Each week, commenter RandBallsStu (branding!) tracks down a former Minnesota sports figure about whom you might have otherwise forgotten. This works out well. Stu? --------

The Hunt Down

Name: Rhys Lloyd Nickname: Winston Churchill, either for his ability to insult judgmental dowagers or the fact that he was from England. Probably the latter. Claim to Fame, Minnesota: placekicker for both the University of Minnesota and, for a brief time, the Minnesota Vikings. You may recall the British-by-way-of-Apple Valley kicker's rugby-style approach, and Gopher football enthusiasts no doubt remember his game-winners against Wisconsin in 2003 (area crank Jon Marthaler was at that game: "I injured two friends who went to Wisconsin and wore their Badger stuff in the student section that day.") and against Oregon in the Sun Bowl that same year. Was signed by the Vikings as a kickoff specialist in March 2010, but was cut before the season began. Claim to Fame, Everywhere Else: part of a number of NFL mini-camp and training camp rosters (the Vikings, the Ravens twice, the Panthers twice, the Packers, and the Giants), but often let go before the season began. He did stick with Carolina from 2008-2010, leading the league in touchbacks in '08. Where He Is Now: living in Tampa with his wife, former professional golfer Tina Miller Lloyd. As best as my Internet machine can tell, his most recent NFL activity was a workout for the Lions in November of last year. Is He On Twitter: yes! He uses it to taunt former Gopher Ben Utecht and Chelsea FC fans. Has He Been in a Twitter Fight with Patrick Reusse: not yet. Glorious Randomness: Lloyd graduated from Eastview High School in 2001, the same year as Miss Minnesota 2006 Dottie Cannon.