2 years ago
Even when Tim Russert wasn't in Buffalo, his heart and his thoughts were.
In addition to being an exceptional journalist and noted family man, Russert is widely known for being a champion of his hometown, the Queen City.
For most of his time on the air, he served as the stonefaced moderator of Meet the Press. But every now and then, at the end of his show, Russert turned into the proverbial "kid in the back of the classroom", sneaking in cheerful comments about the city and Buffalo and, often, its sports teams.
Russert also used his status as a chance to help Buffalo in serious ways. In 2006 he met with Senator Charles Schumer and then-NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue to discuss ways to help small-market teams like the Buffalo Bills stay competitive. Then, during a 2008 Democratic presidential debate, Russert questioned Hillary Clinton on a campaign promise she made to Western New Yorkers during her 2000 Senate campaign.
And of course, he also returned to the City of Good Neighbors quite often: to speak at colleges, to help with charities, and -- simply -- to visit home.
Click on the video link to the right for Matt Pearl's story.
