Catching Up With the Zorn-Gent Family

Jim Zorn and Steve Largent have stayed friends for thirty years and their families have practically merged, writes the Washington Times' Bob Cohn.

In Zorn's house on Mercer Island, two Zorn girls, both in their twenties, and their 13-year-old brother live upstairs, while two Largent boys, both in their twenties, live in the basement.

Joy Zorn tells Cohn: "They feel like they're in the Greek system. They feel like they've got a fraternity and sorority all in one place."

Zorn's wife also tells Cohn how, after Jim lost his coaching job at the University of Minnesota, then-Congressman Largent lifted his spirits by showing him off in D.C.: "Steve was so proud to introduce Jim to Newt Gingrich and all the others. I think it was such a boost for Jim. It was like, 'Even though I don't have a job, I'm not a failure.' It was one of the kindest things."

It's a bit of an odd couple, since Zorn is a bit of an odd duck by football standards (he enjoys pottery) while Largent is pretty much Ward Cleaver, but they get along.

The happy thing is that with Zorn coaching the 'Skins, and Largent still working in DC as a lobbyist, the two couples will be living in the same place for the first time in more than twenty years.