The passing of Baltimore Colt great Art Donovan ("Beloved player known for his grit and his wit," Aug. 5) brought back a special childhood memory. Growing up on Pinewood Avenue in northeast Baltimore, I had the good fortune to live across the street from "Artie."

On more than one occasion, I would have one of my parents cross me over to his house. I then knocked on his front door and asked this bona fide NFL star on a world championship team to play football with me in his backyard. I can still hear him say in that Bronx accent of his "Sure, Henry. Let's go out back and play!" And he would patiently do just that.

Art Donovan has been widely acknowledged as the hilarious keeper of so many memories of our team — a team that was known for being part of the fabric of our community. But I'll always remember the simple kindness of a neighbor who also happened to be destined for the Hall of Fame.

Henry Wagner, Salisbury