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In September of 2009, Tom Dressen will celebrate 40 years in show business. Dressen has done it all. He has opened for the biggest names, like Frank Sinatra. He has headlined in Las Vegas. he has appeared on virtually every talk show past and present.
Dressen never forgets his Chicago (actually Harvey), roots. He often comes back to Chicago to help in various fund-raising efforts.
One such event was Mike North's Bowl-A-Rama in the late 90's. Dressen bowled his games and signed autographs for hours, never showing any signs of stress or fatigue (even when my enthusiastic photog got a little too close...sorry Tom).
Tom Dressen (and his bowling ball) in Arlington Heights, IL-Late 90's.
Mike North and Dan Jiggetts are back on tv starting today. Their show, Monsters of the Morning, will air live on Comcast SportsNet Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. North and Jiggetts did a radio show together years ago on WSCR. Recently, they have teamed to do a show on the web.Jiggetts played for the Chicago Bears for 7 seasons. He was part of the offensive line which opened holes for the great Walter Payton. He has been a media fixture in Chicago for years. North is a hotdog vendor turned successful sports talk show host. In a somewhat surprising development, North (a Score original) and WSCR parted ways several months ago. North had been the face of the Score. Heck, many feel North was the Score.North has had his share of critics over the years, but I like Pappy! I have met him several times at various charity events (which he helped organize) as well as at Tony's Deli in Edison Park (IL). North could not have been any nicer. Despite many demands for his time, North (and his wife BeBe) always takes time for the fans.
Dan Jiggetts and me and Mike North and me in Arlington Heights, IL-late 90's.
Today, the Chicago Bears face the Green Bay Packers. It is always special when these teams play, because it is one of the biggest rivalries in all of sports.Therefore, I am displaying 2 former Bears, Dan Jiggetts and Ron Rivera. Jiggetts was a fine offensive lineman during the 70's. He has since gone on to a career in the media. Rivera was a solid linebacker in the 80's and is currently coaching the defense of the San Diego Chargers (although we could use him in Chicago!).I met this Bear pair at Mike North's bowling event. North is currently partnered with Jiggetts doing sportstalk on the web and will be doing it on Comcast starting in 2009.
Dan Jiggetts, Ron Eivera and me in Arlington Heights, IL-mid 1990's.
The Chicago Bears are 5-3 as they face the undefeated Tennessee Titans. The Titans are coached by Jeff Fisher, a former member of the Bears. Fisher has spent more time as coach of his team than any other current coach. When he started coaching them, they were the Houston Oilers.Today's celeb guest of honor is Jimbo Covert, a long-time member of the Bears and teammate of Fisher. Covert epitomized those Bears' teams. He was a rock at tackle.I met Covert at sports talk Mike North's Bowl-A-Thon. I really miss that event. 
Jimbo Covert and me in Arlington Heights, IL-mid-1990's.
It's true. I had the pleasure of bowling with George 'the Animal' Steele. Mike North and WSCR radio used to have a Bowl-A-Thon for charity and the event attracted all sorts of celebrities. Steele was winding down his wrestling career at this point, but he was still quite a character. No, he did not eat any pins.
George Steele and me in Arlington Heights, IL-mid-1990's.
The Bears, with a 3-2 record, head to Atlanta to face the Falcons. The Bears have had a few great running backs in their history. One of the all-time greats was Gale Sayers, the Kansas Comet. I met Sayers at a remote broadcast of the Mike North Show at a local restaurant. Sayers is a quiet guy, but I was lucky to be captured with him smiling wide.
Gale Sayers and me in Chicago, IL-late 1990's.
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Tom Dressen (and his bowling ball) in Arlington Heights, IL-Late 90's.
