- Born
- Died
- Birth nameOail Andrew Phillips Jr.
- Height5′ 9″ (1.75 m)
- Bum Phillips was born on September 29, 1923 in Orange, Texas, USA. He was an actor, known for Cowboy Smoke (2008), The NFL on CBS (1956) and The NFL on NBC (1965). He was married to Debbie Ewing and Helen. He died on October 18, 2013 in Goliad, Texas, USA.
- SpousesDebbie Ewing(August 31, 1990 - October 18, 2013) (his death)Helen(September 20, 1946 - August 30, 1990) (divorced, 6 children)
- Cowboy hat
- Head coach of Houston Oilers from 1975-1980 and was the the winningest coach in franchise history.
From 1981 through 1985, he was the head coach of the New Orleans Saints. - On the sideline for one of the most infamous plays in NFL history. During the 1980 AFC championship game between the Oilers and Pittsburgh Steelers, Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini threw what looked like a touchdown pass to Oilers receiver Mike Renfro. The referee signaled incomplete, saying Renfro didn't get his feet in bounds. The Oilers vehemently protested the call, and a replay showed that Renfro did, indeed, get both feet in bounds. The Oilers went on to lose 27-13. The game prompted the NFL to eventually institute instant replay for close calls.
- Although the cowboy hat is Phillips' trademark, he never wore one when coaching a game indoors (such as when he coach the Houston Oilers in the Astrodome or the New Orleans Saints in the Superdome). When asked about this, Phillips replied he'd been taught that it was disrespectful to wear a hat indoors.
- Lives on a ranch in Goliad, TX with his wife.
- Inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.
- Winning is only half of it. Having fun is the other half.
- The only discipline that lasts is self-discipline.
- You don't know a ladder has splinters until you slide down it.
- How do you win? By getting average players to play good and good players to play great. That's how you win.
- I don't mind being called Bum just as long as you don't put a 'you' in front of it.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content