Detroit Free Press

‘EXCUSE ME, BILL . . .’LAIMBEER’S ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THANHIS WORDS . . . TOO BAD

‘EXCUSE ME, BILL . . .’LAIMBEER’S ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THANHIS WORDS . . . TOO BAD

They come at Bill Laimbeer like kids in a zoo. Look at the beast. You think he bites? This is Laimbeer's life now, every day, in a restaurant, on the street, you can't hide when you're 6-feet-11. Even at home, he's sitting on his porch by the lake, and people approach in their boats and they kill the engine and float past, staring, whispering, "That's him, there. Look."
A SOLUTION: REPORTERS, TAKE OFF YOUR CLOTHES

A SOLUTION: REPORTERS, TAKE OFF YOUR CLOTHES

Last Monday, Cincinnati Bengals coach Sam Wyche decided he didn't want to let a female reporter into his team's locker room. For this, commissioner Paul Tagliabue fined him nearly $30,000 and rejected Sam's plan to chase out the women -- and the men -- after 20 minutes. I have heard a million ideas on this male/female locker room thing. About the only one that made me laugh was the one suggested by Shawn Burr of the Red Wings. Shawn said: "I think the fairest thing is if everyone took their clothes off."Wonder what Sam would think of that one?
‘I WANTED TO BE HERCULES’HIS LIFE SHATTERED BY STEROIDS,SAM VIRGO STRUGGLES BACK

‘I WANTED TO BE HERCULES’HIS LIFE SHATTERED BY STEROIDS,SAM VIRGO STRUGGLES BACK

Twice a week, in the early morning, he takes his cane and tries to walk around the block. His steps are labored, his movements stiff and exaggerated, like a puppet yanked by strings. He passes the red brick house and the one with aluminum siding. Cane. Step. Cane. Step. You can do it, he's thinking. But by the time he turns the corner, he is sweating. Soon he is short of breath. Past the silver fence now. Around the next corner. Cane. Step.
WILL LIONS BE BURIED IN JERSEY?

WILL LIONS BE BURIED IN JERSEY?

* Detroit 24, NY Jets 20: They say Jimmy Hoffa is buried under the Meadowlands. Wayne Fontes doesn't want to join him.* Dallas 20, Cleveland 12: The Browns get a break when Nick Saban convinces Troy Aikman he ought to go back to college -- at Michigan State.
WIMBLEDON NO SWEAT FOR SAMPRAS, UNTIL NOW

WIMBLEDON NO SWEAT FOR SAMPRAS, UNTIL NOW

WIMBLEDON, England -- I saw it. I swear. It was gone in an instant, but I saw it. Men's semifinals, third set, a hotly contested point, and I spotted -- are you ready for this? -- a bead of sweat on Pete Sampras' forehead!Well. I thought I saw it.Maybe someone's air conditioner was leaking.The Iceman Serveth. Everybody duck. The latest racket in the world of racquets is this skinny, dark-haired, unflappable tennis machine that makes the cop who chased Schwarzenegger in "Terminator 2" seem like Fred MacMurray.
WHO ARE THESE GUYS?THEY’RE EIGHT UP-FRONT LIONS – POSED, POISED,PULLING TOGETHER

WHO ARE THESE GUYS?THEY’RE EIGHT UP-FRONT LIONS – POSED, POISED,PULLING TOGETHER

Getting them lined up for the photo was the best part."Yo, Big E! Get in here.""Where's my shirt, man?""Picture time! All right!""Get Ledgehead in here.""You're Ledgehead.""Hey, Tiptoe, get out of the front, man. You never smile.""At least he's got his pants on this time.""BIG E, GET IN HERE!""Why they taking our picture?""Yo, Lomas, your calves cramping yet?""Oh, funny, funny.""Hey, photo man. What kind of lens you using?""Must be one of them super wide angle lenses.""Definitely."
CHAMPS EVEN THE SCOREOH, ISIAH! THE CAPTAIN FLASHES HIS OLD MAGIC

CHAMPS EVEN THE SCOREOH, ISIAH! THE CAPTAIN FLASHES HIS OLD MAGIC

For a few minutes Sunday night, he was his old self, firing those high-arching jump shots that threaten to bring down rain before they swish through the net. Two points. Another two points. Then he drove deep into the Atlanta defense and did the between-the-legs thing, the trademark left-right-left-right dribble -- sort of like the old Ali shuffle -- followed by a one-handed whip pass across the court. Beautiful. Then he led a fast break. Then he stole the ball. Then he shot again. Two points.

Mitch Albom writes about running an orphanage in impoverished Port-au-Prince, Haiti, his kids, their hardships, laughs and challenges, and the life lessons he’s learned there every day.

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