Gordie Howe on namesake bridge: 'Sounds pretty danged good to me'

In a move a cynic might suggest makes it harder to oppose a controversial new bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor, supporters of the project have decided to name it after one of the most iconic sports heroes in both countries.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge will offer another option for Canadian hockey fans to drive south into Hockeytown for NHL games in the city where Howe -- one of the greatest players the game has ever seen -- became known as Mr. Hockey.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder made the announcement this afternoon on Windsor's scenic riverfront.

Howe is a Canadian native, born and raised in Saskatchewan. But he spent most of his life in Michigan, calling the state home long after his Hall of Fame career in Detroit, where he helped the Red Wings win four Stanley Cup titles. His career spanned five decades, from 1946-80.

"We're deeply honored," said Howe's son, Murray, a Toledo physician. "This is such an amazing honor for our father. It truly is. And it's special for hockey fans in Canada and the United States. He was such a big and powerful guy, he was kind of like a bridge himself."

Murray said his father was thrilled to learn the bridge would be named for him.

"He said, 'That sounds pretty danged good to me,'" Murray said. "He clearly recognizes the immensity of this honor, and he's deeply moved by it."

Snyder has long supported the proposed $2.1 billion, two-mile-long span connecting Windsor and southwest Detroit -- previously known as the New International Trade Crossing -- despite ferocious opposition in the Michigan legislature

The Howe family is hoping, doubtless like other proponents, that the opposition will quiet now that it has Gordie's name on it.

"Who's going to say no to that?" Murray asked.

Meantime, Gordie Howe -- living with his daughter, Cathy, in Lubbock, Texas -- continues to battle a variety of health issues that improved immeasurably after stem-cell therapy in Mexico in early December. That followed a debilitating stroke that had him on his death bed, according to family members. But after the therapy he was up, walking around and talking again, and even made a public appearance in his hometown in Saskatchewan in early February.

His recovery has reached a plateau, Murray said, so a second stem-cell treatment is scheduled for early June.

"He's still up and walking around, but it's a little more of a struggle," Murray said, adding that arthritis in Gordie's back and dementia are issues that continue to plague him.

"As far as his dementia goes, he's about where he was a year or so ago before the stroke," Murray said. "It's just more of a constant battle. We're hoping we can get another boost out of it with this next treatment -- and maybe he'll even be able to do a few more public appearances.

"But for now, every day is a gift."