Unscarred
Alright Miami!!!
This post may get a little lengthy however I feel this would be good discussion material.
I live in North Port and make it a point every year to bring my son to TC to see the players up close and hopefully get him a few autographs. I am very big on the players interaction with the fans especially the kids.
My story begins with this.. My son and I were at TC 2 years ago and had a chance to get Adewale Ogunleye's autograph at the fence after practice. As we all know his name was hard to pronounce, even for an adult. Everyone was yelling "Wally-Wally" as he approached my son and I he said to my son "Say it right, it's Wale. he was not joking and seemed insulted that people couldnt say his name correctly. My son still tried to say however due to a slight speech impediment and being just 5 YEARS OLD he refused to sign my sons ball and continued to walk away and sign for others. Needless to say I was beyond pissed off. I said my peice to Mr. Ogunleye and was the happiest Dolphin fan in the world when he was traded. I DESPISE him!!!
Which brings me to the second half of my story...
I was at last nights TC in the stadium and had the privelidge to meet Mr. Kevin Cater our new #93. What a class act!!! We were riht next to the dugout down the first base side and access to us was not very easy which made most of the other players go down along right field where access was easier. I understood that however, Kevin Carter saw us including a large group of fans and turned around and walked over with a big smile and said "Man I didnt think anyone knew who I was." I said your in Miami baby we know all of our players, welcome. He reached up, shook my sons hand, signed his Dolphins license plate and as he went to sign for the person next to us my son said Thank You. Kevin Carter turned back to my son reached up to him and rubbed my son hair as to say "No, Thank you" took off his right glove and handed it to my son and said "I'm sorry little buddy, it's a little sweaty but thats all I have."
Fellow Dolphans--Thats what it's all about. I realize these guys don't have to take the time to do these things and I teach my son that too, but that kind of thing warms my heart and my son will never forget that either. I am a fan of his forever- good or bad. Beyond football our new #93 Kevin Carter is head and shoulders a better man than Ogunleye will ever hope to be.
I live in North Port and make it a point every year to bring my son to TC to see the players up close and hopefully get him a few autographs. I am very big on the players interaction with the fans especially the kids.
My story begins with this.. My son and I were at TC 2 years ago and had a chance to get Adewale Ogunleye's autograph at the fence after practice. As we all know his name was hard to pronounce, even for an adult. Everyone was yelling "Wally-Wally" as he approached my son and I he said to my son "Say it right, it's Wale. he was not joking and seemed insulted that people couldnt say his name correctly. My son still tried to say however due to a slight speech impediment and being just 5 YEARS OLD he refused to sign my sons ball and continued to walk away and sign for others. Needless to say I was beyond pissed off. I said my peice to Mr. Ogunleye and was the happiest Dolphin fan in the world when he was traded. I DESPISE him!!!
Which brings me to the second half of my story...
I was at last nights TC in the stadium and had the privelidge to meet Mr. Kevin Cater our new #93. What a class act!!! We were riht next to the dugout down the first base side and access to us was not very easy which made most of the other players go down along right field where access was easier. I understood that however, Kevin Carter saw us including a large group of fans and turned around and walked over with a big smile and said "Man I didnt think anyone knew who I was." I said your in Miami baby we know all of our players, welcome. He reached up, shook my sons hand, signed his Dolphins license plate and as he went to sign for the person next to us my son said Thank You. Kevin Carter turned back to my son reached up to him and rubbed my son hair as to say "No, Thank you" took off his right glove and handed it to my son and said "I'm sorry little buddy, it's a little sweaty but thats all I have."
Fellow Dolphans--Thats what it's all about. I realize these guys don't have to take the time to do these things and I teach my son that too, but that kind of thing warms my heart and my son will never forget that either. I am a fan of his forever- good or bad. Beyond football our new #93 Kevin Carter is head and shoulders a better man than Ogunleye will ever hope to be.
