http://www.chicagosportsreview.com/intheme...ew.asp?c=179256
thought this was an interesting read
A Father's NFL Draft Diary
Editor's Note - It's been three years since Larry Bloom personally emailed the Chicago Sports Review, thanking us for writing an editorial that supported his son Jeremy's position against the NCAA. Three years later, we've asked Larry for his own thoughts, as Jeremy's career has both come full circle, and started once again.
By Larry Bloom
The Day Before the Draft
It starts with numerous teams, each calling to confirm our draft day phone number. This is the usual and customary system - or so we've heard - and really means very little except that you know you are on their draft boards. Somewhere. I'm continuing to consume press about Jeremy and where he might land in the draft.
At this point, I just can't help but wonder what would have happened if the NCAA had not taken his eligibility away two years ago. He had five touchdowns over 75 yards in the first two years at CU, and he certainty would have become the "go to" receiver in his junior and senior years.
We could really be looking at a very different picture right now had that been allowed to happen. Compared to other WR's in this draft, which is supposedly weak at the position, we certainly could be looking at the benefits of a first round draft pick.
The whole NCAA fiasco still rubs me the wrong way. The case was over in the first hour. When the lawyers for the NCAA reminded Judge Hale that in the event that he ruled in favor of Jeremy's request, it could subsequently be overturned on appeal, and legally, the entire University of Colorado program could be held in jeopardy; forfeiture of games, money, who knows what else. The restitution rule, which has been supported by courts, allows the NCAA to engage in legalized blackmail.
Here they were saying to the Judge, an ardent supporter of CU football, that he could be potentially someday putting the entire CU program in jeopardy if he ruled for Jeremy. It's hard to even blame the man. Anyway, it's all in the past and I know the world is not fair. It could be far worse. Jeremy has participated in two sports that are known for injuries. It is remarkable that he is at this place after thousands of moguls, several crashes, hundreds of times being tackled, and without a major injury. We are all very thankful.
Saturday Morning - Draft Day 1
Today is draft day. I have awakened to read the national press and, of course, I am more keyed to thoughts about Jeremy. One sportswriter says he will be picked for his return skills and is not much of a pass catcher. Is he nuts? Where does he get his data? I have never seen him drop a catch!
The NFL film crew will be here at 11 and may be accompanied by ESPN. They are filming all weekend for a show that profiles rookies in the NFL. I continue to see predictions all over the map, but again, what I care about is that he is drafted to a team that has support personnel which will allow him to demonstrate his skills.
We are supposed to meet his best friends at Ptarmagin golf course for a round of golf and then go to the movie about Flight 93. This is Jeremy's idea. When I ask him why, he says he just thinks that the movie puts today in perspective; that this is a sport and a draft and in the big picture of life, it pales in comparison to the relevance and impact of this movie and what it means.
Interestingly, I do not yet feel nervous. The Olympics were the pinnacle and I guess after those experiences this is something of a cakewalk. I am hoping for a pick today but would be surprised if it happened. Again, I get in touch with the reality of his last two years taken away from him. And again, I push it out of my mind. What's done is done and we move from here. It's a good lesson.
Sunday Morning pre-draft
In spite of all of my intentions, I did not play golf yesterday, I did not hang out with the NFL crew, I did not work out.
All I did was sit there and watch endless hours of the draft. There were lots of surprises and some wonderful moments. I will never forget Vernon Davis and his reaction to being drafted.
This wonderfully gifted athlete - somewhat of a genetic anomaly with his size and particularly his speed - breaking down at finally hearing the words that he has waited to hear. I loved it. At our place, the NFL crew guys were very nice and as unobtrusive as possible. Even though I knew it was highly unlikely on day one, I kept fantasizing hearing Jeremy's name called. The anticipation made the hours go by a lot faster than I thought.
So, Jeremy, his brother and sister and their friends go out last night. This morning I awake and see a note from him which says, "Dad please wake me if I get a call from a team". The note then says, "push this button to answer". I look at this sophisticated machine which I don't understand and worry that I will not do this correctly. So, I play with it and in twenty seconds I have myself thoroughly confused. Now, I'm thinking a call will come in from some GM, I'll screw it up, they'll pass, and go onto the next guy. Great.
After settling down and realizing that (hopefully) this is an irrational thought, I reset the Blackberry and am ready for an early call.
I am looking at the picks in the fourth round, and trying to figure out what is going to happen and I realize that I have no idea. This is the hardest part. Every parent everywhere has no idea. I wonder if teams know what they'll do right up until the point they make their pick.
When you sit on the sidelines, watching your child - whether it is in 6th grade soccer - or standing at the top of an Olympic run, you have no idea. All you have is hope, and you better have some trust that if things don't work out, you will be able to help pick up the pieces, and move on to the next challenge. Trusting that things will be okay following disappointments is critical. Teaching children to deal with disappointment is paramount because you can bet they will experience plenty of it.
Sunday, Start of Draft Day 2
The Draft starts, or begins again, at 9:00 MST and I'm ready to go, in front of the TV. The NFL camera crew is here taping a show, "Hey Rookie, Welcome to the NFL." Nice guys, trying to stay out of the way and yet get their film and inhabit the house. People are slowly coming in. Jordan, Austin, Molly, Kristin. Finally, Jeremy appears from the basement.
There is a phone call. I get excited. A false alarm. It's one of his friends wishing him good luck. The Broncos have three picks in the fourth round. I watch as his name is not announced and I know at that point that he is not going to be a Bronco.
The two of us walk out to the deck and sit in the sun for a few minutes. Not a lot of words are spoken except the advice of a father saying, "Whatever happens will happen and it will happen for a reason."
"You have got to trust that."
Round 5 starts…
We are all on edge. I go into another room and call Gary (Jeremy's agent). I ask him if he knows whether any team in this round has an interest in Jeremy. He tells me perhaps St. Louis and Philly. We hang up the call. More nerves. I return to the living room and watch as St. Louis picks someone else. New England picks next and Philly is on deck.
Then, the phone rings.
Jeremy is telling me he doesn't recognize the number. When he answers the GM asks him how he would like to be an Eagle. The room erupts. The cameras are rolling. It is pandemonium. I see his name flash across the screen.
Tears form in my eyes.
The rush of emotion which has been held in has its chance to flow. I am in shock. Not merely because he was drafted, but also because he is now heading to my hometown. I was born and raised in Philadelphia. I rooted for the Eagles and the Phillies. I was at the 1960 championship game. I know the town. I know the fans. I have all the visuals. Although it has been 40 years since I've lived there, you don't take Philly out of the Philadelphian.
I am blown away.
After the interviews, I hug my son. I am in disbelief. It was yesterday that he was seven through twelve, asking me everyday to throw the football for an hour. He was John Elway in the backyard going out for passes. (Yes, I know, Elway the receiver.) I was the quarterback, but more like a machine, just throwing and throwing. And there he is, running and running and running. Midget football, training on the ski slopes, world championships, two Olympics, and now, drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles! I must be dreaming. This is not happening.
Sunday Night
We have a large celebration at a place we rented out for the night. Lots of old friends, family, coaches, support people. The usual. NFL films are still working. They capture the evening. Coach Barnett calls to offer congratulations. Class guy, who I will always be grateful for.
Jeremy leaves the next morning for California to continue his training. Mini camp starts in two weeks. Life will move on.
It's been a while since I forfeited my own name and became Jeremy Bloom's father. Somehow along the way my separate identity is not what it was. When I am asked about this odd little phenomenon, I tell them this: When your identity wilts in the glory and accomplishments of your own child, it is the best feeling you can have.
Most parents know this. It is Father's Day everyday under those circumstances. It is just fine with me. I am once again an Eagles fan in a way that I never dreamed possible. That's it about life; things happen in ways that we never dream possible for the better and the worse. I guess I was right on the balcony discussion before the fifth round. The team that he grew up cheering for had other ideas, but the team that is really his best fit worked out in the end. He will leave his family in Colorado and head to a new family.
The irony here is the new family in Philly was my original family, and because of that, and because of my relationship with my son, in some ways, I feel as though I am also going home.
Larry Bloom is a professor of psychology at Colorado State University.
thought this was an interesting read
A Father's NFL Draft Diary
Editor's Note - It's been three years since Larry Bloom personally emailed the Chicago Sports Review, thanking us for writing an editorial that supported his son Jeremy's position against the NCAA. Three years later, we've asked Larry for his own thoughts, as Jeremy's career has both come full circle, and started once again.
By Larry Bloom
The Day Before the Draft
It starts with numerous teams, each calling to confirm our draft day phone number. This is the usual and customary system - or so we've heard - and really means very little except that you know you are on their draft boards. Somewhere. I'm continuing to consume press about Jeremy and where he might land in the draft.
At this point, I just can't help but wonder what would have happened if the NCAA had not taken his eligibility away two years ago. He had five touchdowns over 75 yards in the first two years at CU, and he certainty would have become the "go to" receiver in his junior and senior years.
We could really be looking at a very different picture right now had that been allowed to happen. Compared to other WR's in this draft, which is supposedly weak at the position, we certainly could be looking at the benefits of a first round draft pick.
The whole NCAA fiasco still rubs me the wrong way. The case was over in the first hour. When the lawyers for the NCAA reminded Judge Hale that in the event that he ruled in favor of Jeremy's request, it could subsequently be overturned on appeal, and legally, the entire University of Colorado program could be held in jeopardy; forfeiture of games, money, who knows what else. The restitution rule, which has been supported by courts, allows the NCAA to engage in legalized blackmail.
Here they were saying to the Judge, an ardent supporter of CU football, that he could be potentially someday putting the entire CU program in jeopardy if he ruled for Jeremy. It's hard to even blame the man. Anyway, it's all in the past and I know the world is not fair. It could be far worse. Jeremy has participated in two sports that are known for injuries. It is remarkable that he is at this place after thousands of moguls, several crashes, hundreds of times being tackled, and without a major injury. We are all very thankful.
Saturday Morning - Draft Day 1
Today is draft day. I have awakened to read the national press and, of course, I am more keyed to thoughts about Jeremy. One sportswriter says he will be picked for his return skills and is not much of a pass catcher. Is he nuts? Where does he get his data? I have never seen him drop a catch!
The NFL film crew will be here at 11 and may be accompanied by ESPN. They are filming all weekend for a show that profiles rookies in the NFL. I continue to see predictions all over the map, but again, what I care about is that he is drafted to a team that has support personnel which will allow him to demonstrate his skills.
We are supposed to meet his best friends at Ptarmagin golf course for a round of golf and then go to the movie about Flight 93. This is Jeremy's idea. When I ask him why, he says he just thinks that the movie puts today in perspective; that this is a sport and a draft and in the big picture of life, it pales in comparison to the relevance and impact of this movie and what it means.
Interestingly, I do not yet feel nervous. The Olympics were the pinnacle and I guess after those experiences this is something of a cakewalk. I am hoping for a pick today but would be surprised if it happened. Again, I get in touch with the reality of his last two years taken away from him. And again, I push it out of my mind. What's done is done and we move from here. It's a good lesson.
Sunday Morning pre-draft
In spite of all of my intentions, I did not play golf yesterday, I did not hang out with the NFL crew, I did not work out.
All I did was sit there and watch endless hours of the draft. There were lots of surprises and some wonderful moments. I will never forget Vernon Davis and his reaction to being drafted.
This wonderfully gifted athlete - somewhat of a genetic anomaly with his size and particularly his speed - breaking down at finally hearing the words that he has waited to hear. I loved it. At our place, the NFL crew guys were very nice and as unobtrusive as possible. Even though I knew it was highly unlikely on day one, I kept fantasizing hearing Jeremy's name called. The anticipation made the hours go by a lot faster than I thought.
So, Jeremy, his brother and sister and their friends go out last night. This morning I awake and see a note from him which says, "Dad please wake me if I get a call from a team". The note then says, "push this button to answer". I look at this sophisticated machine which I don't understand and worry that I will not do this correctly. So, I play with it and in twenty seconds I have myself thoroughly confused. Now, I'm thinking a call will come in from some GM, I'll screw it up, they'll pass, and go onto the next guy. Great.
After settling down and realizing that (hopefully) this is an irrational thought, I reset the Blackberry and am ready for an early call.
I am looking at the picks in the fourth round, and trying to figure out what is going to happen and I realize that I have no idea. This is the hardest part. Every parent everywhere has no idea. I wonder if teams know what they'll do right up until the point they make their pick.
When you sit on the sidelines, watching your child - whether it is in 6th grade soccer - or standing at the top of an Olympic run, you have no idea. All you have is hope, and you better have some trust that if things don't work out, you will be able to help pick up the pieces, and move on to the next challenge. Trusting that things will be okay following disappointments is critical. Teaching children to deal with disappointment is paramount because you can bet they will experience plenty of it.
Sunday, Start of Draft Day 2
The Draft starts, or begins again, at 9:00 MST and I'm ready to go, in front of the TV. The NFL camera crew is here taping a show, "Hey Rookie, Welcome to the NFL." Nice guys, trying to stay out of the way and yet get their film and inhabit the house. People are slowly coming in. Jordan, Austin, Molly, Kristin. Finally, Jeremy appears from the basement.
There is a phone call. I get excited. A false alarm. It's one of his friends wishing him good luck. The Broncos have three picks in the fourth round. I watch as his name is not announced and I know at that point that he is not going to be a Bronco.
The two of us walk out to the deck and sit in the sun for a few minutes. Not a lot of words are spoken except the advice of a father saying, "Whatever happens will happen and it will happen for a reason."
"You have got to trust that."
Round 5 starts…
We are all on edge. I go into another room and call Gary (Jeremy's agent). I ask him if he knows whether any team in this round has an interest in Jeremy. He tells me perhaps St. Louis and Philly. We hang up the call. More nerves. I return to the living room and watch as St. Louis picks someone else. New England picks next and Philly is on deck.
Then, the phone rings.
Jeremy is telling me he doesn't recognize the number. When he answers the GM asks him how he would like to be an Eagle. The room erupts. The cameras are rolling. It is pandemonium. I see his name flash across the screen.
Tears form in my eyes.
The rush of emotion which has been held in has its chance to flow. I am in shock. Not merely because he was drafted, but also because he is now heading to my hometown. I was born and raised in Philadelphia. I rooted for the Eagles and the Phillies. I was at the 1960 championship game. I know the town. I know the fans. I have all the visuals. Although it has been 40 years since I've lived there, you don't take Philly out of the Philadelphian.
I am blown away.
After the interviews, I hug my son. I am in disbelief. It was yesterday that he was seven through twelve, asking me everyday to throw the football for an hour. He was John Elway in the backyard going out for passes. (Yes, I know, Elway the receiver.) I was the quarterback, but more like a machine, just throwing and throwing. And there he is, running and running and running. Midget football, training on the ski slopes, world championships, two Olympics, and now, drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles! I must be dreaming. This is not happening.
Sunday Night
We have a large celebration at a place we rented out for the night. Lots of old friends, family, coaches, support people. The usual. NFL films are still working. They capture the evening. Coach Barnett calls to offer congratulations. Class guy, who I will always be grateful for.
Jeremy leaves the next morning for California to continue his training. Mini camp starts in two weeks. Life will move on.
It's been a while since I forfeited my own name and became Jeremy Bloom's father. Somehow along the way my separate identity is not what it was. When I am asked about this odd little phenomenon, I tell them this: When your identity wilts in the glory and accomplishments of your own child, it is the best feeling you can have.
Most parents know this. It is Father's Day everyday under those circumstances. It is just fine with me. I am once again an Eagles fan in a way that I never dreamed possible. That's it about life; things happen in ways that we never dream possible for the better and the worse. I guess I was right on the balcony discussion before the fifth round. The team that he grew up cheering for had other ideas, but the team that is really his best fit worked out in the end. He will leave his family in Colorado and head to a new family.
The irony here is the new family in Philly was my original family, and because of that, and because of my relationship with my son, in some ways, I feel as though I am also going home.
Larry Bloom is a professor of psychology at Colorado State University.
nice story. good luck, jeremy!
Good luck, Jeremy. If you give 110% in Philly, they will love you. Philly is a passionate sports town, and they love an underdog story. Jeremy Bloom making the final roster, even on special teams, will endear him to many. Gotta pull for this kid.
