Page, Hull top this list of favorites

A Bears-free Sunday, a comfortable recliner and a couple recently released Triumph Books that revive fond memories.

Friends, readers and strangers often ask me, “Who is the most interesting athlete you ever interviewed?”

Easy answer: Alan Page.

Sitting on my lap is “All Rise: The Remarkable Journey of Alan Page,” by Bill McGrane.

(By the way, McGrane is a former Bears administrator and another personal favorite of mine.)

Then there's this often-asked question: “Who is the most exciting Chicago athlete you ever saw play?”

Easy again: Bobby Hull.

Sitting by my side is “The Golden Jet: A Spectacular Career in Stunning Photographs,” by the Blackhawks' legend with Bob Verdi.

(By the way, Verdi is a former sports columnist, current Hawks' team historian and another of my personal favorites.)

Let's set aside McGrane and Verdi for now and explain my admiration for Page, mostly as a football person, and Hull, mostly as a hockey player.

Page was a decorated defensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings and then late in his career with the Bears nine Pro Bowls, 1971 NFL Most Valuable Player and Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Talking with Page during his time with the Bears was like talking with a college professor. Football clearly wasn't everything to him but a means toward a more meaningful end.

Many a football player 30 and 40 years ago had a license plate with “NFL” and his uniform number. Page's had his children's initials.

Even Page wondered how somebody like him could purposely step on an opponent's hand in a pile. His conclusion, if I recall correctly, was that he was someone on the field and someone else off it.

Page also pondered deep issues like the differences between rules on the field and laws on the street. Thirty years later I can't quite recall his distinction but am certain that it was profound.

So it's no surprise that Page earned a law degree during his playing days. He then worked as an attorney in private practice, served in the Minnesota Attorney General's office and since 1992 has been a Minnesota Supreme Court justice.

I'm not in awe of many athletes but to this day remain in awe of Alan Page, the public servant and crusader for educational opportunities for America's youth.

During Super Bowl week a decade or so ago, I saw Page sitting in a hotel restaurant with his wife, Diane.

Normally I wouldn't bother a celebrity at lunch, but couldn't resist going up and reintroducing myself.

“I just want to tell you,” I stammered, “that I'm proud to have known you even for a short while.”

Awkwardly said, but true. I doubt that Page remembered me but he smiled a startled smile and we shook hands.

Now for Bobby Hull.

Michael Jordan, Gale Sayers and Sammy Sosa electrified the city but none was a Golden Jet.

There never has been anything in Chicago sports like Hull gathering the puck in his own end, charging the length of the Chicago Stadium ice and ripping a terrifying slap shot past the opposing goalie.

Anyway, as memories go, that's my long of Alan Page and short of Bobby Hull. Bill McGrane and Bob Verdi go into detail, complete with photos.

You know, the Bears should take more Sundays off.