Butkus

…was a badass, the greatest linebacker that ever lived (sorry L.T.). He’s in a Nike commercial and comes up to me but says he can’t do it.

‘Why?’

Because Curt Gowdy is going to be in the commercial and he’s the greatest. I don’t deserve to be here.

(The commercial was about sports announcers.)

…but he stayed.  I was touched by his conviction and modesty. It was sad to see him hobble around the set, suffering from the tumult of his pro football career.