This is my third consecutive year attending the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. This is one of my favorite events to attend. The game is always filled with great college players, former NFL players and coaches. This year Coach Dick Vermeil returned to defend his championship and looking for his third win. He is going up against Coach Dennis Green. This turned out to be another successful autograph outing. I got the same seats I got last year and has a tremendous view.
I arrived at the game just before kickoff. Unfortunately, they ran out of game programs this year. So I was unprepared because usually I have the players sign the program. But as usual I improvised. I did come prepared with 2 jerseys I got on Ebay for a great price. I got a Desmond Howard (Commentator for the game) Michigan Jersey and a Daunte Culpepper (Coach for American team) Miami Dolphins jersey. My main goal for autographs for the players were: JC Copeland(LSU), Roy Finch (OU), Connor Shaw(SC), James Frankilin (Miz), Tom Hornsey (Memphis) and Trey Watts (Tulsa)
American Team:
National Team:
The first player to sign Autographs was Priest Holmes. I used to be a Holmes fan but his attitude towards fans turned me away. He does sign autographs sometimes but not a big enough name to have an ego like that. I decided against asking him for autographs. The same goes for Darrel Green. He did respond to me on Twitter which was cool but completely ignored fans at the game. Charlie Joiner, Art Monk and others former NFL players fell under this category.
Priest Holmes:
Since arriving at the game kind of late we missed out at pre-game graphing from players and coaches. But we did arrive in time to meet current NFL players Tavon Austin and EJ Manuel. They were both class acts and took time to meet any fan who came up to them. Denard Robinson was there but he was more stand-offish but did sign for some people.
Tavon Austin:
EJ Manuel (This was bittersweet as a Dolphins fan lol)
The next person I got to meet was a personal favorite for me. Jordan Campbell was a player who played in the bowl game last year. He was just picked up by the Kansas City Chiefs. I think he has a lot of potential to be a solid line backer in the NFL. I missed out on meeting him last year, so this was a nice surprise.
Jordan Campbell
School Boy Q performed at halftime
At halftime I was able to get Daunted Culpepper to sign my jersey. As he was walking off the field he noticed my jersey and came over to sign it.
The game turned out to be a pretty entertaining game. Dick Vermeil's team won again. After the game I was able to get Autographs from Caleb Herring, Sean Schoerder, Connor Shaw, Roy Finch, Tom Hornsey, James Franklin and many others. Roy Finch gave me his armband and Abdul Smith(Temple) gave me his glove. I had a great time and plan on attending again next year.
