I think it happens to every aspiring journalist early in his or her career when they get to cover something they never could have dreamed of. Well yesterday it happened to me.
Not only did I get to watch the Redskins stomp the Detroit Lions from the press box, but I went down on the field to interview JMU and Washington legend Gary Clark. Although I kept my composure, wanting to be as professional as possible, my inner-child was absolutely ecstatic. Yeah I want to cover professional sports and the novelty will wear off, but I'm only 19 and I'm gonna soak this one in. Alright well as my thoughts are racing all over the place as I try to remember every minute detail of the day, i'll try to let you in on the itinerary.
10:25- Leave for the game with my photographer for the day, freshman David Lonnequest and my little brother and his friend who had tickets.
12:00- Get to the stadium and check in with the Redskins public relations desk and find my way up to the press box. On the way I passed by Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, former Redskin Ray Brown, Mitch Albom of the Sports Reporters, columnist Mike Wise of the Washington Post, and a bunch of rich-looking important people.
1:00- Kickoff. Just before the action got under way I spoke with the head of Washington's PR folks, Chris Helein. Chris told me I could follow him down to the field before the Ring of Fame ceremony and then interview Gary afterwards. Until then I took in the game with some of the best writers in Washington and around the country.
2:30ish- I step on the grass at FedEx Field for the first time in my life. Chris introduces me to Gary and he is as nice a guy as there is. He simply said "Anything for the Dukes" when asked if he'd have a second for The Breeze. For the next few minutes I stand around the 5 yard-line on the Skins sideline, taking in the goal line rushing touchdown by Mike Sellers. Oh and the Redskinettes were right in front of me and well, we'll just leave it at that.
2:40- With a flurry of cameras and media I follow Gary to the field as he is introduced by the public address announcer and former NFL MVP and Redskin kicker Mark Mosley. Then Gary gives a rousing speech that really did give me goosebumps. He pumped up the 88,944 strong by expressing his discontent that Art Monk isn't in the HOF and by telling the fans that they are the most important element to the team.
2:45- I interview Gary for the next 5-8 minutes as we walk towards the south tunnel with a number of videographers back-pedaling in front of us. He expresses his appreciation to JMU and former Dukes coach Challace McMillin and reminisces about the glory days with the "Posse" of Monk, Ricky Sanders, and himself. I then whispered that I hated having to be so professional and that "I bleed burgandy and gold" when not on the job and how much I appreciated what he did for the Redskins and JMU.
4:00ish- Headed back down to the field and watched Carlos Rogers punch in a pick-six for the Redskins final score in the 34-3 thrashing. As the game ends I walked around the field observing the media frenzy as reporters tried to catch various players. Chris Samuels showed his softer side, by leading the group prayer between members of both teams. Mike Sellers, the hands-down player of the game, was goofing around with teammates on the way back to the locker room.
4:30- Listen to the postgame press conference Coach Gibbs delivered while sitting next to Mike Wise. I actually introduced myself and told him I like his writing and it was kind of awkward, but he asked for my name, so kind of cool. Then I chickened out and didn't even ask Gibbs a question.
4:45- David and I then walked into the locker room and saw the players soaking in the win. First time really being in a locker room where they don't care if we are in there and they just walk around stark naked, but hey they're Redskins so what the heck.
4:50- I get up the courage to interview Hall of Famer, quarterback, Sonny Jurgenson. Sonny sheds some light on the HOF situation with Monk and Clark.
4:55- We take a Gatorade from the team fridge and thus ends an amazing day at FedEx.
Sorry if there's typos, but its 2:26 and I'm exhausted and still a little numb from the whole thing. But you can check out my articles on www.dnronline.com and in the Breeze on Thursday.
The only way to end this behemoth of a blog would be to say that sports writing is great and so is my life.
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2 comments:
Tim,
Loved the article. Hearing about Gary Clark brought back memories of the Redskins of old. I use to love to watch Gary and Art Monk get wide open and catch touchdown passes. I caught a little bit of his halftime speech which was great. Former players don't typically take a shot at the opposing team and try to pump up the crowd. I loved it. We need more former professional athletes that have passion about the teams they played for, especially ones that bleed burgundy and gold. He looked like he could suit up and still run a great pattern. Keep up the great work. I wish the Redskins could play other teams like they do the Lions. Darren
AWESOME blog entry Tim, I loved all the different times, it made me feel like I was right there with you at the game, very cool, and I don't even like football so much.
Go Redskins!
- Kaleigh
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