Jack Weikel was our football coach freshman year. A very excitable guy, full of spit and vinegar. Brian was our QB, Captain and clearly best player on the field, which all of us, including Weikel and Foster, knew. Brian's penchant for goofing around during practice drove Coach nuts! There was only so much discipline he could dole out. What were you going to do, kick him off the team? So, Brian played him like a fiddle at times. One Monday afternoon, we were playing in Collinswood when Brian slammed his right hand on a helmet while throwing a pass. I don’t remember if he broke or severely dislocated his right middle finger, but it wasn’t pretty. Foster was going to need medical attention and rules stated that Coach Weikel had to accompany him. This posed a great problem for Weikel, who either had a hot date or pressing engagement just after game time. This set coach off! All of his pent up frustration about Brian’s goofing and now Foster was ruining his social life. Weikel stood on the sidelines berating the kid, who was in obvious pain. But I’ll never forget, Brian look at him defiantly, and raised his right hand to give Coach Weikel the good old New Jersey State Bird, problem was his right middle finger was purple and bent perpendicular to the ground!
It was the most horrifying and hilarious scene I have ever witnessed!
Smith Funeral Home