For a guy who was working construction 16 months ago, standing at the podium for yesterday's post-game press conference was a new experience for Bears kicker Robbie Gould.

Gould, who kicked a 49-yard field goal in overtime to give the Chicago Bears a 27-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, stepped up to the microphone, looked out into the crowed and smiled.  "So, this is what this looks like.  I don't get over here very often."

Gould entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent and is headed to the Pro Bowl.  He made 24 straight field goals to start the season, and is 32 of 36 overall.  He tied the game with 4:24 left in the 4th quarter with a 41-yard field goal.  

"A year ago I'm pounding nails.  Now I'm hitting game-winning kicks and going to the NFC Championship game.  I didn't even watch the end of it.  I hit it right where I wanted it to go."  And where he really wants to go is the first Bears' Super Bowl trip in 21 years.  But first, they'll have to get past the New Orleans Saints.  Chicago will play host to the Saints next week for the NFC Championship game, and they are going to need Gould to keep pounding them over the goal posts to have any hope of defeating New Orleans.

This is the type of story that keeps me interested in the NFL and takes some of the press off of jerks like Terrell Owens and now, I guess, Tomlinson from San Diego. Some guys just don't know when to cash their checks and keep their mouths shut. Great story, Scoutmom. Let's hope it is a Bears vs. Colts Superbowl!

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Someone else who is a shining example for everyone is the New Orleans Saints' Deuce McAllister.  Here's a guy who could have pouted and sulked when they signed Reggie Bush.  Instead, he has become an inspiration not just to his team, but to the entire beleaguered city of New Orleans.  Both on and off the field, he has been a beacon of hope and strength to everyone.  After yesterday's win, he said "As much as we've been through as a team, as much as this city's been through, we talked about leaving it all out on the field.  And that's what I tried to do."  And so he did.  We could use a few more players like Robbie and Deuce!