Teared up during Meet the Press, one of my favorite shows for years, which is saying something since it airs 10 a.m. Sunday and my Saturday nights typically don't end until about 4 a.m.

Watching Brokaw, Carville, Ifill and others lovingly remember their old pal was truly moving. And the closing montage, with Russert's favorite rocker, Bruce Springsteen, doing "Thunder Road," yeah, that's when I had to wipe my eyes.

Russert was the high priest of objective, illuminating broadcast journalism. He was one of the few good men left on television, a medium dominated by blow hards, hams and agents of misinformation.

Sunday mornings won't be the same.

On a lighter note, it's Father's Day, and like Russert and Big Russ, my dad and I are very close. We will celebrate the holiday by going to lunch and then by attending the The Three Stooges screening that kicks off 3 p.m. today at Tampa Theatre.

Here's to great fathers and great men like Russert.