Eastern Illinois University graduates and Super Bowl-winning head coaches Mike Shanahan (left) and Sean Payton (right) met with EIU players May 31 at O’Brien Field. (Photo by Sandy King, EIU Athletics)
By Dan Verdun
For most college students, the end of May represents time away from classes and campus. But for a group of Eastern Illinois football players, it turned into one of the most memorable experiences of their young lives.
On May 31 – one day ahead of EIU’s “An Evening with Champions” athletic fundraiser – approximately 40 players got to sit down with three Panther Hall of Fame legends.
“It was a great, great experience,” two-time all-conference linebacker Elijawah Tolbert told Prairie State Pigskin of the time spent with Mike Shanahan, Sean Payton and Jimmy Garoppolo. “We were able to talk to them, ask questions. They had some very valuable information. I had my notebook with me and was just taking down notes as they were speaking. I could just feel the greatness.”
That greatness came in many forms. Certainly it was seen in the Super Bowl rings the trio possessed. All three have banners hanging outside O’Brien Field.
But, to those gathered, it was also about the intangibles gained from the interaction.
“It shows me their character,” Tolbert said. “Each of them has been at the top of the NFL. But, we also saw that that stuff doesn’t always matter; it’s about the people. They weren’t talking to us like they were famous. They were trying to connect with us. They were so genuine. You even saw it with the way they interacted with each other.”
Senior Tre’Jon Lewis is one of EIU’s captains for this coming season. Not only did the defensive tackle from Texas sit in on the Friday meeting, but he also got to speak at the following day’s fundraiser held in Groniger Arena.
“It was a great experience for me personally,” Lewis said. ”It was great to see these guys, who came from this school and its football program, and what they’re doing now. It gives me a look into the future and what the future might hold for me.”
With one year of eligibility remaining, Lewis realizes his playing days may be numbered. And so, the 285-pound defensive lineman let the advice of the 71-year-old Shanahan sink into his thoughts.
“Coach Shanahan talked about how he became a coach after (a career-ending injury in college),” Lewis said. “The one thing that stuck with me was that you need to learn every position on the field.
“For me, when (playing) football is all said and done, I want to be a coach. What he said was, ‘How can you coach one position without knowing the others?’”
As a result, Lewis has spent free time studying film and getting feedback from different EIU position coaches.
“I took his message very seriously,” Lewis said.
‘I almost couldn’t believe it’
Shanahan, Payton and Garoppolo all played quarterback at Eastern Illinois. So did Tony Romo, who joined the others on stage for the June 1 fundraiser.
That made quite an impression on redshirt freshman Blainey Dowling, who is competing to back up senior starting quarterback Pierce Holley this fall.
“Seeing those guys back here was a pretty unreal moment. I almost didn’t believe it,” Dowling said. “They told their stories about coming here and being a freshman and learning from the older guys.
“It was pretty cool to see how they were in your shoes (at one time). They’re telling you to be patient and keep learning and when your opportunity comes you’ve got to be ready to run with it.”
Team unity was one of the common threads the EIU legends shared.
“They all talked about the brotherhood they had,” Dowling said. “They would all hang out away from football. They’d have cookouts together.”
Camaraderie makes all the difference, said the former players.
“They’ve all been on losing teams and on winning teams. It’s (forming bonds) that moves you from a losing team to a winning team. Being around the guys, that’s really what Eastern is about.”
Reflections
Nearly two weeks have passed since the four EIU icons returned to Charleston. All have now settled back into their daily routines in different parts of the country.
But, those hours spent together will be something the current Panthers will never forget and will undoubtedly share with their loved ones and friends for years to come.
“I never thought I’d ever be in that position, to be in their presence,” Lewis said.
Dowling – two years removed from high school graduation – spoke directly with Payton, who quarterbacked EIU to a playoff run in 1986, won a Super Bowl with New Orleans in 2010 and now leads the Denver Broncos.
“He had some one-on-one conversations with some of the guys. It’s crazy to think there are only 32 (NFL head coaches),” Dowling said. “For him to be giving us the knowledge he has and sharing stories and letting us pick his brain, that was pretty sweet.”
Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.
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