BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- I didn't grow up in Milwaukee and I'm not a football fan, so I don't know much about Vince Lombardi. I do know that he's a legend in Titletown and his hat and trench coat were trademarks. He also, apparently, didn't smile much and had a head full of tough-as-nails maxims ready to hurl at his players.

But being in my hometown -- it feels weird to call Brooklyn a "hometown" since it never felt like a town at all to me, then or now -- uncovering Milwaukee stories in the Big Apple reminds me that I do know one fact about Lombardi, albeit a mostly worthless one.

He was born and raised on East 14th Street. I learned that from (Wisconsin author) David Maraniss' book "When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi." It caught my eye when the book was published because I was born and raised on East 15th Street, although the Tanzilos lived about 10 blocks north of the Lombardis, who were more than likely gone by the time I arrived on scene (Lombardi was hanging out in ice-ville by the bay when I was born in the off-season).

So, if you're ever wondering what New York and Milwaukee (and Wisconsin) have in common, remember that Wisconsin's most legendary football figure probably ice skated in Coney Island, played in the surf at Brighton Beach and kicked cans along East 14th Street.

And remember to watch OnMilwaukee.com in the coming weeks for some Milwaukee Big Apple stories written by someone who ice skated in Coney Island, played in the surf at Brighton Beach and kicked cans along East 14th Street.