A story told by Bruce Madej
Paul Hornung passed away today and I was fortunate to have known Paul and spent some time with him through his work as a color commentator with Notre Dame football but even more so due to my friendship with the late Ron Kramer. My favorite story came in 2003. The night before the game, Paul and I were enjoying a beverage with Jason Winters at the Letterwinners M Club room on the second floor of the old Michigan Golf Course Clubhouse. I had just been to Russia and I told Paul that I attended my first ballet at the Bolshoi Theater in Mosow watching the Bolshoi Ballet Company perform (there is much more to that story!). Paul responded that he saw a ballet in St. Petersburg performed by the Mariinsky Ballet Company. I had made the comment that the Bolshoi was the one of the best in the world. Paul looked at me and said he thought the Mariinsky was better. I looked at him and asked ‘How could you say that? The Bolshoi is much better.’ That, of course, led to a quick back and forth discussion as to which ballet company was better. Then all we heard was laughter. We both turned at the same time and it was Jason Winters laughing hysterically. Paul and I looked at each other and asked Jason ‘why he was laughing?’ He replied ‘Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be having drinks with Paul Hornung. And to think, it is the night before Michigan-Notre Dame and he is arguing with Bruce Madej who has the best ballet company. Paul looked at me and we both started laughing. Paul said ‘Lets get another drink and get back to talk football.’ Truly a night to remember! May he RIP.–
