I recently attended the Sports Illustrated "Night of Champions" award show, here in Los Angeles. I had the honor of watching such esteemed figures as Magic Johnson and Mohammed Ali receive achievement awards, and heard touching tributes which recognized some of the most outstanding sports heroes of our time. But most touching, by far, was the award given to a group of men who are heroes both on and off the football field... the New York Fire Department's "Bravest Football Club". It was wonderful, especially in the light of "September 11th", to see the enormous and amazing response given to these men. We too often take for granted and overlook our everyday heroes. I am thrilled to see that the fire departments and police departments across our country are finally getting some of the recognition and gratitude they deserve.

   A celebratory dinner at Spago followed the award show, and I had the opportunity to speak with some of the firemen visiting from New York. I had such a good time listening to their stories and enjoying their company, that I wanted to include this photo... It is a picture of Tom Narducci, Sergeant at Arms, picking me up for the camera! Tom, thanks for making me laugh...