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The men behind the gridiron; it seems like months that I have been traveling and attempting to catch up with a few of the men that play the rough and rugged sport we all know and love called football.  It was not the easiest task with so many games practices and a serious travel schedule, but somehow I managed to have great conversations with five of the most talented men that are not so rough off the field.  Michael Vick has taken some serious hits by me in the past in this very column, yet when we met at the opening of his restaurant in Atlanta I was able to get another perspective on the guy that seems to be seriously misguided at times.  First it was the Jan 17th water bottle crisis at the airport in Miami.  Vick was not looked on favorable by me or the media period for a November 26 incident in which he gave Atlanta fans his two middle fingers.  And who can forget the March 2005 lawsuit from past girlfriend that claimed he knowingly gave her genital herpes.  The case was settled out of court for a hunk and a chuck of money.  However, it seems that it might be enough room in Atlanta for two celebrity-owned wine establishments.  Just three months after Usher opened his franchise of The Grape in Atlanta’s Inman Park neighborhood, Falcons quarterback Michael Vick introduced The Tasting Room on the other side of town.  Similar in concept the two locations will serve two totally different demographics. 

Michael spoke publicly for the first time since being cleared of possible drug charges following the water bottle charade at the airport.  Although, Vick tried to keep our entire conversation on his new business, I was determined not to only speak to him about his new entrepreneur spirit, but to get some serious questions answered about the athlete that has made some bad choices.  For the most part Vick kept the conversation on the restaurant and did not say much about his new coach, Bobby Petrino, football, or his troubled past.  “I’m happy that he is a part of the staff.  I’m hoping that we can win some games,” Vick responded.  “But William tonight is not about the upcoming football season, it’s about raising the Atlanta spirit with this new restaurant.”  Vick and I discussed this being his very first business venture and how he hoped it would change some of the recent negative publicity that has made headlines.  “Maybe this will offset some of that attention I’ve been getting, whether positive or negative.  It’s good for the people to see that I’m and giving back to the community, where people can see me trying to do something that’s positive.  There are a lot of people speculating about things I do that are not so positive.” 

I did manage to get him to address the rumors that he would possibly be wearing a silver and black football uniform the coming season.  “None of that is true, I will defiantly be back with the Falcons,” Mike said firmly.  “I am not sure where that came from, but it is not true.  I am happy with my team.”  The Tasting Room will not be the only business Mike will start.  I did lighten up on him and he seemed to relax when we talked about the possibility of his going into some other business ventures.  He did go on to say that he would not to be considered a businessman similar to Magic Johnson and that he like his new found fame.  Vick was a really nice guy and a very gracious host.  The quarterback made his rounds and spoke to ever person in attendance for his grand opening.  In no hurry to leave a very approachable Vick took pictures and signed autographs prior to leaving alone a little prior to closing.  He reminded me he had to be at practice the following morning as he walked to his Bentley.  Vick is actually a really good guy that has just made a few poor choices, which has caused him to get tackled by the media. 

Continuing on my journey to get to know some of the men that play football better I was able to meet and hang out with Ovie Mughelli.  It was not until after my interview that Ovie became a part of the Atlanta Falcons.  While in Washington, D.C. I headed up to Baltimore to hang out with a football star that has very little name recognition.  Although, he was a fourth round draft pick by Baltimore, Mughelli feels it is due to the position he plays that his name is not well remembered.  “I am a full back, I make it possible for the guy to make the touchdown, but I rarely get the ball and score.” Ovie explained.  While riding in the car with Mughelli we talked as we headed out for lunch after his practice.  “See it is like this Will, I am the guy that runs in front of the guy with the ball and takes the hit or knocks him out of the way for my man to get down the field,” Ovie said laughing.  The now Atlanta Falcon was trying to make fun of me not knowing football very well.  A first string starter he never thought he would be a ball player and did not really have a good idea of what he wanted to do with his life while in college he fell into sports as a result of peer pressure.  “My Dad is a doctor and my mother is and, an entrepreneur, a business woman,” Ovie said.  “They did not support me playing ball and wanted me to get serious and get an education and do something with my life,” Ovie laughed. 

Ovie never really had support or encouragement to play football and his going to a small school known for academics he did not think he would beat all the odds and become a fourth round draft pick as he did.  Looking back on it now he is even shocked at the accomplishment himself to this day.  A smart guy with the funny accent he wanted to do whatever he could to fit in.  “You talk funny, your parents are from Africa,” Mughelli said mocking the teasing voices of kids he went to school with.   He was so good at football Ovie made the varsity team his sophomore year in high school, but his parents were totally against it.  “It is funny, at times my mom will still ask me what I plan to do with my life,” Ovie said laughing.  However, he does not have any regrets, he does sometimes wish he would be noticed more by fans for all the work he does.  It was not until USA Today named him to their All-Joe Team that he began to receive national attention.  One of the most difficult aspects of Ovie’s life, although he is an extremely rich athlete is the adjustment to American and the African customs of his native country.  “It is not easy way to say it, but they are just very different and even at my level it is still hard for me at times,” Ovie admitted.  A big guy with a tender heart Ovie Mughelli became a great football player because he was trying to fit in. 

Football has not come easy for Isaac Keys.  My next stop on my football journey was Phoenix to catch up with a Morehouse Brother of mine that plays for the Arizona Cardinals.  Since the beginning of his career it has been a mission that at times seemed impossible, but Isaac would not give up.  His senior year in high school he played out of position and was not recruited.  Going on to college he was able to walk on the team, but did not receive any type of athletic scholarship.  Deciding to leave the school after two years due to his not growing as a person, Isaac set his eyes on Morehouse College.  It was something about the school and the experience that he wanted and needed, which is why he made the decision to attend the school after he was informed that he would be given freshmen status again.  “It did not matter, it was Morehouse,” Keys said proudly.  The environment was a change the he needed greatly and he not only excelled on the field he excelled in class as well.  Isaac Keys played three years while at Morehouse and was not called until the very end of the draft by the Minnesota Viking.  A Morehouse Man that had graduated and did not want to go on to graduate school, did not have parents that could support him financially, Isaac did not know what he was going to do and did not have any plans.  It was not until after Memorial Day of the summer following his graduation that the Viking signed him as a free agent.  No signing bonus, a roommate in the hotels when he traveled with the team, and fighting to prove himself everyday; Isaac was a freshmen in college all over again.  Fighting for a job he would often play with a dislocated shoulder that he learned to pop back into place on his own. 

The Viking released Isaac his second year.  “I was like what am I going to do now, I had made no other plans than to play pro ball and I was not even really doing that,” Isaac explained.  “I was extremely depressed because I had never been cut before and it was like I hit rock bottom.   Green Bay wanted him to practice with the team prior to the season, but did not commit to signing him to their team.  As you might have figured out Isaac was not picked up by Green Bay and his only option was then too got to NFL Europe, but he missed that deal due to taking his chances with Green Bay.  Keys had to eventually return home to live with his parents.  It was not long before Isaac Keys, a Morehouse Graduate and professional football player found himself collecting unemployment.  “I was calling my agent everyday trying to make something happen,” Keys said almost tearing up.  After taking a much needed pause to collect himself and for me to get a grip we continued our very deep discussion about life and pursuing your dreams against all odds.  As I looked into the eyes of this man with a huge frame that had to be in the best shape of his life share with me his fight to the NFL.  Humbled but hungry, is how Isaac describes himself, yet determined to make his mark playing football. 

You have not heard the name Vincent Alfonzo Jamal, he is not rich, he does not have a huge endorsement deal, but he is one of the greatest men that I have ever had the opportunity to interview.  The single father takes great pride in raising his daughter.  A tough job for a big man to do all alone, Alfonzo makes time to make it all happen.  Rushing to pick his little girl up from school and drop her off to the sitter he rushes to the other side of town for football practice.  Jamal is one of the owners of the team in a state league in Arizona.  This big guy has a huge heart and did not mind letting me in and even shed tears during our deep conversation.  An African American that was given up for adoption by his mother was adopted by a white family that made him their pet.  Essentially he was a toy or a Ni**er that was purchased to be a playmate for the two children of his adopted parents.  Left to raise himself at the age of 16 when his adopted parents divorced.  He recalled being told to stay in the empty house and to be good.  “Everything was gone, I did not even have a bed,” Vincent said as tears rolled down the sides of his face.  “My adopted father left my mother and she moved away to be with another man.  I slept on the floor and ate what little food they left me until it was gone.”  Eventually the power was cut off and the house was sold when Alfonzo knew he could not continue to live there any longer.  On the streets and eating out of garbage cans he stayed with friends sometimes a night or two, but managed to complete high school. 

Always with a dream to play football, Vincent Alfonzo Jamal continued on his journey at times not even realizing what respect and love was until he was and adult.  “I was always called the N-word by the people that were supposed to be my family so I did not know any better and did not have anyone to teach me,” Alfonzo explained.  Moving me to tears while listening to his life lessons that he learned by his football coach.  Never sharing with anyone how bad his personal life actually was, Jamal was determined to make it.  School took a backseat during his struggle to survive.  Many things about life Alfonzo learned thorough his coach and playing football.  Often misunderstood, he works to improve the community and be the best possible father he can be without a personal example.  Inside the big guy with all the tattoos, braded hair, and muscles lies a very hurt little boy.  “At times I know that I am still that little VAJ that does not know why I hear people say N-word is a bad word, but that is what I am called at home, or why I am living without parents and eating out of the garbage cans just trying to survive.  Football is more than a sport it is a way of life for this young man that only had the coach and his team as the example a constant structure to his troubled life.  “William it was like football, the games and practice was the only things I knew were going to be there on a consistent basis in my life.  Working on his book, “Oreo vs. Nigger,” Vincent Alfonzo Jamal is making his mark and never lets a tackle take him out. All of these men are more then just big guys that play a sport, but they are all amazing in their various places and share one thing in common…Football!

According to my “Street Committee”…Rapper 50 Cent will follow up his acting debut in Universal’s “Get Rich or Die Trying” with a heist film set in the world of underground clubs and illegal car racing.  “Live Bet,” also from Universal Pictures, will be directed by filmmaker Alejandro Lozano and produced by two of Mexico’s up-and-coming producers, Billy and Fernando Rovzar, founders of Lemon Films.  ‘It was important to bring together the whole team,” Billy Rovzar said.  “It’s amazing that a studio like Universal is betting on Mexican talent.  We were blown away and flattered, but we know we will deliver.”  Lozano is currently rewriting the script-to give the character more soul-Lozano told reporters.  “I didn’t want to make a film that just stayed an action film.”  The original script was set in New York.  The rewrite adds several locations, including Las Vegas and Philadelphia.  Universal hopes to begin shooting by late summer. 

Scary Spice delivered a baby girl-5 lbs., 4 oz.  Ironically enough she delivered her baby on Eddie Murphy’s birthday, April 3.  All people want to know is it Eddie’s, but must people would admit that it is some weird sign that he might be the father.  Well, soon we will all know once they take the paternity test.  Tracy Edmonds is not moved if the baby is his or not, nor does she let the rumors move her about her man’s sexuality.  Tracy is confident that Eddie will do the right thing if he is found to be the father.  As for him being gay, Tracy says it is one of the things that comes with the territory when you are rich and famous. 

Diddy has gone on record-finally-to tell the world he did not get the girl from Danity Kane pregnant.  In fact, he said that video of her looking for a pregnancy test was a joke that a number of people fell for.  Additionally, she released a statement as well.  “I am not pregnant.  Recent rumors linking me to Sean Combs, CEO of my label Bad Boy Entertainment are completely untrue and ridiculous,” Danity Kane’s Aubrey said.  Too little, too late, for the two of them; Diddy was hanging a little to close for comfort for a man that just had twins by his long time girlfriend, Kim Porter.  The time they spent together at the Sundance Film Festival among other places having a good time and obviously close would lead you to think that it was something more than a working relationship. 

On more baby momma news…A number of random baby mommas are getting out of hand.  Seems that men that have so much to lose would have enough self respect to use a condom; however, Wendy Williams revealed that Jay-Z’s alleged baby moms have come forward.  Shenelle Scott is rumored to be the mother of Jay’s son, but she is not saying a whole lot.  Actually, she does not confirm nor deny that he is or is not the baby’s father.  She does admit they had a situation and that shortly thereafter she came up pregnant.  People have assumed some things with good reason, but she never offers a definitive “yes or no,” which is what the public wants.  Wendy Williams seems to think she wants to keep getting those fat checks and remains silent.  It is not surprising that Shenelle was able to get her story in the news since she is close friends with Marvet Britto, a well known publicist out of New York.