He Became a Star Early in His Career

After the death of Alan (The Horse) Ameche, there was an item in this space that recalled his exploits as a high school running back. In 1950, as a senior at Bradford High School in Kenosha, Wis., he gained 831 yards.

The Rev. Don Heermans Sr. of Upland sends along an item from the Bradford alumni newsletter, recalling the exploits of a running back who bettered Ameche’s total in 1957 by gaining 839 yards, averaging 11.4 yards per carry.

From there, he went in a different direction than Ameche, but he has won no less acclaim, and it’s likely he has been seen by more people.

He’s Daniel J. Travanti of “Hill Street Blues.”

Trivia Time: What do Wayne Gretzky of the Kings and Mark Gastineau of the New York Jets have in common? (Answer below.)

Temple football Coach Bruce Arians, bemoaning injuries and lack of depth, said: “I don’t think there is a team in the United States who can put a third-team guy out there and expect to win in top competition. Penn State can’t. Alabama can’t. Notre Dame can’t.”

USC did. In 1979, after losing Anthony Munoz at left tackle, the Trojans went to Bruce Matthews. When Matthews went down, they went to Don Mosebar. The Trojans went undefeated.

Then there was Doyle Nave. As the fourth string tailback, he came off the bench in the 1939 Rose Bowl to beat previously unbeaten, untied and unscored-upon Duke, 7-3.

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Brian Bosworth, on the $7,000 stereo system in his car with nine speakers: “Anyone that gets in there with me has to sign a release saying they won’t sue for hearing aids.”

Add Bosworth: Says Jeff Dankworth, agent for Seahawk linebacker Fredd Young: “Fredd thinks Bosworth is a jerk, and the feeling is obviously mutual. But people don’t have to like each other to play on the same team.”

From Detroit Lions defensive back Bennie Blades, promising to win a Super Bowl ring before Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Vinny Testaverde, a former teammate at the University of Miami: “Vinny can win all year long, but when the big one comes around, he never seems to get it.”

In Miami’s 35-7 loss to Tennessee in the 1986 Sugar Bowl, Testaverde was sacked 8 times, fumbled 3 times and had 3 interceptions. In the 14-10 loss to Penn State in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl, he was intercepted 5 times.

Trivia Answer: Both wear No. 99.

Quotebook

Irv Mondschein, assistant U.S. Olympic track and field coach, told that Butch Reynolds set a 400-meter record of 43.29 in Zurich: “Dogs don’t run that fast.”