An Amazing Day with the Tampa Bay Bucs!

Today was an unbelievable day that I will never forget. David Reed a great friend of our families had made arrangements for me to meet the entire team and be a guest of honor at the Tampa Bay Bucs training facility.
I was told that I was visiting a friend of his who works on the brain and motivating people. Not having a clue as to what he was talking about I went along to see this motivational speaker. Once we got to Tampa my parents handed me a brand new Tampa Bay Bucs shirt and cap. Things started coming together when right then we pulled into there state of the art practice facility. We pulled up to the gates and our names were on the list to visit the facility. Once we went into the front office I knew I was in for a great day. The facility was nothing like I have ever seen before one of the bests facilities in the NFL. We were met by Allen Barrett who showed us around the facility. We visited the media rooms, training rooms, film rooms, and the players lounge full of pool tables, big screen TVs, arcade games The WORKS! This facility was like nothing I have ever seen before, everything was new and the best! I visited the locker room when I met my very first Buccaneer Cadillac Williams! The stud running back for the Bucs. He came up to me and introduced himself and was really cordial!
After the locker room I visited the weight room where I saw the biggest guys I have ever seen in my life! Immediately a gentleman put down his weights and walked over and shook my hand and introduced himself as Joey Galloway the veteran star receiver for the Bucs. Just then the QB Jeff Garcia came by and talked with me as well. All of the players were so great to me. They all stopped what they were doing to come and talk with me.
Once I met a few players just walking around the facility I went outside to watch the end of there practice. As soon as the practice was over I was FLOODED by Tampa Bay Bucs! They all came over to sign autographs for me. Once I got to the facility I was given a duffel bag full of souvenirs from shirts, hats, and even an autograph football for the players to sign. I loved seeing some old Florida Gator stars as well. Ike Hilliard, Earnest Graham, Kevin Carter, Ben Troupe, all came to see me and reminisce on old Gator highlights! IT WAS GREAT! I was also pumped to see Ronde Barber, I asked him if Tiki (his brother) was ever going to come back and play maybe with the Bucs. He told me Tiki was slow and out of shape and would be worthless on the field. HAHA! Along with all the superstars I met COUNTLESS other players I could list them all but you can look up the Bucs Roster if you want to know everyone I met!
However, I had not met my motivational speaker yet? Jon Gruden the head coach then walked up to me and gave me one of his football pep talks! He told me, "Brent....YOU ARENT WORKING HARD ENOUGH!! If you are going to walk again you have to WORK your tail off!!" I said YES SIR!! I will work hard. He asked about my therapy and said he remembered my story and hearing about it. He knew of my progress and said if I ever needed anything to give him a call. I'm sure it was just polite gab but still! I asked coach Gruden to sign my football and hat. He signed my football and then just gave me the visor off his head and gave it to me after he signed it!
It was so wonderful being the guest of honor for the Tampa Bay Bucs! They treated me so well and made me feel great. Each player went out of there way to seek me out and talk to me! It was a day I will NEVER forget!
There are so many people I want to thank. First off none of this would have been possible without Dave and Jeannie Reed who made the event happen through their connections. I would also like to thank Shelton Quarles. Shelton retired at the end of 2006 after a 10 year career with the Bucs. He was a key member of the 2002 Super Bowl team and was also a pro bowl member that year as well. Shelton had been following my blog and knew of my circumstances. He was the inside man who got the ball rolling on my amazing day. He was the one who made it happen and I want to personally thank you! I met Shelton and like all the other players was a class act! We are downloading pictures of the day and I will post them soon!
I am leaving for Shepherds next Thursday and need everyone to pray for my trip and my progress in Atlanta. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. I am going to start writing more often on my blog so please share with other to check my blog often during my time in rehab. I will post pictures AND videos of my progress! So please check this blog for the newest updates.
I LOVE YOU ALL,
SO MUCH IN HIM,
Brent