@victorzapata3671]

AND GOT TO REMEMBER PASTORINI WAS MORE YOUNGER THEN STABLER TO BE TRADED

[@chrisbacos]

He was a great quarterback on a mediocre team. He was traded to the Oakland Raiders near the end of his career. If he had been on any championship caliber teams (meaning winning such games) he'd been in Canton.

[@kellymikoloff3763]

Great great team!!! The fact they did not win a ring was a detriment to the NFL as a whole!! This team on a national level winning would have went super nova!!!

[@BG-pd6os]

Read Dan's book TAKING FLAK!

[@Rudepenaltyoffside]

When did this interview take place?

[@clendenenjames8804]

Dan was great ,because EARL CAMPBELL AND IF DAN HAS ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST

[@g.r.x.racer-1737]

Dan Pastorini went to the AFC championship twice for the Oilers. 1978-79. Ken Stabler and Warren Moon could not even make AFC championship once. Pastorini was still good when Houston got a washed up Stabler. Chargers and 49ers were now the teams to beat. Of Chargers would always flop in playoffs.

[@jkberryjb]

The NFL has changed so much . Pastorini threw for 2500 yards in 1978 Today's rules have allowed playeesynow to throw 5000 yards.. NFL was smash mouth back then

[@keetonplace]

Dan would have more than that number had a certain player not dropped so many of his passes....right in the chest they landed, to be dropped. Saw it over and over. Wondered how Dan stood it.

[@67marlins81]

@@keetonplace Sorry I honestly don't know who you meant...?

[@keetonplace]

@@67marlins81 Not saying, but I saw it repeatedly. He caught a lot, but he dropped a lot too.

[@67marlins81]

@@keetonplace I wish you would say who it was- because I grew up a Steelers fan and honestly don't know who you mean. I'm not doubting you though. Seems to me coach Phillips would have made adjustments to get possession receivers? I know the Oilers upgraded their line when Joe Bugel was an assistant, that way Dan finally had time to make the good throws.

[@keetonplace]

@@67marlins81 I will never say because he is brought up as a good catcher from time to time on two FB places I belong to about the Houston Oilers. Had season tickets and saw every home came during the huge Luv Ya Blue days. Watched all games on TV. The man dropped the ball, thrown right into his chest....perfect throws, and dropped so many it was pathetic. I was told that maybe the reason was because Pastorini had such a strong arm that they bounced off his chest!! Oh yeah.

[@MENFUSSMIKE]

Back when football was FOOTBALL

[@lenarrowseller2419]

The Oilers did beat the Steelers in regular season games. That AFC championship game for the 78 Season was a joke. Three Rivers Stadium was nothing but a slushy ice rink for both the Oilers and the Raiders. No team could be expected to win on that mess.

[@bh7286]

They split the regular season games in ‘78. That year, the Steelers were better, but it was close. I miss those days and had much respect for the Oilers and their coach.

[@ozzieray]

Earl Campbell was overused

[@number1pappy]

I thought for a second the interviewer was George Soros! Lol!!

[@jamesfarrington9030]

Houston was awful in the 1970s. Dan had little to work with. Ken Burrough was his deep threat, but other than that, one man can only do so much.

[@bullwinkle2380]

What if??? What if Dan had not broken his leg and managed to take the Raiders to the Super Bowl as what happened in 1980??????????

[@bullwinkle2380]

Why was Al Davis so hateful of Dan??? Just because he broke his leg against Kansas City???

[@rickkennedy1655]

Like a lot of things with the Raiders of that time, it was complicated because of Al. Jim Plunkett had taken the Raiders to the Superbowl as Pastorini suffered the broken leg. There used to be an unwritten rule in the NFL that starting quarterbacks didn't lose their jobs due to injury. Plunkett was designated as Pastorini's backup QB at the start of the 1980 season. The story was that Pastorini had wanted an opportunity to be the Raider's starter again, but Al wouldn't have it because Plunkett had just won the Superbowl. It has been said that words were exchanged between Davis and Pastorini over the situation, and that Al ordered Pastorini to be cut immediately.

[@hezamachine]

Dan did an interview its on KZbin search for "Dan Pastorini talks about retired players struggle with NFL/NFLPA". Dan said he had a contract with the Raiders that deferred his contract money to pay him $60,000 per year for 20 years. He did that so he had money after his career was over. Dan had a court battle with Al Davis for 16 years after he was done playing. He said that it basically bankrupted him.

[@minuteman3]

The rules state you have to have full control. If you watch that play Renfro was bobbling the ball. He shifted it from one side to another and one foot was out when he gained control. Good story though.

[@mr.mclovin3002]

The foot was in when he gained control , look again

[@bullwinkle2380]

Why exactly did they trade Dan Pastorini for Ken Stabler??????????

[@rickkennedy1655]

The feeling back then was that Ken Stabler had defeated the Steelers in both regular season games and the 1976 AFC Championship game, so he was touted as the "missing piece" for those Oiler teams. Pastorini was seen a younger QB with a stronger arm, who was believed to be a better fit for the Raiders long passing game in that era. At least, that is how the trade was presented publicly. Pastorini broke his leg in Oakland. Jim Plunkett got hot and took the Raiders to the Superbowl, and the rest became history.

[@bullwinkle2380]

@@rickkennedy1655 Man oh man did Jim Plunkett get hot!!! Not only did he do a number on the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XV he did a number on the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVIII with a little help from Marcus Allen!!!

[@dr.awkward9075]

His stats are junk. 👎

[@musicoldies83]

Dan Pastorini was never a great quarterback. He was average at best. The reason he got traded was because of the temper tantrums he used to throw, especially with the media.

[@MovieMakingMan]

Oh come on. He was better than almost all the QBs today who would’ve never survived the punishment QBs endured in the 1970s. They would all run from the field cowering in fear if they are touched.

[@callaseter4811]

I totally agree. No way Brady gets that many rings if they could have hit him like back then . No way.

[@jsbc1988]

Pastorini was not a very good QB. His numbers were terrible. A career 50% completion percentage with 103 TD Passes with 160 interceptions

[@mattyust6127]

Would you say Dan Marino isn’t one of the greatest because he never won a Super Bowl? With that sort of logic I wonder what constitutes a “good QB” in your eyes? Dan was an absolute stud! He was unfortunately on some terrible Oiler teams in the early 70’s and had some crappy coaches until Bum came to town. He was the leader of a squad that Houston absolutely embraced and loved. Pastorini is a really great person and has more class than anyone I’ve seen in quite some time!