Star players at the gun range
by DMaguire27 on Mar 7, 2010 9:41 PM CST
27 comments
Thought some of y'all might get a kick out of this. Yesterday after the basketball game, I took one of my coworkers and my youngest stepbrother-in-law to the shooting range down in Duncanville, since it was such a nice afternoon. We pulled up in the parking lot and saw a few guys in the gray BCSCG windsuits. They were immediately recognizable: Julio Jones, Mark Ingram, Javier Arenas and (I 'm 90% sure) Robert Lester. The only available lanes were right next to them, so of course we jumped right in.
I'd brought along my Mosin-Nagant M44 carbine (a Soviet-era infantry rifle; mine was made in 1944). It's always the loudest gun at the range, and it has a muzzle flash about 2 feet long. It's an attention-getter, so of course I loaded it right up and fired off a couple of rounds. As usual, everybody in the vicinity stopped firing and started staring in my direction. Julio wondered what in the world it was, so I told them about the gun and offered to let them fire it. Julio was eager to shoot it, and he fired off five rounds. I offered it to Javy, but he wasn't sure what to think--"Nah, man, that's cool." Ingram didn't want to shoot it either. The recoil's not bad--about like a 30-30. It fires 7.62x54R ("Rimmed Russian") rounds, which are huge, but I think the weight of the weapon is what keeps the felt recoil down. Still, I guess the noise and the flash are enough to discourage some folks from firing it.
The guys were shooting some Javy's guns, as well as anyone else's they were curious about. As expected, there were quite a few photo- and autograph-seekers, and the players were all very friendly and gracious toward their fans. I didn't have anything to sign, and I'd left my phone at home, although I did get my brother-in-law's picture with each of the players, which really made his day. For myself, I guess having worked for the football team several years ago has made me a little less starstruck when seeing these guys in public. I just enjoy talking with them for a few minutes.
Incidentally, I asked Javy about his hamstring, and he said he'd torn it. I didn't ask anything further, but I sure hope it's not bad enough to hurt him in the draft.
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Hey if I saw that thing
I wouldn’t shot it either.
I hate the NCAA more than UT & AU combined. At least with UT & AU you got a fighting chance.
very cool story
"There's a lot of blood, sweat and guts between dreams and success." PBB
by Pachyderm Pride on Mar 7, 2010 10:26 PM CST reply actions
Awesome story!
I’ve only met ONE former Alabama football player in my lifetime, and it was here in Orlando, FL at the bar the fans/alumni gather at for each game. Larry Abney (I believe) was his name and he just so happened to be the guy who held the kick for Van Tiffin against Auburn many years ago. I was born in ‘86, so naturally I wasn’t very familiar with anything or anyone affiliated with that game, other than Van Tiffin himself and Shula of course, but just hearing him say he played for Alabama made my night.
I seriously wanted to get a picture with him for the reason being that meeting him was an epic moment in my lifetime, but I figured he might have found that a little weird, so I did not ask him. Even though it may not have meant much to him (and I kept my cool, even though I was excited beyond belief), it meant everything to me because he was the very first Alabama player I had ever met and shook hands with and that’s something I’ll never forget! I’ve met tons and tons of pro-baseball players over the years, but not even meeting and shaking hands with David Justice compares to what it felt like to meet Mr. Abney, all because he played for the team I dreamed of playing for when I was a kid.
Congratulations to the 2009 SEC and BCS National Champions: The Alabama Crimson Tide! Roll Tide Roll!
I met Derek Harper at the old Club 411 in Tempe...
…a few years ago, and knowing who he was I spotted him with his glasses on while others didn’t. He was playing pool with friends and I happened to be heading to the toilet which was by his table. Coming out I just asked him, “are you who I think you are?” to try and avoid giving it away to anyone else in earshot. I got a “yeah, what’s it to you.” and he walked away. I don’t know if it was the Crown Royal guile or my stupidity, but I went back to him and said something of the sort; “I just wanted to thank you for the years of enjoyment you gave me as a Knicks fan. I didn’t mean to bother you during your night,” and walked off. About fifteen minutes later he had a double crown in hand for me (the bartenders always know my drink, I never change at any bar so it’s easier in the crowds, plus I tip very well, but that’s another post) and said thank you and apologized for his ’tude. Just said no sweat, shook his hand, and went on with my night. By far my coolest meeting with a sports celeb.
Awesome stories being posted here.
It's not what you've done but what you are doing that matters.
by AlabamaJammer on Mar 8, 2010 9:42 AM CST up reply actions
great story...
a pic of Julio holding that weapon would be the ish…especially since he already kinda looks like the Predator with his braids and 5-head…
enjoy...
Hmm
Let’s leave the photos of players brandishing firearms to Auburn, mmmkay?
by Bama philosophe on Mar 8, 2010 7:11 AM CST up reply actions
Why?
“A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity.”
—Sigmund Freud
Beat Auburn? CHECK. 12-0 regular season? CHECK. Beat the #1 Gators for the SECCG? CHECK. Ingram wins the Heisman? CHECK. Tide defeats the Longhorns for the BCS Championship? CHECK!
As long as said Bama player is not calling the university...
Alabama University and showing off his new Camaro I’m fine with the pictures. It’s not a crime to own a gun…. yet.
It's not what you've done but what you are doing that matters.
by AlabamaJammer on Mar 8, 2010 9:43 AM CST up reply actions
yes
I realize it would have been better to say Corvette, but I couldn’t remember at the time. Damn you NyQuil!
It's not what you've done but what you are doing that matters.
by AlabamaJammer on Mar 8, 2010 9:47 AM CST up reply actions
Hey there buddy
Nobody’s infringing on your second amendment rights…
by Bama philosophe on Mar 9, 2010 10:43 AM CST up reply actions
...or bear back, or bear legs...
…but my wife wishes I waxed.
It's not what you've done but what you are doing that matters.
by AlabamaJammer on Mar 9, 2010 11:45 AM CST up reply actions
I support the right to keep and arm bears.
"Let's go be champions, boys!" - Greg McElroy
(Formerly SugarBowl93)
by RememberTheRoseBowl on Mar 9, 2010 8:24 PM CST up reply actions
But the real question is
did Eddie Lacy qualify?
Ingram is my boy!!
by BamaReturns07 on Mar 8, 2010 9:49 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
boo! to you
If I had a tomato, it would be zooming in your direction right now
"Yeah, it's Tennessee, that's the way it is sometimes." - Corey Zickefoose, Pulitzer Prize winner and robbery victim
"This is not the end. This is the beginning." - The Great and Powerful Saban
by Thomas Walker Esq on Mar 8, 2010 2:27 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, agreed
That kid apparently busted his ass to get qualified, and while the first few jokes were semi-amusing.. it’s getting old and in a hurry. I’m a fairly new member to RBR ( Well after the last NSD ) and I didn’t get to see most of the specifics on his being able to qualify. If there was any question as to wether he’d be able at that time, they’re long gone due to his hard work. Cut him some slack.
Guy lighten up
it’s a running joke that had nothing to do with Lacy personally. Last year there were a million comments about “OMG did Lacy qualify” on several boards, most notably al.com and (I think) rivals. It is a mockery of the fandom, if anything. In fact, that joke hasn’t been pulled out in two months probably by me or anyone else, because it got old, but a well-placed one every now and then is just about right.
Besides, I think you missed Thomas’s sarcasm. Fail. But welcome to RBR!
Ingram is my boy!!
by BamaReturns07 on Mar 8, 2010 7:13 PM CST up reply actions
Actually, I was being serious in a light-hearted way
The joke has been used recently, it’s just been removed by the admins bc not only is it disrespectful, it’s no longer funny. The damn thing got worn into the ground by everybody and now it lacks any comedic value. Kinda like Pauly Shore
"Yeah, it's Tennessee, that's the way it is sometimes." - Corey Zickefoose, Pulitzer Prize winner and robbery victim
"This is not the end. This is the beginning." - The Great and Powerful Saban
by Thomas Walker Esq on Mar 8, 2010 9:07 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Oh, no you didn't...
Kinda like Pauly Shore
It's not what you've done but what you are doing that matters.
by AlabamaJammer on Mar 8, 2010 10:35 PM CST up reply actions
Exactly, I remember it being posted less than a week ago...
And not long ago one of the Admins posted a post very similar to mine. I could go dig it up… but It’s not really the point. I’m not being harsh, nor am I sniping at you. I’m just tired of seeing it, here, on AL.com, on everywhere. I’m actually pretty aware of Thomas’s sarcasm in most of his posts, and it seemed like he said “serious in a light hearted way” kinda like the boyfriend that jokes about the girlfriend being fat… he’ll never admit he meant it, but deep down, yeah… he does. He doesn’t want to sleep on the couch forever!
As I said, I didn’t mean to come accross as being harsh.
Dang
I havent seen it in a while. We’ll let it die.
Ingram is my boy!!
by BamaReturns07 on Mar 8, 2010 10:51 PM CST up reply actions
That was very well placed. Nice job, sir.
by Bama philosophe on Mar 8, 2010 6:16 PM CST up reply actions
Well, lets hope he's smarter about his guns than his cousin.
What you're seeing is team spirit. It's like the Holy Spirit, but more powerful.
-Hank Hill
Awesome Story
I met Larry as well at JBs… hope you go there regularly now during the season.. great times… Lots of former players in all type of Tide sports are there. Met Barry Krauss there also. Tide alumni group of Orlando, join and fight the gaytors, they are like locusts down here.
Oh yeah… I’ve been to almost every Alabama football game there since I moved down in Jan. of 2008. I had a blast there and have met a lot of wonderful people that I’ll NEVER forget. The atmosphere there was electric. It was the equivalent to watching an Alabama game in T-Town and I felt more welcomed by people at that place, than I have anywhere else in Orlando, and I’m sure I’ve met and have chatted with you before as well.
I’m moving to California in the summer time, so I won’t get to see any of you guys next season. :-( But I’ll definitely be there each and every time I’m down visiting my friends here during football season.
That joint will always hold a special place in my heart.
Roll Tide!
Congratulations to the 2009 SEC and BCS National Champions: The Alabama Crimson Tide! Roll Tide Roll!
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