Football Weblog Spotlight: Helen

In last week’s post regarding Football Weblog’s one-page printable standings, I mentioned that I’d be adding a DIFF column per the suggestion of Terry, a gentleman from Illinois. Terry proposed the change on behalf of his 94-year-old mom, Helen. Seems Helen is involved in a football pool – has been for years – and uses the differential between a team’s points scored versus points allowed to help formulate her picks. I agreed that the addition of a DIFF column was a great idea and, thanks to Terry and Helen, I’m including it on all one-page standings moving forward. (Please know that I’m always open to suggestions on how I can do things better. Click Here for my contact information.)

I don’t know about you, but I think it’s great that Helen is still enjoying football at age 94. In fact, I think Helen merits a Football Weblog Spotlight! I corresponded with Terry, and this is what I learned about Helen.

Helen lives a little west of Chicago. Understandably, living so close to the Windy City, Helen’s favorite NFL team is Da Bears. And her favorite player? Mitch “Mr. Biscuit” Trubisky.

Helen was married to the love of her life, Erv, for 52 years, but is now a widow.

Bundle of wires

In her working years, Helen was employed by a factory that made switchboards and phone junctions in the telephone industry. The components she made, called cables, consisted of thousands of color-coded #22 wires. The wires were tightly laced together and consisted of so many wires that the cables often exceed 3 inches in diameter. These cables were used to control switching on land lines – long before the advent of cell phone technology and its associated infrastructure.

Helen also worked at a Friday night fish fry joint for 42 years.

Helen has been a part of the football pool that she’s now participating in for more than a decade. The number of participants in this pool varies from year-to-year, but some years it’s been as many as 20. And if you’re wondering how well Helen does with her picks, not to worry: She’s finished as top dog a number of times.

Helen, and her son, Terry

Helen enjoyed participating in the football pool with a close friend, also age 94, but he passed away in March. Everyone misses him.

In addition to football, and trying to dominate her football pool, Helen enjoys crocheting, working Sudoku puzzles, and piecing together jigsaw puzzles. She’s still very active in her church.

When asked who she thinks will meet in Super Bowl LIV, she felt it would be the New England Patriots and the San Francisco 49ers. If that were to happen, she clearly indicated that she’d be pulling for the Niners. She’ll root for any team in the Super Bowl as long as it’s not the Pats.

Helen sounds like an interesting and delightful woman. Terry wholeheartedly confirms it. “You’d like her!” he says.

In closing, I’d like to simply say thank you to Terry and Helen for visiting Football Weblog and for the suggestion to add the DIFF column. I hope it helps Helen to yet another successful season in her football pool!

As always, run to daylight!
Randy