Housley Accepts Award With Pride

And now for something totally unrelated to the previous posts.

The name Phil Housley probably isn't a household name to most folks but to those who follow professional hockey his name is quite familiar. At the age of 18 he did the impossible -- he jumped from high school hockey directly into the National Hockey League. There he went on to become the NHL's all-time leader among U.S.-born players in games (1,495) and points (1,232).

We grew up in the same community and our fathers were, and still are, best friends. Our paths diverged for a few years when my dad took a job transfer out of state. We returned to Minnesota during my senior year of high school. I can recall playing some pick-up hockey games with Phil and his brother on the pond next to our home along with my brothers. Who would've guessed that he would become one of the game's greatest players?

Our paths crossed briefly when I was a first year seminary student in St. Louis, Missouri. I was stunned to see a headline announcing that he had been traded to the St. Louis Blues. He only spent one season there and it was difficult because of a back injury.

Click here to read more about a home-town boy from South St. Paul, Minnesota who made it into the big leagues.

Brett Favre - What's He Thinking?

I've been a life-long Minnesota Vikings fan even though I went to college in Wisconsin and lived there on a couple of other occasions. I would love to see Brett return to the NFL and it would be a real treat to see him play in Minnesota. Now that may not happen.

Apparently he made several phone calls to Minnesota coaching staff while using a Green Bay Packers phone! Can you say 'Knucklehead'?

Not only is it likely that he ruined his chances for playing in the Twin Cities but he has likely cost the Vikings a lot in penalties. Read about it here: Brett Favre might want to invest in his own cell phone - Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports