Bigest deal confirmed: Jacksonville all time players has been awarded for……

When Jacksonville was awarded an NFL franchise, I was as thrilled as any sports fan could be. As a journalist, the

field was open and the opportunities were limitless. A lot of things didn’t work out, but a lot of it did, with the one

constant being our Monday night show, “The End Zone.” Through the show, I’ve grown to know the players on a

personal level, particularly the five who have served as show hosts.

We asked Jeff Lageman to be the original host after running into him in the mall. Lageman was motivated to grow

and become a better airman, and he worked hard to do so. He had a plan and followed it. Keenan McCardell came

next, and if Jimmy Smith is considered “smooth,” Keenan is “cool.” Keenan protected his teammates and lived what

could be considered a classic NFL player lifestyle, at least on the exterior. He was well dressed, always with the latest

mobile phone in his ear (the first guy I’d ever seen with an earpiece), and pleasant enough but kept his business

private.

When Keenan went on, we hired Donovin Darius, who seemed like a great fit. Darius was interested in the technical

aspects of broadcasting and had a fascinating narrative of parenting his brother and sister while still in college. He’s

a true paradox: he’s as genuine as they come when it comes to his passion to his team, game, and family, yet he’s the

biggest phony you’ve ever met in so many other ways.