"I told (Sid) Hartman that he needed to spend less time fawning over Bobby Knight and George Steinbrenner and more time cashing in favors with his 'close personal friends' and getting (Jim) Marshall inducted. It was rude of me, but I am proud I said it." -- Fred Friedman
Fred Friedman on Tim Walz – "Tim Walz is a strong campaigner and a long time beloved high school teacher and coach and soldier. He is sympathetic to the underprivileged and underrepresented. He is not in it for money or fame or power. He does not belong to multiple country
Local reaction to President Joe Biden choosing not to seek reelection and his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor: Fred Friedman – "Much of America displayed a lack of enthusiasm for both the President and the former President. Additionally, many voters are displeased at the move to
Local response to the Duluth Harbors Monsters' 86-34 indoor football exhibition victory over Up 1 Athletic Showcase (Atlanta) on Saturday night at Duluth Arena: Ebony Carter – "It was an amazing game. But it was more than that for me. I watched my son (Terrance Wenzel) and daughter (Mikayla
Fred Friedman – "Defeating the defending world champions on the road in game 7 is historic. Defense wins championships is more than just a slogan. The radical approach of playing with essentially two centers has worked before but rarely. The best examples were the San Antonio Spurs with Hall of
Fred Friedman – "They should select the right quarterback not the anyone that is available. If a franchise leader that gets them to the playoffs with accuracy and escapability and durability and the ability to read defenses is available, take him. Otherwise, go with defense. No time to gamble. That’
How should the Vikings approach the upcoming draft? Gary Doty, former Duluth mayor, businessman and Bulldogs and Duluth Central football great – "While Kirk Cousins isn’t the exciting type of quarterback that draws attention, his numbers before his injury placed him with the best in the league. Therefore, we
My longtime buddy and Duluth YMCA Noon Basketball Hall-of-Famer Fred Friedman on the Gophers men's basketball team, which edged Big Ten rival Michigan State 59-56 on Tuesday night at historic Williams Arena in Minneapolis – "I like (power forward Pharrel) Payne's game a lot and believed
My lifetime buddy Fred Friedman on the woeful Vikings, moving forward – "They have to sign (Danielle) Hunter if they want to win. He is one of the best players in football. They should sign (Kirk) Cousins but they cannot win with or without him unless they improve the offensive
The legendary Fred Friedman, a unanimous first-team selection at power forward on my All-YMCA Noontime Basketball Team, on Bulldogs and Gophers hoops – "I very much want both UMD and the U to excel in women’s and men’s basketball. And I want Ben Johnson to succeed. But every
Fred Friedman on the Hamas attack on Israel – "This is the worst time since 9/11. The despicable Hamas terrorist attack on innocent Israelis and tourists from all over requires difficult and complicated decisions for Israel. If they do little, the terrorists will regard them as weak and attack
On the Vikings' 20-17 season-opening home loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday afternoon: Fred Friedman: "Brutal interior offensive line play means a poor season. Suggest you follow baseball or pick another NFL team. Failure to protect your quarterback means turnovers, incompletions and a losing year." Kenny Kalligher:
My longtime buddy Fred Friedman on the Vikings' ongoing player contract negotiations: "(Danielle) Hunter long ago earned the raise and extension. Paying him $4.9 (million) was ridiculously low given the market and his skill level and age. The Vikings front office took advantage of him. Do they
Retired public defender and Minnesota Duluth associate professor Fred Friedman on the May 25, 2020 death of George Floyd: "The videotaped murder of Mr. Floyd by an officer given training authority and witnessed but not stopped by three more junior officers changed Minneapolis forever. It verified the too often
The Vikings could not afford Dalvin Cook because the league regards running backs as interchangeable and short-term employees. Plus the indefensible salary paid to immobile Kirk Cousins does not help. They have to figure out how to pay Justin Jefferson and Danielle Hunter will be never report at an annual
'The Vikings cannot advance in the playoffs with untested cornerbacks, no interior rush, a center and a guard that regularly get overrun and a quarterback who has no escapability skills.' -- Fred Friedman