Even if you're not a hockey fan (like myself) Howe is one of those athletes that everyone has heard of.
Nothing against the 'Great One', or Lemieux, but IMO, Gordie I hold in higher esteem. Seen all 3, and all 3 were Pillars of the Game. Gretzky was great no doubt in all aspects, yet seemed like a 'prima donna' who required goons to protect him. Howe could land a check/hit, and take one, he never shied away from contact like Gretzky, and played until he was 51 yrs old, Gretzky 38...that alone speaks volumes, IMO.... Super Mario, didn't shy from contact either way, and could of been greater than Wayne perhaps, IF, IF, if he wasn't afflicted with health probs- The Sport has lost a Great Great Man, perhaps the Greatest Hockey Player-IMO,... last week it was Ali, greatest to strap on gloves, (tho' I never saw Marciano, or Lewis fight in person, on film, both look equal to Ali)... Who's next, first Musician's galore pass, now Athletes, who's #3...?
He played with the old Hartford Whalers when he was something like fifty years old with his son Mark. Tell you something about Gordie Howe, he had sharp elbows and wasn't afraid to mix it up....lol, he may not have been quite as electrifying as Gretsky or Super Mario...but he would've beat the crap out of all of them.
Being a Ranger fan, Mr. Howe was always beating them..... whether it was by scoring the winning goal or pummeling them with his fists. He played well into his 40s and still was better than kids in their 20s. Yes, he was a great hockey player. R.I.P.
