Friend Encounters: Goofy and Ty

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Today, I am getting goofy, but only because my late friend Ty got goofy first. Actually, he got Goofy for real.

I love this picture. It shows Ty happy meeting a character. Ty met all sorts of celebrities, but mainly wrestlers. He loved wrestling. I would see him at many wrestling events and comic cons. He would always stop me for a selfie. I looked forward to those moments of catching up with my pal.

Goofy has an interesting history. He debuted in 1932 as Dippy Dawg, who is older than Goofy would come to be. Later that year, he was re-introduced as the younger Goofy. Since then, he has become a beloved part of the Disney Universe.

Ty beats me on this one. I have never met Goofy, nor any Disney characters, other than Mickey Mouse.

Fortunately, I did meet Ty many years ago and became friends. Tragically, he died too young last year. I plan to keep his memory alive here with his other celebrity encounters. RIP Ty.

Goofy and Ty in Orlando, Florida-January 2024.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #777 Cassie Duncan & Erica Day

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series featuring celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Ice Girls deserve the spotlight, too!

I don't know a lot about foemer Los Angeles Kings Ice Crew member Cassie Duncan. She was on the team for at least the 2009-10 season and was a trainer after that. Beyond that, I have nothing, but never let a good Celebrity Jersey Card opportunity pass without capitalizing on it.

I discovered slightly more about Erica Day. She was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, but made her way to Los Angeles and the Kings. She worked on the Ice Crew for at least the 2009-10 season. She also did some acting in videos and television. That's enough to merit a Celebrity Jersey Card.

Kal Herro - GLCW Champ

A new Great Lakes Championship Wrestling champ was crowned in December at Blizzard Brawl. Kal Herro now proudly wears the title belt.

I have written many times about Kal. I have known Kal for many years, having met him at a Blizzard Brawl about 15 years ago. I have watched him grow up to be an amazing young man and a skilled wrestler. Now I have seen him win his first GLCW heavyweight title.

Son of promoter David, Kal has worked hard and earned everything he has gotten. As discussed in The Herro's Journey, the documentary about David, people can say he got a lot from being David's son. They can say that, but they'd be wrong. This young man is incredibly talented and has worked towards this from a young age. He is extremely well-mannered and in awe of his father. The love they share and show is heartwarming. It's a pleasure knowing both of them.

Th next Blizzard Brawl will be in Milwaukee in December. I don't know if KJal will still be champ, but it's a good bet he will be there. Of course, there is the chance one of the big companies will see this energetic, charismatic talent and sign him.

Kal Herro, Tony and me in Waukesha, WI-December 2025.

Manifesting a Jenniffer Weigel Interview

Jenniffer Weigel has been at the top of my interview want list for years. Last year, we almost got it done, but schedules changed. I am resetting it as a goal for 2026.

Jenniffer is a Chicago media person, an author, a believe and more. The daughter of Chicago news legend Tim, Jenniffer wrote Stay Tuned, an amazing book about her attempt to communicate with her father after his passing. It's a book I read about once a year. Even if you don't believe in such things, there are plenty of other heartwarming parts to it.

Jenniffer has written a few other books and I recommend all of them. Never preachy, Jenniffer admits her own doubts, while being open to possibilities.

Why do I want this interview? I want to delve into her mindset. I want to hear how she balances doubt with searches. I want to hear more of her coincidences or signs, depending how you believe. Mostly, I want to share her stories with more people.

Go to jenweigel.com to learn more about her. Check back here to see if I achieve my goal.

Jenniffer Weigel and me in Rosemont, IL-November 2022. 

Benny the Bull Loves Me

One would think mascots would give me more respect, considering my fascination with them. Apparently, Benny the Bull doesn't care.

At Bulls Fest 2025, the Bulls mascot decided to have some fun with me, covering my face. I must admit, it is an improvement. In all fairness, he also did a regular picture with me.

Benny (or his great grandfather) debuted in 1969, becoming the first live NBA mascot. Over the years, there have been a few versions of Benny, with the current one was introduced in 2004. No matter the version, Benny is regarded as one of the most popular mascots. Some rank Benny at the top of that list.

At Bulls Fest, several former Bulls appeared for meet-and-greets. They all attracted large lines, but the biggest might have been for Benny, as kids and adults wanted pictures with the big red bull. Lucky for me, I had a media pass and didn't have to wait long. You know I would have waited though. I can't pass up a mascot.

Benny and me in Chicago, IL-August 2025.

Introducing Carla MacLeod of the PWHL

Last month, I got my first live take on the Professional Women's Hockey League. Although the PWHL doesn't have a team in Chicago, the league is playing some neutral site games. The Ottawa Charge played the Minnesota Frost in the Takeover Tour stop in Chicago.

Saturday was a day of practice, meet-and-greets and clinics in Rosemont. I attended all of it. The meet-and-greet featured four Charge players (more on them in the future). I was hoping to meet Charge Coach Carla MacLeod. Patience paid off as MacLeod came out shortly before the clinics started. I was fortunate to chat with her for a bit.

A native of Alberta, MacLeod starred at the University of Wisconsin. She also played internationally, winning the gold medal in two Olympics and a gold and three silvers in the world championships. MacLeod was a force on defense.

She began her coaching career shortly after retiring in 2010. In September 2023, she was named head coach of the Charge, one of the original six PWHL teams. In her first year, she guided them to a fifth place finish. Last season, the Charge finished in third place. Currently, the team is struggling a bit in last place.

MacLeod was very engaging. She thanked me for covering and supporting women's hockey. I said I was hoping for a Chicago team. A a former Wisconsin player, she knew what a team would mean to the area.

I had read she announced she was battling breast cancer. I did not broach the subject. I didn't think it was the time or place. I did wish her well.

The next day, the Charge beat the Frost in overtime. The game drew a respectable 7,200 fans. On the weekend before Christmas, for Chicago's first taste of women's hockey with two non-Chicago teams, I thought that was encouraging. As for the hockey itself, I was impressed. It was competitive and exciting.

For more info on Coach MacLeod and the PWHL, go to thepwhl.com. Also, check here for my recurring coverage, which hopefully will eventually include a Chciago team!

Carla MacLeod and me in Rosemont, IL-December 2025.

Happy Birthday Scott

Happy birthday to my brother-in-law Scott. I'm sure he is celebrating somewhere in Florida, but I am raising a toast to him from here.

After writing these for so many years, there really isn't much I haven't said. How do you thank someone who has been a friend, mentor, role model and brother? Scott has been all of that and more, including an occasional tormenter depending on our sports bets.

We have been across the country, at many sports events, fishing in remote Canada and even on the field interviewing Minnesota Twins coaches in Spring Training. There's so many great memories, but some of the best times are just with all the family poking, prodding and laughing.

I celebrate these birthdays because these folks in my life are so important. I am a lucky guy.

Happy birthday Scott. We'll celebrate in a couple months.

Scott, Jean and me in Chicago, IL-September 2025.

Friend Encounters: Andy Armadillo and Kevin

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Today's Friend Encounter also qualifies as a "Mascot" spotlight. My pal Kevin met a great mascot.

Kevin is a friend I met at Chicago Bandits games. An astute fan of the game, Kevin was always good for a softball discussion. When Athletes Unlimited started, we continued our chats and added gripe sessions about how AU mishandled a few things. We agreed AU was good, but we wanted it to be better and of course, we had the answers. lol. Unfortunately, Kevin moved northwest and I haven't seen him lately.

I do follow him on social media. That is how I saw him meeting Andy Armadillo, the mascot of Texas Roadhouse. Andy has been the mascot since Texas Roadhouse debuted in 1993. Although I have only been to a Texas Roadhouse a couple times, I have never seen Andy. If Andy was around more, I would definitely dine there to meet him. Until then, Kevin has this one on me.  

Kevin and Andy in Rapid City, SD-August 2025.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #776 Billy Gardell & Cesar Millan

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series featuring celebrities wearing sports jerseys. I'm showing a little love to Pennsylvania.

Born in Swissvale, Pennsylvania, actor Billy Gardell is perhaps best known for his title role on tv's Mike & Molly. Citing Jackie Gleason as a major influence, Gardell's entertainment roots are in comedy. Although he was born in Pennsylvania, he grew up in Florida, yet he is still a major fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although his favorite player is Hall of Famer Jack Lambert, Gardell is wearing a #7 Ben Roethlisberger jersey for his Celebrity Jersey Card.

Born in Mexico, Cesar Millan rose to fame from his work with dogs. His show Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan ran for many years. I don't know of any connection he has to the Philadelphia Eagles. nor the #43, which was worn most notably by running back Darren Sproles. I don't know ewho the woman is either, but at least he got a dog in the picture.

Blizzard Brawl Returns!

The 20th annual Blizzard Brawl was another fantastic event. It was full of surprises and good news.

Held at the Waukesha County Expo, Blizzard Brawl is Great Lakes Championship Wrestling's big event of the year. There was talk of this being the last. Even promoter David Herro admitted he was unsure of its future.

Fortunately, David ended the suspense right away by announcing Blizzard Brawl 2026 would happen. It would be held in Milwaukee though. David said it will hold more fans, allowing for lower prices. As long as it returns, the rest is just an added bonus.

David works tirelessly to make Blizzard Brawl a great event. He is also very visible there, talking to and thanking fans. David always looks relaxed and in control, which is great to see in a promoter. It is also because things run so smoothly at Blizzard Brawl. That's more kudos to David and his staff.

As always, I'll be featuring more folks from Blizzard Brawl throughout the year, but I wanted to start with the man where it starts. David is more than a promoter. He is a #Superfriend (as he calls his circle of buds).

Speaking of David, I highly encourage everyone to watch The Herro's Journey about David's incredible life. It is not a wrestling movie. It is a movie about a man and his son (Kal). I guarantee it will bring smiles, laughs and tears.

Go to GLCWWrestling.com for more info on all of their great events. Check back here for my recurring coverage.

David Herro and me in Waukesha, WI-December 2025.