Back Then, When You Hit the Wall, You Hit the Wall

George Halas, the late Chicago Bear owner-coach, once told this story about his legendary fullback, Bronko Nagurski:

In a game against Washington at Wrigley Field, Nagurski supposedly barreled up the middle, sent two linebackers flying in different directions, trampled two secondary players, bounced off the goal post, and finally plowed into a brick wall, cracking it.

“The last guy hit me awfully hard,” Nagurski reportedly said when he reached the sideline.

*

Trivia time: Who holds the NFL record for consecutive games scoring touchdowns?

*

Unstoppable: Steve Hummer in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “The Yankees are history’s freight train; the Braves are just a penny on the track. One skinny championship and holding for Atlanta.

“Now 25 for the Yankees, eight of those on sweeps. There is no sign of them slowing going into the 2000s.”

*

Easy, Bob, easy: Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe, on the all-century team: “Anyone who doesn’t understand that Honus Wagner remains the greatest shortstop of all time or who thinks Nolan Ryan is one of the top six pitchers ever is a baseball ignoramus.”

*

Where’s McGwire? Steve Rosenbloom in the Chicago Tribune: “Invitations to Sammy Sosa’s birthday bash next month have gone out to Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, Rev. Jesse Jackson and the president of the Dominican Republic.”

*

More Rosenbloom: “Michael Jordan’s new restaurant in North Carolina has drawn lots of attention. Said merchandising manager Tim Otken:

“ ‘People have been trying to look through the windows. You’d think it was Michael Jordan’s topless restaurant.’ ”

*

Prospect: Michigan State football Coach Nick Saban to the Detroit News, on the cheerleader who attacked Wisconsin’s mascot for degrading a Spartan flag during their game Oct. 23:

“The tackle was just like we teach it. The guy obviously has played football and was coached very well. I’ve got to get the height, weight and speed on him.”

*

Back to basics: Purdue football Coach Joe Tiller, on his team’s ground game: “We have trouble running from the huddle to the line of scrimmage.”

*

Ugh! Jim Gray’s interview with Pete Rose “did some good,” David Letterman said. “It knocked some sense into Pete because earlier today he announced, yes, in fact, it’s true, for the last 10 years, he’s been coloring his hair with Tang.”

*

Trivia answer: Lenny Moore of the Baltimore Colts, 18, 1963-65.

*

And finally: Bernie Lincicome in the Chicago Tribune: “Nice run Atlanta is on. Address of the last Super Bowl loser. Site of the most deplorably tacky Olympics since the invention of the Dixie cup.

“Home of the predictably beaten Braves, who make the Buffalo Bills look like overachievers. Where have you gone, Ryan Klesko? A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.”