Gordie Howe, dead at 88. Arguably the greatest hockey player ever, played in 5 decades (And a publicity shift in a 6th) #2 in all time scoring, nasty in the corners and a true gentleman off the ice. A small town kid who grew into a Canadian icon. I had the privilege of seeing him play once, after the NHL/WHA merger, and he seemed larger than life on the ice of the old Chicago Stadium. Not a big one for believing in such things, but first Ali, now Howe...Heaven must be in need of tough guys with gentle souls.
