STL flavor in Super Bowl XL on Sunday
This Super Bowl will have some St. Louis flavor to it, dating all the way back to the Big Red. Former Cardinal Running Back Stump Mitchell is the running backs coach for the Seattle Seahawks. Did I mention that Stump is the coach of the league’s leading rusher and MVP, Shaun Alexander? Nice going, Stump.
Former Rams Grant Wistrom and Bryce Fischer man the defensive ends for the Seahawks. Kinloch’s own Barret Brooks is now playing tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Barret is a Graduate of McCluer North and Kansas State and was recruited by St. Louisan Charlie Coe, who is now the head coach at Alabama State.
To all of the participants: best of luck and health and enjoy the moment, because there are no automatic return trips to the Super Bowl.
It’s on in Motown
Motown is ripped, roaring and ready to go for Super Bowl Sunday. They have thought of everything to make this event a memorable one. Detroit has rolled out the red carpet to make sure there are a bunch of happy campers. From the extravagant parties in Detroit to the renowned ballets of Windsor, Ontario. Did I say ballet? I meant the really upscale version of the Pink Slip.
The story besides the game is Jerome Bettis playing his last game in his hometown of Detroit and everyone is rooting for him. Everyone but the Seattle Seahawks. It was announced this week that Bettis and other businessmen have partnered up to develop 43 acres of property on the riverfront that will house 2,000 apartments and condos as well as an entertainment center. For Bettis, life after football is off to a good start. Just think, we traded Jerome Bettis for the troubled Lawrence Phillips. Don’t ask, “Where are they now?” I don’t want to know.
Hall of Fame picks
This is the weekend that the voters will elect new members to pro football’s Hall of Fame. My picks would be Warren Moon, Troy Aikman, Claude Humphrey and Derrick Thomas. I have more who are serving, but I think they will take four, no more than five.
Better days ahead for Blues
Now that the Blues have started to sell off their player assets, better days are closer than you think. The sale of the team to former Madison Square Garden president Dave Checketts and local businessman Tony Sansone will be good for the team and the city. Money, experience and connections will be the reasons this team will have a good chance to succeed. The fact that Checketts is well thought of by both commissioners David Stern of the NBA and Gary Bettman of the National Hockey League helps St. Louis’ chance down the road to someday bring the NBA back. I did say someday, not next week.
As the Blues continue to trade players for prospects and draft choices, they could get on the right track soon. They will be well under the salary cap for the next season, and they will probably have new management in place. This should fun. Not a bad time to try and be a hockey fan. Once you are a fan of the sport, being a Blues fan will be easy.