More Than Just A Preseason Game
August 16th, 2017
Rookie RB Jeremy McNichols
Touching talk last night from rookies O.J. Howard and Jeremy McNichols.
No, McNichols wasn’t on FaceTime again with his uncle Snoop Dogg. The Bucs’ fifth-round pick was with Howard talking to the Hard Knocks cameras about how the preseason opener Friday against the Bengals wasn’t just their NFL debut.
It was their debut at an NFL game. McNichols and Howard had never before attended a professional football game.
Joe, who as a kid went to a at least one NFL game per year, really was taken back. What an impact moment for these guys. The first time they go to an NFL game and they’re playing in it. Wow!
McNichols had plenty to say about how awestruck he expected to be, including how he followed America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, in college and with the Bucs. And now he was going to be suiting up with the guy.
Great to hear these rookies show a humble appreciation for their opportunities and accomplishments.
August 16th, 2017 at 2:17 am
If you hang out with Snoop does it mean you forever look constantly high? I got nervous when I saw OJ was in the room with McNichols.
August 16th, 2017 at 3:48 am
Things are different for the large percentage of Americans that do not grow up in an NFL town Joe.
We who live in the Tampa Bay area sometimes forget how fortunate we are to even have a pro football team to root for.
Glazers could have easily moved this team in 95 or 96 if they had really wanted to and were only interested in profit.
August 16th, 2017 at 5:02 am
Most guys in the NFL has been honing their craft for up to 10 yrs before they take advantage of the opportunities that tge league affords them …there is no need or time to be humble for a chance that you deserve because as you can see with the Colin thing …The NFL can and will treat you like a slave!!!!!!
August 16th, 2017 at 6:10 am
There is a time to be humbled!!!!! All the greats that came before them!!!!! All those past Greats that sacrificed much to make league rich in history and tradition!!!!! All those battles that have been played on the field that we still talk about!!!!!! It is a moment to take in for a rookie!!!!!! To stand with the past and be measured up!!!!!!!!!!!! To stand on the same field and know that their play and accomplishments will be counted with those of the past!!!!!!!! That is becoming one with History!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 16th, 2017 at 7:02 am
Get your head out of your BigHogHaynes.
August 16th, 2017 at 7:33 am
“Rookie”, in picture above, McNichols looks like he’s been in the league for years, is it me doesn’t he look much older than your average college grad. There is some talent in him, hope he gets more touches this week.
August 16th, 2017 at 8:21 am
Yeah, don’t be a BigHogHaynes hole!
August 16th, 2017 at 10:02 am
BigHog
Your post contradicts itself..
take advantage of the opportunities that tge league affords them …The NFL can and will treat you like a slave!!!!!!
So B.H. I’m assuming you’re a black man. You have plenty to be peoed about.
I can only imagine the feeling of watching video of cops shooting black men in the back…or the horrible SC Highway patrolman who shot a black guy in broad daylight because he complied with a request to produce ID and when he reached for it he was gunned down. Even though I am white I totally get the BLM movement.
Even though I’m white I’ve lived through racism as well. My best friend in the 3rd grade (1956 Kentucky) was black. When I brought him to my house my father’s friends went nuckin futs…how can you let an “N” into the house. Saw it again in basic training in 67 when Alabama crackers wanted to pound my butt because I dared to make a black man my best friend in basic.
So I understand but don’t pretend to truly feel since I’m white…your distress with some parts of our society.
BUT…The NFL is a business! Kapernik has a right to state his mind…but not on the job where he is upsetting the business model. It’s not like he couldn’t speak outside of work.
Bottom line though B.H. You need to think long and hard before you play the slave card. You just talked about opportunities presented by the NFL. What opportunities were presented to slaves. That comparison demeans the hundreds of thousands of poor folks who had their lives totally destroyed…sold like farm animals…families split up…and you compare the hoops one jumps through to earn MILLIONS of dollars to that? Sapp made the same stupid mistake back in 03…it was wrong then and it’s wrong now.
August 16th, 2017 at 10:17 am
I hope McNichols runs wild in the next couple preseason games seems like such a humble down to earth dude
August 16th, 2017 at 10:18 am
stpetebucsfan
Preach. Very well said brother.
And thank you for your service, and your humanity.
August 16th, 2017 at 10:21 am
I grew up in Orlando in the 60’s and didn’t see an NFL game in person until I was 16 when my dad took me to Tampa to see an exhibition game (that’s what they called preseason games back then) in 1970. It was quite a thrill to see Sonny Jurgensen play. The next year I was at the Jets – Lions game in Tampa where Joe Namath blew out his knee trying to make a tackle after an interception. Pretty much ended his career.
August 16th, 2017 at 10:26 am
@Stpetebucsfan
Those that are comparing the NFL to slavery need to review and learn what slavery actually was and is!!!!!!!!!
I just don’t understand the protesting the flag!!! If I was colin, and felt and saw the social injustice of police towards my brothers, why protest the symbol that declares freedom of all!!!!!! Why protest the flag and the constitution when it “as they state” is rogue cops!!!!!!
You would think that colin would have come to the national anthem like Apollo Creed in Rocky IV!!!!!!!!!! Celebrating the Flag, Constitution and the Bill of Rights and then talk about how the “social injustice” have been committed towards these symbols, rights, and pledges towards men!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 16th, 2017 at 11:26 am
There is no need to humble yourself for opportunities that a player takes advantage of…the NFL only want, is the money you will make them ..slave..it’s the mentality of the league owners that they feel as thou they own you ..contract..THE BIG HOG is a BUCS fan…a fan of the players …a fan of the game…stpetebucfan: thanks for the positive feed back!!..Buc realist:take a knee with me before the game tomorrow nite!!! Mikadeemas…Paratic..I’ll holla!!!
August 16th, 2017 at 11:39 am
To The Buc Realist :: you start off your post all the way wrong. “If I were Colin”, there is your problem, you can’t tell another grown ass man how he should do a damn thing!!! Colin did it just the right way..his way…and in doing so, I’ll gladly use a term of yours “exposed” the NFL OWNERS for their weak ass mentally!!!
August 16th, 2017 at 11:41 am
just don’t understand the protesting the flag!!!
that is were the message gets crossed…..people dont want to believe is about social injustice…they want to believe KAEP is disrespecting the “flag” which is BS….no one is protesting the flag…..sitting during the anthem is a demonstration…NOT A PROTEST….the demonstration is bringing awareness to social injustice….the protest is speaking out against social injustice once giving an plate form and opportunity….if no plate form is given or people still don’t know/care about social injustice than the demonstration will continue….its as simple as that….
did anyone see m.bennett and marshawn lynch sit during the anthem in their preseason games?…and both said they will continue to sit until owners/mayors/goveners/law enforcement work with the community to help each other and make things better….
my brother and I were just recently racially profiled while trying to be a good samaritan….around 930pm last sunday night while leaving 5guys on kennedy we witnessed a hit an run accident…a car ran the red light on lois and cypress and smashed into a car….as we approached the 2 damaged vehicle 1 man(black) got out and took off running….moments later as we were checking on the passengers in the other car, 2 cop cars pulled up, hopped up with guns drawn and told me and my brother to get down or we will be shot…..
I became so angry and demanded that they properly access the situation and ask the passengers if we were involved or lending a helping hand….they honestly wanted to shoot me….put their knee in our backs and everything….they said they received a call about a stolen vehicle and the suspect was a 5’9 black male with a white shirt…..im 6’1 and had a orange UF shirt on and my brother is 6’4 and had a green and gold USF shirt on….
the turning point was when the injured passengers(white couple) started yelling at the officers to put away their guns because we were their to help them….the lady was in tears because she was afraid we were going to get shot….her and her husband were shocked by the officers actions and thanked us for our help and said it opened their eyes as to what innocent black men go thru when dealing with law enforcement….they both agreed that would’ve never happened if we were white and couldn’t believe some of the language they used to us….they said they were going to file a report and we exchanged numbers…we said it is what it is and went home but said screw that, if I see another accident im going to mind my own business…..
if you haven’t lived it you’ll never understand….GO BUCS!!!
August 16th, 2017 at 12:09 pm
This site is much better when the racial & political BS is left out. There is already enough hate out there, sports are an escape form all of it. Can we please leave it out of here?
August 16th, 2017 at 12:21 pm
Hell no Makie Lovie: one simple thing people need to do is stop trying to tell others what to do…move on or read and learn!!! Politics is part of the game now and forever more!!! Time for lunch!! Be back soon!!
August 16th, 2017 at 12:34 pm
Bighog
Stop telling others what to do yet you wana tell the owners what to do.
For everyone out there who forgets this…the NFL is big business. Every owner owns a business. What business owner in their right mind would hire someone who hurts business? Not me. I respect peoples right to do whatever they want. For every action is a reaction. He made his own bed etc etc etc. Welcome to the real world. Go Bucs
August 16th, 2017 at 12:36 pm
@BigHogHeinous
Sounds like free market that was collectively bargained more than slavery!!!!!!!! When I was in middle school, there was a Jehovah’s Witnesses, who attented. Obviously they do not say or stand for the pledge of allegiance, so they were ask just to walk out of the class room so not to be a distraction!!!!!! If I were an NFL Owner, that would be the rule!!!! The players , coaches and employees are on the clock!!! They have the “right” not to stand!!!! But at the same time they do not have to be a distraction on the clock!!!!! They can wait in the locker room until the anthem is over!!!! Problem solved!!!!!!!!! Do you think it is any wonder there is a new GM, Coach, and starting QB in San Fran?????????
@813bucboi
I fell for your situation!!!!! especially when you are being a good citizen and acting as a first responder!!!! I hope you told the cops where the “real” suspect ran off too!!!!!!! I too have a similar story!!!!!!! A while back, when I was a young man, I practically lived on Sanibel Island during the summers!!! Well I was cutting thru yards visiting friends/family when Cops rolled up guns drawn!!!!! they yelled and cuffed me, I was thrown in side ways into the back of the car!!!! I ended up at their station and even took a lie dectector test!!! Even accusing that I did not do it, but knew who did!!!!!!! ( all a ploy to get info) Come to find out there were young men, braking in, stealling and vandalizing houses the area I was walking thru!!!! all because of my age, race and wearing a T-shirt!!!!!!
Listen, If any innocent people are getting shot by police in Saint Petersburg, I will march with you!!!!! And we can “protest” many ways other than disrespecting symbols, articles and documents that say we are equal and free!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!
August 16th, 2017 at 12:51 pm
This political talk on sports sites is getting ridiculous. We all have an opinion but keep it to yourself here. No need for that crap here. Over it !!!!
August 16th, 2017 at 1:22 pm
BigHogHaynes Says:
“one simple thing people need to do is stop trying to tell others what to do…move on or read and learn!!!”
Ironically, you are telling people what to do.
August 16th, 2017 at 2:00 pm
I almost forgot what this story was about with all the discourse.
It’s ironic that we discuss Kaep in the same vane as the people he supposedly stands for. Kaep has probably never experienced oppression the likes of some he claims to represent.
It’s a shame because he CAN play. The solution is quite simple. If he wants to play football, he’s going to have to play “ball”. The NFL is a workplace just like my job. I can’t go and participate in protests, whether I want to or not. That is, if I want to continue working for my employer.
Is there inequity in society? You bet, and it knows no bounds.
McNichols and Howard’s never having been to an NFL game probably has a lot less to do with being from the “ghetto” than we think. If you’ve been to a game lately, you know what I mean. It’s not exactly cheap!
August 16th, 2017 at 2:58 pm
They can wait in the locker room until the anthem is over!!!! Problem solved!!!!!!!!!
I agree….problem solved…
but then you would have the media counting players and try to figure who was missing…..a huge part of the negativity came from the media themselves….instead of saying, kap sat during the anthem to bring awareness to a situation, then simple said kap is disrespecting the flag by sitting during the anthem….that is what threw people into a frenzy…..instead of researching and doing their due diligence they made assumptions and accusations….
in regards to the 2 rookies never attending an nfl game, I was just as surprised as everyone else…..but I live in FLA and haven’t been to the beach in 6 or 7 years….I told one of my customers that were visiting from St Louis and he was totally shocked….he asked 2 random people shopping in the store and they said the same thing….they haven’t been to the beach in a least a few years…..cant take anything for granted….GO BUCS!!!!
August 16th, 2017 at 3:21 pm
@813- This thing with Kap might have something to do with the NFL trying to redirect the heat from itself. I just don’t regard it as a huge issue. Now, couch that with what the Eagles did to Ryan Matthews. Straight up DIRTY!!!
Nope. Just keep pointing the cameras at the 2-3 guys that sit during the anthem. That should keep the fans fired up.
August 16th, 2017 at 3:52 pm
813bucboi Says:
I live in FLA and haven’t been to the beach in 6 or 7 years….
WHAT!!!!!!! Talk about the underprivileged!!!!!!!!! Do you know what your missing!!!!!!! Where the beer flows and girls in bikini’s and you at some point see ronnie lane at one of the many beach bars!!!!! What if we set up a gofundme page for you and changed your name to “813BeachBucBoi”???????
August 16th, 2017 at 4:49 pm
Stick to sports, this article is about McNick and you bores hijacked the thread to tell us you once knew a black kid in 1956 so you understand hip hop culture. Who cares about you – we’re talking football – not hosting a NPR call in show.
August 16th, 2017 at 5:03 pm
Hey Rod…I do wish M Bennett was still here! I challenge The Famious One to take a knee until 45 is out the White House, I know you want to Famious, being silent will kill your spirit!!!! Hey Rod …close your eyes …and move on!!!
August 16th, 2017 at 7:47 pm
Hey Hog, do me a favor and get Ebola – you’re too boring to live and you won’t be missed.
God bless.
August 16th, 2017 at 10:32 pm
You never should have said that Mr.Rod!!! Where is the love of mankind?…I’m going to help you find it!! Go BUCS!!
August 16th, 2017 at 10:36 pm
I said God bless at the end, how much more loving can you get?