Post by TheShadow on Jul 21, 2006 4:39:35 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/
By R.J. Gerber
Sporting green suspenders that hugged his broad shoulders, Dave Casper made his first appearance at a St. Edward High School football camp in more than three decades.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame member returned to Elgin — where he spent the better part of his youth — to speak with Green Wave campers Monday. A spirited question-and-answer session carried the conversation as Casper replied freely to inquiries from an attentive audience at the Elgin Sports Complex.
Casper, who moved with his family to Wisconsin after his junior year at St. Edward, didn't sugarcoat anything — making known his disdain for practice during his 11-year professional career as an All-Pro tight end with the Oakland Raiders, Houston Oilers and Minnesota Vikings.
"I had more fun playing in the pros than I did in high school," said Casper, whose Chilton (Wis.) prep team didn't allow a point during his senior season. "But I never liked to practice, hated running sprints and couldn't stand doing calisthenics."
Casper recently moved from California to the north suburb of Vernon Hills and heads the Casper Group, an affiliate of Northwestern Mutual Financial Network. Some of his red hair has turned gray, but "The Ghost" still appears fit enough to handle himself.
"I can still do this," said Casper, fluidly bending at the knees. "Not a lot of (former NFL players) can."
The five-time Pro Bowl selection offered this advice: "I always just did what I was told. I practiced probably as hard as anybody, even though I didn't like it. And I never did what I wasn't supposed to do."
Asked about playing for former Raiders coach and current television analyst John Madden, Casper said, "He never talked to me much. I guess that meant I wasn't doing anything wrong."
Having said he made "millions" during his playing career, the former All-America from Notre Dame told the campers, "I've got a house and a car and a boat, so I've got a place to live, drive and float."
Green Wave quarterback Ryan Gilbert was among the players who attended.
"We went to the same grade school (St. Mary's) and now the same high school, so it gives you hope," said Gilbert.
Although none of the campers was born during Casper's playing days (he retired after the 1984 season), the former Green Wave tight end/linebacker/punter left an impression.
"I think the parents and coaches might have been a little more awestruck than the kids," said St. Edward varsity coach Mike Rolando.
Casper recalled his days in Elgin, when fishing for carp in the Fox River and ice skating at the Lords Park lagoon were regular activities.
"I was a kid just like you guys," he said. "And the best times I had as a football player were after practice with my friends."
After wrapping up his dialogue, Casper headed off the field. Asked if he was familiar with how the St. Edward program had struggled in recent years, he said, "So, we struggled when I was here, too. You've still got to go out there and play, don't you?"
As an Illinois resident again, Casper said he might be able to keep tabs on the Green Wave a little bit better.
"You never know," he said. "I just might be able to get to a game this fall."