Bear Down Sunday #16

The Chicago Bears are playing a meaningless game today.  That isn't so unusual.  The unusual part is that at 11-4, they have already clinched the #2 spot in the playoff seeding.  On the other hand, the Green Bay Packers need the win.  To celebrate this unusual situation, I am featuring an unusual former player for the Green Bay Packers.
Despite being pictured in Steelers garb, Lex Luger actually was a member of the Green Bay Packers.  Larry Pfohl (as he was then known) played in the CFL before joining the Packers.  Although he spent the entire season on the Injured Reserve list, Pfohl was officially a member of the Green and Gold.
Luger went on to have an excellent career in pro wrestling, winning two major world titles and several lesser titles during his lengthy career.
Luger has gone through his share of problems, but he was extremely nice when I met him several years ago.  After talking to him for several minutes, I got a picture with him.  Unfortunately, the picture turned out poorly (pre-digital camera).  The next day, I asked him for another and he remembered me and quickly agreed to take another picture.
Win or lose today, the Bears are in the playoffs.  Hopefully, like Luger, they willwin the world championship!

 Lex Luger and me in St. Pete, FL-January 2005.

Bear Down Sunday (Really Monday) #3

The Bears stand at 2-0 and tomorrow face the Green Bay Packers who are also 2-0. I'm not a meatball fan who thinks this is the only game that matters, but the Bears-Packers rivalry is huge despite what Coach Smith thinks. Additionally, with both teams off to a good start, this game should be interesting and a good test.
Hall of Famer Paul Hornung saw plenty of these games firsthand, while starring for the Packers. We discussed the heated rivalry when I met him last year. The picture below reminds me of how strange life is. Here was Paul Hornung, a Hall of Fame player, sitting at a card show with a cheesy hand-printed sign and few people approached him. People were more excited by the big current names at the show.
It probably makes me sound old, but it is the same as kids only looking for the rookie cards of today's hot stars. Here is a legit star and only a handful of people cared. I wanted to yell, "It's Paul Hornung!".
Oh well, to each his own. I should probably just be grateful there was time for me to talk to the living legend.

Paul Hornung and me in Willowbrook, IL-March 2009.