For Curry, Eagles were in his blood
Philly.com, Inquirer, and Daily News coverage of the Eagles
For Curry, Eagles were in his blood
Jonathan Tamari
Sometimes, coaches can exaggerate about players they’ve just drafted. But Andy Reid wasn’t kidding when he said that defensive end Vinny Curry “might be the biggest Eagles fan ever.”
When the second round pick from Neptune, N.J. met reporters Saturday, he displayed all the emotion, passion, sense of history and pride of the thousands he’ll soon be playing in front of at the Linc. His eyes welled as he talked about meeting heroes such as Brian Dawkins and Mike Vick. He name-checked Randall Cunningham and Troy Vincent, and insisted that it was Freddie Mitchell who originated the championship belt celebration. He said he wouldn’t allow cameras into his home on draft night, because he didn’t want to have to take down all of his Eagles gear.
“It would have been my last day as an Eagle fan if I would’ve gone to a different team,” Curry said, “but I wouldn’t have taken it down.”
Instead, the Brian Westbrook jersey and Eagles gloves and Eagles hats he wore as a kid can remain on the walls. And when he arrived for his first day at the NovaCare Complex, Curry stood in an auditorium decorated with images of Chuck Bednarik and Reggie White as Brian Dawkins retired as an Eagle. Among those on stage, and who he would soon meet, were Vick, Donovan McNabb and Jeremiah Trotter.
“Most people, the draft is the best day of their life, but growing up an Eagle fan, being blessed with the opportunity of seeing Brian Dawkins retire and give a speech here, this has got to be the best day of my life here,” Curry said, eyes gleaming under a flat-brimmed Eagles hat. “To see his teammates come back, the way they embraced him, and the way they embraced me was really something special. It’s a moment I’ll never forget in my life.”
It’s a moment Curry said he dreamed of growing up in a Shore area town heavy with Giants fans. He couldn’t afford tickets to watch in person, but would rush home from Pop Warner games to catch the Eagles on TV, and spent the week trash-talking his friends.
"The Eagle defense at one point in time was sickening, you know, with Troy Vincent, Bobby Taylor, Brian Dawkins, right there, Trot, d-line had Big Hugh (Douglas), it was crazy and I just used to picture myself on Sundays – that’s going to be me one day,” Curry said. “To see everything come through and fall through like this is, it’s so mind blowing.”
Some thought Curry could go as early as the first round, but he slid late into the second. The pass-rushing end seemed fine with his ultimate landing spot, though.
“I was upset that I slid, but like I said, I slid into the greatest situation ever,” Curry said. “It’s like it’s 100 degrees outside and I slid into the pool.”
Curry’s enthusiasm, his sense of history about the Eagles, his awe of the players who have come before him, is rare for a professional athlete. Most players pour their hearts into their teams, but it is also a job and a career with a cold business side attached. They know that a cut or trade – and forced change in allegiance – is always just one front office phone call away. Even the greats spend only their 20s and maybe early 30s with one organization.
The biggest fans, on the other hand, go from childhood to college to marriage to parenthood to old age living with their team. They watch generations of players and coaches come and go. They build weekends around NFL schedules, and they carry accumulated years of joy and pain. Each new season arrives with the context of the big wins, disappointing losses, stars and busts gone by. Those ingrained memories fuel the passionate reactions on Sunday afternoons and Monday mornings.
When it comes to the Eagles, Curry understands all that. He knows the history, knows the names. When the Eagles drafted cornerback Brandon Boykin later Saturday afternoon, Curry, a smiling live wire, excitedly rushed into the media room to join on the conference call. “What’s going on big guy?” he gushed. “I’m so happy for you, bro!”
He still sounded like a fan.
Curry also met the Eagles who laid the foundation for the playoff runs he watched, including Trotter, McNabb and Dawkins.
“Welcome to the family,” they told him. Then Curry met Vick. According to the rookie, Vick told him, “you’re not a fan no more, you’re my teammate.”
Curry was near tears as he retold the story.
Let's hope he can live up to his own expectations.— BigLadd
Awesome story!! Now if only Banner can refrain himself from trying to get a hometown discount like he tried with the ultimate Bird in Dawk, Curry will not start off with any animosity.— Earl J- This kid already has a place in MY Eagles Hall of Fame. If fairy tales do come true, after playing with the Eagles for a dozen years, he will become a coach with the Eagles too. Watch out, Andy!— gotedge
- slow down there gotedge, the Eagles wont hesitate to cut the guy in 4 years if he pulls a Jerome Mcdougle or something. With that said, he should be kindof like a slightly bigger Trent Cole, although not as agile....but close. Cant complain about this pick.— CharlieGarner25
- DAM Chaliegarner said something positive ,Im in total shock.That being said Good luck Vinny!!!— TOOFUNNY59
- Sounds like he will enjoy depositing Eli & Romo into the turf.— juaniflaco
- Great story. I took my Dawkins jersey out of the closet yesterday and have had it on since. It was the last jersey I bought because he was the last player who seemed to "get it" about being on the Eagles. But if this kid keeps it up I could definitely see adding to my collection. Good luck, Mr. Curry.— ErikN
- This kid seems like a really good prospect. I wish him the best of luck. The Second D-line is going to be crazy. Graham, Cox, Landry, Curry....NICE!!— Rick SP 4 LIFE
- Big Eagles fan.... sounds like Vince P 2.... except this kid will be a starter in three years andwill get plenty of game time before he is.— dennismithusa
- Did somebody spike Charlie's Kool Aid?— johnny eagle
- Eagles had quite the draft, eh? Can't wait to see these guys on the field.— verve
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- What a great story!
I had Vinny as a high school student and he was one of those you never forget. Great kid, big heart, a good sense of humor and a solid head about him. All of Neptune could not be happier and more proud!
All the best Vinny!!! WE will all be watching you and rooting you on...even the Giants fans LOL - well at least this Giants fan for sure.
Lot's of love kid,
Mrs. Landers— rugby15 - No better endorsement would I want to read than that from Mrs. Landers.
He was the most productive college DE in this draft. That he's a lifelong Eagle fan only makes it sweeter that they chose him. Eagle fans have good track records on this roster. Cf Shady McCoy.
He doesn't need to mention any former white players, when his first name is Vinny!
Go Vinny!— montgomeryhopkins - He kind of looks like Jerome Brown. I think he is going to be the steal of the draft.— Zeru
