GBRulz
07-29-2006, 08:35 PM
Was in today's Press Gazette. Thought it was a cool story and shows how the tradition of bike riding at TC can really have a lasting impression on kids.
Former Packer goes the distance for favorite fan
Area teen, Thomas maintain friendship formed through training-camp tradition
By Robert VerBruggen
rverbrug@greenbaypressgazette.com
For two football seasons, Ashwaubenon's Kevin McAllister Jr. gave Green Bay Packers player Joey Thomas a bike to ride to training camp.
"He's a cornerback, and that's my favorite position," McAllister, 14, said. "I went to look for him and asked him if he wanted to ride. Later on, I asked him to be my permanent rider and he said yes."
McAllister was taking part in a decades-old tradition of young Packers fans offering their bikes to players during training camp. The distance between Lambeau Field and the practice field is tough to walk with cleats, so players jump at the chance to ride a bicycle and meet young fans.
But last year, Thomas left the Packers for the New Orleans Saints. Instead of ending the relationship, the player flew McAllister out to visit Thomas' new home in Texas.
"My thing was, hey, I'm not in Green Bay any more, I'm no longer a Packer, but that doesn't mean the friendship has to end," Thomas, 25, said after a Tuesday morning workout.
Making friends
McAllister had already been giving players  including Javon Walker, Ahman Green, Marcus Anderson and Allen Rossum  rides for five years when he met Thomas.
"You talk to the kid and learn something about him, and he starts to know about you," Thomas said.
Over time, though, conversations evolved into something more. Thomas gave McAllister autographs and Family Night tickets.
"Joey actually came over for dinner, and they'd play (John Madden Football 2006) on PlayStation," said Kevin McAllister Sr.
Late last year, however, news broke that Thomas had been released by the Packers and claimed by the Saints. The player paid McAllister Jr. one last visit and said goodbye.
Reunion in Texas
Early this year, though, Thomas called the McAllister home. It wasn't just to chat with his "little homie"  he was asking McAllister Jr.'s parents for permission to fly the youngster to Texas for a visit.
"We worried a little bit at first, and my parents were worried," McAllister Sr. said. "But we couldn't turn that down. They had escorts through the airports, so he didn't have to do it completely alone."
At the end of April, McAllister Jr. boarded a plane to San Antonio.
"That was really cool, and I was excited," he said. "He picked me up from the airport, and we went out to eat a lot. We went paintballing, rode go-carts, played video games and had a lot of fun at his house."
McAllister Jr. also acquired a pair of Nike Air Jordans and got to meet Thomas' friends, cousins and girlfriend.
"All I am is a big kid anyway, so I like to do all the stuff kids like to do," Thomas said. "He was a pleasure to have to hang out with."
Keeping up to date
The two still talk by phone and e-mail. Thomas says he's happy in New Orleans, but he'll never forget the time he spent in Green Bay.
"Things were cool in Green Bay, but this is just going to be a better fit overall. We have a good team, and things are looking good for me," he said.
"I haven't been through a training camp with the Saints yet, but I wouldn't say there's a bunch of tradition," he added. "There's no tradition like Green Bay has with the bike ride."
And McAllister Jr., now a seven-year veteran of the bike ride, had some advice for newbies.
"Just find a rider you really want, and really be nice," he said.
Former Packer goes the distance for favorite fan
Area teen, Thomas maintain friendship formed through training-camp tradition
By Robert VerBruggen
rverbrug@greenbaypressgazette.com
For two football seasons, Ashwaubenon's Kevin McAllister Jr. gave Green Bay Packers player Joey Thomas a bike to ride to training camp.
"He's a cornerback, and that's my favorite position," McAllister, 14, said. "I went to look for him and asked him if he wanted to ride. Later on, I asked him to be my permanent rider and he said yes."
McAllister was taking part in a decades-old tradition of young Packers fans offering their bikes to players during training camp. The distance between Lambeau Field and the practice field is tough to walk with cleats, so players jump at the chance to ride a bicycle and meet young fans.
But last year, Thomas left the Packers for the New Orleans Saints. Instead of ending the relationship, the player flew McAllister out to visit Thomas' new home in Texas.
"My thing was, hey, I'm not in Green Bay any more, I'm no longer a Packer, but that doesn't mean the friendship has to end," Thomas, 25, said after a Tuesday morning workout.
Making friends
McAllister had already been giving players  including Javon Walker, Ahman Green, Marcus Anderson and Allen Rossum  rides for five years when he met Thomas.
"You talk to the kid and learn something about him, and he starts to know about you," Thomas said.
Over time, though, conversations evolved into something more. Thomas gave McAllister autographs and Family Night tickets.
"Joey actually came over for dinner, and they'd play (John Madden Football 2006) on PlayStation," said Kevin McAllister Sr.
Late last year, however, news broke that Thomas had been released by the Packers and claimed by the Saints. The player paid McAllister Jr. one last visit and said goodbye.
Reunion in Texas
Early this year, though, Thomas called the McAllister home. It wasn't just to chat with his "little homie"  he was asking McAllister Jr.'s parents for permission to fly the youngster to Texas for a visit.
"We worried a little bit at first, and my parents were worried," McAllister Sr. said. "But we couldn't turn that down. They had escorts through the airports, so he didn't have to do it completely alone."
At the end of April, McAllister Jr. boarded a plane to San Antonio.
"That was really cool, and I was excited," he said. "He picked me up from the airport, and we went out to eat a lot. We went paintballing, rode go-carts, played video games and had a lot of fun at his house."
McAllister Jr. also acquired a pair of Nike Air Jordans and got to meet Thomas' friends, cousins and girlfriend.
"All I am is a big kid anyway, so I like to do all the stuff kids like to do," Thomas said. "He was a pleasure to have to hang out with."
Keeping up to date
The two still talk by phone and e-mail. Thomas says he's happy in New Orleans, but he'll never forget the time he spent in Green Bay.
"Things were cool in Green Bay, but this is just going to be a better fit overall. We have a good team, and things are looking good for me," he said.
"I haven't been through a training camp with the Saints yet, but I wouldn't say there's a bunch of tradition," he added. "There's no tradition like Green Bay has with the bike ride."
And McAllister Jr., now a seven-year veteran of the bike ride, had some advice for newbies.
"Just find a rider you really want, and really be nice," he said.