Spike in heart attacks attributed to crazy play in Kodiak game
Associated Press -- KODIAK, AK -- Mike Anello's wallet may about to become a little lighter, if some Kodiak Bears fans have any say in the matter.
The Kodiak-area 911 call center received twelve heart-attack calls in the course of five minutes Thursday morning, all coinciding with a late fumble on a kickoff return by the Bears' cornerback and kick returner in their season-opener against the Niagara DareDevils. The surge in calls briefly overwhelmed the ambulance crews of this small town, forcing some police cruisers to be pressed into service as makeshift ambulances to transport heart-attack victims to the hospital. Fortunately, everyone survived.
"I almost had a heart attack myself," said Anello when interviewed after the game. "I'm just glad Meengus Exe was there to recover."
Niagara scored a touchdown with 2:46 remaining in the game and kicked the extra point to make the score 24-23. Anello received the ensuing kickoff for Kodiak, catching the ball at the 8 yard line and weaving his way up to the 40 yard line before having the ball jarred loose by Niagara's fullback Chuck Mann. The football bounced backwards momentarily before being pounced on by Kodiak offensive tackle Meengus Exe to retain possession. Kodiak went on to run out the clock to secure the game.
"Most athletic play I've ever made," joked Exe after the game.
Several heart attack victims facetiously expressed plans to send their medical bills to Anello.
"I think it's only fair," said Kodiak resident Jack Liljebrand, 63. "After dropping that ball, he ought to at least cover my expenses. But I'll forgive him if the Bears bring home the trophy."
The fumble was especially significant because of the championship hopes of Kodiak residents and Bears players. The Bears finished last season with a 13-3 record before losing in the first round of the playoffs. Experts have expressed doubt in Kodiak's chances to win it all this season, but fans and players alike are confident that this is their year. An opening-day loss would've dealt a serious psychological blow to those hopes.
Instead, the Bears escaped with their dreams intact.
"One and oh, man. One and oh," said Bears quarterback Odd Thomas. "It's a cliche, but a win is a win, so I'll take it."
Associated Press -- KODIAK, AK -- Mike Anello's wallet may about to become a little lighter, if some Kodiak Bears fans have any say in the matter.
The Kodiak-area 911 call center received twelve heart-attack calls in the course of five minutes Thursday morning, all coinciding with a late fumble on a kickoff return by the Bears' cornerback and kick returner in their season-opener against the Niagara DareDevils. The surge in calls briefly overwhelmed the ambulance crews of this small town, forcing some police cruisers to be pressed into service as makeshift ambulances to transport heart-attack victims to the hospital. Fortunately, everyone survived.
"I almost had a heart attack myself," said Anello when interviewed after the game. "I'm just glad Meengus Exe was there to recover."
Niagara scored a touchdown with 2:46 remaining in the game and kicked the extra point to make the score 24-23. Anello received the ensuing kickoff for Kodiak, catching the ball at the 8 yard line and weaving his way up to the 40 yard line before having the ball jarred loose by Niagara's fullback Chuck Mann. The football bounced backwards momentarily before being pounced on by Kodiak offensive tackle Meengus Exe to retain possession. Kodiak went on to run out the clock to secure the game.
"Most athletic play I've ever made," joked Exe after the game.
Several heart attack victims facetiously expressed plans to send their medical bills to Anello.
"I think it's only fair," said Kodiak resident Jack Liljebrand, 63. "After dropping that ball, he ought to at least cover my expenses. But I'll forgive him if the Bears bring home the trophy."
The fumble was especially significant because of the championship hopes of Kodiak residents and Bears players. The Bears finished last season with a 13-3 record before losing in the first round of the playoffs. Experts have expressed doubt in Kodiak's chances to win it all this season, but fans and players alike are confident that this is their year. An opening-day loss would've dealt a serious psychological blow to those hopes.
Instead, the Bears escaped with their dreams intact.
"One and oh, man. One and oh," said Bears quarterback Odd Thomas. "It's a cliche, but a win is a win, so I'll take it."
