Soul and Gladiator player lend support to Pop Warner team
September 22, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
The Vegas Bulls were corralled before Tuesday's practice, as a pair of Arena Football League stars joined them at the 50-yard-line of Ed Fountain Park.
Las Vegas Gladiators WR/LB Coco Blalock and Philadelphia Soul WR/DB Mike Brown created a West Coast-East Coast connection, and assisted the Vegas Bulls coaching staff with offensive and defensive drills.
"This is something I am always happy to do, for the kids, because this is where I started," Brown said. "If I can reach one kid, make a difference with one player on or off the field, it's a great feeling."
Blalock is a standout wide receiver/linebacker with the Gladiators, while Brown joined the Soul last season to play the wide receiver/defensive back position.
"I started playing when I was five years old, and this is where it all begins," Blalock said. "But more importantly, one of the messages I wanted to get across to these kids was even more important than football and that was to stay in school and work hard.
"As long as they know staying in school and staying focused is the most important thing, they can do anything else in life they want."
The Bulls are a member of Southern Nevada Pop Warner's Junior Pee Wee division, and are 0-2 on the young season, after losing to the Buccaneers and Pahrump Rush.
But after a visit from both AFL stars, some of the players said they were going to go out and win one for their special honorary coaches.
"We have to win this week, now," said 10-year-old cornerback Jordin Ramirez, who is in his first year of tackle football. "It was fun to have them come to our practice, and it helped me to have Mike show me things because he is a defensive back and I like my cornerback position.
"I liked having him stand on my side during the scrimmage, watching me and helping me with certain things."
Brown, who stayed and posed for pictures in an actual Soul jersey after the Bulls' practice, was so enthused by the team, he promised the kids he'd be at this Saturday's game to "watch them win their first game."
"Oh I have to be there now," said Brown, who was accompanied by his mother at the practice. "These are great kids, and if there was one thing I wanted to impress upon them, it was to let them know the most important people in their lives was their parents and that if they always listened to them - their parents would eventually listen to them when they got older.
"I think they were shocked to see that I brought my mom along for the event. But I wouldn't be as successful as I've been without her by my side."
The Bulls face the Logandale Pirates Saturday at Las Vegas High School, and will have their "honorary coach" in attendance.
"This was a night these kids won't forget, because as far as they're concerned, Coco and Mike are professional football players that come February, they will all be able to watch on television," assistant coach Willie Ramirez said. "For them to take the time during the off-season, to come out and visit with the kids, it means something. And the fact you have members of two different teams - not just a local team - coming out, it teaches these kids camaraderie."
Added offensive standout Brandon Irwin: "It was fun to know that two pro players came to see us at our practice. And even though I know they were there to help us with our football skills, I learned about staying in school and how important our parents are to us."
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