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Bush's spiral awes Browns
Akron Beacon Journal ^ | Aug 1, 2004 | Marla Ridenour

Posted on 08/01/2004 5:08:06 AM PDT by CanisMajor2002

Found this on Yahoo! News but I couldn't find it on the ohio.com site.

Article follows:

Bush's spiral awes Browns By Marla Ridenour, Beacon Journal staff writer

BEREA - No matter what the Cleveland Browns think of President Bush's politics, at least they'll remember he throws a tight spiral.

The president surprised the team with a 45-minute visit before practice Saturday morning en route to appearances in Canton and Pittsburgh. He shook hands and chatted with players and employees, posed for pictures and threw a few passes to receivers Dennis Northcutt and Andre Davis.

"It was definitely the honor of a lifetime," Davis said.

With Bush in Cleveland on Friday for the opening of the International Children's Games, Browns owner Randy Lerner laid the groundwork for the appearance. It left ever-talkative defensive end Kenard Lang in awe.

"He's somebody you see on TV all the time. You think, `Man it would be great to meet him,' "Lang said. "You finally meet him you're like `Wow. The leader of our country.' You're kind of starstruck. He seemed like a nice person, genuine, and enjoys sports."

Coach Butch Davis said the Browns didn't know for sure of Bush's plan until about 30 minutes before his arrival at 8:15 a.m.

Northcutt figured something was going on when 20 motorcycle policemen pulled up behind his car on Eastland Road and followed him through the gate to Browns headquarters.

By breakfast, the building was crawling with security. Quarterback Jeff Garcia said the cafeteria was filled with men in suits, police officers and "guys holding rifles."

It was the first visit to Browns headquarters by a chief executive since Ronald Reagan came to a regular-season practice at Baldwin-Wallace College in 1988.

Only 200 fans had arrived at training camp by the time Bush emerged, but he was greeted with shouts of "Go get 'em, George."

He hit the field flanked by Lerner, Butch Davis, Garcia, right tackle Ryan Tucker and defensive end Courtney Brown, along with the Secret Service, who stayed on the perimeter. Snipers were stationed on the roof.

His best line was directed at Tucker, who attended Robert E. Lee High School in Midland, Texas.

"He went to the same high school as my wife, but he's not as good looking," Bush said, according to the campaign pool reporter.

Then Bush, 58, picked up a football and showed off his athleticism.

"The first one was a warmup ball, kinda wobbly," Northcutt said. "The second one he threw to Andre Davis was a nice tight spiral. It kind of surprised me. He had that swagger, like `I can do this.' It was cool."

Garcia suspected Bush had some experience with the pigskin.

"He was actually throwing a decent spiral," Garcia said. "It was diving a little bit on him, but it had a good spin, a good rotation."

Lang spent five years with the Washington Redskins, but said he only met senators there. With former director of the Secret Service Lew Merletti serving as Cleveland's executive vice president of stadium and security, national security adviser Condoleezza Rice and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas have also spoken to the Browns.

Many said Bush's visit was something they'll tell their children and grandchildren about.

"I've got to call my wife. She won't believe it," kicker Phil Dawson said of his wife, Shannon. "She sang at his inauguration as governor. She'll be mad she didn't come to practice this morning."

Dawson was stunned that Bush brought up a game from Dawson's college days at Texas. Dawson kicked the game-winning field goal against Virginia as time expired, and the Longhorns recorded their 700th victory.

"He remembered it came down to a kick," Dawson said. "That was quite a thrill for me."

Garcia felt the same way. He met Bush two years ago at a Cinco de Mayo celebration at the White House.

"It was nice he acknowledged me when he came through the doors, remembering who I was," Garcia said. "It was a neat feeling. He's a very down-to-earth individual and he's very passionate about sports. I think for him to come out here was also a thrill for him."

Butch Davis said he met his fifth president -- Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and both Bushes.

"The one thing you can say about all of them is they've got great focus, they've got great people skills, the ability to lock in and make the moment really special," Davis said. "He captivated the entire audience. He's got such enormous purpose."

Defensive tackle Gerard Warren didn't seem as enthralled as the rest of his teammates.

"It was 8:40 and I'm supposed to be pounding some heads," Warren said. "I'd rather be going against Ryan Tucker and Kelvin Garmon and those guys than meeting the president. But it was a special opportunity."

Bush's appearance did not seem to guarantee a sweep of 76 Lou Groza Blvd.

"I don't know if I'm going to vote for him," Northcutt said. "I can't lie to him. I'm still an honest man."

Updated on Sunday, Aug 1, 2004 7:17 am EDT


TOPICS: Extended News; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons; US: Ohio
KEYWORDS: browns; bush; cleveland; clevelandbrowns; football; gwb2004; nfl; ohio; spiral
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To: CanisMajor2002
First a baseball, then a football. What's next, horseshoes? Darts? Shotput? :)

Nay, Texas Hold em Poker

The next Olympic sport

21 posted on 08/01/2004 6:30:31 AM PDT by Popman
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To: MarkL
What is that bike?

A motorcycle.

22 posted on 08/01/2004 6:33:15 AM PDT by concerned about politics ( Liberals are still stuck at the bottom of Maslow's Hierarchy)
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To: xp38

"President Bush (news - web sites), right, greets members of the Afghan Girl's Soccer Team after speaking at the Athletes of the International Children's Games and Cultural Festival at the Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Friday, July 30, 2004. President Bush, who campaigned in Missouri and Michigan Friday, will continue through Ohio and Pennsylvania Saturday. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)"
23 posted on 08/01/2004 6:35:28 AM PDT by BenLurkin
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To: BenLurkin

Great pics!


24 posted on 08/01/2004 6:45:54 AM PDT by auboy (John Kerry has a PhD from the Michael Moore School of Propaganda.)
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To: BenLurkin

It's worth mentioning that there wouldn't be an Afghan Girl's Soccer Team with John F'em Ke(rr)y running things.


25 posted on 08/01/2004 6:49:11 AM PDT by steveegg (John F'em Ke(rr)y - I was against liberating Grenada before I was for it (WSJ - 7/29/2004))
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To: steveegg

The Goldwing is built in Mary'sVille Ohio, it has more power than the Harley, and less problems. However it does not handle as well at lower speeds.


26 posted on 08/01/2004 6:50:01 AM PDT by sgtbono2002 (I aint wrong, I aint sorry , and I am probably going to do it again.)
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To: steveegg; auboy; generalissimoduane

I love these photos.

They make me proud to an American, proud of how our President led the effort to free the men, women and children of Afghanistan . . .

. . . and proud to have been raised in the "Best Location in the Nation".


27 posted on 08/01/2004 6:55:30 AM PDT by BenLurkin
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To: BenLurkin; MeekOneGOP; Lady Jag; devolve; Smartass

I can't tell if this is a picture of al kerry and Edweird or a picture of al Kerry and T Rex, his pickle queen.


28 posted on 08/01/2004 6:56:45 AM PDT by Grampa Dave (Kerry said in his convention speech "Judge me by my record"...)
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To: ChadGore

Please excuse an ignorant question. It that really a Harley, it looks like an opposed engine like a Gold Wing or a BMW?

Also, I didn't know Harley's came with training wheels.


29 posted on 08/01/2004 6:57:18 AM PDT by Lonesome in Massachussets (Ideas so stupid only intellectuals could believe them.)
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To: Grampa Dave
I can't tell if this is a picture of al kerry and Edweird or a picture of al Kerry and T Rex, his pickle queen.

If there's a lot of shine from all the Breck in the air, it's Edweird. If the picture stinks like a Paris sewer, it's T Rex. If there's both, well, I'll let you figure out that one :-)

30 posted on 08/01/2004 6:59:24 AM PDT by steveegg (John F'em Ke(rr)y - I was against liberating Grenada before I was for it (WSJ - 7/29/2004))
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To: steveegg

If there's a lot of shine from all the Breck in the air, it's Edweird. If the picture stinks like a Paris sewer, it's T Rex. If there's both, well, I'll let you figure out that one :-)


31 posted on 08/01/2004 7:03:34 AM PDT by Grampa Dave (Kerry said in his convention speech "Judge me by my record"...)
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To: mountaineer

"I want a tight end, not a wide receiver!"

32 posted on 08/01/2004 7:10:38 AM PDT by Mr Ramsbotham ("This house is sho' gone crazy!")
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To: CanisMajor2002
"It was definitely the honor of a lifetime," Davis said.

Classy guy
33 posted on 08/01/2004 7:13:46 AM PDT by Vision (www.MarylandBowhunter.com)
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To: Howlin; Miss Marple; PhiKapMom

FYI..... interesting how different reporters/media describe an event.... This has many more quotes or discriptions in it.


34 posted on 08/01/2004 7:25:50 AM PDT by deport (Please Flush the Johns......)
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To: BenLurkin

Yes! In the lower pic, look at the expressions on the girls' faces… and on President Bush's. Real people. Real Respect. Real love.


35 posted on 08/01/2004 7:29:05 AM PDT by auboy (John Kerry has a PhD from the Michael Moore School of Propaganda.)
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To: BenLurkin

It will be interesting to see in the next 15-20 years after all the hostility has calmed down and AFghanistan and Iraq have stable governments how they think of George W Bush. My guess is that they will see him as a liberator. these girls look pretty adoring.


36 posted on 08/01/2004 7:31:42 AM PDT by lawgirl (is RNC bound! W here I come!)
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To: BenLurkin

Summit County, Ohio ?


37 posted on 08/01/2004 7:39:02 AM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks
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To: Grampa Dave; BenLurkin; Lady Jag; devolve; Smartass
LOL !

Click here for Poodle Boy!

Just a gigolo


38 posted on 08/01/2004 7:44:53 AM PDT by MeekOneGOP (There is only one GOOD 'RAT: one that has been voted OUT of POWER !! Straight ticket GOP!)
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To: CanisMajor2002
Good article. Thanks for posting!

"He's somebody you see on TV all the time. You think, `Man it would be great to meet him,' "Lang said. "You finally meet him you're like `Wow. The leader of our country.' You're kind of starstruck. He seemed like a nice person, genuine, and enjoys sports."

Bush is a genuine, personable, sincere man. Some folks just don't seem to 'get it.'




39 posted on 08/01/2004 7:48:28 AM PDT by MeekOneGOP (There is only one GOOD 'RAT: one that has been voted OUT of POWER !! Straight ticket GOP!)
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To: MeekOneGOP
Viva La pinko poodle!
40 posted on 08/01/2004 7:49:38 AM PDT by Grampa Dave (Kerry said in his convention speech "Judge me by my record"...)
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