A funny thing happens when you tell a professional athlete that you’re willing to interview him about whatever he wants. Without pressure to talk about a recurring and nagging knee injury, a recent bad play Chris Berman probably called him out on repeatedly, or some negative slant the media is currently overanalyzing, what happens is pretty awesome: they usually loosen up and show a really fun side; sometimes an unexpected one.
That’s what happened when I sat down with Owen Daniels, tight end for the Houston Texans. The 6-foot-3 Naperville, IL native who rocked an awesome dirty blonde side-part and dressed head-to-toe in Jordan was given the green light to talk about whatever his heart desired. His 7-year tenure with the Texans, his recent engagement to a gorgeous Houston attorney, what his chances of a second Pro Bowl are, any riffs on the team, etc, but Daniels chose to gush about his love for house music.
To read this full story about Owen Daniels and his love for the beats and house music, click over to Man Cave Daily.
Owen Daniels and fiance Angela Mecca (photo via Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com)
A hunky tight end’s guide to Houston: Owen Daniels reveals where he hangs and his secret hip-hop cred
he 10-1 Houston Texans are stronger than ever, tied for the best record in the entire NFL, and, for the first time in their 10-year franchise history, part of the overanalyzed talk of being one of the Super Bowl favorites. Houston, the city, is also on a high, having taken the No. 1 spot on the Forbes list of America’s Coolest Cities To Live not so long ago.
According to the Forbes’ article, “cool” was based off Merriam-Webster’s definition of “very good; fashionable.”
Tight end Owen Daniels, the guy many consider to be the most social Texan (with apologizes to Connor Barwin), feels that Houston most definitely fits that description. Daniels, one of the main weapons in the Texans offense with 47 catches for 555 yards and six touchdowns, says that even if his football career eventually takes him elsewhere, Houston is where he plans to continue to call home.
I sat down with the 6-foot-3, 249-pound, newly-engaged tight end, who was dressed in all Jordan, and asked about all this new hype for his team and his city and the stereotypes synonymous with Texas.
“I’ve always been a rap/hip hop guy . . . I’m from the mean streets of Naperville, Illinois.”
The 30-year-old Daniels, who has spent all seven seasons of his NFL career in Houston, admits the pickup stereotype is “so true.” “I swear there’s gotta be one pickup truck for every car that’s out there,” he says. “I don’t know anywhere outside of Texas you’ll see so many pickup trucks.”
The Chicago-area native quickly debunks one popular misconception though. “I don’t think Houston is as country as people think,” Daniels says. “It’s a big city so you get every walk of life here — it’s a great mix of people. It’s not all cowboys and big teased hair.”
When asked to describe Houston in one word, Daniels claims he does not have a “great vocabulary” but chooses “sprawling.” “Even as big as our city is, it’s always growing and so spread out,” he continues.
Tight End, Owen Daniels (photo via Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com)
This is one professional athlete who actually really knows the city he plays in. Here is Owen Daniels’ Visitors Guide to Houston:
Best Place to Shop: I don’t love shopping, but my girlfriend goes to Tootsies for dresses. I don’t mind the Galleria as long as I have some direction and know what I’m going for. I need to have a plan. I can’t just walk aimlessly through that massive place.
Texas Meal Must: Barbecue, Steak or Mexican? They gotta go barbecue. I like Mexican food, but don’t crave it like I do barbecue.
Best Barbecue:Goode Company next to Armadillo — it’s the most consistent.
Best Mexican:El Tiempo on Richmond — they’re all OK, but that’s the best one.
Best Steakhouse: No doubt, Del Frisco’s is my favorite spot to eat. Arthur (Mooradian), the GM there is amazing. I always get a filet, medium. You gotta go with the mac and cheese too — it’s a jalapeno mac and cheese with bacon in it — it’s so good!
Best Radio Station:The Box (97.9). That’s the best morning show that Houston has to offer. Rod Ryan (from The Buzz) emcees my charity events, so I like him a lot too.
Fave Musician from Houston: I’m kind of embarrassed I don’t know who all is from Houston, but I know a lot of good music comes from here. I guess I’d go with Bun B — I’m on this house kick lately. I’ve always been a rap/hip hop guy . . . I’m from the mean streets of Naperville, Illinois.
Best Music Venue: I think House of Blues is cool because it’s always intimate but my favorite shows I’ve seen have been big concerts at the Toyota Center. I went to (Lady) Gaga there and it was awesome! I went to Watch the Throne tour too — that was probably the sickest show I’ve been too.
Best Local Charity:Owen Daniels’ Catching Dreams Foundation of course! We try to help critically and chronically ill children in Houston and their families. I think what makes us unique is that we not only focus on and support the patient, but their siblings and families as well.
We have “Owen’s Locker” on the 10th floor at Texas Children’s with tons of entertainment like radios, DVD players, PSPs and other stuff to help entertain them while they are there.
Daniels has already secured his spot in franchise history becoming only the second Texan (behind Andre Johnson, who has 10,714 yards and counting) to reach 4,000 receiving yards in his career.
“I think he’s physically the best he’s been,” Texans coach Gary Kubiak has said of Daniels’ season.
Presumably that has something to do with putting forth 110 percent effort on the field and knowing all the best spots in Houston to refuel.
This article was featured on Culture Map, Houston’s Daily Digital Magazine in the sport’s section.
Happy Birthday to me. Happy Birthday to me. (The graphic to your left would lead you to believe I turned 32 today, but that is not the case, read on…).
Another year has passed and what can I say other than I’m L-A-Z-Y. Lazier than even Matt Leinart. This year has plum wore me out, but like last year, I’m going to make the most of these next four weeks and create a challenge for myself, which will likely stress me out and give me carpel tunnel.
Last year I set out to do The Blonde Side’s 30 Before 30 – asking 30 awesome athletes for interviews. I got quite a few, but the point was to get this column going (momentum, if you will) in a good direction. IT WORKED.
So this year I’m back presenting The Blonde Side’s MOMENTUM Challenge.
My goal: Interview a current player from each of the 32 NFL teams and write an article. Oh, and do it all by December 31,
That’s just 34 days. Time is clearly not on my side (just like the Eagles o-line), but it’ll push me to use my resources and secure great interviews. I’m not afraid of such a lofty goal, and it’s giving these 32 guys the platform to talk about whatever they want on or off the field. I promise you it’ll be interesting and I only break promises to ex-boyfriends.
We all need momentum from time to time. I’ve had some great articles published with ESPN this year, but I still need to keep pushing harder. So here goes…
Here are the interviews I’ve secured thus far (prepare to be slightly underwhelmed…for now). Stay tuned for updates and the articles here on The Blonde Side, and pulease leave a comment with suggestions/contacts to help me meet this ridiculous goal.
Other Big News: This entire series/column will run as a feature with Man Cave Daily.
In hindsight it would have been fitting to have done this challenge for The Blonde Side on my 32nd birthday…
Thanks to Melissa Sims for creating yet another amazing graphic for The Blonde Side!
Update – it’s now January 7, 2013 and The Blonde Side didn’t even come close to meeting this lofty goal. Better luck next year, but A for effort? Maybe? Thanks to all the great athletes above and to Man Cave Daily for running this feature. Look for big things from The Blonde Side in 2013. #promise
To the tune of the famous John Fogerty song, except replace baseball’s Centerfield reference for a football tackle and you’ve got Mitch Unrein’s theme song for the past two seasons in the NFL.
“Put me in coach… I’m ready to play… TODAY.”
Having entered the NFL with the Texans as a college free agent back on May 7, 2010, Unrein has been center-stage to one of the most homegrown stories you’ll hear in the NFL – that is, if you’ve ever heard of him.
Odds are, if you’re not one of the 3500 people from his hometown of Eaton, CO or an avid fan of the Denver Broncos, this is the first time you’ve heard his name.
I had the chance to speak to Unrein last week while in Denver just after he finished another grueling day at training camp. At 6-foot-4, 291lbs, the guy is considered small for his position at tackle, which is clearly an odd concept for a little blonde gal barely standing at 5-foot-2.
Unrein, who went from an undrafted player at Wyoming, to being cut by the Houston Texans, to a regular on the Bronco’s practice squad, to last year finally finding a spot in the defensive rotation, now finds himself again in his second active season, yet again trying to make an even bigger name for himself. A more memorable one for coaches and fans. Preferably one with a few key stats resting along side it. Last year as a reserve defensive lineman for the Broncos, Unrein racked up seven tackles; five of which were solo tackles – not too shabby for a bench-warmer.
Trying to keep his roster spot, Unrein says his biggest focus this season is on becoming a more complete player working on his size and speed mostly. Having played defensive end in college, Unrein didn’t quite have the speed to play the position at an NFL level. “It takes a lot to block 325lb guys,” he admitted.
No longer eligible for practice squad after suiting up in 14 games last season, Unrein stresses, “it’s all or nothing now.” Adhering to the motto hardwork does pay off, Unrein has been living day in and day out in the NFL as if it were his last. “I’ve always had something to prove, and I still have that fire. I’m still trying to reach my full potential,” he said.
Defensive Tackle, Mitch Unrein
Not only focused on his spot on the Broncos roster, Unrein was also antsy about the Olympics during our chat. His girlfriend of over a year, Corey Cogdell was getting ready to participate in her second Olympic Games. A bronze medalist in Women’s Trap Shooting in 2008 in Beijing, Cogdell shot Saturday, although not medaling this time around. “I’m so incredibly proud of her. I like that she’s a high profile athlete – we understand training, postponing dates, etc. I like cheering for others, not being cheered for. I grew up the youngest of six so I”m used to cheering them on too,” Unrein said. “It’s certainly a nice change of pace and I know how important having people in your corner can be.”
It’s hard for an Eagles fan like myself to talk to any NFL player without some reference to my kelly green team so it seemed reasonable to chat about Brian Dawkins and his recent retirement. One of the questions circling the interwebs since then has been who was going to step up on defense as a leader in his extreme absence. “We’ve brought in more veteran guys and more guys are stepping up,” Unrein said. “There’s no way to replace a guy like Brian Dawkins – he’s such a professional. The guy is a physical freak-specimen; his speed, his passion. He was an emotional leader in Denver and it was awesome to watch,” he said.
Unrein admits it still hasn’t hit him that he’s made his dream of becoming an NFL player. “You can never be satisfied in the NFL because someone always wants your job. I’m a young guy – I still haven’t had that ‘ah-ha’ moment that defines me as a player. It’s a blessing and I always keep working hard. I know this game isn’t going to last forever.”
Rapid fire with Mitch Unrein:
The Blonde Side: Who are your top 5 fantasy players?
Unrein: I don’t play.
The Blonde Side: What’s the most random fact about you?
Unrein: I’m color blind. One of my brother’s is too. I used to confuse Red/Brown, Blue/Purple and Green/Orange.
The Blonde Side: Are the Broncos blue or purple?
Unrein (laughing): Duh, blue.
The Blonde Side: Of course I have to ask – Super Bowl predictions?
Unrein: We’ll see. We’ve got 16 games to see if we can make it…
https://theblondeside.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Mitch_Unrein.jpg300410Jaymehttps://theblondeside.com//wp-content/uploads/2018/06/1526998321020-300x192.pngJayme2012-08-08 22:54:182012-08-08 23:16:00Put Me In Coach
Isaac Keys, Former NFL Linebacker for the Cardinals
Isaac Keys: a name you may or may not know. Whether it’s from football, acting, or being an all around inspirational guy, his name comes up in many a conversation, not to mention Google searches.
Odds are, he’s been on your TV at least once. The Saint Louis, MO native has had a few stints on the big screen, either as a former NFL linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals, a contestant on Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth’s dating reality show The Ultimate Merger (she was the protégé from Donald Trump’s Apprentice and this dating show is a scaled down version of The Bachelor), or as McDonald’s Man of McCafe looking mighty fine. Professional football player-turned-actor, Keys is finally finding his stride, this time in a new arena.
Since The Blonde Sideis a sport’s column, my obvious interest in interviewing Keys was about sports. When most people think of professional athletes, they think of guys like LeBron or A-Rod– someone the media and every single notable in the sporting world has been watching since the age of four just foaming at the mouth ready to cut him a check with entirely too many zeroes. But for a lot of the other guys, it’s their hardwork and unprecedented dedication that propels them to that next level.
Take Keys for instance. He was able to walk on to the University of North Alabama’s football team and then later Morehouse College. During his bit at Morehouse, he was a Pre-season All American, 2-time Defensive Lineman of the year and was selected for the 1st team All Conference. Pretty impressive, right? But not enough to make him one of those bigtime SportsCenter names rotating through each hourly broadcast and still not enough to get drafted, but just enough to get signed as an undrafted free agent by the Vikings in 2001.
After being riddled with injury after injury, Keys finally settled into his role with the Arizona Cardinals in 2004, lasting three seasons. No longer in the game (at least not the one on the field), Keys gave me a little insight into his role back then as a free agent where he frequently refers to himself as a “blue-collar athlete.”
“We weren’t all millionaires,” he explained. At the time of his signing back in 2001, the league minimum was $209k, but Keys notes he didn’t make that much. Instead he made a split salary, which dropped to $120k – which is still good money, but not the kind of money we lay people think of when we think of an NFL player + Bank of America. “The public was used to seeing #1 draft picks, millionaires, endorsement deals and guaranteed salaries – no one sees ‘my kind’. It was hard. I was in the life, but not living the life,” Keys explains. “I was putting forth sacrifice on my body and my career, without any guarantee. The average player lasts about 3 years, but it takes it takes 4 years to get your pension. If you get released, you never know how long it’ll take to get picked up again and there’s always a fear of being cut. My parent’s didn’t understand my life until they first watched HBO’s Hard Knocks – it sounds funny but it finally gave the public an impression of the mental, physical and emotional side of athletes,” he says. Keys was spot on: for a good majority of the time and within most front offices, they are more invested in a 1st or 3rd round pick than they’d be with say your typical run-of-the-mill free agent.
His last year with the Cardinals was a bit of a roller coaster. The team released him, brought him back, then moved him to the practice squad and after a couple more dosey doe moves all the while having kept him under the radar where other teams wouldn’t notice him, his value dropped. Well past $120k and well out of the league. “The phone just stopped ringing,” Keys recalls.
Having been out of the NFL for almost 5 years, Keys explains, “I didn’t stop playing football, football stopped playing me.” But fear not, this is not some sad desolate “poor guy” kind of story. Football “quitting him” opened up new doors as he set out on a soul-searching endeavor in an attempt to find what else he was passionate about. As he started getting comfortable in front of the cameras, Keys realized this was another natural talent of his and ran with it, no pun intended.
Photo Courtesy of Michael Letterlough
Currently his next big goal? Aiming for a feature film or sitcom. As you can see on his website, he’s definitely putting some valuable face time in front of the camera as of late. Turns out, acting and football are a lot more alike than you think.
[The Blonde Side] Compare NFL to acting.
[Keys] Call me crazy, but they are kind of the same, without the physical aspect. Acting is just as unstable as football. Just like football, acting requires you to put yourself out there – for others to critique and judge you. Both professions require me to watch film and both are an extreme balance of learning to handle your emotions.
[The Blonde Side] Which has more competition?
[Keys] They are equally competitive. Somewhere down the line, someone eventually gets their break (like Brady when Bledsoe got hurt back in 2001). LA is an expensive city to live in, people have to throw in the towel at some point and head back home. A lot of people want to do both, that’s why they are both tough industries. Cuba Gooding Jr. got his break after being an extra (in a barber chair) in Coming to America – you’ve got to learn from guys like him and be persistent.
[The Blonde Side] What feels more natural – acting or football?
[Keys] Now, acting. Then of course, football. I felt like I was born to act and it allows me to show more of who I am.
[The Blonde Side] Favorite actor?
[Keys] Will Smith – I like his range and his personality, charm and charisma.
[The Blonde Side] Favorite NFL player?
[Keys] Lawrence Taylor and Mike Singletary – I’ve played both of these positions and both of these guys are playmakers. Taylor was just a beast on the field and Singletary played with such tenacity.
[The Blonde Side] What are you most proud of you in your career(s)?
[Keys] Not just one thing. It’s the obstacles I’ve overcome. I’m doing things most people dream of – millions of people dream of playing in the NFL and I can say I’ve done that. Millions want to be on TV – I’m doing that. I’m very blessed.
Wise words to leave you with from Mr. Keys: Live life. Don’t let life live you.
https://theblondeside.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IsaacK4556_resized-Copy.jpg561524Jaymehttps://theblondeside.com//wp-content/uploads/2018/06/1526998321020-300x192.pngJayme2012-02-29 17:30:382012-02-29 20:21:26The Field Of Acting
Kids, Playoffs, Diamonds and Dogpiles. Oh, And Smart Cars Too.
The Duane Brown Almost-Tell-All Interview
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Texans Offensive Tackle Duane Brown a number of times over the course of the year. The first time we met, he confessed he was a pretty “boring and average guy” and that he may not make the best interview subject. After posting a simple question on Twitter and Facebook asking fans what they’d ask if they could ask anything from an NFL OT, I figured the best way to handle this interview was a smorgasbord of unrelated questions resulting in the most unflowing, yet highly informative and comprehensive interview of a pro athlete you’ve ever seen, so here goes…
In the middle of my first question, his phone rings and politely asks if he can take the call. A few minutes later I hear, “thanks coach, that’s awesome, thanks!” and hangs up.
JL: Good news I presume?
D. Brown: (smiling) Yeah. Kubiak just told me I made it as an alternate to the Pro Bowl.
JL: That’s awesome buddy, congrats. Does that mean you get to go to Hawaii?
D. Brown: I guess if someone gets injured, yeah. But I plan to be getting ready for the Super Bowl, so I’m not worried about it.
Diamonds
Around Thanksgiving, Duane got engaged to his beautiful long distance girlfriend, Devon. For a big guy, he sure can be sneaky. They met up in LA for a little R&R and Duane said he had to fly to Dallas a day early. He planned a nice dinner for her, said his goodbye and then headed to a friend’s house to keep the surprise intact. The next day he surprised her at dinner, where many of her friends and family were, and pulled out a stunning diamond ring. Like most women, Devon had hinted around at the perfect ring she wanted to lay claim on her left hand for the rest of her life. Duane took those ideas and showed a handful of rings to her best friends. “They helped me choose the perfect one,” he said. The couple means business too – they’ve already set a date for July 13, 2012. As for kids, “Yeah – we’re taking our time with it. She has a lot going on with her career and I respect that,” Brown says.
JL: Long distance sucks, huh?
D. Brown: Yeah, but we get to see each other pretty often. I just flew up to NY and saw her for Christmas and she comes to almost all my home games.
JL: What was the best gift you got this Christmas? Was it those black and red Jordans you’re wearing?
D. Brown: People are going crazy over those shoes, right? All those fights – that’s crazy man. My girl got me a digital picture frame – that was probably my favorite gift.
The Blind Side
The main (and pretty much only) job of an OT is to protect the quarterback. In just 15 games this season, Brown has already had to protect three different QBs – Schaub who throws right, Leinart who throws left, and now Yates who is also a righty. Just as the movie indicates, there is such thing as a Blind Side, which when a right-handed QB is in, is Brown’s position as he plays left tackle. When a righty drops back in the pocket, he can’t see what’s coming from his left – he’s not as quick to move away from a defensive tackle or defensive end because he can’t see them. A few people asked if the change in QB throwing arms creates a change in play for Duane. “I don’t have to change my technique at all, our offensive scheme changes a bit, but my first priority is always to protect to the QB regardless of his throwing arm,” he says.
Since I write a sport’s column titled, The Blonde Side, I figured I’d ask about the 2009 movie starring Michael Oher.
JL: Do people understand your position better since the movie, The Blind Side came out?
D. Brown: I run across a lot of people that have zero idea about football and say I play left tackle. They always ask what that is and I reference the movie. They seem to get it after that.
JL: What about Michael Oher?
D. Brown: He’s a great player, great guy as well. I got a chance to meet him his rookie year.
Dogpiles and Clothes
Probably one of the best questions someone asked on Facebook was what really goes on in a dogpile? When I asked Duane, he laughed. “A lot of profanity, pushing, shoving, punching, kicking, more punching – anything to get the ball. It’s pretty violent down there,” he confessed. “Really, anything goes, but the refs do a good job to regulate as soon as possible. You gotta always pay attention.”
JL: You do seem to be at the bottom of a number of pile-ups.
D. Brown: I always try to be around the ball carrier to protect him and the ball. My first priority is to get the ball if a defensive guy knocks it out, but secondly, I gotta protect my teammates.
JL: I would assume as the biggest guy on the team, you are the one most of the littler guys look to for protection?
D. Brown: I think I’m the biggest…yeah, as far as weight, for sure. Eric (Winston) is taller than me, but I still weigh more.
JL: Speaking of your size, you’re 6-4, 320lbs, right?
D. Brown: Well I’ve lost a few pounds. I’m about 314 right now.
JL: Is it hard to find clothes?
D. Brown: (laughing) Yeah, it’s very hard to go shopping. I get a few things at Destination XL off Westheimer, but most of my stuff I buy online (like elevee).
Hokie Pride
As I’ve told Duane a number of times, I am not a Hokie fan. I grew up in Virginia, but something about those VT Hokies just drives me crazy. In response to my tweet, another of Duane’s fans asked what it was like coming out to “Enter The Sandman” at Lane Stadium. “It’s the most amazing feeling in the world – I’ve never felt an energy like that. The atmosphere in that stadium, the fans, the music – it’s second to none,” he reminisces. “Everytime I hear that song, I get goosebumps,” he continued.
JL: Do you think Devon will let you rock that song at your wedding?
D. Brown: (laughing) Nah, she won’t have that.
JL: How do you feel about the upcoming Sugar Bowl?
D. Brown: I’m proud of them to still make it to a BCS Bowl Game. It’ll be a pretty good one against Michigan. I think it’ll be a high scoring game; hopefully we can pull it off.
O-Line Success
It’s no secret that every year the Texans offensive line seems to get better and better. Someone wanted to know how much time these guys spend together during the season and the offseason because their cohesion just seems to work. “We all try to improve individually, but as a group, we are the most tight knit unit on the team. For the most part we’ve all been together the past three years. We have a feeling for what the guy next door is going to do so we don’t have to communicate a lot,” Duane explains.
JL: Who’s the hardest Defensive End you’ve had to block?
D. Brown: Dwight Freeney. He’s a sure 1st ballot Hall of Famer. I have to face him twice a year. I haven’t given up any sacks against him this year – I think I’ve finally figured out a game plan against him, but he’s tough.
JL: There’s been a lot of talk about the absence of Mike Brisiel…
D. Brown: It’s tough without him; I’ll give you that. It’s unfortunate that he got hurt (fractured fibula), but Antoine Caldwell has done a good job stepping up. Luckily he’s taken a lot of reps during practice and we really haven’t missed a beat. But Mike should be back for the playoffs.
Speaking of the Playoffs…
“I’m excited, man. This is unchartered territory for our organization and for me personally,” he said.
JL: Are you nervous?
D. Brown: Not too nervous. I’ve heard it’s a different speed in the playoffs. I’m more excited than anything.
JL: Your ideal Super Bowl matchup?
D. Brown: Well Houston obviously. I’ll go with Houston vs. New Orleans. Even though the Packers are doing great, the Saints beat us earlier this year (33-40 in Week 3) and now I’d like to return the favor. They also bring a lot of great fans to the game and that just ups the intensity.
New Year’s Resolutions
It’s that time when everyone, even athletes, create a laundry list of things they want to do better in the New Year. Just a few days away from that ominous day on the calendar, I asked Duane what his resolutions were. “I used to be big on New Year’s Resolutions, but why wait until January 1st to change something. There’s no better time than the present,” he says.
JL: That seems to fit you. Anything you’re currently working on at doing better?
D. Brown: Trying to read more. I get bored easily and I’m trying to break out of the video game habit. I’m currently reading Art of War.
Running and Smart Cars
As I’m currently training for the Houston Half Marathon next month, I couldn’t help but wonder how far the big man himself could run.
JL: Could you run a mile without stopping?
D. Brown: I could do a mile, yeah. It wouldn’t be pretty, but I could do it.
JL: What about a 5k?
D. Brown: A what?
JL: A 5k. That’s 3.1 miles.
D. Brown: Nah, not a shot in hell.
JL: I know I keep harping on your size, but you are the largest man I’ve ever see. It’s so fascinating to me. Think you could fit in a smart car?
D. Brown: (laughing) Yeah, I actually have. Danny Clark (former Texans Linebacker) used to have one and I could fit in there. It’s not comfortable though. It was a convertible too so I think that might have made it easier.
JL: I’d give money to see you in a smart car. If I could find a dealership and a photographer to make this happen, you game?
D. Brown: Sure.
Hear that Houston Smart Car dealerships? Call me – let’s make this happen.
This article was featured on Culture Map, Houston’s Daily Digital Magazine in the sport’s section.
https://theblondeside.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Blind_side_poster.jpg327220Jaymehttps://theblondeside.com//wp-content/uploads/2018/06/1526998321020-300x192.pngJayme2012-01-06 11:33:392012-01-08 22:35:55Playoffs, Diamonds and Dogpiles. And Smart Cars Too.
In an effort to show you that girls can love sports, know sports, and look mighty fine wearing a jersey, I rounded up ten girls and paired each of them with some of the latest fall fashions from one of the hottest stores in Houston; Tootsies.
Here’s a glimpse of the girls and a little history on how each of them came to love their respective teams. While I can’t wholly vouch these girls know their teams as well as I know my Dream Team (let the jokes ensue), I did give them a thorough interview – some passed the test with flying colors, others just knew the colors. I also asked the girls to rank their undying devotion for their boys on the field from 1-10, with 10 being the biggest fan ever. Take a look for yourself and leave a comment who your favorite girl and/or team is.
Sophie Jones | 30 | Marketing in Oil and Gas | Indianapolis Colts
“I want to be a fan of the Texans, but it’s hard. I grew up in the Oilers era and the Texans just aren’t the same,” Sophie admits. Like many Indy fans, her love for the Colts really centers on the man in the pocket, Peyton Manning. She also grew extremely fond of the team during the Jim Mora period when we had his multiple illustrious playoff tirades. Who doesn’t remember those days? And better yet, who wouldn’t love a team led by such an intense personality? (Sophie is wearing Citizens of Humanity cropped skinny jeans and a Citizens of Humanity jacket.)
Fan Scale: 7. (She’s only torn in her allegiance to the Colts when they take on the Houston Texans, but so far that hasn’t affected her devotion too much.)
The Colts in your own words? Classy.
Jamie Honeycutt | 30 | Public Affairs | Houston Texans
“I grew up an Oilers fan and when we didn’t have a team, I didn’t jump on the Cowboys bandwagon like others did. I always held out hope we’d get a new team. And now I just love my Houston Texans,” Jamie says. She’s also a big fan of Owen Daniels (whose Pro Bowl jersey she is sporting, thanks to Owen himself). “He’s definitely my favorite player because of his involvement with Blondes vs Brunettes and other charities. He has such a good heart, is down to earth and willing to go the extra mile to help his team and local charities. What else can you ask for in your favorite player?” Good question Jamie, good question. A big thanks to Owen for lending his jersey for this shoot. (Jamie is wearing a pink jacket from Mother Jeans.)
Fan Scale: 8.5
The Texans in your own words? Up and coming super stars. Super Bowl champs even.
I love it when girls are frank with how they fell in love with their teams, and Leigh holds nothing back. A girl after my own heart. “The Giants are my favorite team and have been for some time. I always spent Sundays watching football with my dad and I used to pick teams based on how cute the boys on the team were. Back then I had a HUGE crush on Jeremy Shockey – apparently long blonde hair and tatted up guys are my thing,” she jokes. Later Leigh moved to New York for a few years where her love for the Giants only grew stronger. (Leigh is wearing a Dolce Cabo fur vest and J Brand Pencil Leg jeans.)
Fan Scale: 7.5
The Giants in your own words? Fighters.
Andrea Simmons | 25 | Owner and Makeup Artist at FaceFoward Weddings | Pittsburgh Steelers
Growing up, Andrea found herself in the bar scene even at an early age. No, she wasn’t neglected nor did she present with a drinking problem like Drew Barrymore. Her dad owned quite a few bars in the area. One of her best childhood memories was visiting the bar (before it opened to the public) and playing silly games with one of the bartenders who just so happened to be a huge Steelers fan. Seeing his intensity and love not only for the sport but the men in black and yellow made her an immediate fan. “Not to mention I freaking adore Troy Polamalu,” she adds. Off the field she thinks the Head and Shoulders commercials really shows off his sense of humor. As someone who craves extra volume in her hair, I’d love to interview Troy on some of his secrets. (Andrea is wearing an Alice + Olivia skirt and shoes from Louis Vuitton.)
Fan Scale: 8.5
The Steelers in your own words? Fun and aggressive. But at the same time.
Although her heart always has and always will belong to the Houston Oilers, Missy chose to sport a Dallas Cowboys throwback jersey for the shoot. “Deion Sanders is my favorite player of all time and this particular throwback reminds me of the last days when Deion played so I felt it fitting to wear it,” she says. When asked her thoughts about the controversial and often joked about DIRECTV commercials with Deion flying around as a fairy, she thinks they’re hilarious. “It’s very primetime of him,” she explains. (Missy is wearing a purple skirt by Milly.)
Fan Scale (Cowboys): 2. Fan Scale (Deion): 10+
The Cowboys in your own words? Wrong time. Deion in your own words? Primetime
Chelsey Hearen | 25 | Accounting | New Orleans Saints
“I’m a hometown girl so the Texans are my number one team,” Chelsey clarifies. After Hurricane Katrina, Chelsey, along with many others saw firsthand how inspirational the Saints were. “They were so instrumental in bringing the town back together after a tragedy of that magnitude,” she says. “If you’ve ever been to the Superdome you how much the town thrives on those games – it’s definitely a feel good moment in sports on pretty much a weekly basis,” she continues. Chelsey also rates Drew Brees as one of the best QBs in the league, and I can’t argue with her there. “He’s very humble, a family fan, and fun to watch,” she adds. Just another reason to root for NOLA. (Chelsey is wearing a skirt and belt – both BCBG.)
Fan Scale: 8
The Saints in your own words? Inspirational.
Narisa Dudonsky | 29 | Optometry | St. Louis Rams
A fan since the days when the Rams played in LA, Narisa admits her admiration for the Rams came about as consequence of the big rivalry with the Raiders. “I can’t stand the Raiders so I went for their arch enemy in the game,” she puts it bluntly. Originally from Seattle, she recognized early on she was a dysfunctional kid. “My whole family liked the Seahawks and I just wanted to be different. That along with my disdain for the Raiders made me a lifelong Rams fan,” she explains. Narisa also holds a lot of Houston Texans love in her heart and has been a season ticket holder since she moved here. The two teams have only played twice with the series tied at one win a piece. (Narisa is wearing pants by M Missoni, vest by Adrienne Landau, and Valentino shoes.)
Fan Scale: 7.5
The Rams in your own words? Better than the Raiders, baby!
Ashley Wundrum | 27 | Middle School Teacher | Chicago Bears
Growing up in Iowa, Ashley has cheered for the Bears since before she can remember. “Chicago was the closest big city to us, so we all took them on as our team, and I’ve been a fan ever since,” she explains. Like many fans, Ashley’s quick to admit that although she roots for the navy and orange with everything’s she got, the season is much more fun to watch when they are winning. I guess that means she’s not watching much this season. When I asked her about Jay Cutler’s engagement to Kristin Cavallari, her response? “Oh, he can do so much better!” (Ashley is wearing Robbi & Nikki shorts)
Fan Scale: 6
The Bears in your own words? That’s easy – Da Bears.
Amy Macaulay | 29 | Rice MBA Graduate | New England Patriots
This may only make sense to you New England fans out there, but Amy claims she is a Pats fan because she is a Red Sox fan. “Being so into the Red Sox, naturally I just gravitated to New England sports in general,” she says. Her brother moved to Boston 5 years ago, which only made it easier for being a fan. “For 4 hours every Sunday, my day revolves around Gronkowski and his team. Most people would say Brady, but Gronkowski gets me fantasy points every weekend,” she explains. (Amy is wearing Stuart Weitzman shoes.)
Fan Scale: 9
The Patriots in your own words? Consistent
Jess Braudway | 25 | Leasing Coordinator | Minnesota Vikings (read Green Bay Packers)
Don’t let the jersey fool you. “This is a Brett Favre jersey more than it is a Vikings jersey,” she explains. “I’m really not a Vikings fan – I’m a Favre fan,” she says again for added emphasis. When other hardcore Green Bay fans felt abandoned by Favre’s move to Minnesota, Jess saw things differently. “I was just excited he was still playing – he broke Dan Marino’s record for career TDs while he was there. I was actually there when he did it – the whole stadium was bleeding purple, so I’m OK being seen in this jersey as long as people understand the origin,” she says. Her love for the Packers comes about like many other young girls – their colors. “As a kid, green and yellow were my cheerleading colors so I guess I kind of fell in love with them because of that,” Jess says. Reasons aside, this girl is one helluva NFL fan. (Jess is wearing Chelsea skinny jeans.)
Fan Scale (Vikings): 5 Fan Scale (Favre): 20
Favre in your own words? A legend.
Jayme Lamm | 29 | Sports and Travel Writer | Philadelphia Eagles
Don’t say it – I know all about the Dream Team. I’ve heard it for the past 70+ days since the NFL season began. Vince Young totally screwed us on that and I’ll continue to blame him for the rest of the season or until he’s traded. I find it’s better to blame him than my beloved Andy Reid’s continual red flag botches and clock mismanagement or our disparaging secondary. I’ve been an Eagles fan since Christmas of 1991 – and it all started with a Starter jacket and a set of Encyclopedias. Those were the good ole Randall Cunningham days. (I am wearing a CROP dress by David Peck.)
Fan Scale: As far above a 10 as you can go
The Eagles in my own words: Believe it or not, I’m still having separation anxiety from Donovan.
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It might sound redundant, especially on a day as important as NFL Draft Day, but there were in fact cheerleaders for the cheerleaders last night at Reliant Stadium and they were in full force.
As the girls filed down the stairs in their navy blue Soffe shorts and Texans midriffs, the fans went loco. These “fans” gathered around weren’t Texans fans, at least not for those 15 glorious minutes. They were fans decked out in custom-made shirts, bedazzled and professionally printed signs, buttons, even face paint donning contestant numbers.
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The first thing I noticed entering the Methodist Training Center for Saturday’s Texans Cheerleader tryouts was the food. But the smell of burritos, the Tres leches staring me in the face and the lure of ice-cold Miller Lite was quickly put on the backburner as I noticed 425 of Houston’s finest women lit up in neon American Apparel dance wear complete with glitter, bedazzling and anything else you might imagine.
I’m a girl who prides myself on having no filter, not afraid of a single thing (except possibly karaoke) but I quickly realized it takes some massive ovaries to stand up in front of a hundred judges (mostly men) and show off your dance skills.
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The NFL has been a staple in my life longer than My Little Ponies. Seriously. And for better or worse I tend to dwell on comparing people. I’ve been known to compare myself to my boyfriend’s exes a time or two, and it’s not a pretty site. For anyone. I’m also a big fan of train wrecks. Especially those involving Ed Hardy and other tight glittered dragon ensembles in the form of a t-shirt.
Pauly D. – The DJ infinitely known for his “blow out” and mass amounts of gel products. When you think of hair in the NFL, two guys should come to mind: head and shoulders spokesman Troy Polamalu of the Steelers and Patriots Quarterback, Tom Brady. Pauly D. is about as non-controversial as you can get in the shore house. He seems to be that guy everyone likes – even stalks. Tom Brady fits that to a t. He’s the ultra cool guy on the field, good passer rating (111.00 last season), great hair, and a smoking hot wife. Most people are fans of Pauly D. and Tom Brady – or at least wish they were friends with them.
Pauly D. has a tanning bed in his house. That he brags about. Talk about the douchebag meter running at ultra high levels. “Douchebag meter running at ultra high levels” should be the urban dictionary definition of Tony Romo.
https://theblondeside.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/index.jpg194259Jaymehttps://theblondeside.com//wp-content/uploads/2018/06/1526998321020-300x192.pngJayme2011-04-01 12:33:442013-09-11 12:00:01NFL QB’s Parallel To The Jersey Shore
