Mikell remains stoic while surrounded by NFL lockout confusion

Even with signs of optimism coming from not-so-secret confidential meetings between the NFL and the former NFLPA, this continues to be one of the most trying NFL offseasons in league history.

And for free agents like Quintin Mikell, it has been nothing short of a test of patience.

With player movement on hold, Mikell is among the hundreds of free-agents-to-be who are not only waiting to find out when they will get back on the field, but for which team.

As the weeks and months continue to pass since the NFL locked its doors, Mikell has trained himself to think not of the uncertainty that dominates his life, but to simply let things play out as they will.

The former Pro Bowl safety was at Campbell's Field in Camden yesterday at a celebrity softball game, and spoke about his change in attitude.

"It's been crazy [this offseason] but I'm not even concerned about it anymore," Mikell said. "We're so deep in the lockout I don't even care. I'm just worried about staying in shape and making sure I'm ready to go.

"Obviously, I would like to be back here with the Eagles, but at this point I'm not sure what their thinking is. I am fairly sure that there's going to be a lot of people interested in me if I hit the market so either way I'll be fine."

The softball game was billed as the "Signature Charity Event" of Eagles defensive end Darryl Tapp. But Tapp was unable to attend because of a death in the family, and pulled his name from the event altogether.

Saturday night, Tapp apologized to fans through his Twitter account, and said that he will be organizing a different event with a date yet to be determined.

Eagles wide receiver Jason Avant and defensive end Juqua Parker were also scheduled to take part, but like Tapp, they, too, couldn't make it due to personal reasons.

All the last-minute confusion didn't keep Mikell away. He said he always looks forward to giving back, especially in the community he has called home for the last 8 years.

"It's always important to reconnect with your community and try to help raise some money for underprivileged people," Mikell said. "I know a lot of times players in the NFL get a bad rap, but we actually do a lot in the community and try to help as many people as we can."

About 100 fans still turned out yesterday afternoon to watch members of the Philadelphia media take on a group of professional athletes that included Mikell, former Eagles Jeremiah Trotter and Barrett Brooks, and Cheryl Fairweather, a member of the Lingerie Football League's Philadelphia Passion.

Stepping in to organize and execute the event in Tapp's absence was Troy Oglesby, founder of Troy's Treasure Sports Marketing and Tapp's personal friend. Oglesby was happy to help bring a fun and charitable event to his hometown.

"Growing up in Camden, I try to give back to this community in any way I can," Oglesby said. "This is a fun and exciting event for families in Camden and it's all for a good cause."

While the softball game itself failed to live up to the star-studded hype, it succeeded in its ultimate, charitable cause.