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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 15, 2000)
8 Smoke Signals Hall of Famer visits casino during Super Bowl By Brent Merrill National Football League Hall of Famer Fred Biletni- koff, who played his entire career with the Oakland Raiders, spent Super Bowl Sunday (Jan. 30) at the Tribe's Spirit Mountain Casino signing autographs and commenting on the game. Biletnikoff, who was the Raiders 2 draft pick out of Florida State Uni versity in 1965, played 13 seasons as a wide receiver for Oakland (1965 78) and capped-off his career by win ning the most valuable player award in Super Bowl XI. He finished his professional football career with 589 receptions for 8,974 yards and 76 touchdowns. In his fi nal college football game, Biletnikoff caught four touchdowns passes as the Seminoles defeated the University of Oklahoma in the Gator Bowl. Biletnikoff, 56, and his wife Angela arrived in Oregon after spending the week in Atlanta going to pre-Super Bowl parties and gatherings. Biletnikoff held court in the casino's Rogue River room while a crowd of men wearing Raider jerseys and hats, many accompanied by their children, lined up for autographs and bits of conversation with one of the game's true rebels. When Biletnikoff played profes sional football it was a different time a different game. The late 60's brought the turmoil and dissension of the younger generation to the fore front of the news and of people's minds. Biletnikoff was a young man at the top of his profession at the time. His col orful array of Raiders teammates reflected the turmoil of the day in their dress, demeanor and style of playing foot ball. The Raiders were known as the bad boys of the league. They led the league in penalties, fights and bail money spent. "We had so many different person alities back then," remembered a smiling Biletnikoff. "Today we check a kid's background to see if he got in any trouble in high school or in col lege. Back then, nobody checked our backgrounds. All they cared about was getting us out on the field to play." Biletnikoff was one of the only play ers to wear his hair long. He wore a glue-like substance all over his arms and even around his ankles so he could get a better "grip" on the ball. Some people say he even smoked on the sidelines during games. Looking back, it seems the athletes of the 60's would have paid to play the game. It was an honor and a privilege for a select few people. Most players spent their entire careers in one organization. Before the Super Bowl got started, Biletnikoff talked about the changes he has seen in the game of football from the 60's to today. "When I played we were all underdog-type of guys," said Biletnikoff. "We didn't come from fancy back grounds. We came from parts of the Hall of Fame wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff visited the Casino on Super Bowl Sunday. Biletnikoff signed autographs and provided commentary on the game to a packed house of football fans. Photo by Brent Merrill country where our parents struggled to make a living. When I had a chance to go down to Florida State (University) it was something special. It was something I never even dreamed about. Now, kids go around and pick whatever college they want to go to." Biletnikoff also discussed the dif ferences between other football leg ends like quarterbacks Daryl Lam onica and Kenny Stabler. ' "Daryl was more of a 'loner-type person," said Biletnikoff. "He was quiet. He liked to go off and get away from football. Kenny was just the opposite. Kenny was a little more social and had a little more of an open personality." While signing autographs, Bilet nikoff shared his views on the Na tive American sports mascot issue, which has been a subject of contro versy between tribes and profes sional teams for many years. "To be honest, I really don't know how I feel because I guess it has just been part of my life all the time. I "'don't' think those things ever came" up in the years I was playing foot ball. But, I can see where it would also be offensive to people." jk JPIWT MOUNTAIN CXJINO VV TWBXL MMB6fc. EMPLoyee profile flfKK v. TITLE: Security Officer HIRE DATE: October 2, 1995 HOMETOWN: Grew up in Prospect, Oregon; now lives in Grand Ronde. EDUCATION: Earned certifi cate as a Level I Water Treatment Plant Operator; certificate in lumber grading; graduated from the first security officer training offered through Spirit Mountain Casino. JOB DUTIES: Regular security officer work whatever the job entails for the day. Works the night shift, 1 1 p.m. to 7 a.m. JOYS OF THE JOB: "I like working with new people, and meeting staff and guests." MOST INTERESTING ASPECT OF THE JOB: Getting to know the guests. HOBBIES: Likes to read history. WORK PHILOSOPHY: "Be honest at all times and do the very best job you can. WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO SMC? "I had an injury from working in a saw mill. When I saw the security guard training classes were being offered, I applied." FAMILY: Mother, Frances; father, George (D); brother, Monty (D); sisters: Patti, Georgene, and Mary. v BLACKJACK CAR GIVEAWAY , N E,V G I V E A W A Y S E V E R Y MO N T H OF, 2 0 0 0 All month long, any Blackjack (including a jack) will earn you a ticket to enter into the drawing for a brand new 2000 Jeep Cherokee. Ask your dealer for details. C 1 CoyOTG CLUB CASH BACK PROMO COYOTE C L U B MEMBERS ONLY Redeem your January slot points for cash February I4th 25th, 2000. Visit the Coyote Club desk for official rules. r CCORC6 CARLIN SOLD OUT One show only at 7pm. Ticket prices are $25 and $35. Tickets are available in person at Spirit Mountain Casino, at all Fred Meyer Fastixx outlets, or by phone at 800992-TIXX. r BUy-IN SLOT TOURNAMENT GUARANTEED S I 5 , 0 0 0 F I R S T PRIZE $150 buy-in. Tournament begins at 6pm. Register at the Coyote Club desk before March 3rd and receive a free dinner at Coyote s buffet. The top 30 scores receive a free nights stay at Spirit Mountain Lodge. 1-800-760-7977 503-879-2350 Hwy 18, Grand Ronde, OR www.spirit-mountain.com 4
