We'll never forget that fateful day in 2005 when we sat in the Star Tribune office and watched then-Vikings beat writer Kevin Seifert -- a good guy but someone who wouldn't normally be described as giddy -- chuckle and smile his way through one of the all-time "you can't make this up stories" about then-Vikings RB Onterrio Smith and his now-infamous Whizzinator.
As it turns out, the Whizzinator is the gift that keeps on giving.
As we wrote for today's paper, Matt Little (pictured), who owns Buster's -- a sports bar in Mankato -- bought the Whizzinator at an auction Friday in Shakopee for $750. Roughkat has already declared the purchase the "steal of the auction." Great line, for those who remember Onterrio's "Steal of the Draft" proclamation when he slipped on draft day for various reasons.
Here are a few details that didn't make the story:
*A broker named Paul was the one who made the actual purchase on behalf of Little, who couldn't be in attendance himself at the auction. Though Paul asked that we not use his last name, we did speak with him last night and he described the process thusly: "What kind of experience can you expect when you go to buy a used jock strap. ... It felt a little creepy." He estimated there were at least 150 people there, many of them curiousity seekers. "Everyone was waiting to see who would make the first move," Paul said.
*Little is no stranger to shameless -- and risque -- promotions. The bar will soon give away a pair of fake breasts and has sponsored KY wrestling in the past. The Whizzinator is apparently par for the course. Little says he has a "sports wall" in the bar, and that the Whizzinator will likely be displayed there.
*Little is only 26. He's owned Buster's for about 5 years, saying he bought it before he was old enough to realize what he was getting into. He said he's had his shares of hits and misses in that time. But he's pretty confident this will be a hit. "Even saying the name," Little said, "you have to laugh." If Little ever does somehow convince Onterrio to be part of a promotion -- he has some friends searching for Smith right how -- it might be the greatest thing ever.
