Norv.
I chatted with Chargers head coach Norv Turner in front of his hotel in Indianapolis. Kinda stalker-ish, huh? 😉
The thing a lot of people don’t know about Norv is that he’s pretty funny. He’s sarcastic, witty and has great timing. One of my favorite things is watching him during Training Camp, when things are a bit more relaxed than during the regular season and he’s out there yelling and joking with the players. He’ll go from being super heated one minute (if a player doesn’t handle a correction, for example) and then the next minute, turn around and crack some witty joke just loud enough for all of us to hear.
NFL Combine: Behind The Scenes
I shot a little Flip video (not the best quality, but gets it done) of the media experience at the NFL Combine. Check it out.
Combine madness.
The NFL Combine is madness. It is not for the weary.
As media, you basically get there early with a hundred other media peeps, fight for a spot with a decent outlet for your laptop, get some coffee, complain about something or other, then laugh about how times have changed. Then it’s a whole day of hustle, baby.
Tons of media for Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan
Because the NFL doesn’t provide media with times or podiums for the player pressers, it’s a lot of scrambling. A player comes into the media room and all the reporters and TV people crowd around, frantically fighting for space for their tripod or proximity to ask a question. Then another player comes in at another podium, and everyone scrambles to get over to him.
Then there might be two hours when you do NOTHING.
And then another five when you don’t sit down.
Rinse and repeat, rinse and repeat.
At the Combine, you have to cut your losses. You’re not going to get everyone. There will undoubtedly be two or three players talking to media at same time, and you’re gonna have to pick one. There will definitely be other media trying to sneak a player away from you to do an interview before the NFL Security People whisk him away. It’s a dog-eat-dog world around here.
My stuff.
It’s heavy! You try pushing it!!
Waiting.
Being a sports reporter is not all glitz and glory. Case in point:
I woke up at 3 a.m. today.
I took my two 50-pound suitcases filled with clothes, camera equipment and Gus (more on him later, but for now just know that he’s happy in my suitcase and it’s NOT against the law), my cart, my camera, my 30-pound backpack and rolled myself outside, where I promptly tripped and fell on my face while hustling to the cabbie.
Don’t worry, I’m okay. You were worried, right? I can tell.
More importantly, my CAMERA is okay (which is all that matters).
I made it to my gate at the airport an hour ahead of schedule, which was all well and good until I found out my flight was delayed two hours. Maybe longer.
Did I mention I got up at 3? AND took the time to curl my hair?
I’m headed to Indianapolis, where I will cover the NFL Combine for my third consecutive year. I like the Combine because the college kids are so … HOPEFUL. There is that mystery of the unknown — “I *could* get drafted in the first round!” “Maybe I will impress Bill Belichick!” “I don’t care if they poke and prod all my muscles because I am CUT, playa, and they will see that” … You know, that sort of thing. There is just a different look in a potential draftee’s eyes. It’s one of uncertainty, nervousness, but also excitement and aspiration. It’s cool.
While in Indy, I’ll take you behind the scenes and show you what it’s like to be a media member at the Combine. Then I’ll do that same sort of thing at Spring Training, and again as I report for the Padres and Chargers during the season. I’ll bring you stories and interesting tidbits from athletes that just happen organically in conversation or from being around the players all the time. I’ll post pictures from the dugout or the practice fields at Chargers Park, or from events or special stories. I’ll give you adventures from the road. And of course, you’ll get my sweet, sometimes salty, always sarcastic humor, as well as posts on my job, travel and any other random thing that’s rattling around in my very random head as I embark on my second season with the Padres and my fourth with the Chargers. (Visit www.sharonheilbrunn.com to see more on my bio or work experience.)
Can’t wait to bring you along. IF I ever leave this airport, that is.
shenANNIEgans! 