I sure have some good memories of Mankato... last time there was probably 1993 lol. That was when you could literally bump into players anywhere, before, during, after practice. I got to "know" some players as I tried to get there as much as I could. One story I always laugh at, and that "enlightened" me a bit was a running back inviting me to pizza after practice. I sat with the entire RB crew, the linemen at a table across the way. After a while, one of the linemen was yelling at our star RB... yo, you gettin' red tonight? He kept saying what?? Yo, you gettin' red tonight?? I didn't know what the hell he meant. Finally, this hot chick groupie came over, wearing a red mini skirt, started whispering in his ear for a couple minutes. She left with her friend.
I then had to leave 10 minutes later. I get out to my car which was parked next to his and see a note stuck to his windshield wiper. I couldn't help myself... look around, no one looking, so I grab and read it. Hey baby, here's my number...
High school kid growing up fast...
Another fond memory was working a 12 hour night shift at my summer job right after high school, then immediately driving to Mankato for practice. It was supposed to be a big scrimmage. The rain came and it was called off. Damn, I was so disappointed. They moved practice inside and closed it off to the public. I walked all around the gym area to the back wondering if I could see anything when I came across some glass windows and door to the hallway between their locker room and the gym. Door was locked. I got kinda embarrassed as players were looking at me wondering why the hell I was there standing in the rain... then all of a sudden the door opens and it was Brad Johnson. In his southern gentleman accent, asked me if I wanted to come in out of the rain. Dumbfounded, I said sure. I proceeded to be the only fan inside watching practice and got a tour of the locker room.
That kind of stuff, will be missed...
