Chris Rattue: Congo has it over Superbowl

From the "Don't Try This At Home" department ...

The quirky sports story of the week comes straight from the biggest show on earth, the Superbowl.

Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren, whose team face Pittsburgh in Monday's match, has cleared the decks at home by sending his wife to Congo.

Okay, that's an exaggeration. On the "clear the decks" issue that is, but not the Congo bit.

Kathy Holmgren, who gave up medical missionary ambitions to raise their family, is accompanying her doctor-daughter on a 17-day aid trip so she will miss Monday's glitzy showdown in Detroit.

Last October, husband Mike encouraged her to join the mission as a sort of early Christmas present, forgetting the trip clashed with the Superbowl.

The Congo is certainly a more interesting present than a book voucher, granted, although possibly not to everyone's taste.

Mrs H won't be missing much, however. She usually bypasses the footy, defeating her nerves by leaving the stadium and going on a stroll while listening to church sermon tapes.

A warning here to sports addicts desperate for more telly time, and who might be getting bright ideas for their sports-allergic partners. This Congo-holiday concept is probably only one that works in the Holmgren household.