It’ll Take a Wing and a Prayer for Reeves to Do It

Atlanta Falcon Coach Dan Reeves on emulating his players doing the “Dirty Bird”--their arm-flapping touchdown dance:

“I’ve had so many shoulder and elbow surgeries that I have a tough time getting my wings high.

“But as I told my players, if things end up that we get to the Super Bowl, I’ll do [the Dirty Bird] in downtown Atlanta.”

That we have to see.

*

Trivia time: What was unusual about USC’s 13-13 tie with Notre Dame in 1936 at the Coliseum?

*

Stop it! Steve Rosenbloom in the Chicago Tribune: “Don Cherry, the notorious hockey broadcaster known as Grapes, went bonkers and fired the coach and an assistant of the junior hockey team he owns in Ontario.

“They’re calling the episode the Wrath of Grapes.”

*

Is it that bad? California defensive lineman John McLaughlin on losing to Stanford, 10-3, last Saturday:

“It’s almost like you’re on a plane or something and [the pilot] comes on and says your plane is going to crash. There’s nothing you can do about it.”

*

Old-fashioned QB: Indianapolis Colt Coach Jim Mora on improving rookie quarterback Peyton Manning:

“He reminds me of a throwback guy. No ego. Tough. Wants to win. Competes. If you put a pair of black high-top football shoes on him like Johnny Unitas used to wear, he’d look pretty comfortable in them.”

*

Something to relish: From comedy writer Earl Hochman: “The Dodgers announced they are raising season ticket prices as much as $15 per seat, but the good news is it’s not true they’re down-sizing the Dodger Dog.”

*

Prove it: John McEnroe said in an interview in Tuesday’s London Daily Mail that he “almost fell over laughing” at the field last week at the World Doubles Championship.

“I am still better than any of the doubles players who have played for America in any of the matches since I retired.”

*

Quick to split: Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg on Dennis Rodman and Carmen Electra calling it quits after 10 days of wedlock: “I have had hiccups that have lasted longer than that marriage.”

*

Looking back: On this day 1966, the Washington Redskins set an NFL regular-season record for most points scored in a 72-41 victory over the New York Giants.

*

Trivia answer: USC’s Bud Langley intercepted a pass and ran 99 yards to a touchdown with the referee, Tom Louttit, inadvertently running interference.

Moreover, the Irish had 463 total yards to the Trojans’ 53 and 18 first downs to USC’s one, by a penalty.

*

And finally: During a recent fight between Tony Twist of the St. Louis Blues and Dennis Bonvie of the Chicago Blackhawks, the players told the linesman not to separate them.

Said Twist: “There were issues to be addressed. I was looking to knock his head off.”