PHOENIX — In Florida, there is an old coach, now in his late 80s, who still watches football. He occasionally draws up plays and names them for his grandchildren.

He does not talk about how his N.F.L. career ended, decades ago.

But he knows what it means to be blamed for making a regrettable play call, perhaps better than anyone. Bob Gibson, 87, was the offensive coordinator of the New York Giants in 1978. At the end of a game that the Giants were about to win, he instructed quarterback Joe Pisarcik to hand the ball to Larry Csonka, rather than having Pisarcik take a knee to let time expire.

The play went famously awry. Pisarcik fumbled. Philadelphia defensive back Herman Edwards scooped up the ball and ran 26 yards for the winning touchdown.

Gibson was fired the next day. He never worked in football again. He rarely discussed the play or his firing, letting the years swallow ignominy like ivy on an old barn. He opened a bait shop and played golf.