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6/12
For rookies, real Father's Day in September
In the NFL, you could say there are two Father's Days.
There's this June 18 when NFL players will get dad something nice like a new DVD player or perhaps dinner at his favorite steak restaurant.
But the real Father's Day present from five NFL rookies will be unwrapped on Sept. 7, 10-11 -- Kickoff 2006 Weekend. At that time, they'll give dad a gift 158 sons have presented before -- following in his footsteps as NFL players.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Bobby Carpenter is one of those rookies.
When he takes the field against Jacksonville Kickoff Sunday on Sept. 10, it will be the payoff for all the hard work and dedication instilled in him by his father Rob, a 10-year NFL running back for the Houston Oilers (1977-81), New York Giants (1981-85) and Los Angeles Rams (1986).
Rob Carpenter ingrained those traits in his son early, on and off the football field.
At an age where the Internet, cable TV and cell phones are the norm in households across America, the elder Carpenter would not permit such "distractions" under his roof. This low-tech upbringing helped mold Bobby -- an Ohio State graduate (BS, Economics) -- into the type of prospect NFL coaches and scouts love: a versatile, hard-working athlete who is physically and mentally mature.
While many kids were sitting in front of their TVs, Bobby was outside tossing the football with his brothers, or studying game tape as early as the seventh grade -- all under the watchful eye of his dad, who also was his coach from junior high until graduation from Lancaster (Ohio) High School.
''People always ask me about a special play by Bobby or one of his games that stands out in my memory, but I don't really have one," says Rob. ''His big plays -- the sacks, the interceptions, the hits -- that's all fine and good, but really, I just like watching him every play. Every play he's in a 'football' position. Coaches love to see that in a player."
One coach who will love to see Bobby in position on the field and studying film off it is his new head coach Bill Parcells, who also coached Rob 20-some years ago with the Giants.
Like his father, Bobby already has been tabbed a "Parcells Guy" by the media, and while the rookie shows a deep sense of respect towards the reference, he is not quite prepared to assume the label and responsibility that comes with it before proving himself on the field.
"I wouldn't characterize myself as one of those guys yet," he said. "I believe that's something that's got to be earned, but I'm looking forward to the opportunity. My dad says Bill Parcells always valued hard work, and that's something that I'm going to bring to the table every day."
The other rookies this year who can join the NFL fathers-sons list are Oakland linebacker Thomas Howard, son of former Kansas City and St. Louis Cardinals linebacker Thomas, Sr.; Miami running back Gerald Riggs, Jr., son of former Atlanta and Washington running back Gerald, Sr.; Seattle guard Rob Sims, son of former Cleveland defensive tackle Mickey; and San Diego quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, son of former Green Bay quarterback David.
There's another rookie son on an NFL roster that does not quite fit the above category, yet is also an offspring of a famous father -- St. Louis Rams rookie John David Washington, a running back from Morehouse College.
Pop is well-known actor Denzel Washington, who has starred in numerous films and won Academy Awards for Best Actor in the police drama Training Day in 2001 and Best Supporting Actor for Glory in 1989. He also portrayed intense football coach Herman Boone in Remember the Titans.
"Remember the Titans was real,'' laughs J.D. in equating the toughness shown by his father in the movie with real life when he coached his son in Pop Warner. "That wasn't acting. That is what it was for me, too. When he coached, he was tough. We were hitting all the time.''
There have been 147 father-son pairs and threesomes that have played in the NFL. The list includes names such as Dorsett (Tony and Anthony); Farr (Mel, Sr.; Mel, Jr.; and Mike); Jones (Dub and Bert); Kiick (George and Jim); Kramer (Jerry and Jordan); Klecko (Joe and Dan); Manning (Archie, Peyton and Eli); Matthews (Clay, Sr.; Clay, Jr.; and Bruce); Metcalf (Terry and Eric); and Shula (Don, Dave and Mike).
6/12
For rookies, real Father's Day in September
In the NFL, you could say there are two Father's Days.
There's this June 18 when NFL players will get dad something nice like a new DVD player or perhaps dinner at his favorite steak restaurant.
But the real Father's Day present from five NFL rookies will be unwrapped on Sept. 7, 10-11 -- Kickoff 2006 Weekend. At that time, they'll give dad a gift 158 sons have presented before -- following in his footsteps as NFL players.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Bobby Carpenter is one of those rookies.
When he takes the field against Jacksonville Kickoff Sunday on Sept. 10, it will be the payoff for all the hard work and dedication instilled in him by his father Rob, a 10-year NFL running back for the Houston Oilers (1977-81), New York Giants (1981-85) and Los Angeles Rams (1986).
Rob Carpenter ingrained those traits in his son early, on and off the football field.
At an age where the Internet, cable TV and cell phones are the norm in households across America, the elder Carpenter would not permit such "distractions" under his roof. This low-tech upbringing helped mold Bobby -- an Ohio State graduate (BS, Economics) -- into the type of prospect NFL coaches and scouts love: a versatile, hard-working athlete who is physically and mentally mature.
While many kids were sitting in front of their TVs, Bobby was outside tossing the football with his brothers, or studying game tape as early as the seventh grade -- all under the watchful eye of his dad, who also was his coach from junior high until graduation from Lancaster (Ohio) High School.
''People always ask me about a special play by Bobby or one of his games that stands out in my memory, but I don't really have one," says Rob. ''His big plays -- the sacks, the interceptions, the hits -- that's all fine and good, but really, I just like watching him every play. Every play he's in a 'football' position. Coaches love to see that in a player."
One coach who will love to see Bobby in position on the field and studying film off it is his new head coach Bill Parcells, who also coached Rob 20-some years ago with the Giants.
Like his father, Bobby already has been tabbed a "Parcells Guy" by the media, and while the rookie shows a deep sense of respect towards the reference, he is not quite prepared to assume the label and responsibility that comes with it before proving himself on the field.
"I wouldn't characterize myself as one of those guys yet," he said. "I believe that's something that's got to be earned, but I'm looking forward to the opportunity. My dad says Bill Parcells always valued hard work, and that's something that I'm going to bring to the table every day."
The other rookies this year who can join the NFL fathers-sons list are Oakland linebacker Thomas Howard, son of former Kansas City and St. Louis Cardinals linebacker Thomas, Sr.; Miami running back Gerald Riggs, Jr., son of former Atlanta and Washington running back Gerald, Sr.; Seattle guard Rob Sims, son of former Cleveland defensive tackle Mickey; and San Diego quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, son of former Green Bay quarterback David.
There's another rookie son on an NFL roster that does not quite fit the above category, yet is also an offspring of a famous father -- St. Louis Rams rookie John David Washington, a running back from Morehouse College.
Pop is well-known actor Denzel Washington, who has starred in numerous films and won Academy Awards for Best Actor in the police drama Training Day in 2001 and Best Supporting Actor for Glory in 1989. He also portrayed intense football coach Herman Boone in Remember the Titans.
"Remember the Titans was real,'' laughs J.D. in equating the toughness shown by his father in the movie with real life when he coached his son in Pop Warner. "That wasn't acting. That is what it was for me, too. When he coached, he was tough. We were hitting all the time.''
There have been 147 father-son pairs and threesomes that have played in the NFL. The list includes names such as Dorsett (Tony and Anthony); Farr (Mel, Sr.; Mel, Jr.; and Mike); Jones (Dub and Bert); Kiick (George and Jim); Kramer (Jerry and Jordan); Klecko (Joe and Dan); Manning (Archie, Peyton and Eli); Matthews (Clay, Sr.; Clay, Jr.; and Bruce); Metcalf (Terry and Eric); and Shula (Don, Dave and Mike).
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