Most of you are probably already getting bored with stories about the Super Bowl, still almost a week away. But if you can stand one more - about an underdog who became a top dog - please read on.
Brian Urlacher, considered by most NFL analysts to be the best defensive player in the NFL, was pretty much overlooked when he was looking for a college to attend. The high schooler out of the little town of Lovington, New Mexico, was considered too small and not talented enough to play Division 1-A ball by most major colleges. However, the University of New Mexico, always looking for in-state players, decided to take a chance on the teenager. It wasn't long before the Lobos and their fans realized they had something special in Brian. Before graduation the linebacker was the dominant defensive player in the Mountain West and was also being used on special teams, primarily as a punt returner. His abilities had become so obvious that he was the 9th overall pick in the 2000 NFL draft when he was chosen by the Chicago Bears.
Since his rookie season in the NFL , Urlacher has been All-Pro every year. And this year he gets a chance to showcase his talents to a world Super Bowl audience when the Bears play the Indianopolis Colts.
New Mexico, along with millions, will be cheering No. 54, the boy who most thought could not play major-college football.
You showed 'em, Brian!

Today's blog gets away from the more serious issues such as politics and college football's BCS. Please don't get me started on those again.
This past summer my cousin in Clovis, Annie Ruth, and her husband Jimmy visited me in Albuquerque.
My friend Karen and I took them on a tramway ride up to Sandia Crest east of the city. The next day we took them to the city aquarium. Outside the aquarium sits a shrimp fishing trawler in a small lake. Karen pointed out to me a pair of pelicans sitting beside the boat. "Aren't those the birds that bring babies?" I said to Karen. Karen began laughing and then called out to Annie and Jimmy. "Do you know what Wilbur said? He thinks pelicans bring babies." Of course, I was blushing as everyone was laughing hysterically. Annie then said, "Now we know why Wilbur never had children." And the laughter grew louder as I grew redder.
Now, I want to set the record straight on this matter. I am very well aware that it is storks, not pelicans, that bring babies.