There are a lot of ways to earn a game ball in the NFL. First, there are the obvious ways: You can make a game-winning catch, throw a game-winning pass, or intercept a ball at the end of the game to give your team a win. Then, there are the not-so-obvious ways: You can have a great week at practice that translates to a consistent game on Sunday, play through an injury, or help one of your teammates accomplish one of the things listed above. And then, there are the really not-so-obvious ways to get a game ball. And we're going to file this next accomplishment into that category.
According to New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker—who, for the record, gets paid money to endorse Depend adult diapers—one of his former teammates once got a game ball for dropping a deuce on the sideline (!) while an NFL game was going on. During an appearance on ESPN's Highly Questionable yesterday, he confirmed a story that host Dan LeBatard had heard from another player about former Patriots offensive lineman Larry Izzo.
"This is 100 percent true," Welker said. "And Larry would be so mad at me if I said that this did not happen, because he takes the ultimate pride in this whole deal. Of all the special teams tackles and Pro Bowls he's made, I guarantee you that game ball is probably a more prized item for him than his Super Bowl rings."
So, how the hell did he manage to pull it off? "Because he's Izzo!" Welker said. "It's what he does. I'm telling you—the guy is phenomenal! The only time I see Larry is when he comes out of the bathroom to get a clothes hanger. He has issues. He takes, like, eight Red Bulls, and all these supplements to try and get ready for the game. He's just phenomenal."
Now, who says offensive lineman don't get any credit for the things they do well? HA!
[via Shutdown Corner]
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