Howard Finney, seen here as a young man, founded the Cobras youth football program that has seen many of its players go on to professional careers in the NFL. Finney died Dec. 30 at the age of 91. (COURTESY SUE LEFAVE)

Thanks for your wonderful remembrance of Coach Howard Finney. I played for the Cobras from 1976 to 1979, and on his “varsity” team around 1980.

I was a tall, scrawny kid with crazy hair and nary a glimmer of athletic talent. Coach Finney worked with me, and his admonition to “never quit” resonates with me today relative to my family, career and life.

Coach Finney was less a coach than a third parent. He yelled a tad more than Mom and Dad, but his messages were just as well-intended and meaningful. When he ran for Montclair’s Township Council, as a high-school student, I went door-to-door across Montclair handing out flyers for him, and otherwise talking him up to whoever answered their door.

I went on to play football in high-school and college, but Coach Finney’s lessons extended far beyond the gridiron.

Chris Wood
Washington, D.C.

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