Ok, these two headlines active right now on the freep.com are bringing back painful memories.

First is the obvious kick to the gut of everything decent in public life: Sam Riddle, convicted of corruption and serving time for his role in a bribery scheme in Detroit and Southfield, will be teaching an ethics course in federal prison.

Second is one that hurts the heart, as Matt Millen — he who boldly led the Lions through their darkest decade in what has been a half century of mostly misery — is declaring that many NFL teams would be interested in Ohio State's troubled QB, Terrelle Pryor. Avoid him like the plague if Millen would be interested!

Oh well, at least I can read Kwame Kilpatrick's autobiography and fell better about myself as I watch society wash down the drain.

A great summary of the Detroit Lions/Free Press Lionsgate, as a couple of tweeters have declared, can be found at our The Back Page blog, written by sports copy editor-reporter Paul Kampe.

I saw several references to the fake quote attributed to Coach Jim Swartz, but I hadn't seen the Saturday story. I couldn't find a copy of the false quote because it had been pulled off line, and because of the lack of home delivery, it was like it never happened - almost.

Thank you, Paul, for getting the full story so we can all make our judgments.

And all I can say is that it's a shame when a little gag can bring anyone down to the level of student paper. I wonder if Luther Ellis was laughing.