My Grady Jackson/ bobby Petrino story.

[Paulitik]

I just received a friendly request to post this story here after a post I put on TATF reminiscing about Grady Jackson. Here's the post (sorry about the grammar, had a few beers):

Quote:This reminds me, I have kind of a funny story about Grady. Now that it's been a few years, I can tell it, because I have a different job in a different city. I worked at a hotel that several away teams stayed at, when they came to play the local NFL team. I was lucky enough to be assigned as the Conference Coordinator for the Falcons when they came to stay with us. The unfortunate part is that Bobby Petrino was our coach.

Anyway, I had some front desk agents assigned at a table where the team buses arrived, and by some mix up Grady got the room key to Bobby Petrino's suite. The players were assigned to basic rooms with 2 queen beds. Grady went into the executive suite, which was much nicer, larger, and was loaded with amenities like sandwiches and candy, etc. (For one away game a year, most NFL teams let their families come along as a mini-vacation. So Petrino's wife and kids came along, and we stocked the suite with all kinds of stuff for the kids).

Anyway, about a half hour after the players arrived, I see a bright red Bobby Petrino walking away from my terrified desk agents. (Every rumor you've ever heard about that guy is absolutely true, by the way.) Apparently, according to my desk agents, Petrino and his family walked in on Grady in his underwear, chowing down on the amenities left in his room. Petrino lost his temper and threw Grady out, and stormed down to the desk, and lost his $#!+ on my staff. My staff apologized profusely, and put Grady in the correct room, (I got to escort him to the room) then sent more amenities up. A week or two later, Grady was cut from the team, for some "unknown" reason. We resigned him the next season.

Moral of the story, Bobby Petrino is a prick.

That was the second most memorable part of my experience.

The best part, was I had a master key to all the player's rooms, and BVG, Coach Zimmer, Hue Jackson, and the Falcons Head of Security, myself and the other Hotel Coordinator got to walk the rooms and do Bed checks to make sure everyone met curfew.

A few other nuggets:

*The stories about Players not talking during meals is 100% true. My banquet staff weren't allowed to talk to anyone. He also makes everyone pray. Arthur didn't like that too much.

*The hotel sent the coaches wives on a riverboat cruise, where the entertainer was a stand up comedian went on a 10 minute bit, making fun of Michael Vick and making barking noises. That went over well.

* Rod Coleman's foot was in a boot and I think he was listed as questionable. He could barely walk. It's not surprising he didn't last very long.

*Arthur Blank is by far one of the kindest, down to earth, most humble CEO types, I've ever met. He was almost embarrassed we put him that we put him in the presidential suite, comped. He requested to be in a standard room like the players.

*The Falcons gave me a XXL Polo shirt ( I usually wear a L or M), a media guide and a free ticket to the game as a tip. (The Titans game, where Byron Leftwich did his T-Shirt cannon impression) Apparently the Visiting team tickets that are allotted are upper deck seats. Visiting teams are treated like crap when they come to away games.

* Joey Harrington, nice as hell, but looks like a deer in the headlights off the field as much as he did on the field.

*Deangelo Hall was surprisingly nice, and I've actually talked to him since he joined the Redskins. He's actually a cool guy.

*Alge Crumpler was the nicest guy, and really went out of his way to thank the staff.

Pretty cool experience despite the Petrino ordeal, and the fact we lost the game the next day.

I remember thinking what a mess the team was after that. I'm talking serious dysfunction. You could feel the tension with the players and the staff. Bobby Petrino was really disliked, and you could tell by how relaxed everyone was when he wasn't around.

That experience really makes me appreciate what we have in Mike Smith, Thomas Dimitroff, and Matt Ryan. It is nothing short of remarkable how this team turned around.

[The Don™]

Interesting stuff..

But good lord, Petrino and his family walking in on Big Grady in his underwear? I would have loved to have seen Petrino's face when he saw Big Grady chomping down...

[DemBirds]

(05-12-2011 03:08 AM)The Don™ Wrote:  Interesting stuff..

But good lord, Petrino and his family walking in on Big Grady in his underwear? I would have loved to have seen Petrino's face when he saw Big Grady chomping down...

Not amused.

[papachaz]

(05-12-2011 03:08 AM)The Don™ Wrote:  Interesting stuff..

But good lord, Petrino and his family walking in on Big Grady in his underwear? I would have loved to have seen Petrino's face when he saw Big Grady chomping down...

sad it didn't give the prick a heart attack....oh wait, he didn't have a heart, NM

i'm surprised he has a family, you'd think since he has no balls, he'd know the kids couldn't be his

[markdzul]

That story makes the current condition our franchise is in now all that much more remarkable. can you imagine if Quitrino had stuck around....

[DriveHomeSafelyAtlantaWins]

Great story! You know, it reminded me of something I had forgotten -- Arthur Blank and McKay really wanted to *keep* Petrino. Remember? They were shocked he was leaving and they tried to keep him in his contract.

I'm sure they're really, really glad now that he left when he did.

[phocis850]

Wow, thanks for the read. Seems like Petrino really was a douche.

[TeamPlayer1]

Great read. Thanks for the inside view.

[mdrake34]

"*The Falcons gave me a XXL Polo shirt ( I usually wear a L or M), a media guide and a free ticket to the game as a tip. (The Titans game, where Byron Leftwich did his T-Shirt cannon impression) Apparently the Visiting team tickets that are allotted are upper deck seats. Visiting teams are treated like crap when they come to away games."



Glad to see someone shares my sense of humor, lol.

[karst41]

The bit on Grady in Pigtrino's room is funny as hell.

I nearly spewed taco's all over my screen.

Thats some funny sheite