On January 3rd Simi flew out to San Antonio, Texas to get ready for the game. The entire town was transformed into this huge Army All American Event. Posters hung at the airport, on vehicles, on hotels and restaurants. Simi was selected for the West team and they immediately started practicing. Each day they would get up early to eat then hop on a bus that would take them to their designated practice field. Each team practiced at different facilities. I enjoyed watching a few of the practices and I couldn't believe the audacious fields and stadiums of the high schools in Texas. I'm sure some of the fields sold season tickets in the suites and press boxes.
After practice the kids would be taken to lunch and then back to the hotel for interviews. Interviews would last anywhere from 1-2 hours. They had very little free time. Evenings were set up with dinner, activities and events. Bed check was usually 11:00pm.
By Friday of this week all Simi's supporters had arrived. Mom and Dad, brother Jeremy, cousin V. J. Fehoko, Uncle Jeremy, Grandpa Larry and Simi's cute girlfriend Bailee. We all attended the awards ceremony. Simi was not the winner of the Player of the Year but was recognized as Utah's Gatorade Player of the Year.
This wasn't the first time that week that tears sprung up. This week was astounding to say the least! My heart was so full. I couldn't believe the talent and great people my son was surrounded by. Proud was an understatement.
Throughout the week many articles were written about the players participating in the game. These articles were so complimentary of Simi and his hard work. He really was the silent surprise in the group. I don't think anyone expected the talent that came out of the quite, Mormon kid from Utah.
Saturday was the big event and you wouldn't
believe it even if you saw it with your own eyes. I'm still in disbelief at the grandeur of the event. The Army had trailers set up with simulations that you could try out, tents for days with food, music, free games, free engraved Army dog tags etc... Every tent had something free to hand out. It was like attending the State Fair but most everything was free! We had been given 15 free seats on the 7th row on about the 40 yd line inside the Alamo Dome. The National Anthem was so awesome and we are lucky someone snapped a shot of Simi during this moment. About two minutes into the game the first touchdown was caught by Simi for the West! I can tell you that our entire row went crazy! I was deaf and hoarse from screaming a full 3 minutes after it happened! VJ reminded me to pace myself but I just couldn't believe this was happening! We were all hugging, high fiving and jumping up and down! Everyone surrounding us was asking, "Was that your boy? So Great! What a catch!" We were all soooo excited!
Our home was the central location for relatives who couldn't fly out to Texas. Simi's sisters hosted the party and I heard it was just as wild and crazy during Simi's touchdown as the Texas Alamo Dome. No one at home could tell that Simi played about every 4 plays and sometime more. He really was on the field the majority of the game. He just did what needed to be done in the first 2 minutes of the game.
After the game they let all the spectators on the field. They put the players in a roped off area and everyone wanted autographs. People were shameless. They asked for every item of clothing on Simi's body. They actually wanted him to take off his clothing and sign it. Adults would make their little kids come up and ask for things. It really was crazy and a little unnerving.
Simi said he was so relieved when they told him he had to go to the locker room. The whole autograph and asking for the clothes off your body made him very uncomfortable. Simi took his brother Jeremy into the locker room with him. Jeremy said, "It was SICK!" (meaning it was was way cool!)
Then you wouldn't believe the gear they gave Simi. Adidas was one of the big sponsors and they hooked the players up! They had to give them a new piece of luggage just to haul all the gear home. He received 4 pairs of shoes, sweat suits, shorts, underwear, socks, shirts, jackets, Letterman All American jacket, cleats, 3 jerseys, gloves, helmet and the list goes on. It made my jaw drop at the amount of stuff he got. And of course mom and dad bought the Bowl Ring!
In all honesty, I still can't believe my kid was asked to participate in this event! I shake my head in awe at the reality of everything that he has accomplished. They told the boys at the Army Awards show, "Don't let this week be the greatest moment of your lives!" Simi is a good kid, doing the right things and he has been extremely blessed. I truly believe the best is yet to come! Check out this Adidas Commercial that he is in...
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