Name: Barry Word

Nickname: none that I’m aware of, though I recall him sponsoring a youth organization when he was one of us called “Word to the Wise.” Get it? Were that my surname, I would absolutely start my own organization and call it “Word to Your Mother.” I have no idea what purpose it would serve, but Rob Van Winkle would be the spokesperson.

Claim to Fame, Minnesota: the Vikings traded a 5th-round pick to Kansas City for Word in 1993 after losing Terry Allen to one of his biennial season-ending ACL tears. He spent one season with the Purple.

Claim to Fame, Everywhere Else, the Bad: pled guilty to cocaine distribution charges while at the Univerity of Virginia in 1987 and served five months in prison.

Claim to Fame, Everywhere Else, the Good: stayed on the straight and narrow after getting out of jail and eventually wound up in Kansas City, where he would become the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 1990.

Where He Is Now: at last check, doling out advice to fellow Univerity of Virginia running back Tiki Barber.

Glorious Randomness: while in Kansas City, Word split carries with the Nigerian Nightmare himself, Christian Okoye. I point this out because:
1. That is possibly the best combination of given name and nickname ever.
2. Okoye was impossible to tackle in Tecmo Bowl.
3. Okoye was possible to tackle if you were Steve Atwater. (Make sure to stay tuned for the sight of John Elway rocking Mike Modano’s haircut.)
4. He participated in a reality show called Pirate Master, which will never not be funny.

Proprietor question: On the list of forgettable yet immediately remembered former Twin Cities athletes, where does Barry Word fit in?

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