Sports Fact and Book Rec of the Day 01/25/2008

1/25/1967:
Gracious, unassuming and much-beloved New York Rangers defenseman Harry Howell is showered with gifts and tributes on a "Night" in his honor at Madison Square Garden. The special occasion coincides with his 1,000th NHL game (played earlier this week) and his first All-Star Game selection (announced today). Howell's steady defensive efforts and fan-friendly demeanor served to buttress the Rangers through several non-playoff years. In the game that follows, he assists on the first Ranger goal and Bob Nevin scores the winner with seven minutes left as New York edges Boston, 2-1.

Birthdays:
Lou Groza b. 1924
Don Maynard b. 1937
Steve Prefontaine b. 1951
Mark Duper b. 1959
Chris Chelios b. 1962


1987:
Quarterback Phil Simms led the New York Giants to a 39-20 victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI, the Giants first title since 1956. Simms set a Super Bowl record for passing accuracy and was named the game's Most Valuable Player.

"Somewhere inside the mind of every quarterback there's a 22-for-25 day, a day when every pass has eyes and every decision is correct. [But] that's where the fantasy usually stays, inside, because nobody ever goes 22 for 25 in a game like the Super Bowl. -Paul Zimmerman, February 2, 1987


Packers Fact:
Defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins is the younger brother of Panthers defensive tackle Kris Jenkins.

POPULAR FICTION

Steve Berry brings a fast-moving thriller to bear on the fascinating world of the Knights Templar, with a lost treasure and plenty of secrets for former Justice Department agent Cotton Malone to chew on. If you liked The Da Vinci Code and can’t get enough of those megalomaniacal pre-Renaissance bad boys, you’ll enjoy this high-action romp by the author of The Amber Room, The Third Secret, and The Romanov Prophecy.

THE TEMPLAR LEGACY, by Steve Berry (Ballantine Books, 2006)