AL HAMNIK: Kawann Short bandwagon destined to tip over

WEST LAFAYETTE | Kawann Short wants so badly to play pro football, he's given up pizza and ribs and chocolate sundaes.

AL HAMNIK: Teddy bear days are over for Purdue's Kawann Short

We called Kawann Short a teddy bear as a basketball-football standout at East Chicago Central.

Merrillville's Neal offers 'sack' of football goodies for his family

CHICAGO | If Mike Neal were in his 10th NFL season with all the nagging injuries he's had, you'd agree it was the price athletes pay in this punishing sport.

JIM PETERS: L.C.'s Yancey awaits Purdue coaching decision

These are some anxious times for Lake Central's David Yancey, and it has nothing to do with the season-ending injury that the Indians running back suffered Oct. 12 against Valparaiso.

JIM PETERS: Merrillville grad Macarthy remembers dad, gives thanks

As Dolapo Macarthy sits down today for Thanksgiving dinner at his sister Sade's home in Chicago, he'll bow his head in remembrance of his father Benjamin, who recently died at the age of 70.

AL HAMNIK: Bears' Kyle Adams building a future for himself and others

I was behind an idiot at a drive-through the other day who threw a large bag of garbage out the window, scattering bun and burger bits everywhere, then sped off.

Highland's Grigson going 100 mph as Colts' new GM

INDIANAPOLIS | Ryan Grigson looked physically spent, like back in those days as a Purdue lineman coming off the field after a tough series.

2011-12 Giants owe much to Gary native and veteran scout Jerry Shay

Jerry Shay has given his body and soul to pro football without a whimper.

No. 11 Purdue holds off No. 10 Wisconsin

WEST LAFAYETTE | Lewis Jackson has had few blemishes during his breakout junior season. He made up for one of them Wednesday night.

AL HAMNIK: Purdue's Hope should watch skies for FFOF

The Fickle Finger Of Fate picked through the 2010 Big Ten football season like a bargain shopper, discarding items it had no use for.

AL HAMNIK: A fresh, new take on Purdue football

Be prepared. Study your playbook. Don't become distracted or disinterested. And don't ever pout. That was Danny Hope's message when Purdue lost star running back Ralph Bolden, star receiver Keith Smith, and then highly-touted quarterback Robert Marve -- all to season-ending injuries.

Close, yet so far away for Merrillville's Mike Neal

Packers rookie Mike Neal didn't expect this at all. He's a football player. He's supposed to be terrorizing opposing quarterbacks, not watching them from the sideline. A two-year starter at Purdue University, he rarely left the field. Now the Merrillville High School graduate can't get on it.