Jack Maitland '70 makes the catch before making THE run

Growing up in Williamstown around the time Jack Maitland was making a name for himself running over and through Eph opponents, you bet it was a big deal to hear that Jack was two doors down at the Falivene's house. Carl Falivene was an assistant coach for the Ephs in the late 1960s and Maitland had stopped by for a visit – those who claim Maitland is the best running back ever at Williams will joke that was one of the few times he was stopped in Williamstown. Chip and Tommy Falivene were high school teammates so it was easy to come up with an excuse to go over to see them and get to meet Jack Maitland. Jack was very down to earth, humble and pleased to be recognized.

I was so impressed that as a freshman at Holy Cross I sneaked in to Harvard Stadium to see Maitland play for the Colts against the Patriots and ended up sitting next to Carl Falivene.

Before you look down the page to see Maitland's numbers and be impressed, take a second to appreciate that each of the three years he played at Williams he ran behind a brand new offensive line and every defense was geared to stop him. Heck, in his senior year the Ephs threw less than 100 passes in eight games. One of those passes, however, was turned into legend. A Maitland reception and run late in the 1967 Amherst game ended a five-year Lord Jeff win streak and brought bedlam to Weston Field. That's bedlam as in storm the field bedlam and watch the goal posts come down as soon as the game is over bedlam.

Maitland's catch and run into Eph football lore was his greatest thrill in football, even greater than getting a Super Bowl V ring with the Baltimore Colts. "I don't know how I got past the two Amherst players who were near me when I caught the ball," said Maitland. "I'm not even sure if it was Bobby Quinn or Randy Dygert who gave me a big block downfield, but I can tell you that was the greatest thrill of my football career. Scoring the winning TD against Amherst to end an Eph losing streak was far more thrilling than being in the Super Bowl and winning."

Long time NFL scout Charlie Fox worked Maitland out on Weston Field about a week after the Amherst game and he was impressed. "You could just tell by the cut of his face that he had what it took to make it in the NFL," said Fox. "His biggest negative was that he played at a small school, but he had the speed and strength and once scouts actually saw him in person they were convinced he was legit." Maitland was taken in the 16th round in 1970 and when Tom Matte and Norm Bulaich got injured in preseason Maitland started for the Colts. He was subsequently traded to the Patriots and played three years in the NFL.

Maitland is the only Eph back in the modern era -- post 1950 -- to average over 1,000 yards a season. When he completed his career, Maitland was New England's all-time leading rusher with 3,018 yards, averaging 5.03 yards a carry in his career. He scored 27 TDs and he also caught 29 passes for 409 yards and returned 17 punts for an average of 10.3 a return.

But for 1965 Heisman Trophy winner John Huarte, Maitland might have starred at Princeton. Huarte told Maitland after a banquet one night that he was delighted to win the Heisman Trophy but he wished he had played all three years instead of just his senior year. "When the Heisman Trophy winner tells you that the key to happiness is playing it should mean something," said Maitland. "Up until then I was headed to Princeton, but I changed my mind and decided to go to Williams."

Maitland resides in Ft. Lauderdale where he is currently working with Nikken -- a Japanese company that markets stress management and injury care products.

Looking back on his Williams experience, Maitland found his time in the Purple Valley to be the perfect bridge. "Williams was a tremendous bridge for me to adulthood," he said. "Getting a strong education at Williams gave me the confidence that I could succeed in the future. The balance of academics first with a competitive athletic program was just right for me. I am proud to be a Williams graduate and I love going back to visit."