Fire Quackers – Fire Owner Will Wolford
Kevin Sedelmeier
Tuesday May 4, 2004
You may liken it to ESPN`s Budweiser Hot Seat. Perhaps it conjures notions of that smug Craig Kilborn’s 5 Questions. The only hope is that this will give you some insight into the people who make the Fire, excuse me, burn.
This week’s guest is majority owner Will Wolford, a 13-year NFL veteran, who played offensive tackle seven seasons for the Bills, and three apiece for the Colts and Steelers. He played in three Super Bowls, earned Pro Bowl honors in 1990, 1992, and 1995, and made the cover of Sports Illustrated for their NFL preview issue in 1994. In addition to his football accolades and stake in the Fire, he’s a coach at Holy Spirit grade school, a successful businessman, and, most importantly, a husband and father.
Q. From the fan`s perspective, that first season for the Fire wasn`t marketed properly, and it included the loudest most unfortunate halftime show ever. Describe the organization when you took it over.
A. The previous owner knew before the season even started in year one that they were going to pull the plug, so they marketed to the hard core beer/whiskey adult crowd. They even went over the top with that by having strippers at the first game and the band you mentioned that cussed out the crowd at the top of their lungs. What do you expect from an owner who is from out of town, 20+ year old kid, and born with a platinum spoon in his mouth? Just kidding
Q. Playing for Marv Levy for so long had to be a great pleasure. Fans know he is smart, but is there any one bit of wisdom he imparted on you that you take with you?
A. Marv was a great coach to play for and already a member of The Pro Football Hall of Fame. He could give a great speech. He always mention that things were "simple, but not easy," keep it that way and always prepare to work/play as hard as you can. Another one I liked is that he "liked to coach motivated players instead of trying to motivate players to play". He was always prepared and said all the right things. He used the "focus" catch
phrase before anyone and really made it stick.
Q. Having worked with your mom at Taylor Drugs during my college years, I know the wonderful type of lady she is. Your father also always greets everyone with a big smile. They are obviously a big influence in your life. Is there any piece of advice of theirs that helped you succeed not only in football but in business?
A. My Dad owned a bar most of my life and my mother was the bar manager during the days. I spent a lot of time with them cleaning those bars up, sometimes before school at 6am. I watched them interact with all kinds of different people in that business- and you do meet all kinds- and they always treated everyone the same, never looking down on anyone(and my dad was a huge man 6-4 360lbs. at the time).
Q. Don Beebe`s hustle play that caused Leon Lett`s fumble in Super Bowl XXVII at the goal line will not be forgotten to many football fans. It showed a desire and character that seemed to permeate through that whole Bills team. This year`s Fire team also seems like it plays with greater heart and desire. As someone who knows about playing with those qualities and having their teammates do the same, what have you noticed about this year`s team demeanor?
A. The first year I owned the team, I really doubted if we would ever have a team with class, character, heart, etc. to go along with talent. This year has been great so far. Your height, weight, 40 time, bench press, vertical jump, etc. will take only so far in pro football. What goes on in your mind, heart, and gut during a game is hard to measure, but our league gives guys a chance to showcase that as well. It seems like we have a lot of guys this year who have a legitimate shot at the next level, and they know working
together can help a lot of them get there
Q. I graduated St. X in 1988; you did in 1982. Do you sometimes relish being able to boss around GM Dave Arnold, a Trinity grad?
A. The St X. - Trinity is alive and well in our offices, especially when the Brohm brothers worked here. That is a very unique rivalry, especially football, that I talked repeatedly in the 3 different locker rooms that I played in the NFL. I was very happy to attend my first St X – Trinity football game in 1999 after I retired.
Q. Who were your favorite athletes when you were a kid? Did you ever get to meet them? If so, did they live up to expectations?
A. Because my Dad was so laid back and kind of famous himself ( they introduced him at a packed house at Louisville Gardens before a wrestling match when I was in 2nd grade, and I thought "Wow Dad is famous"), I did not have a lot of favorite athletes besides him. Of course, Muhammad Ali was one. Secretariat was another. I met Ali a couple of years ago, and I was in awe. He may be the most famous person on the planet. Paul Hornung is considered one of the all-time NFL greats in NFL locker rooms, and it was fun to brag about him being from Louisville. Paul and myself have a lot in common, especially our love for horse racing, and I always like seeing him.
Kevin Sedelmeier is a native Louisvillian. A graduate of the University of Louisville with a B.A. in Communication and M.A. in English, he works as a technical writer and has written fifteen screenplays and numerous short
stories. He lives with his wife Elizabeth, son Lukas, and their dog Springsteen.