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

Lamar Jackson - Baltimore Ravens

1) Lamar Jackson #8 is the starting quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League.

2) Jackson was a first round draft pick (32nd overall) for the Baltimore Ravens in the 2018 NFL draft. Jackson played college football at Louisville for 3 years where he played in 38 games for the Cardinals. Lamar was named the top college player in 2016 when he took home the Heisman trophy and was the youngest player to ever earn the award. He won the award over other finalists including Deshaun Watson, Baker Mayfield, Jabrill Peppers, and Dede Westbrook.

Photo credit / Getty Images

3) Lamar led all rookies in rushing in 2018 with 695 rush yards. He only started seven games on the season and finished with the third most rushing yards by a rookie quarterback in NFL history behind only Robert Griffin III (815 yards) and Cam Newton (706 yards). 

J: Who was your favorite player growing up?

Lamar Jackson: Michael Vick.

J's Follow Up: I like Michael Vick a lot too. Michael Vick was fast and speedy like Lamar Jackson is, so I get why he liked Vick growing up. He likes to run a lot when players are trying to sack him and defensive players are not fast enough to keep up with him. Michael Vick is one of my top ten favorite quarterbacks of all time.

D: How do you train to be so fast?

Lamar Jackson: Running on the beach.

D's Follow Up: Running on sand feels weird because your feet sink. The beach and sand is hard to run in, so that probably makes him faster. I want to go to Hawaii someday and I'll practice running on the beach there.

Photo credit Patrick Smith / Getty Images

On Sunday, March 17th, we made our annual spring visit to the Chicago Sports Spectacular in Rosemont, IL. This show continues to bring in today's biggest NFL stars and we were thrilled to meet  the 22 year old former Heisman trophy winner Lamar Jackson. Jackson was absolutely electrifying during his rookie season after taking over for Joe Flacco in November. He ended up leading the Ravens to a playoff birth and the future looks bright for this AFC North team with Jackson now running the show. With the recent free agent additions of Mark Ingram and Earl Thomas, Ravens fans will be looking to the young Jackson to take another step forward next season and push the Ravens deeper into the playoffs. One thing is for sure, the VincentsGo3on3 boys will be watching and rooting for Lamar to continue his success in the NFL.

James Daniels - Chicago Bears

1) James Daniels #68 is an offensive lineman for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League.

2) Daniels was a second round draft pick (39th overall) for the Chicago Bears in the 2018 NFL draft. Daniels played college football at Iowa University for 3 years where he played in 37 games for the Hawkeyes.

3) James is another NFL player that was a multi-sport athlete in high school. He participated in track as well as football.

Photo credit / Robin Alam Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

J: We know you were one of the youngest players in the NFL this season. Who was the oldest player you went up against?

James Daniels: We played Tom Brady this season and I think he's 42 or 43 (Note: Tom Brady is currently 41 years old) The Buffalo Bills had this defensive tackle named Kyle Williams. This was his 14th season in the NFL. 

J's Follow Up: Tom Brady in the GOAT. He has won six super bowls and been to nine. Brady has the experience and that's why he's so good. I saw Kyle Williams in the Pro Bowl this year but I don't know too much about him. 

D: What is your favorite fruit or veggie?

James Daniels: I love getting the different types of green apples because those are super sour. I love the green apples. There's a whole bunch of different types. And my favorite vegetable, I like spinach. I like to make smoothies. I like to put spinach in the blender and blend it up. So when you drink the smoothie, it's doesn't even taste like spinach.

D's Follow Up: I don't like the green apples as much as the red/yellow kind called honeycrisp. I love apples too like James. I don't really like spinach by itself but I don't mind it in smoothies like James because I can't taste it.

On Saturday, February 2nd, we made another trip out to Mike's Sports N' More in Lombard to meet Chicago Bears offensive lineman, James Daniels. James started 10 games for the Bears during his first season and was named to ESPN and Pro Football Focus' All-Rookie teams. He's only 21 years old and will be a key player for the Bears moving into the future. James was great with the boys and excited to share his love of apples and smoothies and his experience going up against two of the oldest players in the NFL. We look forward to meeting up with James again in the near future and we hope he has a great offseason break. #BearDown

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Taylor Gabriel - Chicago Bears

1) Taylor Gabriel #18 is a wide receiver for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League.

2) Gabriel was an undrafted free agent in 2014 and signed with the Cleveland Browns (2014, 2015). Taylor played college football at Abilene Christian University where he finished second in school history with 215 catches for 3,027 yards and 27 TDs.

3) Taylor also spent two seasons (2016, 2017) with the Atlanta Falcons where he recorded 68 receptions for 957 yards with 8 total TDs. This offseason, Taylor signed a 4-year contract with the Chicago Bears. 

D: What's your favorite NFL memory of this season?

Taylor Gabriel: Beating Green Bay to clinch a playoff berth!

D's Follow Up: They used to be my old favorite team. The Bears finally turned it around against the Packers. I'm sure Taylor felt really good and they finally got revenge.

Photo credit / Joe Robbins Getty Images

J: Is it true that you are faster than Tarik Cohen?

Taylor Gabriel: Way faster. It's true. It's facts. Turbo.

J's Follow Up: I think Turbo is faster because because he practices sprinting and running longer routes where Tarik Cohen mostly doesn't practice long runs all the time. So I think the practice helps Turbo be faster.

D: Was it weird to get picked up by Kiko Alonso? 

Taylor Gabriel: It was. It was. That was like two years ago.

D's Follow Up: I watched C'Mon Man on ESPN and saw Kiko Alonso pick up Taylor. All the guys then said C'Mon Man. I really love when they do those.

On Tuesday, January 1st, the VincentsGo3on3 boys drove out to Mike's Sports N' More in Lombard to meet Chicago Bears wide receiver #18 Taylor Gabriel. Taylor is coming off of another huge game as he has a big time catch which helped the Bears finish off the Vikings and their playoff hopes on Sunday. Turbo has been a great addition to the Bears this year and we look forward to having him on our team for the next 3 years. 

Taylor was extremely gracious with his time on New Year's Day as he took a few minutes with each guest in line and carefully signed his name on every Bears item that came his way. The boys and I talk about Turbo a lot in our house and we are curious how close a race between him and Tyreek Hill would be. Tuesday was a special day and we can't wait to see Taylor as he leads the Bears into their first playoff appearance in 8 years. #BearDown

Pat O'Donnell - Chicago Bears

1) Pat O'Donnell #16 is a punter for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League.

2) O'Donnell was drafted by the Bears in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Pat played college football for the Cincinatti Bearcats from 2009-2012 and transferred to the University of Miami as a graduate to finish up his final collegiate season with the Hurricanes in 2013.

3) O'Donnell is playing in his fourth season with the Chicago Bears and is having his best statistical season to date averaging 47 yards per punt and a net average of 39.7 yards. 

Photo credit / Jonathan Daniel Getty Images

J: What's the farthest punt you have ever had?

Pat O'Donnell: In a game? 76 yards.

J's Follow Up: That's the biggest punt I'd ever heard of until we looked up the NFL record and it's 98 yards.

D: Have you ever tackled anyone on a punt return?

Pat O'Donnell: In my second season I tackled Richard Sherman.

D's Follow Up: My brother Jordan met Richard Sherman at a Pro Bowl practice. He's a big guy and was probably really hard to tackle. I would get burnt if I was in the NFL trying to tackle Richard Sherman. 

We recently met up with Pat O'Donnell at our first ever Chicago Huddle playoff taping. Pat has been a staple of the show and we've had the opportunity to ask him many questions throughout the years. Jordan and Danny even got tips on how to punt the ball with proper technique back in 2016.

Pat was great on the show once again and so was first time huddle host Jason Goff. Jason stepped right in for Patrick Mannelly and acted like he has been the host for years. I have been a big fan of Jason's on-air career and the boys definitely recognized his voice. Overall, Pat and Jason gave us an inside look at this week's matchup against the Eagles and we can't wait until Sunday to see our Bears hit Soldier Field for the biggest game in 8 years! #BearDown