• Sunday-What'sUP October 15 - 03:03 pm

Last week a baseball icon graced our Sunday Shoebox Memories, and today we have a football follow-up. Laurium's own George Gipp has been in the news lately - this time not about his feats, but rather about his genes. As you have probably heard by now, on October 4, the original Gipper was exhumed from Lakeview Cemetery near Calumet, for DNA testing.

We say *original*, of course, because of the other Gipper (Ronald Reagan) who helped to make the first one even more famous. Who can forget the half-time pep talk by Knute Rockne (Pat O'Brien) in the classic 1940 movie.

Click to hear the locker room scene

What a nice way to remember him. My dad would love these pictures.

Why was George Gipp exhumed for DNA testing? There hasn't been anything in the media that I've seen that has answered that question.

I've heard it was a scam to get some of the trophies that were buried with him. Does anybody else have an answer?

I heard that they wanted to know his DNA because he was perceived to have some superior football skills, and his DNA was wanted to compare with others, perhaps looking for the gene responsible? I know, that is ridiculous. What are they going for, to selectively abort fetuses that don't have the superior gene, or something? It is ridiculous, at least to me. It was protested by some in his family, yet supposedly requested by one family member?

I heard that while is was at college he had son? who is know 88 years old and he wants to find out if he is the son of George Gipp?

My grandmother's house was across from the George Gipp memorial in Laurium: 319 Lake Linden Ave. It was for sale by owner when I was there in July. Couldn't get through on the # left on the sign. Left a note in the mailbox, but never got a response.

Does anyone know if it is still for sale and/or where I could contact the owner?

I have an article here from c.1919 where George Gipp pitched 17 innings for Calumet against Torch Lake with my uncle Chub opposing him for the whole game. This was before todays pitchers only going 6 innings (quality start it is called now)or so and being pulled for a reliefer. He was much more than a football player..I sure wish that Ronald Regan would have visited Calumet-Laurium while he was in office..

I think it was a horrible thing to do. From what I understand none of his relatives knew. Besides can't you get DNA from a relative to prove you're the Gippers son....?????

If it were someone wanting his DNA to compare to others.....who do they think they are...????

There is no respect for anyone anymore....dead or alive.

Have a wonderful day....God Bless

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21229795/

The reason for George Gipp's exumation.

you can get dna to indicate linage.--i remain walter p.

See this posting, that is why Bynum is so interested
http://genforum.genealogy.com/gipp/messages/2.html
Alicia

ESPN has come up with a list of the 25 all-time greatest college football players, and is releasing one or two names per week during game broadcasts. They're working their way up (down??) to #1, which will be announced at the end of the year.

George Gipp is on the list, I think they put him at #21 or so.