Max and Mama

Packed Up
Hoist a ptomaine and e coli burrito in honor of the late Max McGee. Then drop it. The hero of Super Bowl I and founder of the Chi Chi’s chain of food poisoning establishments has died at the age of 75 after falling off his roof while removing leaves with a blower. In 1967, McGee was a little-used wide receiver, and, not expecting to play in the big game, he stayed out all night getting plastered. The next day, he told Boyd Dowler, the starting wide receiver, not to get hurt because he was in no shape to play. On the game’s second series, Dowler separated his shoulder and McGee was sent in, borrowing a helmet on the way because he hadn’t bothered to bring his with him. A few plays later, McGee was making a circus catch, reaching well behind him to catch an errant Bart Starr pass, chiefly on instinct he would later admit because he had no idea what he was doing. McGee ended up with 8 catches, 138 yards and 2 touchdowns – including the first in Super Bowl history, en route to one of the greatest examples – along with Dock Ellis’ LSD laced no-hitter – that clean living is thoroughly over-rated. The game was a testament to McGee’s philosophy that on 3rd and 10, you want a whiskey drinker – the milk drinkers won’t get it done. McGee was a perfect foil to Vince Lombardi’s tough demeanor. In Lombardi’s first meeting with the team, he started by saying, “Men, this is a football.” McGee responded, “Not so fast, coach. Not so fast.”

I Remember Mama
Carol Bruce, best remembered as hard-ass station owner of WKRP in Cincinnati, died at the age of 87 from chronic pulmonary obstructive disease. She did some other stuff and appeared on Broadway, but pretty she was Mrs. Carlson and that’s it.