NFL: Clarence Verdin

[Pirogue]

I was always a big fan when he was with the Cajuns, I followed his career from the USFL to Washington to Indianapolis to Atlanta... but after he retired, I didn't hear too much about him.

He's been in New Orleans for a few years now, he has a few barber shops [Flavor is the name] in Lafayette, Metairie and New orleans East.

We talked for almost an hour...

He told me that NFLPA has a "Community" department and the Players Association has millions of dollars to spend on things like playgrounds, school athletic facilities etc...

He offered to help us get some of that because he wants us to succeed. He spoke candidly about Cajun Coaches... here are some blurbs:

On Lewis Cook "That man got me into the NFL... He knows his stuff, don't let anyone tell you different."

On Jerry Baldwin "He seemed to quiet and calm to be a coach, I just couldn't see him getting anyone excited."

On Ricky Bustle "That man is doing a lot, and he's going to recruit hard and he'll get the players fired up."

He said that He mentioned this NFLPA Community money to Bustle but that Bustle has yet to call him back.

We began to talk about ULC and how a group of alumni wants to help any way we can with no limits. He wants to be invited to a work day [His wife is from Opelousas] he is always in the area... He is working for an oil company that has a fairly large presence in Lafayette ...

He has not seen the new scoreboard and appologized to me [to me of all people] for not getting to any of the games. He will be there next season... I may have persuaded him to get season tickets... I did get him fired up about the WKU bball game... he WILL be there.

He thinks he can get Todd scott more involved as well... they are still very close, Scott, by the way, is also doing well.
He works for the Titans as basically a mentor for the young players, keeping the transition smooth. he said we can get some tickets or something from him.

his daughter grew up in Indianapolis and wants to go to IU, but he still thinks he can convince her to go to UL.

Just a neat visit i thought I would share, he said if he comes he would have no problem making it an "appearance and he would gladly sign autographs etc if he thought it would increase participation.

I'm glad I ran into him.

[the Big Ragoo]

Great job, pirogue.

Did he sound PO'd that Bustle hadn't called him back?

It seems like Bustle has done a great job of trying to get former players involved again in the program. At the football banquet, Bustle went on and on about how much he appreciated Brian Mitchell, Jake Delhomme, Chris Gannon, and Brandon Stokley (via VCR tape) being involved in the awards banquet and that they were always invited to remain close to the program. He even gave Gannon, Mitchell and Jake their own helmets with the current logo and their number on them.

Bustle doesn't seem like the guy to turn down anyone's help either. Maybe you could jumpstart a meeting between them again or something.

Just a suggestion. Great info though.

[sandra]

Originally posted by pirogue


I'm glad I ran into him.

So am I, that's a very interesting read.

[Cajun1997]

Originally posted by pirogue
Just a neat visit i thought I would share, he said if he comes he would have no problem making it an "appearance and he would gladly sign autographs etc if he thought it would increase participation.

I think appearences by him and other former Cajun players would help increase community participation greatly. We have Homecoming, Senior Day, and HH Classic, why not add a day to celebrate some of our former players & coaches?

[Zeebart21]

Paul, excellent post.

Z.