A Day to Remember at Camden Yards

Around a month ago through the Sportz Ventures program, I had a wonderful experience at Jaguars training camp and learned many tips about industries in sports along with getting the chance to interview a Jaguars player. A few days ago, I had another wonderful experience this time with the Baltimore Orioles.
On Friday night, thanks to Jenny Corace, I received passes before the game to watch batting practice from the field. It was interesting to see everybody’s warm up approach to the game and for a good period of time there were only the players and ten or so people in the stadium. Considering all of the arrests you hear about on TV and the internet about players, it was very nice to see some of the good that players do first hand. Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis made a very nice memory for a young fan giving a signed bat while pitcher Jeremy Guthrie took one fan celebrating his birthday into the clubhouse to meet some of the other players. Those players along with others such as Brian Roberts and Luke Scott also signed autographs for fans as well.
After the game, I also had the opportunity to go under the tunnel and wait for the players alongside their friends and family. It was interesting to see the players interact with their families as out of all the sports they spend the most time on the road. A few minutes later, I got to meet Orioles left fielder Nolan Reimold. We talked about the game for a few minutes but the topic then changed to football. He is a big fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers which can’t be easy considering he plays in the town of the arch rival Ravens. Nolan also plays fantasy football which had us start talking about who he drafted along with discussing our strategies going into the year. With football season approaching, hopefully we will able to stay in touch and continue talking about this as the year goes on. At the end of our meeting, I also received a t-shirt from him as the other day at Camden Yards was “Nolan Reimold T-Shirt day” and the team gave him the extras.

Overall, I had an excellent time and would once again like to thank Sportz Ventures for the once in a lifetime opportunity. Thanks again go out as well to Jenny Corace and Nolan Reimold. I really appreciate that Nolan took the time out after a game to talk to me and I am now a very big fan of his. In fact, when I went to the Orioles game Sunday, I proudly wore my Reimold t-shirt.

Gerald Alexander, Jacksonville Jaguars

Originally posted on Fbkid's Sports Minute 8/12/09


Yesterday, I had the opportunity of a lifetime as I had a media pass for the morning Jaguars practice. This was made available to me through my participation with the Sportz Ventures program at my school. My thanks go out to Jennifer Corace, Development Director at Sportz Ventures and Jaguars’ Communications Manager Ryan Robinson who helped coordinate the program.
As part of my “all-access” pass I was able to interview Jaguar safety, Gerald Alexander. He discussed his recent trade to the Jaguars, his experience with the Lions, playing in one of the greatest college football games ever and the Boise State football program.


Fbkid: What is the biggest transition coming from the Lions to the Jaguars?

Gerald Alexander: The way things are done here as far as different plays and things on defense and getting used to the schedule and things like that. Football is football but generally speaking teams do things differently.

FB: What was it like being hurt last season and going through what the Lions did last year?

GA: It was painful both physically and emotionally as far as physically being hurt and then not being able to help my teammates and given what I saw my team go through last year, it was painful to watch and be a part of. It motivates me and I never want it to happen again.

FB:How did you feel about getting traded?

GA: I didn’t know how to feel at first rather if Detroit didn’t want me or that Jacksonville did. Eventually things worked out and I’m happy to be here now.

FB: How was it to be a part of one of the greatest games in college football history?

GA: It’s great now that I look back on it. When your in the emotion of the game you never really think about it but when you look back at it you can see it was one of the greatest games in the history in college football.
Did you ever talk to Adrian Peterson about the game when you played him?
No I never said anything since he’s making a name for himself in the NFL right now but if we ever got together and talk about college, I have one up on him.

FB: What does it feel like for you watching Boise State play now when they get so much national attention?

GA: It’s like being a proud father looking at a son as you were there to help bring the program to where it is now and they are continuing the success that you laid the foundation for and now they are ranked 16th in the country.

FB: What safeties do you watch and try and take things from their game?

GA: Guys that everybody knows about like Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu and Brian Dawkins those guys three of the best safeties playing in the NFL right now try to pick apart the good things they do and try to emulate them in your game.

FB: You’re a big shoe fan, what’s your favorite make of Jordan’s?

GA: I have to say the 11’s because of the patent leather.

FB: How many pairs of shoes do you have?

GA: I have probably over 100 pairs and I gave a lot away. If you look at my closet, it’s ridiculous. It’s like foot locker.


FB: What do you think of your Madden rating?

GA: I don’t even know my madden rating but I was hurt last year so it’s out of sight out of mind so I’m not going to be as good as I think I am but I’m a Madden player and it doesn’t matter. If you go up against me on the controller, you might run into a loss.

Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers

Originally posted on Fbkid's Sports Minute on 6/2/09


This past weekend I had the opportunity to talk to the Steelers new rookie receiver Mike Wallace. The Steelers took Wallace in the 3rd round with the 84th pick. If you read my pre draft receiver rankings, you may remember that I had Wallace at number eight on the list. Along with being one of the fastest receivers in his draft class with a 4.33 forty yard dash, Wallace is also the first player interview on my blog. I would again like to thank Mike for taking the time out of his busy schedule and I wish him the best in his NFL career.

Fbkid: What was the whole draft process like for you?
Mike Wallace: It was nerve racking but it was a really good experience
FB: What was it like to be called on draft day?
MW: It was the best feeling in the world just to know that all of the hard work paid off.
FB: What is it like being reunited with your childhood friend Keenan Lewis?
MW: It’s good since it makes the transition easier knowing that you will go through the experience with somebody you know.
FB: What do you think you can bring to the Steelers?
MW: Competiveness, speed, whatever Coach Tomlin needs me to bring.
FB: What do you feel is your greatest strength as a player and what do you need to work on?
MW: My greatest strength is my speed but I need to work on my whole game as I can always get better.
FB: What current wide receiver do you think you compare most favorably to?
MW: DeSean Jackson but I’m a little bigger.
FB: What is your greatest football moment to date?
MW: Beating Florida in the Swamp.
FB: When did you realize you had a future in football beyond college?
MW: I always felt that if I stayed focused that I could make it since all of my coaches were really confident in me.
FB: Who was your favorite pro team growing up?
MW: The 49ers I really liked watching Jerry Rice, John Taylor and T.O.
Question: What player are you most looking forward to go against?
MW: Champ Bailey
FB: Who is the best player you played against in your college career?
MW: Percy Harvin.
FB: What do you want to do when your career is over?
MW: I want to own businesses and provide for my family.

Welcome

If you know me, you know that I am very passionate about sports and I am interested in pursuing a career in sports media or marketing. As part of my traning I will be interviewing people who have jobs in sports. Over the coming months, look for interviews I conduct with current and former athletes, people with careers in sports and others who are as passionate about sports as I am.