Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The 2017 NFL draft prospects pose before the start of the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL Alumni Detroit Chapter continues to enrich the city of Detroit with their annual NFL Draft Party. This year, the administration set its site on Punch Bowl social, right in the heart of Downtown Detroit.
Thanks to the NFL Alumni DET Chapter, Latoya Cunningham, and the diligent work of Posh PR, another successful NFL Draft Party was held and executed Friday night. The charity event is held annually to award Detroit city High School athletes interested in attending college with a scholarship opportunity. This year over $15K in scholarships were awarded! Hundreds were in attendance at Punch Bowl Social to help congratulate a total of four scholarship recipients, and the expansion of a growing outreach effort according to NFL Alumni DET Chapter Vice President Pete Chryplewicz. Attendees participated in bowling, billiards, recreational partying, drinks, and chatted about the happenings in the 2017 NFL Draft. Attendees marveled at the auction items presented, including a historic University of Michigan Tom Brady jersey (minimum bid $95), and a glorious Barry Sanders autographed photograph (starting at $295). This auction is of course, all for the charitable funding to keep the operations of outreach for this organization humming along. Thanks again NFL Alumni DET.
Photo Credit: Larry Brown Jr. (Punch Bowl Social – April 28th, 2017)
I had a brief opportunity to speak with a few Detroit Lions players in attendance. I talked with Golden Tate briefly before my departure, mistaking him for Glover Quinn embarrassingly. Fortunately enough, Tate recognized me from working with the organization so he brushed it off. I did ask both Ameer Abdullah and new linebacker Brandon Chubb a few light-hearted questions regarding the upcoming season and their outlook on what the Lions will bring to the table in 2017.
Sep 11, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah (21) looks on from the sidelines in the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Lions won 39-35. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Ameer Abdullah
Detroit Lions HB (2015-Present)
Me: What is the best thing about working out with Harold Nash?
Ameer: He’s always a straight shooter. He’s let’s us know whether we are getting the reps right or not. I can count on him for honest feedback. He’s not here to push his dictates, he’s here for our improvement. Harold is here to build the morale of our locker room.
Me: What is the strength of the Detroit Lions offense?
Ameer: Right now, it would have to be our 2-minute offense. Our strategy. We are very good under pressure, getting up and down the field. That’s definitely our strength.
Me: How is your connection with Kyle O’ Brien?
Ameer: The front office is a blur from my locker room. Everything has become very business orientated. (Me: So they aren’t really in your face?) I bump shoulders with them rarely. When we do bump shoulders, we speak, and that’s pretty much it.
Me: What’s your favorite restaurant in Detroit?
Ameer: Probably Savannah Blue right now.
Photo Credit: Larry Brown Jr (Punch Bowl Social – April 28th, 2017)
Brandon Chubb
Detroit Lions LB (2017-Present)
Me: What’s it like playing for the Detroit Lions in 2017?
Brandon: Coming from LA, It’s a big difference. I note first the culture, the way Bob Quinn has brought a lot of discipline. The championship mentality is certainly much more than a pretense in our locker room. We have all become one big family
Me: How underrated is the Detroit Lions defense?
Brandon: Very (Me: Very). We won’t blow you away but we all have a winners mentality. Everybody is on the field, in practice, and in training giving a full effort, and we ultimately have a great defense.
Me: What’s your favorite meal in the Chef’s Kitchen?
Brandon: Probably the short ribs… the Salmon with the steamed broccoli. I don’t know.. pretty much everything goes hard.
Me: Cover 2 Zone or Cover 3 Zone Blitz?
Brandon: Probably the Cover 2. (Me: What? What if you are the one blitzing?) I mean, I gotta be the cover guy. Anybody can blitz. It takes real athleticism to play coverage in this league nowadays, especially as a linebacker.
