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NYC defense shows Gunnar respect before first snap
By Joseph Staszewski June 23, 2009
Gunnar Esiason was ready to settle under center to start Long Island’s first possession, but couldn’t just yet. The entire New York City defense walked through his offensive line toward him. Each member went over and patted Esiason on the helmet and shoulder pads or gave him a quick hug in thanks and appreciation Tuesday at the Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge high-school football all-star game at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium.
“It really shows him respect and it tells him we understand that you are going through hard times and everything and we appreciated you being out here and we respect you,” Mount St. Michael defensive lineman Caraun Reid said.
There wouldn’t be a game without Esiason, who played quarterback for Friends Academy (L.I.) the last two seasons. The son of former Bengals and Jets quarterback Boomer Esiason was born with cystic fibrosis, a disease the causes mucus build up in the lungs, makes it extremely difficult to breathe and weakens the immune system. Proceeds from the game, which is in its 14th season, go to the Boomer Esiason Foundation to help fund cystic fibrosis research. The organization has already raised millions of dollars.
“For the city kids to step across that line I think was the culmination of everything we try to get across to the kids about how you support something and you believe in it and you can really do something special,” Boomer Esiason said. “That was a great moment.”
The idea came from the NYC team’s coaching staff after it was decided that Gunnar, who did not attempt a pass and also took the game’s final snap, was going to start the game for Long Island. It was relayed to the defense by coordinator Pete Gambardella of Curtis and captain Ozzie Garcia of John F. Kennedy.
“[Gambardella] said we should go over there and say what’s up to Gunnar and let him know that we respect what he has done,” Garcia said. “This game is about him and what he is going through. … He was kind of shy at first. He didn’t know what was going on. He finally said, ‘Let’s have a good game, fellas’ and that’s what we had.”
The city ended up losing, 31-14, to snap a two-game winning streak. The game though is about more than the final scored, the MVPs and gaudy stats. That was made clear as the city players made the walk toward Gunnar Esiason.
“That really touched my heart,” Boomer said, “and made me realize all the hard work and sweat that goes into this game is well worth it.”
jstaszewski@fiveborosports.com
“It really shows him respect and it tells him we understand that you are going through hard times and everything and we appreciated you being out here and we respect you,” Mount St. Michael defensive lineman Caraun Reid said.
There wouldn’t be a game without Esiason, who played quarterback for Friends Academy (L.I.) the last two seasons. The son of former Bengals and Jets quarterback Boomer Esiason was born with cystic fibrosis, a disease the causes mucus build up in the lungs, makes it extremely difficult to breathe and weakens the immune system. Proceeds from the game, which is in its 14th season, go to the Boomer Esiason Foundation to help fund cystic fibrosis research. The organization has already raised millions of dollars.
“For the city kids to step across that line I think was the culmination of everything we try to get across to the kids about how you support something and you believe in it and you can really do something special,” Boomer Esiason said. “That was a great moment.”
The idea came from the NYC team’s coaching staff after it was decided that Gunnar, who did not attempt a pass and also took the game’s final snap, was going to start the game for Long Island. It was relayed to the defense by coordinator Pete Gambardella of Curtis and captain Ozzie Garcia of John F. Kennedy.
“[Gambardella] said we should go over there and say what’s up to Gunnar and let him know that we respect what he has done,” Garcia said. “This game is about him and what he is going through. … He was kind of shy at first. He didn’t know what was going on. He finally said, ‘Let’s have a good game, fellas’ and that’s what we had.”
The city ended up losing, 31-14, to snap a two-game winning streak. The game though is about more than the final scored, the MVPs and gaudy stats. That was made clear as the city players made the walk toward Gunnar Esiason.
“That really touched my heart,” Boomer said, “and made me realize all the hard work and sweat that goes into this game is well worth it.”
jstaszewski@fiveborosports.com