Posted on 08/01/2004 5:08:06 AM PDT by CanisMajor2002
Found this on Yahoo! News but I couldn't find it on the ohio.com site.
Article follows:
Bush's spiral awes Browns By Marla Ridenour, Beacon Journal staff writer
BEREA - No matter what the Cleveland Browns think of President Bush's politics, at least they'll remember he throws a tight spiral.
The president surprised the team with a 45-minute visit before practice Saturday morning en route to appearances in Canton and Pittsburgh. He shook hands and chatted with players and employees, posed for pictures and threw a few passes to receivers Dennis Northcutt and Andre Davis.
"It was definitely the honor of a lifetime," Davis said.
With Bush in Cleveland on Friday for the opening of the International Children's Games, Browns owner Randy Lerner laid the groundwork for the appearance. It left ever-talkative defensive end Kenard Lang in awe.
"He's somebody you see on TV all the time. You think, `Man it would be great to meet him,' "Lang said. "You finally meet him you're like `Wow. The leader of our country.' You're kind of starstruck. He seemed like a nice person, genuine, and enjoys sports."
Coach Butch Davis said the Browns didn't know for sure of Bush's plan until about 30 minutes before his arrival at 8:15 a.m.
Northcutt figured something was going on when 20 motorcycle policemen pulled up behind his car on Eastland Road and followed him through the gate to Browns headquarters.
By breakfast, the building was crawling with security. Quarterback Jeff Garcia said the cafeteria was filled with men in suits, police officers and "guys holding rifles."
It was the first visit to Browns headquarters by a chief executive since Ronald Reagan came to a regular-season practice at Baldwin-Wallace College in 1988.
Only 200 fans had arrived at training camp by the time Bush emerged, but he was greeted with shouts of "Go get 'em, George."
He hit the field flanked by Lerner, Butch Davis, Garcia, right tackle Ryan Tucker and defensive end Courtney Brown, along with the Secret Service, who stayed on the perimeter. Snipers were stationed on the roof.
His best line was directed at Tucker, who attended Robert E. Lee High School in Midland, Texas.
"He went to the same high school as my wife, but he's not as good looking," Bush said, according to the campaign pool reporter.
Then Bush, 58, picked up a football and showed off his athleticism.
"The first one was a warmup ball, kinda wobbly," Northcutt said. "The second one he threw to Andre Davis was a nice tight spiral. It kind of surprised me. He had that swagger, like `I can do this.' It was cool."
Garcia suspected Bush had some experience with the pigskin.
"He was actually throwing a decent spiral," Garcia said. "It was diving a little bit on him, but it had a good spin, a good rotation."
Lang spent five years with the Washington Redskins, but said he only met senators there. With former director of the Secret Service Lew Merletti serving as Cleveland's executive vice president of stadium and security, national security adviser Condoleezza Rice and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas have also spoken to the Browns.
Many said Bush's visit was something they'll tell their children and grandchildren about.
"I've got to call my wife. She won't believe it," kicker Phil Dawson said of his wife, Shannon. "She sang at his inauguration as governor. She'll be mad she didn't come to practice this morning."
Dawson was stunned that Bush brought up a game from Dawson's college days at Texas. Dawson kicked the game-winning field goal against Virginia as time expired, and the Longhorns recorded their 700th victory.
"He remembered it came down to a kick," Dawson said. "That was quite a thrill for me."
Garcia felt the same way. He met Bush two years ago at a Cinco de Mayo celebration at the White House.
"It was nice he acknowledged me when he came through the doors, remembering who I was," Garcia said. "It was a neat feeling. He's a very down-to-earth individual and he's very passionate about sports. I think for him to come out here was also a thrill for him."
Butch Davis said he met his fifth president -- Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and both Bushes.
"The one thing you can say about all of them is they've got great focus, they've got great people skills, the ability to lock in and make the moment really special," Davis said. "He captivated the entire audience. He's got such enormous purpose."
Defensive tackle Gerard Warren didn't seem as enthralled as the rest of his teammates.
"It was 8:40 and I'm supposed to be pounding some heads," Warren said. "I'd rather be going against Ryan Tucker and Kelvin Garmon and those guys than meeting the president. But it was a special opportunity."
Bush's appearance did not seem to guarantee a sweep of 76 Lou Groza Blvd.
"I don't know if I'm going to vote for him," Northcutt said. "I can't lie to him. I'm still an honest man."
Updated on Sunday, Aug 1, 2004 7:17 am EDT
Although, in all fairness, I'm not sure how I would react if Clinton or Kerry et al had suddenly popped into my workplace. I believe I could have held my tongue around the press, but I wouldn't have been right up there eager to shake his hand. (Cooties!)
:^D
Before she got ill, my mother shook BJCs hand when he came to a local park.
I allowed her to walk home.
LOL!
Which reminds me of the time BJ flew into MCAF Quantico on Marine One... my CO, being the CO of the headquarters squadron, was obligated to be present at the time of his arrival. He absolutely did not want to be anywhere near BJ but he was ordered to be there. He hung way back, but BJ saw the opportunity for a photo op, made a beeline for him, and shook his hand while the cameras snapped.
When the CO came back inside the building he was ranting and raving about it, and we didn't help when we told him those pictures would cost him his membership in the Rush Limbaugh fan club.
Not too bright, are you, son?
Dan
My brother-in-law was a resident (doctor) at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1996 when Clinton decided to make a visit. They had to be ordered to attend and were told what to wear. This in leftwing Baltimore.
Just a photo-op!!!!
DAMMIT!, It pisses me off to high hell that we don't see pictures like these on the nightly news and in newpapers. It's nothing but a huge media failure.
Edwards: "Holy Poll Bounce! It's a FOOTBALL, Batman!"
Kerry: "It must be... some sort of... clue. Tell me, Boy Wonder: who do you know... that would leave... a "football" for US to find???"
Edwards (pounding fists): "A condundrum! Who WOULD leave a football for us to find? Waitaminute! Is it ticking???"
Kerry: "Brilliant work, old chum! Shh! Let's listen..."
Staffer: "Chr*st on a friggin' stick! Just THROW the d*mn ball so we can take your pictures for the press packet!!!"
15 seconds on the CNN headline news rotation wouldn't be asking too much . . . not of a patriotic network.
Second Officer: "Dude. You can't properly ride a Police Harley 'til you get a 'stache like the rest of us. And don't forget yer helmet, Poindexter."
"Auughh! I've been hit! MEDIC! MEDIC!"
"Great throw, Boss. Shall we try a 10-yard Hail Mary?"
Heh, heh! Ann knows how to cut to the chase.
What's this????? His impression of Stevie Wonder sans the glasses????
Dear God! And Kerry wasn't even standing on the frickin' mound?!? And he still came up short?
The Tourist Guy has nothing on the Bunny Suit.
We haven't seen Kerry playing golf......too much walking, I guess in addition to needing some skill.
The Afghan Girl's Soccer Team should be guests of honor at the republican convention.....show the world what's really changed
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