Back in Pittsburgh

March third we traveled back to Tuff's hometown of Colstrip to stay with his family for a few more days, then onward to Minnesota for a few days with my family.

My best friend Rachel was visiting her parents in Staples the same time we were coming through so we were blessed to see each other. Below my nephews Beck and Finn and niece Bo posed for a picture with Tuff and Rachel's son Eli.


The Grove Family (Jeremy, Rachel and Eli)


We got together with Rachel's family (my second parents) at Tower Pizza, the main go-to eatery in Staples.

Eventually we made the drive to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and flew out of Milwaukee airport to Kalispell, Montana for the Whitefish Winter Classic, a fundraiser that raises money for transportation and lodging for sick children traveling to bigger hospitals. Montana does not have a children's hospital or any major hospitals so when a child is very sick, their family usually travels to Denver or Seattle. Doug Betters, former Miami Dolphin, started the Winter Classic 25 years ago. He invites about a dozen NFL players to participate in the Classic as celebrities to help raise the necessary funds.

Last summer I made a post about an RV getting stuck trying to go to the baggage area of the airport...well it happened again, only this time a semi. What was he thinking?


Flying into Kalispell, Montana


On Friday as part of the Winter Classic, the players ride to the top of Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort and sign autographs and interact with anyone entering the lodge.


After signing autographs, the University of Montana group posed for a picture. Each of the guys below played football for the Griz and now play in the NFL.


The Winter Classic also put on a Play 60 event, an NFL initiative to get kids moving at least 60 minutes a day.


Dodge ball


The photo below made the Daily Inter Lake paper. Its Tuff holding a four year-old as a shield while playing dodge ball at the Play 60 event. Tuff throuroughly enjoys playing with kids and he doesn't tire out like most adults.


The final night of the Winter Classic


We flew back to Milwaukee at 9:00pm Sunday evening and drove through the night back to Pittsburgh so Tuff could make his 9:00am team meeting. Off-season work-outs officially started.

A special thanks to all who we visited over the last few months. Thank you for a place to stay (or offering a place to stay) and for working with our unscheduled schedule. With your hospitality and love our off-season was very blessed.