Former NASCAR exec named to NFL Hall of Fame

This Super Bowl weekend was all-NFL, all-the-time, but for a brief moment, there was a NASCAR connection. (And no, I'm not talking about the Danica commercials. We're all over that now, aren't we?)

Les Richter, one of the key figures in NASCAR's rise to prominence, was named to the NFL Hall of Fame for his sterling playing career. An eight-time Pro Bowler, he was once traded for 11 players, and his team, the Los Angeles Rams, waited two years for him to serve a military commitment.

After retiring from the NFL, Richter played several key roles in motorsports, including co-owner and president of Riverside Speedway, co-founder and chairman of IROC, vice president of NASCAR, and partial developer and vice president of California Speedway. Sadly, Richter only passed away last June. 

"On behalf of all of NASCAR, I’d like to congratulate the Les Richter family on his selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame," said NASCAR Chairman Brian France in a statement. "Les lived a wonderful life and had a remarkable career that transcended two of our country’s major sports."

Richter could have a long wait for the NASCAR Hall of Fame, but by all accounts, he's worthy of that as well. Congratulations to his family on the high honor.

Former NASCAR Executive Les Richter named to NFL Hall [Scene Daily]

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Former Michael Jackson Associate Planning 'Billie Jean' Film Expose

Michael Jackson's real-life Billie Jean is set to be exposed in a new movie that a former Jacksons associate is shopping around Hollywood and London.

Ron Newt grew up with the Jacksons and took home video footage of Michael as his solo career was taking off in 1981 and 1982.

He was forbidden from doing anything with the film while the King of Pop was alive, because Jackson didn't want fans seeing rehearsal footage.

Newt tells WENN, "He didn't want people seeing all the mistakes, but it's hilarious stuff - Michael cursing and rehearsing and yelling at his brother Randy for stepping on his mic cord."

But now Newt has unearthed the lost footage and he's offering it to producers, along with an introduction to the California stylist who inspired Billie Jean.

He says, "It's time she was revealed on film. I know where she lives and I know she'll talk. She has a son that looks a lot like Michael Jackson. Hers is a fascinating story, and together with my rehearsal footage of Jackson before he started messing with his appearance, this film could be a big hit."

Newt is also working on a book, All That Glitters, about his long association with the Jacksons, which ended in 2005 after the King of Pop's child molestation trial.

Click for more great Michael Jackson pictures:

Photo Credits: Solarpix / PR Photos Alyson Hannigan and Jason Segel talk 'How I Met Your Mother'

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