RIP Art Donovan

Baltimore Colt great Art Donovan passed away yesterday at the ripe old age of 88. And for a man who lived on salami, bologna and hot dogs I guess that's pretty damn old.

Hall of Famer comin' at 'ya!

Art was my favorite Colt. Not because of football, but because of his appearances on Late Night with David Letterman in the 1980's. Johnny Carson had Bob Uecker, Letterman had Art Donovan. Donovan was the common man who just happened to play pro football and came out of it as a great storyteller. Art Donovan made me laugh...

...but he also just happened to have been one heck of a football player. 5 times an All NFL selection. 5 times named to the Pro Bowl. And inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968.

In 1988, in what may be Donovan's greatest honor, a plucky young man in Colorado named his used, 1985 tan Dodge Colt after him.

I wanted to glue a square of grey carpet to the roof,
to honor Art's flat top, but worried it cut down on
my mileage too much. I'm such a selfish bastard. 

And in 2004 Art was the first pro football player enshrined in the US Marine Corp Sports Hall of Fame. Donovan served in the Marines during World War II where he fought in the battle of Luzon (Philippines) and in the Battle of Iwo Jima. 

Rest in peace Art. And thanks for the memories.