Tarik Cohen - Chicago Bears (Take 2)

1) Tarik Cohen is a third year running back for the Chicago Bears.

2) Tarik was drafted by the Bears in the fourth round (119th overall) of the 2017 NFL draft out of North Carolina A&T. He was the tenth running back taken in the 2017 draft.

3) Cohen was named a First-team All-Pro special teams player and selected to the Pro Bowl in 2018 as a punt returner. Tarik was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate this past season.

D: When did you do your first backflip?

Tarik Cohen: I was probably like 10 or 11 (years old)

D's Follow Up: That's baller. I'm 9. I can do a front flip on a bed, a trampoline, and a diving board. I tried doing a backflip at my friend's birthday party once and it didn't go well. I landed on my neck and couldn't move it for a while.

J: Who was your favorite player growing up?

Tarik Cohen: Reggie Bush

Photo credit: Getty Images

J's Follow Up: Reggie Bush is cool. He was a really good player who won the Heisman trophy and I have one of his college jersey football cards from his last game at USC.

Bonus questions from October 2017 at a live taping of the Chicago Huddle show

D: What's your favorite healthy food?

TC: Shrimp. I also like broccoli

D's Follow Up: I think shrimp is bad even though I haven't had it. My dad likes shrimp though. I think broccoli is really good and it's good for your body. I love all veggies except lettuce and spinach. Tarik sounds like he's a healthy eater and that's probably why he's so fast.


J: Who's the best player you've ever juked?

TC: Deion Jones (LB) from the Atlanta Falcons is probably the best player I've juked. 

J's Follow Up: I have heard of Deion Jones but I don't know him very well. I just watched his highlight video and he is one of the best players on the Falcons defense. Juking Deion Jones does not look easy because he's so fast.

On December 17th, 2019, I made a visit to the new Bears Fit facility with my friend Wally to meet Tarik Cohen at his appearance showcasing his new hat collection. Tarik designed 6 new hats for Chicago fans to wear around town and according to the boys they are extra swaggy. 

I ended up buying Jordan the white 29 winter hat that I'm wearing in the photo and I also purchased the "Dad" hat with a special Bears rubber logo on the front with a small 29 in the corner that also has a Bears inspired Chicago city flag on the back. Each hat purchased allowed one fan to meet Tarik at the new fitness facility in Vernon Hills. 

Here's a quick look at the interview from Chicago Tribune writer Phillip Thompson and a link to his article.

https://twitter.com/_phil_thompson/status/1207121244556070912

https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-chicago-bears-tarik-cohen-20191218-hiaf7ytlj5hgbmohfn2mydnxzy-story.html

Wally and I both had a good time spending our Tuesday night meeting the Chicago Bears running back. We all know the season didn't go as planned but we believe the team will be back on top next season. This is our last post of 2019 and we hope next year at this time we'll be dreaming about a Bears Super Bowl as the team prepares for the post season. #vincentsgo3on3

Brett Favre - Green Bay Packers

1) Brett Favre was an NFL quarterback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2016. Brett also played for the Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, and Minnesota Vikings but spent the majority of his career (1992-2007) in Green Bay.

2) Brett attended Southern Mississippi University from 1987-1990. Favre held nearly every passing record at Southern Miss after his senior season, but most were broken by QB Austin Davis by the end of the 2011 season.

3) Brett was drafted in the second round of the 1991 NFL draft (33rd overall) by the Atlanta Falcons. After the Green Bay Packers traded a first round pick to acquire Favre after his rookie season Atlanta, Brett went on to have one of the greatest NFL quarterbacking careers of all time. A 3-time NFL MVP, 6-time First of Second team All-Pro, 11-time Pro Bowl selection, and a Super Bowl winner, Brett will go down as one of the greatest Packers and players to ever play in the National Football League.

Danny: Who were your favorite wide receivers to pass to?

Brett Favre: I don't know. Sterling Sharpe was good, Donald Driver was good, Antonio Freeman was good.

D's Follow Up: Those are probably some of the best receivers the Packers have ever had. I like Sterling Sharpe the most and I have a football card of him. Davante Adams is my all-time favorite receiver for the Packers.

On Saturday night, September 14th, I surprised Danny and our friends Jane and Phil when we got to Green Bay that we would be meeting one of their favorite all time players, Brett Favre. Jane has been inviting Danny and I to Green Bay for the past 3 years to visit Lambeau Field, spend the weekend with her family, and take in a Packers game from the 5th row. In order to show my appreciation for all she has done for us, I thought meeting the Hall of Famer would be the perfect way to show her how much we've enjoyed the past 3 years. It's been a special bonding moment for Danny and I and although Danny's favorite player Ha Ha has moved on to the Bears and they are now his favorite team, the Packers still rank high up there for him!

Meeting Brett may have been a once in a lifetime opportunity for all of us. According to the fans in line, he doesn't make many public appearances, so it was a rare opportunity for everyone in attendance to meet him. Never in a million years did I think I would meet #4 considering I'm a lifelong Bears fan and he terrorized my team for so long. But at the end of the day, I love the NFL and I also realize what a tremendous player he was and I will always take advantage of an opportunity to meet one of the all time greats.

Brett was great with Danny and had no problem answering D's question about his favorite receiver to play with. Not only did Danny ask him about the receivers but he also asked him to throw him a pass. Unfortunately, I was not recording the video but it was a memory the four of us will always have. If you ask me Brett threw Danny one last INT but if you ask everyone else in the room, Brett threw one last TD and it happened to be to my son.

Prince Amukamara - Chicago Bears

1) Prince Amukamara is a defensive back for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He is also the current Fuel Up to Play 60 Player Ambassador for the Chicago Bears.

2) Prince attended the University of Nebraska from 2007-2010. Amukamara finished his senior season allowing only 18 completed catches against him and was recognized as the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and was selected as a unanimous first team All-American.

3) In the first round of the 2011 NFL draft, the New York Giants selected Prince with the 19th overall pick. He went on to win the Super Bowl during his rookie campaign with the Giants as they defeated the New England Patriots 21-17.

C: What have you been fueling up with this offseason as you prepare to take on the Packers in September?

Prince Amukamara: My wife has got me into overnight oats. She uses grass fed whole milk and oats and all different types of fruits.

C's Follow Up: A few years ago, my wife Jen, had us eating overnight oats consistently. I liked them a lot and we would switch up the fruits too. I'm ready to get back into making them and it sounds so good right now... especially with the whole milk.

C: How do you get your 60 minutes of exercise outside of the football season?

Prince Amukamara: I like to go outside, play basketball and ping pong and dance occasionally.

C's Follow Up: Prince likes to exercise with some of my favorite activities. I was always a basketball player growing up and I you will find me playing 2 on 1 or horse with the boys in the driveway and I will never pass up a good game of ping pong. I spend most of my time dancing in PE class but my moves are not on the same level as Prince.

(Bonus questions from last season)

D: Who’s the toughest wideout you’ve ever gone up against?

Prince Amukamara: Davante Adams 

D's Follow Up: Davante Adams is a hard receiver to go against. He's as good as Antonio Brown.

J: What’s the pregame meal of choice?

Prince Amukamara: Salmon or chicken.

J's Follow Up: I like chicken but I don't like fish. My dad says fish is good for me but I'm not a fan.

From July 16th through the 19th, I had the opportunity to attend the Fuel Up to Play 60 National Summit with two of my students who achieved student ambassador status for their work during the 2018-19 school year. We joined other student and state ambassadors along with program advisors from all over the country who put exercise and nutrition at the forefront of their programs using the Fuel Up to Play 60 program.

Prince Amukamara was one of the player ambassadors that attended the summit and we were so excited that a Chicago Bear was representing his team on the national level. Prince took part in an Ask Me Anything panel and I jumped at the opportunity to ask Prince about how he fuels up his body leading up to the football season and how he exercises outside of the game of football. Believe it or not, Prince even took off his New York Giants Super Bowl Ring during the panel and let everyone take look at it and take photos with the ring. We learned a lot about Prince throughout the one hour panel about how nutrition and exercise play a role in his life and Prince let me know he was working on getting his next ring with the Chicago Bears this season. We wish Prince and his Chicago Bears a great 2019-20 season! Bear Down

Melvin Gordon - Los Angeles Chargers (Take 2)

1) Melvin Gordon is a running back for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League.

2) Melvin attended the University of Wisconsin from 2011-2014 where he became a 2-time Big Ten Champion (2011, 2012), Doak Walker Award (Best running back in college football) Winner (2014), Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year (2014), All-American (2014), and First-Team All Big Ten (2014) performer. Gordon was also named a Heisman Finalist during his final season, finishing second in voting behind Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota.

3) Melvin Gordon attended Bradford High school in Kenosha, Wisconsin where he also starred in track and field. He was also a high school teammate of Trae Waynes, cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings.

Photo credit Getty Images

D: What do you think about your Madden rating?

Melvin Gordon: I like it. 92. I'll take it. I'm not upset like everybody else. I'll take my 92.

D's Follow Up: I think that's a really good rating. I think he was an 89 last year and now he's up even more. I think he's at least a top 5 running back in the NFL.

J: Do you still bowl?

Melvin Gordon: Yes

J: What is your high score?

Melvin Gordon: 246

J's Follow Up: I believe that high score of 246 because I played with him and I know how good he really is. He got a strike almost every time he rolled the ball. Melvin even played against Danny and I left handed and still beat us. Maybe he should try to be a be a professional bowler when he's retired from football? 

D: What does it take to get as fast as you?

Melvin Gordon: You've got to start running those hills.

D's Follow Up: Today I ran a huge hill while I was on vacation. I need to practice more running up the hills. I like to run down them more.

On Friday night, July 19th, the boys had another opportunity to meet up with one of their favorite NFL superstars, Melvin Gordon. Last year J and D took part in a free football camp hosted by ProStart Sports with Melvin and high school teammate Trae Waynes that took place at their alma mater, Bradford High School in Kenosha, WI. (Fun note: Last year the boys got some extra special treatment from Melvin as they bowled three games with the Pro Bowl running back before camp. Let us tell you he could be a Pro BOWLER on the lanes too, he is simply that good.)

This year Melvin and Trae hosted a dodgeball tournament where teams competed to win some amazing prizes and the honor of calling their team champions of the first ever Dodgeball Night of Fun. We enjoyed watching the action but next time J will be old enough to compete and he and I are entering the tournament. After the dodgeball tournament concluded, we had our chance to meet with Melvin for autographs and a group photo. Melvin was welcoming as always and happy to take on all questions. We look forward to next year whether it's camp or dodgeball and we'll be ready to support our guy Melvin Gordon.

Most important of all we hope to see Melvin out on the football field soon. We hope the Chargers pay Melvin Gordon for the production he has continued to give his team year in and year out. With Gordon in the lineup week 1, the Los Angeles Chargers have a team that can compete for the Super Bowl this year. Good luck to Melvin this season and if he's ever back home, we hope he hits us up for a rematch at the GRC. 

Fred VanVleet - Toronto Raptors

1) Fred VanVleet (#23) is a point guard for the 2019 NBA World Champion Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association.

2) Fred was signed by the Toronto Raptors as an undrafted free agent in 2016 after a stellar career at Wichita State University. He made a Final Four appearance as a freshman, played a major role on the 2013-14 team that finished the regular season undefeated, and was the Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year as a sophomore and senior.

3) Rockford, Illinois' own VanVleet finished out his third NBA season as an NBA champion as his Toronto Raptors defeated the reigning champion Golden State Warriors in the Finals 4-2. Fred scored 22 points on five three pointers to help the Raptors win their first championship in team history.

Photo credit / Getty Images 

D: What are your favorite fruits and vegetables?

FV: I like asparagus and watermelon. What do you like? (D: I like honeydew and carrots.) I like carrots too. 

D's Follow Up: I always pick carrots when they are a choice for me at lunch at school. They are probably my favorite veggie with broccoli. I don't think I like asparagus very much but watermelon is so good. Honeydew is my favorite fruit though.

J: Who was your favorite basketball player growing up?

FV: Kobe (Bryant)

J's Follow Up: Kobe is in my top five players of all time. I love Kobe but I have Michael Jordan as my number one and Lebron James is my second favorite. Kobe is awesome though it's one of my favorite jerseys I have.

Fred VanVleet recently hosted his basketball camp in Rockford, IL on July 13th and 14th and Jordan was excited to meet Fred and learn from the NBA world champion. I grew up just minutes away from Rockford in Machesney Park, IL and I have loved following Fred's career from Auburn High School, to Wichita State University and now in Toronto on his quest to becoming a world champion. The whole family was excited to come in to spend the weekend in RockFred and see the big impact he is having on his community.

Camp took place at the UW Sports Factory and the place was filled with FVV logos, larger than life banners with Fred holding the Larry O' Brien trophy, and hundreds of young athletes excited to learn from Fred and his coaches. Fred even requested the trophy be present at his camp and everyone in attendance had the opportunity to pose with it. Jordan had a good time and we loved being a part of the experience with him. It was a tremendous weekend for the family and we wish Fred well next season and we plan on being back for the Fan Fest and Camp. Congrats to Fred for everything that continues to come his way! #BetOnYourself #RockFred #FredVanVleet #RockfordsOwn

Photo credit / Getty Images TNS

Eddie Jackson - Chicago Bears

1) Eddie Jackson #39 is the starting free safety for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League.

2) Jackson was a fourth round draft pick (112th overall) of the Chicago Bears in the 2017 NFL draft. Jackson played college football at Alabama for 4 seasons where he played in 41 games for the Crimson Tide. Eddie was named Defensive MVP of the 2016 (2015 season) College Football National Championship after tallying an interception and three tackles against the Clemson Tigers. 

Photo credit / Getty Images

3) Eddie Jackson has had a tremendous start to his young career posting 121 tackles, 8 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, and 5 defensive touchdowns in his first two seasons in Chicago. 

J: What do you think of the new Bears 100 throwback uniforms?

Eddie Jackson: I love them. Fly. I like 'em. They're nice, right?

J's Follow Up: I agree. The throwbacks are cool. They are different than the normal jerseys with extra stripes and they look so old school. My brother Danny got one at Bears 100.

D: What was the best part about playing at Alabama?

  

Eddie Jackson: The games. Every game was big. Ole' Miss, LSU. The games were my favorite part.

D's Follow Up: I'd like to play against teams like that too. LSU and Tennessee would be cool teams I want to play.

Photo credit Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

On Monday, June10th, we made a trip to the Goodwill store in Rolling Meadows to meet Bears superstar Eddie Jackson. This was our second meeting with Eddie this year as we met him after the Chicago Huddle show in October. Of course, Danny asked him about his favorite team Alabama in October and couldn't pass up the opportunity to throw in another Bama question. 

But ultimately, the three of us wanted to thank Eddie for helping bring our favorite player, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, to our favorite team. We even have Danny cheering for our Bears now that Ha Ha is in Chicago.

Eddie was excited to meet with the fans and we were surprised to find out they were shooting some promotional material for Goodwill. I jumped at the opportunity to be a customer in the store who receive an intercepted pass from Eddie and perform a touchdown dance with him. Hopefully I'll be in a Goodwill commercial with Eddie during the football season.

It was a great night for the three of us but the best part of the night was the boys gifting Eddie a special locker room sign they had made for him. This is something Danny surprised Ha Ha with for his birthday and we felt like the two starting safeties of the Bears needed matching locker room signs. We love watching Eddie play football and we can't wait to see him side by side with one of his best friends. The Bears turn 100 in 2019 and we think something special is happening in Chicago. 

#VincentsGo3on3