The opportunity presented itself so I just did it. If it had been more socially acceptable, I would have thrown my arms around Denard and gotten a picture of me with him too.
Rick was mildly embarrassed taking the pictures. Mallory didn’t want to be in the picture (she’s looking at me who snuck out of the frame just as Rick took the picture), and Carson was just mad it wasn’t Biggie he was getting his picture taken with.
This young man is special. Every single person that has interacted with him talks about how cute and polite and real he is.
Last fall after one of the football practices at the football stadium, the kids & I were waiting for Rick outside the lockerroom to go eat dinner. About 30 ROTC guys were running down the tunnel (into the stadium – all in formation and yelling “YES MASTER SARGENT” at their boss guy) just as Denard and a couple of other players came out of the lockerroom. Without skipping a beat, Denard fell in and started to run with them, grinning as he asked “where we running to??”.
If I didn’t already think Denard was a nice guy before, I fell in love with him at that moment. What an unbelievably real, genuine, unrehearsed thing to do. There were no media, no coaches, no anybody. I get goosebumps telling this story, even nine months later.
So that is why I had to get my kids picture taken with him. He’s a special guy, even off the football field. Oh, and did I tell you that when I introduced myself to him a few months ago, I stuck my hand out to shake his and instead he gave me a hug? SO CUTE.
* * *
It was the womens football academy yesterday and the kids & I stopped by before Mallory’s recital. When we pulled up in the parking lot, the players were all out, giving people rides to the football building on golf carts, and they were all laughing and having fun. I spied Denard in the lot and asked Carson if he saw who was there. He answered “BI-YEE!!!” (Biggie, our softball coach friend that he is obsessed with). Sure enough, there was a woman getting Denard’s autograph who had a big thick blonde ponytail like Biggie usually wears.
Which begs the question of which is more disturbing: That Carson thinks everyone with a thick blonde ponytail is our friend Jen/Biggie? Or that he can’t see past a fake Jen to see our star quarterback?
Kids.
So damn cute (your are kids too).
The memories you are making for your children are so fabulous- what an awesome mom you are. They will have the best stories to share with their children! You rock Samantha! BTW- our quarterback is the real deal!
Next chance you get with Denard, tell him your dad wants a picture with him, too.