THE CHRISTMAS TRINITY

DECEMBER 25TH.

Today three birthdays are celebrated.

I have created entries, for each of these individuals, in an identical format to emphasize the similiarities shared by these three men born on a single day. As I shall prove, they are all left handed and known for their beards.

1.) There is, of course, Kenny Stabler (right) of the old Oakland Raiders; a Superbowl champion in 1976/7, and twice the NFL's player of the year.

ALIASES: Also known as "The Snake".

CLAIM TO FAME: Many people believe he was the best quarterback Oakland ever had.

A BEARDED LEFTY: The Alabama boy was famous for his facial hair (see the picture) and as anybody can tell you who saw him throw a football, this Snake was a sidewinder.

WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT HIM: His coach at Oakland, the great John Madden, used to say: "The hotter it gets, the cooler he gets."

2.): Another hallowed birthday on December 25th (at least that's when it's celebrated) is that of Jesus of Nazareth; the founder of Christianity.

ALIASES: Also known as Jesus Christ, Joshua the Annointed One, the King of Kings.

CLAIM TO FAME: Many people believe he is the savior of the universe.

A BEARDED LEFTY: The kid from Israel was famous for his facial hair, too (see the picture), and, as anybody who scrutinizes Da Vinci's Last Supper (shown below) can tell you, the Great Rabbi was a southpaw.



WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT HIM: It is written in the Gospels: "He sitteth at the right hand of the Father, with whom He bumpeth elbows".



Finally (on a more personal note) there is a guy who I will simply call John. For that is his name. John of Plano; salutatorian of his class at W.T. White (many moons ago) and an avid driver of race cars.

ALIASES: Also known as "Irvin" or simply "The Irv".

CLAIM TO FAME: Many people (you can find them in mental wards) believe he is both the finest of Raider quarterbacks and the savior of the universe.

A BEARDED LEFTY: This lad from Texas is known for his omnipresent facial hair (see the picture) and, as anybody can tell you who has arm wrestled or shot pool with him (as I have), he is famously left handed.

WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT HIM: Heck, even Sir Paul McCartney, himself, has been known to say, "I have always had immense respect for John."