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NYG Starting DT Barry Cofield |
April 14, 2007:
Annual 2007 NY Football Giants Fan Club of NE Banquet, Speaker DT-NT Barry Cofield
By Rich Rooney
I don't know why, but almost every year the Banquet always falls on a great day, weather wise. As I drive to this event my mind always wanders to all the tasks that this event culminates. And most of all, to all the folks I haven't seen in over a year; and will I recognize them and will they be well and most importantly what do they think of the Giant moves so far this off season. But most of all I look forward to the day of talking and listening Giants Football.
This event was one of the best we have ever had. The venue was superb; Barry Cofield was gracious in his meeting all, and discussing everything from his days of working out to practical jokes players play on one another. Everything moved smoothly from Barry's arrival to the buffet and all the choices you had, to the discussion and talk of what it's like to be an NFL player.
This gathering is the only time once year where we all can meet; catch up on what we have been doing, our families and our lives. I for one cherish my friendship with you that took part and with you all, out there. I have enjoyed all the members over the years and this is the right time to say, thank you for your support of both the club and what it stands for.
Everyone that I talked to had a great time and special thanks to Barry and his lovely wife Kendra. John Berti was in rare form pointing out how the intricacies of our rare brotherhood of football and fandom enjoy this team and this sport.
Barry was thoroughly enjoyable talking about how he came to play football and explaining about his college career and how unlikely a candidate he was to be draft and start his very first year in the NFL. He went into great depth about his college coach and his passing, as well as how he spent his time waiting to be drafted.
After Barry was drafted he gave us a close up glimpse about training camp, being a rookie and how his full class schedule and his graduation efforts cut into his practice and training experience; and how he was an unlikely candidate to do well under these circumstances.
Barry went on to explain about the season and how the first time he found out he was to start, the coach just walked away and he was left standing there saying, "coach what did you say". Barry has a calm and straight to the point way of saying things and he was very funny and comical. I especially like him telling about where his locker was situated to the other veterans, and how important it was for Michael Strahan to take him under his wing; and in some cases run interference with some of the younger players, when it comes to the media.
During the question and answer period he was straightforward in his comments, but was also careful not to mince his words, so that people wouldn't easily misunderstand.
Several times during his conversation he mentioned his wife Kendra and you could feel he is, very much a family man who takes his personal life very seriously. At one point mentioning his wife is going back to Graduate school and at some point he will have to baby- sit and take the family duties more seriously.
He didn't pass on any subject, and talked very smartly with great humor, and when he talked of home and his bringing up, you could see the respect and love in his voice of his beginnings. In all the years of helping out, during this banquet I don't recall a quest speaker who took the time to buy some raffle tickets, but Barry did. Even when he was eating, no matter who came up, he took the time and signed and took pictures and talked to everyone that approached him. Barry is a class act and it was my privilege to be part of this event.
The raffle was great fun and especially to watch Steve Manni make the trip up eight times, and many people gave him the horselaugh. I related a similar story to Steve, many years ago I was on the dais table and I always buy $20 of tickets and this one year, I went up to the raffle table four times and boy every time I went up you could hear the audience yell that the fix was in. Hang in there Steve and glad you had a great time. I hope to see you all at the Draft Day Extravaganza on April 28th at the Light ship in Lawrence, MA.
GO GIANTS!
2006 Banquet Sean O'Hara
2005 Banquet Dave Gettleman
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