Tom Bradley, Jerome Bettis...and Mondesi's House?

Today was a really enjoyable appearance on the WDVE Morning Show, as I was greeted by Penn State assistant coach and probable JoePa successor Tom Bradley, who was in-studio for the morning. Once a year, Bradley comes in to read the sports news, and since Mike Prisuta was not around, today was the day. He was a very nice, personable, down-to-earth guy. I could see why he's such a good recruiter.

So I came on at about 9:20 AM and did a segment talking about JoePa's motorcycle auction, the Pirates' history of mediocre pitching, and Roger Clemens' Saturday start against the Buccos. Host Randy Baumann actually played the Paterno YouTube clip on the air, which had Bradley quietly shaking his head in disbelief. If you haven't seen it yet, it's only about 40 seconds, but an instant classic nonetheless.

And if you missed it, you can listen to the audio from my appearance here.

Following me on the show was the one and only Jerome Bettis, who's in town to promote his new eatery, Jerome Bettis Grille 36. Some of the highlights from his new venture:

The Jerome Bettis Grille 36 will feature state-of-the-art audio visual displays and 40 high definition televisions that will allow broadcast twelve different sporting events in five "zones." The resturant, which will seat 500, is being designed by Lupton Rausch Architecture.

Entrees ranging from the Signature Jerome 36 ounce Steak, burgers, ahi tuna, lemongarlic chicken, pecan-encrusted pork chops, tremendous salads, sandwiches like a fried cheddar and meatloaf hoagie and hot shrimp BLT.

A bar that will offer top shelf specialties including 36 different martinis, 36 different beers and 36 different vodkas, in honor of the number Bettis wore while playing for the Steelers.

Desserts such as hot deep dish apple pie, skillet peach cobbler and a banana split martini for two.

A meatloaf hoagie? Sounds like that creation could possibly be more beloved by the city than anything Jerome accomplished on the field.

Mondesi's House WDVE Audio 6/5/07 [Mondesi's House & WDVE]

WPXI Grille 36 Video Tour [WPXI.com]

Jerome Bettis Grille 36 [Jeromebettisgrille36.com]

WDVE Morning Show [DVE.com]

I Hope He Wears a Helmet

This is 110-year-old Penn State Football Coach Joe Paterno atop a one of a kind, custom Penn State-themed chopper. Looks like someone didn't learn a lesson from Ben Roethlisberger's excellent adventure last year.

I refuse to wear a helmet, Coach Cowher

Have no fear, JoePa is not being unleashed on the roadways of Pennsylvania. This was actually a recent eBay auction which had the bike up for sale. And the auction was for a good cause. Unlike other celebs who go the eBay route, the profits don't go into Joe's pockets, they benefit PSU's THON, which is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. The bidding reached a whopping $61,100 but did not reach the reserve, meaning the bike did not sell.

The bike was a great creation, but perhaps the most interesting conversation piece to come out of this auction was the attached video of JoePa on the bike:

I hope you're watching, Wanny. Of course, knowing you, you'd take a Pitt chopper out for a joyride to Baldwin, Gateway, and Franklin Regional for the day.