Since we are in an interminable off-season, I thought I would post this about Tedford's Fantasy Camp, which I believe was in 2007 for the one I attended, although he had done at least one other prior.
Did you attend either of the camps and have any interesting experiences?
Or do you have any experiences from other sports fantasy camps you have attended you would like to share?
I was 51 at the time of Tedford's camp, which made me one of the oldest there. Some experiences and observations:
From time to time I have thought about trying a MLB fantasy camp. I always wondered about trying to hit major league pitching.
Did you attend either of the camps and have any interesting experiences?
Or do you have any experiences from other sports fantasy camps you have attended you would like to share?
I was 51 at the time of Tedford's camp, which made me one of the oldest there. Some experiences and observations:
- I can't believe they had the camp. The liability risk (notwithstanding waivers) and chances of injury from a bunch of primarily out of shape schlubs like myself seemed high to me. I actually forgot my signed waiver and nobody asked for one.
- I did get injured--in two ways--but neither slowed me down that day. First, I jammed a finger catching a kickoff so the end of my finger stuck out the wrong direction at the last joint. I had the finger taped to the next finger and it was no problem--nothing I haven't had happen in basketball games many times. I told the trainer to just cut it off at the joint like Ronnie Lott did, and didn't even get a smile. Second, I was incredibly sore from my scalp to the soles of my feet after it ended and into the next day, barely able to shuffle to my car to go home that day. As the pain eventually receded I was left with a painful shoulder which seriously interfered with my sleep. I ended up with physical therapy and multiple steroid shots, which over a few months brought me back to about 90% OK. I think it was from trying the tackling sled for linebackers, which I didn't hit right. Even though I didn't sign the waiver, and am an attorney, I didn't even consider making a claim. I knowingly accepted the risk. Fair is fair.
- Got chatted up by Tosh L, who told me about his boat and taking Rod Benson on it to fish--really that happened.
- Had lunch with Tedford at our table. He was almost shy. A really nice and decent guy.
- Saw Alex Mack do the splits--all the way to the ground.
- Alex also was very interested in my legal career and had lots of questions--I think he may have been a legal studies major and of course he won the Draddy Award. He was obviously a very smart and enthusiastic kid.
- I recently told the story here about the fun obstacle course at the running back station where Russell White tried to punch the football from us with a boxing glove attached to a pole and we finished running through pads held by Jahvid Best and Shane Vereen while Chuck Muncie was laughing at the whole scene. What an experience to be with this cavalcade of star running backs!
- I also just posted about my ill-fated attempts to catch a couple of Nick Harris punts.
- Kevin Riley overthrew me--twice (clearly underestimating my slow running speed)
- My favorite moment: The tight end station. We were to hit a pad held by Cam Morrah, then duck under a bar, then square out and finally look for the pass. Well I did all that, and as I squared out I looked for the ball, there it was right on me and also out in front of me, so I did the only thing I could do and one-handed it, miraculously (for me) making the catch. I turn up the field and there was Tedford, looking right at me, and he yells "great catch!" I felt like an eight year old boy. "Gee, thanks Coach!"
- The team drills where we ran plays were also great. As a receiver, I read the defense how we were coached, squared in and made the catch (but was properly criticized for not finishing the play by running for the end zone)
- They even let us have a beer at the end. What a fun and memorable day for this life-long Bear fan. My shoulder is still not completely right, but I don't regret going that day at all. $300 for the day well spent.
From time to time I have thought about trying a MLB fantasy camp. I always wondered about trying to hit major league pitching.