Bears Hall of Famer Richard Dent tries to protect his business and reputation
Richard Dent made a name for himself as a dominant pass-rusher while becoming the Chicago Bears’ all-time leader in quarterback sacks.
The 2011 inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame was a member of the Super Bowl XX champion Bears, placing himself on a pedestal in Chicago sports annals. But Dent, the Super Bowl XX MVP, now finds himself in […]
Former Bears great Steve McMichael says he is “feeling the love” as he battles ALS
Hundreds of friends and well-wishers turned out for a fundraiser for former Chicago Bears legend Steve “Mongo” McMichael in Romeoville, Il. on June 5.
My wife, Kim, and I were invited for a private visit to his home prior to the event, dubbed “MongoPalooza,” which was held at McMichael’s restaurant. The former Super Bowl XX champion defensive tackle revealed publicly on […]
Toni Ginnetti, Dan Roan and Cooper Rollow honored with Ring Lardner Awards
Left to right: Cooper Rollow, Toni Ginnetti, Dan Roan.
The Ring Lardner Award is one of the most prestigious journalism honors bestowed on worthy sportswriters and sportscasters in America.
This year’s honorees were Toni Ginnetti (print), Dan Roan (broadcast) and Cooper Rollow (posthumous). The ceremony was held virtually since last spring’s annual dinner was postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The event, […]
Nothing will replace the written word
From Michael Jordan to Muhammad Ali, Ernie Banks, Walter Payton, Tiger Woods, Dick Butkus and George Halas, I have interviewed many of the biggest names in sports
I have written newspaper articles on deadline from inside a cramped toll way phone booth during the middle of a snowstorm. Relentlessly, I have pounded out artful prose from the driver’s seat […]
Dick Barnett scoring points off the court
Inspiring Gary product on lecture tour
My home town of Gary, Indiana, has a rich history of world-class athletes, contradicting the unfortunate national narrative of it being simply beset with extreme poverty, rampant crime and virtual hopelessness.
Countless names roll off my tongue when it comes to decades-long athletic excellence from Gary products. Heisman Trophy winner Tom Harmon, boxing great […]
Otis Wilson calls on NFL to support ailing former players
“The NFL needs to be shamed”
Sleepless nights, excruciating headaches, throbbing pain and ongoing depression.
This is no way to go through life when viable solutions could be made available
Professional football players should not be considered disposal entities, only to be cheered and celebrated during their youthful playing days, and then virtually disregarded as they deal with a life of […]
Sayers family “blown away” by statue and tributes for the late Kansas Comet
Celebration of his life to be planned for my longtime friend
An imposing 8-foot statue of former Chicago Bears and Kansas icon Gale Sayers was unveiled on Oct. 3 during halftime of the Jayhawks game against Oklahoma State.
Sayers passed away at the age of 77 on Sept. 23, following a lengthy battle with dementia.
The unveiling of Sayers’ statue coincided […]
Bob Stearnes inducted into Indiana Football Hall of Fame
Good evening. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of Coach Bob Stearnes’ induction into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame.
I can’t believe how fortunate we were at Tolleston High School to have two Hall of Fame coaches mentoring us in Coach Earl Smith and Coach Bob Stearnes. Their legacy as athletes and coaches in the […]
When I crossed paths with Vince Lombardi and the Packers
So, speaking of the upcoming NFL draft, here’s a curious story about my brief interaction with the legendary Vince Lombardi and the Green Bay Packers nearly a half century ago.
Lombardi exchanged communications with a business colleague of my father just three weeks before the 1969 NFL/AFL draft, which took place Jan. 28-29 in New York of that year, and saw […]
Week 17 NFL picks
The Packers and Lions battle for the NFC North title Sunday at Ford Field, while the Bears and Vikings face each other with nothing on the line in Minnesota. Here are my Week 17 picks:
Vikings over Bears
Patriots over Dolphins
Steelers over Browns
Bucs over Panthers
Cowboys over Eagles
Titans over Texans
Bills over Jets
Ravens over Bengals
Colts over Jaguars
Seahawks over 49ers
Falcons over Saints
Chiefs over Chargers
Cardinals over […]