W. Kovacs

Freakin' love that guy.

As much as I love sports, there are few athletes whose jersey I would wear. #9 is one I wear proudly...

SloMotion

Agreed. I gotta' tell you something along those lines ..... as a devout Red Wing fan, I have always revered the #9. I've met Gordie Howe, skated in his hockey clinics as a kid, supported his charities and he's been gracious towards my children when he didn't have to be. Getting a 'Gordie Howe hattrick' has always been a source of pride in my household, even in these politically correct times.

Seeing another athlete wearing the #9 is always awkward for me. Stupid, huh? Different sports, different regions, you'd think I could differentiate, but if you grew up watching Howe play, if you had been there when he skated over and, jokingly, picked my brother up by the ears, then maybe you'd understand. Even when my kids would ask if they could try for the #9 sweater on their teams, I would sit them down and explain to them what wearing the #9 means. That number has a special meaning above all others in Detroit ..... heck, even 'the Captain', Steve Yzerman, deferred and took #19 out of respect for Gordie.

So, anyway ..... I guess what I'm saying is ..... it doesn't look bad on Drew, he carries that number well. He represents. He's the first athlete I ever saw wear that number and it didn't bother me all that much ..... he's the first athlete to make me differentiate, and that's big ..... even my kids have noticed.