Media Frenzy For Team USA

Not many teenagers spend their morning playing flag football for the camera’s of a national television show, talk on ESPN in the afternoon and then throw the first pitch at a Major League baseball game. But that was the schedule for a hectic day spent preparing for the NFL Flag Football World Championship for the players of the Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center. Oh, and they spent an afternoon behind the scenes at Miami Dolphins training camp too.

The NFL Flag media whirlwind began on Saturday when the six MAR JCC players - Andrew Brodsky, Cameron Charme, Alex Ciklik, Evan Grabois, Jonathan Salk and Josh Shapiro – visited Dolphins camp in nearby Davie, Florida to receive advice from head coach Nick Saban and his players.

ESPN morning show Cold Pizza captured the highlights and aired them on Tuesday morning, while chatting to head coach David Fried and the team’s one returning player from last year’s championship-winning roster Alex Ciklik. The other MAR JCC stars went through some drills in the background as a prime time national television audience watched.

Next it was off to the ESPN News studios for an afternoon interview on The Hot List for the in-demand youngsters. Coach Fried was joined by player Evan Grabois and while viewers watched footage of the triumph in Vancouver, the MAR JCC pair answered a series of questions.

Here’s a look at some highlights from the five-minute interview:

“Last year we had some great competition, but I think this year will be even tougher because there will be some even stronger teams,” said Fried when asked to compare the two tournaments. “Going in as defending champion I think we go there with a target on our backs. The Mexican team last year gave us a lot of competition, Canada is good and Japan gave us our toughest test in Vancouver.”

Grabois when asked about the pressure of being the champions added: “We have a lot of pressure, but I think we can take that and use it positively and build on it.”

Fried heaped praise upon his players, saying: “These guys have worked really hard and they’ve looked upon their older teammates for help and guidance. We’re basically one big family on and off the field and we represent a great Jewish Community Center down in North Miami Beach and we’re very proud of that. They’re the hardest working kids I’ve ever seen and I know they’re going to represent the United States with honor.”

Grabois remembered Dolphins head coach Nick Saban’s advice and said: “He told us about honesty and that we should work hard and conquer great things, which is exactly what our coach teaches us.”

Both admitted they are looking forward to sampling the local food once in Beijing then it was off to Dolphins Stadium in Miami for a Major League Baseball game.

Grabois joined his teammates in the seats, which coach Fried went to the field where quarterback Andrew Brodsky threw the ceremonial first pitch before the Florida Marlins took on the Arizona Diamondbacks. “I just want to thank the NFL for making all these dreams come true,” said coach Fried.

Next stop – Beijing, China and the 2005 NFL Flag Football World Championship.