First off, I hope you will visit the PUNT Foundation website. Please take a look around and see what it is we are doing to help children with cancer as well as what events we have coming up. We also have our store up and running selling our new line of T-shirts, sweatshirts, and bags. Hats from New Era are coming soon, so I'll let you know when they are up.
And don't forget to sign up for the Triathlon on June 7th. Join "Team PUNT" and get a jersey, and "In Training" T-shirt (which turned out very cool, I must say), and help us in our quest to help kids with cancer. If you can't run, don't think you can run, or are too far away to come run, sign up anyway and have me represent you. You'll still get the jersey, the T-shirt, and the gratification of knowing you helped kids that need all of our help. I will do my best to represent you well (which means just finishing)
Now for what is going on this off-season.
I can't believe we are already into April. Of course it doesn't feel like April in Buffalo as we were just there last week, it was 25 degrees and snow was falling. Anyway, because a lot has happened between the last game and now this post may be a bit long, so bear with me. I will post shorter ones from here on out.
What does my off-season entail? Traveling mostly. We went on a trip right after the season with Rian Lindell and his wife, had a surprise party for my Mom's birthday in February, went on spring break in Cancun with my wife's family, and have been going back and forth between Buffalo and Florida a lot. It really makes it go fast.
It wouldn't be a fruitful off-season if a few funny things hadn't happened to me. On our trip to Cancun we spent the week playing sand volleyball with a group of "kids" from Denver University. On the last day, Amber and I played two on two with two of the guys and beat up on them pretty good in the first game. I think it was something like 15-6, which actually looks better than it was. I think it was 14-2 before they went a little run before we buried them. I will give them credit though. They came back in the second game and got us 15-11. I was pretty wiped out by then since I had just ran an interval workout on the beach before we started playing. No excuse really, it's just that one of the guys, let's call him "Jacob" (because that's his name), decided that it was pretty cool they beat us. His buddy, Eric, asked what I do for a living (which I usually make something up to avoid the awkwardness of feeling like I am bragging, but since we were leaving the next day, Amber elbowed me and told me I should just tell them. Since I ALWAYS do what I am told, I complied)
Jacob turns and looks at us and says with a grin, "Seriously?...We just smoked you."
That cracked me up, since they could barely score on me and "a girl" in the first game. So Amber quickly reminded them of that fact. She's not one to shy down from trash talk.
You probably had to be there, but it was funny to us.
Speaking of things that struck us funny, and related to me being a Buffalo Bill; We were in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl a few weeks ago at a restaurant called Pussers (why anyone would name a restaurant that I don't know) and a guy and his wife walked up to me and said, "You know, you look just like Brian Moorman, the punter for the Buffalo Bills,"
But before I could say anything he continued, "but you couldn't be him, because he's big guy."
We were laughing so hard that I really couldn't say anything. Needless to say, I did some curls when I got home.
Enough about me, what about the team.
Let me start off by saying how thrilled I am that Mr. Wilson finally got in the Hall of Fame. Every year, as I am sure many of you were too, I got so frustrated when his name wasn't called. he has to be one of the most deserving people ever to be enshrined.
It is going to be quite an honor to be there for it too, since we will be playing in the Hall of Fame game in the preseason. normally I would not want an extra pre season game, but to be able to be present when he gets enshrined is going to be pretty cool. Hopefully we'll get to see the ceremony. I've always wanted to see one someday, and this is the perfect one to see. I'm anxious to see how our schedule works out that week.
I was at the stadium to work out last week, and it was great to see all of the guys. They were all shocked to see that I added 25 pounds of muscle since the last game.
Just kidding, I don't think my frame could hold that. I do feel like I am in great shape though. Just sticking to the usual routine of running track style workouts, but have worked in a new regimen of plymoetrics, core work, and yoga along with my usual weight routine. I will hold off on giving you the "I'm in the best shape of my career" line though. I love it when athletes use that one. Don't worry, I will pull it out of the bag closer to training camp.
Off-season conditioning was definitely in full swing at the stadium too, and the team looks great. We obviously have a lot of work to do, but it's great to see that everyone is in the shape they are in already. We have a great strength and conditioning staff and it's obvious they put a lot of time and thought into the program this year as they do every year. There are a lot of new things I saw the guys doing, and I really think it's going to pay off.
Before I sign off, I have to say a quick thank you to those of you that have voted for me for the 5oth Anniversary team. I waited to say anything about it until this point because I don't want anyone to think I am lobbying for more votes.
That being said, I cannot go without saying it because it is an honor just to be nominated for the team. Seriously, did you see the names on the ballot? Bruce Smith, Steve Tasker, Thurman Thomas, Jim Kelly, I could go on and on. These aren't just some of the best players that have played for the Bills, they are some of the best players ever to play the game of football. A lot of these guys are players I watched when I was growing up. Just the thought of being mentioned in the same breath gives me chills.
On top that, seeing on the website that some of the season ticket holders and the voting contest winners have picked me, as well as some of the buffalo celebrities that have put in their picks, really is quite awesome. Then the other day I received a text from a friend that told me that Bills beat writer Mark Gaughan picked me as a "slam dunk"? Wow. He has seen a lot of Bills football too.
I know I've said it before, but I really do appreciate my fans. Its not too often the punter of a team has a following and I don't take it for granted. Thank you for your votes, and thanks for your support the last 8 years. Oh, and my wife says I should say that you can vote more than once, (and I have to do what I am told.)
Remember to sign up to follow this blog and other posts on twitter. www.twitter.com/brianmoorman.
I'm off to get some popcorn.
Until next time.
Um, hysterical story about the guy saying you looked like but couldn't possibly be Brian Moorman. I hope he finds your blog!
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