Remembering Gordie Howe [Video]

Tuesday at Joe Louis Arena in downtown Detroit, Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe, will lie in state. Howe played until he was 54 years old, which is something I don't believe anyone will ever do in ANY sport, let alone one of the toughest.

Here's some videos highlighting Howe's illustrious career, which started eight years before I was born and continued until I was almost out of college.

My Dad took me to a Red Wings game at the old Olympia Arena in Detroit back in 1968. He was afriad that Gordie Howe, who had just turned 40, would retire soon, and I wouldn't have been able to see him play. He was wrong. Gordie played pro hockey until nearly his mid-50s, and I saw him play many more times.

Later, I shared the story with Gordie at a sporting goods store in Muskegon. He told me 'I thought I was washed up at forty, too.' Forever humble, forever great. Gordie Howe passed away last week at the age of 88, but Wings fans will never forget him.

Sure, Gordie could score, but he could dish out some hits as well. His noorious hip check could deceptively take out an opponent without drawing the ire of a referee.

Here's some wonderful 8mm film restoration of a Howe-Maurice Richard showdown in the '50s at the old Olympia Arena on Grand River in Detroit, all set to the Warren Zevon song 'Hit Somebody'.

In the NHL, there's something called the 'Gordie Howe Hat Trick'. A regular hat trick involves scoring three goals, while the Gordie Howe hat trick is one goal, one assist, and getting into a fight. Pavel Datsyuk did it for the Wings in 2010.

And last, but not least, is the official Red Wings biography of Howe, who was beloved in the Motor City.