HALL OF FAME GAME 
2001

TEAM JAM's Ryan Cartwright (left) with the St. Louis Rams' star quarterback
Kurt Warner at the Hall of Fame game.

The Hall of Fame game is definitely one of the best experiences in professional football.  No other pro football game allows so much access to the active players, let alone the ALL-TIME greats both past and present.  

We have had additional interest in the games each year because of how close Canton is to Akron (20 minutes) and because of the individuals we know that who are playing in the games.  Six years ago we saw Keno Hills (Kent State) play in his first professional game while with the New Orleans Saints.  Two years ago we got to see the "new" Cleveland Browns return to action.  It was made even sweeter with being able to see Corey Fuller and our own Irv Smith (who was once in John Saucier's youth group).  Last year we were able to see one of our basketball players from Chicago, Tai Streets, play receiver for the the 49ers.

Mike Kuykendall (TEAM JAM Chicago) with Tai Streets and Jerome Moss (Geneva College)

This year was another great opportunity to visit one of our own.  TEAM JAM Advisory Board Member Andy McCollum was once again lining up to start at center for the powerful St. Louis Rams.  After the game we planned on meeting up with Andy.  Somehow John's plans fell apart and he found himself talking to Andy through a fence outside the  the team bus.  The group John brought to the game did "just a little" better.  Perhaps it was because each of the young men looked like pro athletes, being college athletes themselves.  Perhaps it was because they are very resourceful.  Whatever the reason, a middle aged, bald guy, who looks like he had one donut too many - was quickly encouraged to leave the stadium, (That's John that we are describing), no matter who he claimed to know.

Meanwhile, Steve Culp, Dante Booker, Dante's son, Steve Sorenson, Brandon Greene, and Ryan Cartwright, all faired much better.  Much to our unbelieving eyes, each of these young men ended up down on the field mingling with the players and their families, mugging for several pictures.  Ryan Cartwright ended up at the Rams locker room following Kurt Warner around.  Kurt was quite impressive himself, signing autographs for just about every human being there.  He went above and beyond the call of duty and once again exhibited how his walk with Christ is for real. Ryan ended up having a chance to get his picture taken with his favorite NFL athlete.  Ryan was also a college quarterback and respects Kurt Warner for his character and relationship with Christ.  

Dante with Lavel Bailey of the Rams and Steve Sorenson

Dante spent some time visiting Lavell Bailey who played for Akron University last year and is now trying to make the Rams.  Steve Sorenson made his rounds with a number of players including Orlando Pace and Trung Canidate.  Brandon got a chance to size himself up next to Orlando as well.

Steve Sorenson and Trung Canidate (St. Louis Rams)

The Newest Howard Community College Signee . . . Brandon Greene

After the game we got something to eat and celebrated Brandon's scholarship offer from Howard Community College (to play basketball).  Brandon had waited to sign it so that we could get a picture of the memorable moment.  Only two days later we put Dante on a plane to Auburn.  Steve Sorenson heads to William and Mary University (basketball) and Brandon heads to Howard in Texas on Wednesday, August 22.   Steve Culp is the top assistant at Akron St. Vincent - St. Mary, the noted national power high school basketball program.  

Most of these gentlemen are veterans of TEAM JAM events.  Ryan hesitated one time and missed a chance to meet Deion Sanders.  Brandon has just begun to join us in some activities this past year.  All of them have been a tremendous help to TEAM JAM in a number of different ways, especially in helping us meet and assist young men that we have not met yet.