There Miroslav Klose Jersey , sitting across from the former New York Giants inside linebacker in a private room designated for NFL Hall of Fame VIPs was his idol: Claude Humphrey.
“Claude Humphrey was one of my heroes. He was one of my role models as a defensive player,” a still partially starstruck Carson said. “I’m sitting there and I tried to tell him how much I tried to pattern my game after him.”
[+] EnlargeAP PhotoMark DuncanFormer coach Marv Levy was among those signing autographs at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Fan Fest on Saturday.The football fan inside couldn’t believe it.
Other football fans were in amazement Saturday as they, too, met some of their gridiron heroes at the first of its kind Pro Football Hall of Fame Fan Fest at the International Exposition Center. The two-day event, featuring players such as Jim Brown Lukas Podolski Jersey , Barry Sanders and Franco Harris, has been billed as the largest gathering of Hall of Famers outside of the annual enshrinement celebration each August in nearby Canton, Ohio. More than 100 Hall of Fame players were expected to attend.
Several of the former players who were present Saturday spoke with reporters about a variety of issues including Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s lifetime ban from the NBA, Johnny Manziel’s rock star status, the NFL’s emphasis on concussion safety http://www.germanysoccershop.com/ , and Michael Sam’s anticipated debut as the league’s first openly gay player.
When it came to Sterling, Carson applauded the lifetime ban the league handed down after Sterling’s racist rant was publicized last week.
“I’m glad that at some point it eventually came out,” Carson said, “because I would not want to play for a team with an owner feeling that way. I may have played for coaches who may have felt that way, but they kept it to themselves. There are people who whenever they go home they might use that language 2014 Germany World Cup Jersey , but don’t use that language in front of me.
“Once you put that uniform on, you’re not black, you’re not white. You are those colors but you’re out there fighting for one another.”
Former Vikings and Buccaneers offensive guard Randall McDaniel was somewhat critical in his remarks on Manziel’s off-field behavior in college.
“He needs to grow up a little more,” McDaniel said. “Yeah, he has a lot of talent Germany World Cup Jersey , he has a lot of ability, but he still needs to mature a little more before he gets in this league.”
Len Dawson, a former Chiefs, Browns and Steelers quarterback, agreed when asked about the former Texas A&M quarterback Germany Soccer Jersey , who is expected to be taken in the first round of next week’s draft.
[+] EnlargeAP PhotoMark DuncanHall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe brought smiles to youth football players during Saturday's Fan Fest.“He’s a wonderful player, a very exciting player who can do a lot of things,” Dawson said. “His attitude maybe he ought to quiet down a little bit and have a little success at professional football before you tell everybody what you’re going to do.”
On Sam, Sanders said: “From the time that you’re a kid and you start playing, your major focus you’re almost programmed to look for is Toni Kroos Germany Jersey , OK, can a guy play or not? Once you get to the NFL, that’s w