The Weekend At Wegz
Day 1
I was looking at my home page on Facebook, when I got a notice from the Buffalo Bills. The notice said that this Saturday and Sunday, at Wegz Stadium Bar, there will be a EA Sports Madden 11 challenge, featuring 2 NFL players in attendance! The two players were Detroit Lions quarterback, Matthew Stafford and Buffalo Bills wide receiver, Stevie Johnson!
This was great news! Two awesome football players in Ontario! The bad news was, I had about 36 hours to prepare for the first player to appear at Wegz, which was Matt Stafford.
...And finding NFL items, like official footballs, helmets, and official 8x10's are difficult to find in Canada, to say the least.
I decided to ask my best friend Chris, the best man at my wedding back in '06, if he wanted to go and check this event out...he said yes. I also asked my good friend, Richard (a decorated retired Canadian soldier), if he wanted to join us...a guy's night out! Richard agreed to come out, and help out with an autograph if possible. I also talked to my friend Ernie, if wanted to come out...as he's a huge NFL fan, too...however, he had a hockey game Saturday evening, and decided to pass.
However, Ernie did some looking around Kitchener-Waterloo for some Lions items to get signed, Saturday morning. I was doing the same...scouring Guelph and Cambridge, with Corinna. Corinna found a Lions autograph white football, which she picked up. Sadly, Ernie and I found nothing. Ernie and I decided that we would have to go the homemade 8x10 route, if we wanted additional autographs. By the way, did I mention that Ernie wanted me to pick him up an autograph, while he was on the ice?!
Not a problem. That's what friends are for.
Returning home, I hit the familiar websites searching for pics of Matt Stafford. I found two great shots. One of him playing the Buffalo Bills, and the other of him from his college days...when he was a Georgia Bulldog.
Matthew Stafford began his football career, playing QB at Dallas' Highland Park High School. Even then, he was touted to be a NFL QB. After high school, he joined Georgia, as started as a true freshman. After 3 excellent years in the NCAA, where he won 3 Bowl games, and threw for 51 touchdowns & 7731 yards, he decided to pass on his senior season...and enter the 2009 NFL entry draft.
Already after the 2008 NFL Draft, several NFL analysts predicted Stafford would be the #1 pick in the 2009 draft if he chose to leave school early. He eventually did, and on April 24, 2009, agreed to record contract terms with the Detroit Lions to become the first overall pick of the 2009 NFL Draft, one day before the draft was held. The six-year contract reportedly contains $41.7 million in guaranteed money and carries a total value of up to $78 million.
In his first season in the NFL, playing for the Detroit Lions, Stafford started 10 games and threw for 13 touchdowns & 2267 yards. He rushed for 2 more TD's. Sadly he was picked 20 times as a rookie.
He 2nd season with the Lions, 2010, was a injuried riddled campaign. He appeared and started in only 3 games. He did manage to throw 6 touchdown and gain 535 yards. He also rushed for a touchdown. He managed to turn the interception problem around. He was only picked once, in year 2.
After selecting the photos, putting them on a flashdrive, it was off to Walmart to print them off. I decided to print one of the Bulldog pic, for myself and 4 of the Lion pic. One for myself, Chris, Richard, and Ernie. 5 in total got printed. After lunch with my wife, it was time to get ready to head out to Wegz.
I picked up Richard, and headed to Mississauga to pick up Chris. After picking up Chris, we headed to Rutherford Rd, in Woodbridge...where Wegz is located. We walked into Wegz, and were amazed.
This place was huge! Screens were everywhere! Signed memorabilia were all over the walls! Gretzky, Jordan, Pele...just to name a few of the signed jerseys! The 'Bud Girls' were there, with a photobooth set up! And of course...EA Sports was set up, with about 20 screens of Madden 11 gaming! The screens were split evenly between Xbox 360 and PS3 consoles...for your gaming preference.
I'm an 360 man, myself! However, if anyone wants to buy me a PS3...I may just switch my alliance!
After getting a table, we (Richard, Chris, and I) decided to check out the Madden 11 Tournament, and how we enter to win prizes. After getting the details, which were...simply book a time with an opponent, on your system of choice, you were given a ticket for the draws. If you won your game, you were given another ticket for the draws. After about 15 minutes of gaming, we had alot of tickets!
Taking a break from playing as the Buffalo Bills...Bills to the end, baby!...we decided to sit down and have a cold one. During this time, we were invited up to have our picture taken with the two Bud Girls, in front of a green screen. I didn't want to...being married and all that...but the guys wanted to, so who was I to say no?!! (Smiles)
After taking a pic with the Bud Girls, we selected the background we wanted in the photo...a football stadium, we gathered our new pics and 'Bud Beads' the Bud Girls gave us! We then returned to our table to watch Chris' New Orleans Saints take on the underdog Seattle Seahawks...and to play some more Madden 11 games, when it was our turn.
Oh yeah...the signing!
During this time, we found out that Stafford was going to play Madden 11 with 5 lucky draw winners...then do a autograph signing afterwards. I have to admit...there was maybe 15 people there for autographs! I liked my chances of getting everything signed!
While we sat, and had a pop or two...my friend Ryan showed up, and joined us. Ryan had two photos for Stafford to sign. During this time, Wegz kept drawing tickets for prizes. The Prizes included Madden 11 for Xbox 360, Madden 11 for PS3, and a NFL prize bag which included a NFL duffel bag, NFL long-sleeve t-shirt, NFL logo hat, NFL logo jacket, and a NFL replica football. Needless to say...we wanted to win!
We kept playing our tournament games, earning tickets, and just kept having a great time! When we weren't playing, we were relaxing at our table with a cold one, watching the Seahawks somehow handling the defending Super Bowl Champions! Chris was not impressed with his Saints, at this point. At this point, Ryan's friend Wayne showed up and joined us. After introductions, I asked Wayne what he brought to get signed? He said that he had brought a jersey to get signed! I mentioned to him, that I was searching everywhere for a Stafford jersey to get signed...that's when he said that he had an extra one for sale with him, from his friend! After agreeing a price, the jersey was mine!
Yes! Now, I was up to a jersey, a football, and 5 photos to get signed! And looking at the minimal amount of people there for autographs...I was incredibly confident that everything would get signed! This was turning out to be a fantastic evening! Just after Wayne sold me the Matthew Stafford jersey, guess who walked in the front door...completely unnoticed?! Yup...Stafford walked in. I said to the boys, "Hey, there's Stafford right there!" pointing him out! He walked into the employees lounge, and disappeared for awhile.
We kept playing, gathering more tickets for the draws...hoping to get the chance to play Matthew Stafford in Madden 11! After watching more of the Saints & Seahawks game, the Wegz staff, with the Lions quarterback, began to announce the ticket numbers, for those to play Stafford in Madden 11 (on the Xbox 360 console). First number...not us.
Second number...
RICHARD!
Yes! Richard quickly left our table with his winning ticket, and I followed with my camera! Chris took over looking at my tickets. Third number...not us. Fourth number...not us.
Fifth and final number...
Not us.
At this point, it didn't really matter...because one of us won the main prize!
Richard went up to the organizers, and Stafford, to show his ticket. After verifying his ticket, Richard was in! He was to play Stafford second, and they told him that he some cool prizes too! Richard won a full-size replica Detroit Lions helmet signed by Matthew Stafford! He also won an official Wilson NFL Super Bowl XLV football! This rare football is worth $150, and is incredibly collectable!
We all walked down to the gaming area, where Stafford played his first opponent. Richard appeared to be just soaking it all in! Richard saw me in the small crowd, and came over and told me about his awesome prizes! I told him how lucky I thought he was. It was at this point, that Richard stunned me.
Richard leaned over the bar table, and said to me; "Whatever one of the two prizes you want Chris...it's yours!". I said "Are you serious?!". I believe he said, "I'm serious, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be here anyways...whatever one you want, it's yours!"
I didn't need to be told again, at that point! I was stunned by his incredibly kindness and generosity! I knew immediately which prize I liked...the helmet! I already have two signed helmets at home, and I thought that the Lions helmet would look great with those helmets, in my basement!
"Richard, if you're sure...I'd like the helmet...that's what Corinna and I went looking for today!" I responded.
"It's yours" was all Richard said, smiling! I can't remember if I shook his hand, or told him that he was too kind, or if he was a great friend...it's kind of a blur!
Anyways, after Richard's kind gift...it was his time to play the 2009 first overall pick of the NFL, and starting quarterback of the Detroit Lions...Matthew Stafford. Richard and Stafford shook hands, and they chatted for abit, while the game loaded up. I was standing off to the side, taking photos of the pair. Richard told Stafford that he never played Madden football before! They continued to chat, when the game finally started. Richard at some point, mentioned that him and his friends had some things to get signed, and apparently Stafford said not a problem, that he'd be signing autographs after all 5 winners played him, in Madden 11.
By the way, Matthew Stafford took the Detroit Lions, in the video game...and played as himself!
Anyways, Stafford wasn't taking it easy on Richard...at all. I can't remember what the score was, maybe 10-0 with only abit of time left in the game, when Stafford dropped back into the shotgun, spotted Johnson down field...and let the ball fly. Well...Richard was telling the truth that he never played Madden 11 before, but on this play...he was like a pro!
Richard moved his cornerback, slightly in front of Stafford's reciever...and intercepted him! Wegz irrupted in cheers for Richard, as he turned that player around...and starting running! After the longest 80 yards that Stafford had to watch...Richard ran that interception back for a touchdown! The bar cheered for Richard! Stafford was laughing at his bad luck!
"Picked off by a rookie!", I hollered at Stafford!
It was a great moment, to witness! What a great night! Richard and Matthew Stafford shook hands, as Stafford did win the game! Richard came over to where I was, and I told him again, that I couldn't believe his incredible luck! We all went back to our table...where we finished watching the biggest upset in NFL history!
As former Buffalo Bill, Marshawn Lynch ran for the final touchdown of the game...Chris knew that his team was finally done for the year. I reminded him that at least his team has a Super Bowl win. And that's all I'm going to say about that.
After, the gaming was done...we lined up for autographs. I went up with my newly acquired jersey and 3 photos. Chris took my football and a couple photos too. Richard decided to stay at our table.
This is where the night changed.
A lady cut the line, and got in front of me. After seeing that she had 2 8x10 photos, and wanting to see if she'd get them both signed...I decided not to raise an issue. The line moved incredibly fast, as Stafford's handler moved the line along at a expedited rate...cutting off anyone chatting with Stafford or trying to get a photo with him! Rude, I thought as there was about 8 people in front of me...and maybe 5 behind me!
The lady went up, and got both photos signed. Yes! I thought...he's signing everything! I turned to Chris, and said that he's signing everything! Chris said great! When I turned back...it was my turn with the quarterback.
I placed my jersey in front of Stafford, with the 8x10's underneath the jersey. I told him that I was Richard's friend, as I handed him a blue Sharpie...instead of the black he was using. As he signed it, I told him that his win in the Sugar Bowl was awesome! He smiled, and said thanks alot! I lifted up the beautifully signed jersey, and pushed up the pics to get signed. Stafford went to sign them, when it went bad. This handler, if that's the proper term, said 'Just one buddy'. Stafford looked at me, and handed back the Sharpie.
I was shocked.
Chris was up next, and got the football signed nicely too. And then was cut-off also, when he tried to get an 8x10 signed...by this handler.
Then it was Ryan's turn...as I handed him back his blue Sharpie, and guess what? Yup...only 1 item signed!
Then, I decided on the fly, to hop back in line...I wasn't going to go home with 5 unsigned photos! And instantly security stopped me, saying the autograph signing was over! What the hell?!
Chris, Ryan, and I walked back over our table. I told Richard what just happened, and he jumped up and grabbed a photo to get signed. Chris and Ryan followed, both armed with a photo each, to get signed by the 2009 first overall NFL pick. I stayed at the table, to watch over the autographed items. As Stafford, who was swarmed by security and that idiot handler, made his way back towards the lounge, Richard leaned against a wall...that Stafford had to pass. Chris got close, beside Richard. As Stafford passed Richard, Richard spoke up "Hey, Matt can I get that autograph now?". Stafford instantly stopped the mob, and signed the Georgia Bulldog 8x10 for Richard. I saw that the handler was visibly angry! When Stafford finished, Chris handed Stafford his 8x10 to get signed, asking Stafford to autogrpah it...the handler cut it off, saying no more autographs...moving the mob along again. Ryan was shutout too.
When the three of them returned, Richard handed me the autographed picture. For an autograph that was signed in a mob of security...it was signed very nice! I turned to Chris, who was visibly disappointed...and gave him the signed Matthew Stafford Georgia Bulldog 8x10 photo. No one goes home empty handed, I said. Chris thanked me. The four of sat around for the next 10 minutes, complaining about the handler...and saying that Stafford wanted to sign for us. Regardless, I was happy with stuff I got done. And I was thankful for everyone's help with my hobby.
As Stafford left, we tried again...with no luck...guess why?
Afterwards, we returned to our tables, and had a pop. We watched somemore football, as the Chiefs and Ravens played. Then Wegz began to pull more tickets for the NFL prize packs! This instantly got us excited! And we decided that if any of us won...we'd split up the bag and stuff inside between us all!
Sadly...none of our tickets won a prize again that night. However, it was one hell of a night out with the boys!
Richard was given his prizes from the Wegz staff, and promptly told me the helmet was mine! He posed for some pictures with his haul, which Wegz quickly posted on Facebook...along with gaming photos of him with Stafford!
As we finally left, One of the guys asked me, if I was coming back tomorrow to meet Buffalo Bills Wide Reciever, Stevie Johnson. Naw, I said...I don't think so, I responded.
I thought to myself, there is no way...tomorrow could top the fantastic night, we just had!
Man...was I ever wrong.
After dropping off Chris and Richard, I got home and showed Corinna what the evening produced. She asked if I was going back the next day, and if I was...she wanted to go! Well, how can I say no, now?
Thanks for the read,
Chris
Watch for "The Weekend At Wegz (Day 2)" in the next few days!
