Amani Toomer (01/30/14)

Amani Toomer, New York Giants Wide Receiver

Amani Toomer played 13 seasons for the New York Giants from 1996-2008. He was a member of the Super Bowl XLII championship team in 2008 when the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots 17-14. Amani retired with 668 receptions, 9,497 receiving yards, and 54 touchdowns. His 9,497 receiving yards is the franchise's all-time record.

Amani was signing autographs during Super Bowl week at the Walmart in Kearny, NJ. My goal was to get a mini helmet and 5x7 photo signed by him. I didn't arrive on time, but lucky for me it wasn't too crowded. Pepsi sponsored the autograph signing and had some really nice 8x10 photos of Amani catching a pass during Super Bowl XLII. Amani was really cool about signing multiple items.

Amani Toomer signed New York Giants mini helmet.

 

Amani Toomer signed 8x10 Super Bowl photo.

Amani Toomer signed 5x7 photo.

Amani and I posing for a picture. He was really cool with all the fans and took pictures with everyone who asked.

Amani is truly a great guy. I'm glad he played his whole career in New York and it was a pleasure meeting him. Thank you Pepsi and Walmart for this great event.

Jim Dray (01/27/14)

Jim Dray, Arizona Cardinals Tight End

Jim Dray was drafted out of Stanford University by the Arizona Cardinals in the 7th round (233rd overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft. During his four years at Stanford, he completed 41 receptions for 455 yards and 7 touchdowns. In his senior year, he was the tight end for first year quarterback, Andrew Luck. Since 2010, Dray has played in 55 games for the Cardinals. He has 33 receptions for 302 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Jim Dray did not have an autograph signing, but my good friend and coworker Erica and her mother know Jim Dray and his family. She knows how much I love collecting sports memorabilia and told me she can try to get me an autograph. This was breaking news to me at work and I was really excited. I was able to prepare two 8x10 photos of Jim Dray and gave it to her to get signed.

I received great news from Erica via text message that Jim Dray was happy to sign my photos! She also sent me a photo of him signing the two photos! Here's a picture of Jim Dray autographing my two 8x10 photos.

Two signed photos by Arizona Cardinals Tight End, Jim Dray.

 

A huge thank you to Erica, Mrs. "Dichi," Mrs. Dray, and Jim Dray for the autographed photos. I will forever be a fan of Jim Dray!

Andre Brown (12/10/13)

Andre Brown, New York Giants Running Back
Super Bowl XLVI Champion

Andre Brown was drafted out of North Carolina State by the New York Giants in the 4th round (129th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft. He missed his rookie season due to injury and was released. Brown played for several teams before returning to the Giants in 2011. He also played on the New York Giants Super Bowl XLVI championship team in 2012.

Andre Brown was signing autographs at the Paramus Nissan dealership in Paramus, NJ. Fans were asked to donate a brand new toy to receive an autograph. Donations benefited Toys for Tots. During my lunch break, I went out to Toys R Us to purchase a unisex toy. I found the perfect toy, Mr. Potato Head!

I arrived at Paramus Nissan about 40 minutes early. Surprisingly, there wasn't a lot of people and I was the third person in line for the autograph signing. I decided to get out of the line to sit down in the waiting area and watch TV. Once the time got closer to 6:00 pm, one of the Paramus Nissan representatives came over and asked if I was here for the signing. I told him I was and he suggested that I start getting in line because more people started to show up. It wasn't that bad, I ended up being the fifteenth person.

Andre arrived on time and started signing right away. Paramus Nissan provided free photos of Andre Brown to everyone who was there for the signing.

Andre was really good with all his fans. He took pictures with everyone who asked and even signed multiple items. Here's a picture of Andre Brown signing my New York Giants mini helmet.

 Andre Brown signed New York Giants Mini Helmet.

After he signed my mini helmet, I asked him if I can please have a autographed photo as well. Andre was really cool about it and signed a photo for me.

Andre Brown with all the donated toys from the Toys for Tots drive.

This is another good New York Giants autograph to add to my collection. A big thank you to Andre Brown and Paramus Nissan for hosting a great event!

Check out my other blog posts on New York Giants autograph signings:

Brandon Jacobs
Ottis "O.J." Anderson
Tom Coughlin