Pre-Fame...Pre-Johngy

This is another in a recurring series about me (before I was Johngy) meeting people (before they became famous).

The last time I wrote about meeting someone pre-fame, it was my Mt. Carmel schoolmate Erik Pappas. Today, I am once again going to my MC roots, by highlighting Tony Furjanic, my former teammate on the Track and Cross Country teams.
Furjanic was one year ahead of me at MC. He was also definitely the star athlete during that era. Furjanic was named Sun-Times Prep Athlete of the Year in 1982. Furjanic went on to have a stellar career at Notre Dame. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the 8th round in the 1986 draft. Furjanic played two years with the Bills and one with the Miami Dolphins, appearing in 28 games.
Back during our time at MC, Furjanic and I were teammates for a season. Furjanic was a shot-putter and I was a long-distance runner. I did spend some time in the weight room with Furjanic (hey someone had to teach him how to lift!).
Seriously, Furjanic gave me quite a few pointers and was always a great guy. He never let his success change him. He even showed me a bit of the technique used in shot-putting (not that I ever competed, but it was fun anyway).
I have lost touch with Tony, although I know he still lives in the Chicago area. I hope to catch up this summer and when I do, I will have an update here.

The 1981 MC Track team (I'm on the right side) in Mt. Carmel gym in Chicago, IL-Winter 1981.

The 1981 varsity MC Track team (Furjanic is in front row in jacket) in Mt. Carmel gym in Chicago, IL-Winter 1981.

Bear Down Sunday #15 (Will Be Monday)

The Chicago Bears are 8-6 and again facing a must win situation. Unfortunately, they also need the Minnesota Vikings to lose. Monday night, the Green Bay Packers are in Chicago to play the Bears.
Back in 1980, Mike Tomczak was the quarterback for Thornton Fractional North High School. TF North was playing Mt. Carmel in a playoff game. Mt. Carmel, lead by linebacker Tony Furjanic, beat Tomczak's TF North team. I almost felt bad for Tomczak as our paths crossed on the field as the game ended.
After a good career at Ohio State University, Tomczak signed with the Bears as a free agent. Tomczak appeared in 6 games as the Bears went on to win the Super Bowl in his first year. Somewhat surprisingly, Tomczak would end up being the last active member of that Bears team.
Tomczak played in Chicago for 6 seasons before joining the Packers for a year. One year in Cleveland followed that and then he was off to Pittsburgh for the next 7 years.
Many people forget that Tomczak's career ended with the Detroit Lions. He signed with the Lions, but suffered a broken leg in the pre-season.