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Why Did Buddy Ryan Run Up the Score On the Cowboys in 1987? Revenge.

Head coach Buddy Ryan of the Philadelphia Eagles on August 6, 1989 in London, England. The Eagles defeated the Browns 17-13. Photo by Pascal Rondeau/Getty Images Legendary NFL coach Buddy Ryan died Tuesday at age 82. Ryan, who was the father of Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan and Bills defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, was a defensive genius—and as brash as he was innovative. He beefed with opposing coaches, called quarterbacks “overpaid, overrated, pompous bastards,” and once punched one of his fellow coaches on the sideline. But there’s another story, mentioned in nearly every Buddy Ryan obituary, that illustrates his brawling style. On Oct. 25, 1987, Ryan’s Philadelphia Eagles were up 10 on the Dallas Cowboys, apparently letting the clock run down until the final whistle. That is, until Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham faked taking a knee in the game’s waning seconds and launched a pass to the end zone. The Cowboys were flagged for interference, and ...