veteran’s corner

Tom Krabbenhoft

 Rudy, the 1993 movie that starred Sean Astin as a physical lacking athlete with a huge heart. What the movie left out was Rudy’s military service. Rudy joined the Navy in 1968, and served two years as a Yeoman. He used his GI Bill to attend Holy Cross College which led him to Notre Dame and legend status. Rudy stated “the Navy actually changed my thinking around, my attitude around, and who I was.” Rudy claims the movie is 92% accurate. Sad that his service was left out. I criticize Hollywood often for generally portraying veterans as PTSD suffering sociopaths with violent and homicidal tendencies.

Bud Grants Vikings coaching legend is still the 3rd most winning professional coach.

Bud enlisted in the Navy after high school in 1945. The war ended shortly after he was sent to California. He was then sent to Great Lakes Naval station where he played for the Navy’s Blue Jackets. He was coached by WW2 Navy Veteran Lt. Paul Brown.

 After Bud served he went to the U of M playing football, basketball and baseball. After college, Grant was selected 1st round in the NFL draft by the Eagles. AND he was also selected 4th round in the NBA draft. Having to choose he picked basketball. In 1950 his team won the NBA championship. Bud played basketball for two years with the Minneapolis Lakers, they later went on to became the LA Lakers. He then decided to play football and was snatched up by the Eagles. During his first season he led the team in sacks. In his second season he switched to offense and played wide receiver. He was 2nd in the NFL for 997 yards with 56 catches and 7 touchdowns. The Eagles would not raise his pay, so he went to Winnipeg. He played in the CFL with the Blue Bombers for many years. He still has CFL records standing. After playing football we all know how Bud’s story ends.

Going back to Bud’s coach for the Bluejackets Lt. Paul Brown.

Brown coached from 1946 to 1962. The team he coached was the Cleveland Browns. You may be wondering and yes the Browns were named for him. He also went on to co-found another NFL team the Cincinnati Bengals.

This one is for my Mom and Dad, hopefully it’s the Vikings year.