Billy Volek, Class of '08

By: Andrew Katz

Let’s face it. There is no way that the Chargers should have won Sunday. Every single factor was against them: playing on the road against the loudest crowd in football, Tomlinson out the second half, the Colts healthier than they had been all season, and to top it off, their QB who was having the best game of his career got injured coming down the stretch. Much like the 2004 World Series, when things looked bleakest for the huge underdog, an unlikely hero came through under the spotlight.

Billy Volek, who coming into the game had just 6 pass yards all season, led the Chargers down the field for a game-winning 8 play, 78 yard TD drive at a point in the game where even the Chargers’ own fans had just about written off their season. Now, the opportunity is there for Volek to enter a very exclusive club. Let’s call it the ‘Dave Roberts Club’ for lack of a better name and because he probably is the most well-known example. The qualifications are simple:

1) A player either makes a play (or in this case a small group of plays) that redefine his image in the minds of every fan of that team, or the moment, to the point where he may have been an everyday player before, but now is immortalized as a full blown hero.
2) When fans of the team think about the accomplishment that earned the player entrance into the World’s Most Exclusive and Hallowed Club, the fan Must get that goosebumpy, chilly feeling.
3) If you saw it live, it’s something you will never forget.

Granted, it will be easier for Volek to enter the club if the Chargers do in fact end up winning the Super Bowl this season, but it feels as if he already can do no harm in the minds of Charger fans (especially if he doesn’t have to play in the Patriots game this weekend.) Here are some examples of ‘members’ to give you an idea of exactly what kind of company Mr. Volek is entering:

Dave Roberts – Roberts’ steal might be the most incredible achievement here because it set in motion a comeback that faced the longest odds of any in sports’ history. Even today when he returns to Boston playing for an opposing team he receives cheers when he comes to the plate.

Bryce Drew – If you saw it, you remember it. With 2.5 seconds to go in a 1st round NCAA tournament game against #3 seeded Ole Miss, No Name A inbounded to No Name B who caught it in the air and without hitting the ground dished it to a streaking Drew. Drew proceeded to hit a leaner from well behind the arc as time expired giving the Crusaders the victory. I also believe this shot to be the sole reason (and rightfully so) why the Rockets selected Drew in the first round of the following year’s draft.

Endy Chavez – Not to brag or anything but….I WAS THERE and I’m pretty sure that I got the last available tickets considering that I was seated in The last row of the upper deck (I am not kidding, there was no person behind me, just a gated wall.) The fact that the Mets lost the game is regardless in respect to the fact that we feel Endy to be the savior. How magical was the moment? When was the last time you heard of someone receiving 2 curtain calls for one play?

Robert Horry – Big Shot Rob actually has a nice collection of game-winning shots to his name, but he seems to be remembered most for his ones as a Laker. His legend actually grew to such extents that two seasons ago in the playoffs, teams were actually double-teaming him at the very end of games on inbounds passes with players like Tony Parker and Tim Duncan on the court. For his career he’s only averaged 7 ppg is there any player you’d rather have shooting a last second shot?

Rex Chapman – Without a doubt, his shot against Sonics to tie the game is the most fun of all-time to recreate with your friends.

Matt Davison – This one happened a little farther back so our younger readers may be unacquainted with one of the greatest catches ever. I watched it live in ’97 and was rooting so hard against Nebraska. It really looked like they were going to lose this game and say goodbye to their title dreams until Frost drove the field and completed this pass on 4th and goal. He’s also always a great trivia question when you need a stumper.

This Sunday I will be cheering hard for the Bolts if only hoping that they can somehow beat New England and then win the Super Bowl so that Volek’s heroic performance isn’t lost in the shuffle of things. No, most ‘Dave Roberts Club’ members don’t deserve the legendary status they have ascertained, but that doesn’t mean we love (or hate) them any less for their accomplishments.

Feel free to post any other candidates for membership to this prestigious club, because who doesn’t love a one hit wonder!