Pinko and Ringo

Better Dead Than Red
Milo Radulovich, a symbol of the excessive anti-Communism of the 1950s, has died at the age of 81. Radulovich had spent 8 years in the Army Air Force, including top secret work in Greenland, and was serving in the Air Force Reserve when he was removed as a security risk. Radulovich’s offenses: a father who had read a Slavic language newspaper considered to be pro-Communist and a sister who had picketed a Detroit hotel that refused to admit Paul Robeson, who had publicly praised Stalin. Radulovich’s story was told by Edward R. Murrow on See It Now, although the program’s sponsor was nervous and pulled advertising, leading Murrow and producer Fred Friendly to spend their own money to promote the show. Viewer response was overwhelmingly in favor of Radulovich’s case, helping to earn his reinstatement, and buoyed Murrow and Friendly to take on Joe McCarthy in two more broadcasts. Now, this is just a historical footnote, because no modern politicians would ever falsely overstate a serious situation to inflate American’s fears for the purposes of political gain nor would they create enemies of the state out of thin air. And if they did, surely America’s media would have the courage to expose such actions.

Late that Night, No One Could Save the Life of Ringo
Jim Ringo, an undersized center who set a record for consecutive games played and went on to be named All-Pro seven times for the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles has died at the age of 75. Ringo’s contributions to the power sweep helped the Packers to championships in 1961 and 1962, but his attempt to gain a raise from $12,000 to $15,000 before the 1963 season made for one of the great negotiation stories. Ringo brought an agent to his negotiation, surprising Lombardi, but the Packer legend encouraged the men to make themselves comfortable in his office while he took a quick phone call. Moments later he told them, "Gentlemen, you're talking to the wrong team. Jim Ringo now belongs to the Eagles."

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.