NY GIANTS: An Evening with Richie
I am having a chat with Kareem McKenzie
EJ ROSE
April 20 2009
After a warm day outside for the trap shooting event. We took a small break before heading to the Florian Gardens for the second part of the event.
This was the dinner portion. The presentations of why this event is being taken place. An acknowledgement of those who helped & those who need help. It was also the main opportunity to help raise money for the Marshfield Clinic. There were more people in attendance for the dinner than showed for the shooting event.
As I was drooling over some of the silent auction items (in paticular a Vikings – Giants package) I noticed many items were non-football. A lot of outdoorsman / hunting type -related items. As we sat down in the Gardens ballroom to be served. You could really sense the touch of class that was being brought to the dinner. The food was high class, two bottles of wine at each table, & 3 screens to showing slides through dinner told me that they really wanted everyone to understand how much it meant to Rich to reach that goal of raising one million dollars for the clinic. (My favorite slide was one of Rich in an undersized “Marry Me Eli” T-shirt)
As dinner was being served, I noticed a slide that advised payment for auctions were not required to be immediate. Too bad for me the silent auction had already ended, I’ll have to find tickets for Vikings another way.
RAISING SOME MONEY
In just over one years time, Rich has helped raise over half of his one million goal. As we ate, he introduced his sister Christy who gave a presentation on her daughter Gracie. It was a strong presentation. I forgot all about football during that.
In the front of the middle screen was a table with all sorts of Giants items. Helmets & balls signed by most major players on the Giants & each of the attending players had a 2007 game issued jersey signed & after the story of Gracie… it was time to auction things off.
Rich Seubert shows the Ring
I watched as a few hunting trips went by & got curious when the first Giants item went up. Seuberts jersey. It went for over $800 for the hometown hero. I quickly realized that I was going to be outclassed. As other items came & went (such as 2 Giants trips.. one home.. one away..), I thought I may just have had a shot at Hedgcock’s jersey. I didn’t. Even though it was the least expensive item, it still went for $650. As I drank some wine, a big part of me was happy it was all going for a good cause. After an Eli Manning signed helmet went for over $1,000, I knew that when Chase Blackburn put his jersey on & started working the room, the boys were going to raise a lot of money. Kareem followed Chase when his jersey was up & of all 5 players in attendance, Kareem was getting the most attention all day long. (Most likely due to his enormous size, he is truly a Giant.)
After the final item was won, (a Custom Patrick Flanigan Shoot Gun for $7,500) it was announced that between the day & evening events, $188,00 was raised. This brings Rich almost 3 quarters to his goal.
As dinner concluded, I spoke to Rich’s wife Jodi & told her that I was proud that Rich wears Giants blue. It was nice to see a millionaire work so hard on something for someone else.
A Little More Football
I ensured that I made my rounds to say goodbye to each of the players & thank them for supporting the cause.
I was happy to hear Chase Blackburn comment on my friends “imperfection” of being a Cowboys fan.
I was even happier that Kareem agreed to ensure the Giants ‘close’ Giants Stadium with a home playoff game. When asked if there was a difference between Giants & Jets fans… well let’s just say that I will have to spread the word that we need to be louder.
Madison Hedgecock was feeling much more comfortable by the end of the night… going as far as to ‘force fumble’ a ball I had by swatting out of my hands (I recovered). He actually had me laughing quite a bit. It was great to see him be himself, but I did have to mention that he “does a good job of blocking & taking his guy out ..so keep it up”.
Pro Bowl Snapper Zak DeOssie at the dinner
Zak DeOssie continued talking to me about his first two years & I found it interesting to know that he found out he was going to play in the Pro Bowl by one of the Giants trainers…
..”Zak how would you like to go to the Pro Bowl?”
Zak: ” I am, Feags (Feagles) is bringing me” ..
“how about be in it?”
Zak:“Yeah Feags is going to buy a ticket for me to come”
…. “no, I mean PLAY in it.. !!?”
and to paraphrase Zak’s response : ” are you (messing) with me?, don’t be (messing) with me now..”
.. “no I’m serious”
Of course he prefers the Super Bowl to the Pro Bowl, but he was happy to be there & I’m sure Rich was happy to have him in Wisconsin for the dinner.
I know I sure had a great time.
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My friend Jason, pictured here with Chase Blackburn, helped me get to the event.
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Kareem is a true Giant
Madison Feeling Comfortable after the Dinner
Comments
By amy. on April 21st, 2009 at 7:54 pm amy.(Quote)
i love seeing little you next to GIANTS. literally. ha*
Total Comment by amy.: 1
By EJ on April 20th, 2009 at 10:31 pm EJ(Quote)
… I see you wasted no time capturing the Pic of you & Chase…
.. thanks for helping me out !! Just remember When he lays out one of your boys.. he’s your buddy !!
By Jason Kovacevich on April 20th, 2009 at 10:07 pm Jason Kovacevich(Quote)
Yes indeed, it was a cool experience!
Total Comments by Jason Kovacevich: 3
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