Even if you do not recognize Burien's Lorin Sandretzky by name, it is likely you have seen him.

If you are even remotely interested in sports, you have probably seen this sports fanatic at Qwest or Safeco fields, among other places.

You can't miss him. He is usually decked out in fan attire at every home football, basketball and baseball game.

Just call him "Big Lo;" everyone else does.

Big Lo invented the "D Fence" sign that is popular throughout the nation -- the letter D held alongside a picket fence.

Shortly after the Seattle Seahawks won the National Football Conference title and their first trip to the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 5, Big Lo reflected on that important game.

It "was so euphoric, I still haven't come down!" he exclaimed.

You may have seen Big Lo -- he was the guy holding the "Is this what Heaven feels like?" sign.

Seahawks players and members of Seattle's other sports teams know Big Lo. They call him by name, greet him coming in or out of the stadium, and do zany things like jump up in his arms.

If you are going to have a conversation with Big Lo, you had better know your sports teams and players. Names like Trufant, Alexander, Hasselbeck, Holmgren and Babineaux are a typical part of his vocabulary.

When asked about his favorite Seahawk, he smiles. "Darrell Jackson is far and above the coolest Seahawk."

"Seattle's Biggest Sports Fan," as he is also known, may appear at home at the local professional ball parks -- but his real home is in Burien.

Off of the field, away from the media spotlight and sharing personal conversation, there is more to Big Lo than sports frenzy.

The personal reasons behind his interest, and what he is accomplishing with it, are compelling.

And there is a sensitive side to this 6 foot 8 inch, 400 pound plus sports fanatic.

Underneath his giant, burly frame is a courageous man. A man who calls his dad his best friend. A man who loves and misses his mother. A man who is a Christian.

He also owns a collection of sports memorabilia -- he always brings something home from each game. Not too many people have more than 250 pairs of shoes, 100 bats, 500 baseballs, 100 jerseys and other autographed items in their basements.

Big Lo attended Highline schools -- Hazel Valley, Puget Sound Jr. High and Evergreen High School. He played football in high school, played baseball for various south-end merchants and spent several of his younger years roaming the woods in Seahurst Park.

But Big Lo's life has been a roller coaster ride. He has survived severe depression, alcohol and other drug use, shootings, stabbings, and the crushing memories of three people who died in his arms.

His mother died when he was seven. His older cousin, who was a mother figure, disappeared from his life for nine months -- then her skull was found.

Big Lo's employment resume could raise a few eyebrows. There was the job as a singing chef at a barbecue joint. Then, at a friend's bachelor party, he was offered the job of being a bouncer at Deja Vu -- a the topless bar. While working there, one night Dennis Rodman, in town for a game against the Seattle Sonics, walked in. As they chatted, Rodman gave Big Lo tickets for nearly courtside seats.

While other athletes who visited the club also gave Big Lo tickets, his interest in sports was especially sparked in 1994 when Alex Diaz, then playing for the Seattle Mariners, threw a ball and Big Lo caught it. Diaz then autographed it.

Soon, Big Lo was attending games all over town. Things got dramatically better when he won an $800,000 Quinto lottery in 1997-- which he shared with his family.

But then his luck almost ran out when a flesh-eating bacteria nearly claimed his life. He died three times while undergoing emergency surgery to save his life.

Deeply depressed afterwards Big Lo continued to drink and smoke pot.

Today, with "four years clean and 13 years sober," Big Lo is taking his story and positive message to the streets. He doesn't just "talk the talk;" Big Lo lives and practices what he preaches.

He is admired as a mentor, a coach, and an inspiration. He coaches Little League and junior football for 12-14 year olds. He especially enjoys working with this age group because it is the age in which peer pressure is prominent.

Big Lo stresses respect and love for parents, reminding the teens, "You only get one mom and you only get one dad."

His motto: Besides God, sports are the best drug on the planet.

Although some people call him fat and obnoxious, he says with a smile, "They can throw stones at me but I will just put the stones in my pocket and save them for a rainy day."

Still, it bothers him that people do not get to know him before judging him. Big Lo believes you can't judge a book by its cover -- and the final judgment belongs to God.

His plans for the future include forming a foundation to coach youth from single parent and/or low income families. He is determined to make it possible for all children to afford sports equipment and have the best of sports opportunities. A book is also in the works, as is a museum to showcase his personalized sports memorabilia.

"I want to get to Heaven, to the Super Bowl, to the World Series, and have another NBA Championship," he adds.

As for the immediate future, will the Seahawks win the Super Bowl? In a calm, matter-of-fact voice, Big Lo replies, "There's no reason they can't."

69Ch