Xplorers player nets off-field victory
July 26, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Memphis Xplorers News Release
SOUTHAVENâMemphis Xplorers OL/DL Nate Grace came onto the field after the game on Saturday on a natural high, after helping his team to a 37-12 win over the Macon Knights. He had no idea what was going on when Xplorers Booster Club President Denise Martin nabbed him by the elbow and drew him to the middle of a huddle of adoring fans.
"When we nominated someone for Player of the Year, we were looking for someone who gave 100 percent not only to the game, but also to the fans," Martin said. "The Booster Club and their families had a cookout for the team recently, and Nate played in the pool with the kids, ate, played volleyball for two hours, got back in the pool and played some more.
"The event was from two until four, but Nate was there until after six. And that's just typical Nate. Even when the team has lost, he still comes out on the field after the game and talks to the kids and signs autographs. He has gone above and beyond."
Grace said he didn't know he was in the running, but he really appreciated the Booster Club's support.
"I love doing it," Grace said. "I didn't feel like it was an award I had to earn, because I had so much fun this season. I love doing stuff in the community, and I love the kids."
The pleasant surprise was made even sweeter by the fact that his parents, Jovanna and Bob Grace, came to the game and were present when Martin presented the award, along with aunt Romeena Hill, and cousin Lanny Hill, who shaved Grace's number, 75, onto the back of his head.
"We're so proud," Jovanna said. "He's a ham, that's for sure. He loves the crowd, and he loves the kids."
Bob Grace said Nate's professional goals are tied to the team's success.
"He's been working for something like this a long time," Bob said. "He got a championship ring in college, but he'd love to have another one. He's always loved the game and he dreams of moving up."
Martin said the Booster Club is ecstatic about this year's team and their on-field success. She said that after everyone presented their nominations for Player of the Year, she stood up and made her case for Grace.
"The vote was unanimous," she said. "He really means a lot to the team and to the fans, and we're really happy he got the award."
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