Man Dies Trying to Dribble Soccer Ball to World Cup in Brazil

Richard Swanson planned to walk from Seattle to Sao Paulo, Brazil, for next year’s World Cup. (Bill Wagner)

Do you have a bucket list? What have you dreamed of doing that other people might think is utter nonsense? Richard Swanson, a 42-year old man from Seattle, Washington decided that he was going to try and live out one of his dreams. He wanted to go to the World Cup. Like many Americans, Swanson had been recently laid off work. He did not have a steady stream of income, but he would not let this stop him.

Swanson decided to walk and dribble a soccer ball at his feet from Seattle to Sao Paulo, Brazil. His goal was to make it in time for next year’s international soccer tournament. Described as an "avid runner, soccer player, and all-around lover of the Pacific Northwest," Swanson planned to visit 11 countries during his one-year-plus trip south. Along the way, he would dribble an "indestructible" soccer ball to promote the One World Futbol Project, a charity that donates these balls to people in disadvantaged communities.

"All these pieces just started to come together in a way that — it almost felt that, it felt natural, it felt that I was doing what I should be doing, that this was my next leg in my life," Swanson said in a YouTube video before he started the trek.

Swanson was collecting monetary donations and asking people for places to sleep and food to eat as he journeyed south. He documented his journey with YouTube videos, Facebook posts and a website that he maintained, which included a map that tracked his travels via GPS.

Tragically, Swanson's journey ended prematurely Tuesday morning when he was mowed down by a pickup truck south of Lincoln City, Oregon. This was only two weeks and a few hundred miles into his journey. The public was informed of the accident via Swanson's Facebook.

“It is with a heavy heart to notify you that Richard Swanson passed on this morning,” someone posted on Swanson's “Breakaway Brazil” Facebook. “His team, family, friends, and loved ones will miss him and love him dearly. You made it to Brazil in our hearts, Richard. Team Richard.”

Outpourings of support and prayers filled the Facebook page. Among those who wrote, were the two sons, 18 and 22, Swanson leaves behind.

“We love you dad..with all our hearts!” Devin Swanson wrote. “You are a inspiration to all to continue doing what you love! One day..I will continue your journey in your name!”

Even though Swanson never made it to Brazil or saw a World Cup game in person, I do not believe he would wanted to go any other way. If you watch Swanson's YouTube videos, it is plain to see that he believed this is what he was supposed to do. Swanson passed way trying to accomplish what he dreamed of doing. This is his message to us. Do not let your dreams just be dreams. You can pursue them and seek to bring them to fruition.

Butler's Legacy Lives on in Hall of Fame and Hearts of Fans

Jack Butler, a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee in 2012, passed away last Saturday at the age of 85. (Gene J. Puskar)

Unless you an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan or old enough to have watched football in the 1950s, you probably just ignored Jack Butler as he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame last year. You did not recognize his name or know how good he really was.

Butler is used to being overlooked by now. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on November 12, 1927. Butler grew up playing football in the many parks ad streets of the city. When he was old enough, he attended seminary to become a priest. After Butler decided the priesthood wasn't for him, he decided to go to college at tiny St. Bonaventure University near Olean, New York. The school's athletic director, Dan Rooney, the brother of the Steelers’ owner, Art Rooney, encouraged Butler to try out for the school's football team.

At 6 foot 1 inch tall and weighing 200 pounds, Butler excelled as a defensive end during his football career at St. Bonaventure. When he was overlooked in the NFL Draft, Dan Rooney encouraged his young budding star to tryout for his brother Art at the Steelers camp in 1951. He made the team as a defensive end, but an injury to another player forced the Steelers to switch him to defensive halfback, the predecessor of today's cornerback position.

“He was the perfect guy for a defensive back in those days,” Ted Marchibroda, the quarterback who played with Butler at St. Bonaventure and with the Steelers before becoming an NFL head coach, told The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “He did not have the greatest speed, but he had good speed, good size, good hands, and his instincts were tremendous.”

The Steelers reaped the benefits of Butler's position change. He thrived during his career as a defensive back. In his nine seasons with the Steelers, Butler intercepted 52 passes in 103 games, running four of them back for touchdowns. He retired as No. 2 on the league’s career interception list.

Butler may have intercepted even more passes if it had not been for a career-ending knee injury. He did not miss a professional game until he collided with Philadelphia Eagles end Pete Retzlaff during a game in 1959. Butler was never able to recover from the injury.

After being overlooked for so much of his life, Butler was finally recognized for his accomplishments following his career. He was selected for the NFL’s all-decade team for the 1950s. As I already mentioned, Butler was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.

Last Saturday, Butler passed away at the age of 85. The cause was complications of a staph infection in from the same knee injury that ended his career. Butler's life may be over, but his accomplishments and legacy will live on in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and in the hearts of those who were privileged to watch him play the game he loved.

Rangers Fight Back to Force Game Seven

The brawl at the end of the Rangers' 1-0 Game 6 victory over the Capitals shows both teams' desire to win the series. (Scott Levy)

Elimination games have a special edge to them. One team is trying to put the finish touches on their hard work, while the other is fighting to stay alive. It becomes like a chess match, which can be the perfect situation for the team desperate to survive. It certainly was tonight for the New York Rangers.

When Washington Capitals center Mike Ribeiro scored in overtime of Game 5 to give his team a 3-2 lead in the best of seven series, Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist slammed his stick in disgust. It was a save he felt he should of made. With his team facing elimination in just two days, Lundqvist knew he must be better in order to help his team survive.

Game 6 was a physical affair from the get go. Neither team was able to generate much of an offensive flow. It was not until midway through the second period that one of the series' top stars had the puck break his way. From just inside the blue line, Rangers center Derick Brassard faked a shot and then let one rip. The puck clipped the glove of Capitals defenseman Steven Oleksy and sailed through a screen set by Brassard's linemate Rick Nash in front.

The goal was originally credited to Nash, but was properly credited to Brassard after replay revealed the puck deflected off Oleksy instead of Nash. The goal was Brassard's second of the series to go along with five assists. Nash has not found the net yet, but has been a presence in front of the Capitals net creating traffic in front of netminder Braden Holtby.

Meanwhile, Lundqvist faced only 15 shots through the first two periods, but he knew he must stay sharp to protect the Rangers' slender lead. As it turned out, the Rangers relied on Lundqvist to come up with a number of crucial saves in the final period. When the final horn finally sounded, a fight broke out between the sides, but it did not matter. Lundqvist had stopped all 27 shots he had faced for his seventh career NHL playoff shutout.

The Rangers-Capitals series is now 3-3, but the task does not get any easier from here for the Rangers. They must now travel to and play in what is sure to be a hostile environment at the Verizon Center. The home team has won every game up to this point in the series. This means that the Rangers must now do what they have failed to do so far in the postseason, win in the nation's capital. Something tells me that Lundqvist and the rest of his teammates will be more than ready to give it their best shot.