Bill Vinovich was one of the up-and-coming officials in the NFL when his world came crashing down in 2006.

Vinovich was on a treadmill when he felt severe back pain that later was diagnosed as an aortic aneurism. The story is here.

Now he's gotten a clean bill of health and today at Lincoln Financial Field he presides over the Eagles-Lions game.

Vinovich worked two Eagles games as a referee. In 2005 his crew was in charge when the Eagles were beaten, 33-10, by the Cowboys in Dallas. Terrell Owens exited that game wearing a Michael Irvin jersey. The following season Vinovich refereed the Eagles' 27-25 road loss to the New Orleans Saints. Donovan McNabb was the Eagles' quarterback. The Eagles had eight penalties in both games, the opposition seven or fewer.

This is Breast Cancer Awareness month in the NFL. Several survivors will be honored.

One of these days the NFL ought to tackle heart month and the disease's many victims who have come back strong, just like Vinovich.

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