born 7 February 1970

Benjamin Sacks, Los Angeles, California, line producer

Carlos Morales, Mexico City, short filmmaker

Chris Gardocki, Stone Mountain, Georgia, NFL punter

David Murray, Cork, Ireland, actor

Mark Lassise, Washington, D.C., actor

Martin Lange, Berlin, East Germany, filmmaker

Norberto Ramos del Val, Santander, Spain, writer/director

Russell Mabey (died 15 January 2007), birthplace unspecified, British actor

Stuart Wolfenden, Rochdale, England, actor

All male revue today.

Poor Russell Mabey had a decent little career going for himself: a Mike Leigh film, HBO’s “Rome”, a “Prime Suspect” sequel, a bunch of other stuff. But when he was killed in a car crash three years ago, he hadn’t done enough to merit any kind of written obituary online – at least none that I could locate. Sad.

I haven’t been a big football fan since I was a kid. But today is that Roman number, when the Saints come marching in. And turning forty is Today’s Winner Chris Gardocki, who holds the NFL record for most consecutive punts without a block.

1,177 straight boots! Fifteen full seasons! As a lifelong mental compiler of obscure and singular sporting accomplishments, I find that one to be genuinely, resoundingly impressive. It seems like a metaphor for some very important human quality or other. I will hallow it.

In closing, Go New Orleans!