*TE Jammerson Irving's First Pro Media Appearance

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Ready to be graded, double draft media, 1814 words

Close to a year ago, Jammerson Irving declared for the DSFL Entry draft among a cloud of controversy after being dismissed from his college team - the University at Buffalo, after yet another disciplinary infraction. That decision, chronicled here, was the topic of much speculation but ultimately paid off for the young tight end, as he was drafted with the final pick of the forth round by the Tijuana Luchadores despite concerns about his character and behavior. Since then, the 20 year old Jamaican national has adhered to a strict no-media policy, imposed on him by his agent Bob Sugar of Sports Management International, in an effort to let his natural physical talents and on the field production dictate the national perception of the prospect, and not his unfortunate history of social media gaffes. That strategy has appeared to have worked, as the raw, twenty year old tight end was able to put together a fine season, finishing with 62 receptions for 574 yards and a touchdown in all 14 DSFL regular season games. Irving and the Luchadores were able to knock off a dominant San Antonio Marshals team that coasted through the regular season, but came up short in the Ultimini final with a loss to the Portland Pythons.

When we last caught up with Jammerson, he spoke only through public statements prepared by his agent as he awaited his fate as the DSFL draft loomed. At that point in time, it was clear he was only worried about playing any football again at all following his college dismissal. The normally jovial, outgoing football player was uncharacteristically reticent, nervous, and private. I was surprised when, after repeated calls went ignored over the last year, Irving agent Sugar approached me directly and asked I fly to Tijuana to interview the tight end. It was a much different scene as I arrived in Tijuana. Today, he sits surrounded by both his immediate family, and extended family from Jamaica at the Hotel Lucerna that he has provided for them in anticipation the upcoming NSFL draft. This is the Jammerson most of us in the Buffalo media knew prior to his dismissal, smiling, extremely relaxed yet far from lackadaisical, but most importantly at ease with his future and himself. Jammerson was surprisingly candid as he opened up with his first national interview in almost a year.

"First of all Jammerson, let me congratulate you on the body of work you put together this season, but it's gotta be tough losing in the championship. Walk us through the last few games of the season and how it all ended up."

"Bro, (laughing), I mean come on homeboy gotta do me like that right of the bat, man? I mean, yeah, everyone saw the Ultimini. I had a bad game. Respect to those dudes on Portland, they came to play and I didn't bring my best. Its a learning experience though, I've learned to not let last year bother me, last month, yesterday bother me. One thing I need to get better at is not letting the last play, the last drive bother me. Drops get into my headspace and I think that's something I gotta get better at, need to get better at, and honestly something I will get better at quickly. It sucks losing out on the 'ship sure, maybe we were spent after knocking off San Antonio, maybe we got ahead of ourselves after our defense balled out in the first half. But it was what it is, and I'm just looking ahead and learning from it."

"Obviously there was no shortage of drama at the end of you're last season at Buffalo, but we've heard nary a peep out of you since. Considering you're prolific social media presence before, how do you plan go about media appearances going forward, as obviously if/when you begin playing in the NSFL you will have to make yourself available frequently."

"Oh dude, 'Lil Sug (Editors note: Bob Sugar, SMI Senior Agent) and my dad made sure I was off the grid, basically I would have lost my representation if I didn't go dark man. But they had a point, (expletive deleted) be tripping when they read (expletive deleted) on twitter or insta and I really can't deal with that (expletive deleted) if I wanna be a pro. Those (expletive deleted) got me kicked outta UB and I wasn't gonna let 'em ruin my career. I'm not what they think me at, and I'll show them. I'm back a twitter a bit, but I'll be out there like before - just nothing so bad to embarrass my dad cuz (sic) he said he'd give me an ass whooping (laughing). "

"Well it seems you certainly have a chip on your shoulder in regards to media treatment, not sure how much of that will make it to print, but lets change gears. How did you like the season in Tijuana? What was your high point, what was your low point, and do you expect to be back here next year?"

"Man, I'm so glad I was drafted by Tijuana. I'd never been to Mexico, but being from Jamaica I speak pretty good Spanish. Well, actually I was (expletive deleted) at it according to my teachers back home, but these boys from America can't it talk at, 'cept for a couple from Texas or Cali, and they still kinda suck. But it was cool man, I ordered for the guys, talked for the guys, and got along for myself real well. Plus, Mexico is so chill bro. Things are just more relaxed down here, cheap, I have a maid and (expletive deleted) and my man Guillermo drives me everywhere and gets me anything. Its dope man.

"Truth though, I left plays on the field. The coaches down here are great, but I dropped a ton of balls and (expletive deleted) up a bunch. I just have to keep learning how to be a pro, preparing correctly, training correctly, eating correctly. Actually, eating correctly is super important as it kind of leads into our preseason opener versus the Marshals - which was definitely the low point of my season. Like maybe the low point of my life bro, I was ass. Like, literal ass dude, I had this huge chorizo breakfast and man, I love chorizo, so I got another to go. Now I don't know if it went bad or what, but man but I had the running shits all game (Editors Note: Apologies). They must of cooked that chorizo with well water or not all or something cuz Montezuma (expletive deleted) me hard. I missed most of the game, in and out. They had me hooked up to an IV on the toilet. I was just embarrassed. From then on, no more street chorizo. (expletive deleted) street chorizo, man. "

"Ok, lets steer this back to something printable Jammerson, let's get back to your high point of the season"

"Oh, its for sure upsetting San Antonio in the playoffs. I mean they beat us five times last season, and for sure took us for granted. We had a game plan, we came in and killed it, and we let my boy Forrest Gump do his thing. Coach got us going, and nobody but us thought we had a chance, but we showed 'em"

"Moving on to the NSFL draft, its obviously that this is a celebration as opposed to last year, what has changed for your personally and how are you feeling going into tomorrow night?"

"I mean, I know I'm gonna play football next year, that's really the only difference. I'll be here in Tijuana, which I love, or maybe in the NSFL, who knows. But I'm gonna have a paycheck, I'm gonna be able to provide, and I'm gonna be able to ball. That was all up in the air last year and it scared the (expletive deleted) outta me. My folks are in town from Ontario, and my gramma, granpda, aunts, uncles and little cousins are in town from Black River. We are just having fun man, tonight is the next step in my career and I owe it to my family that made me who I am to have them here. Whatever happens, we're gonna live it up this weekend, then its back to work for me."

"Do you have any preference as to where you want to go? Any thought on being drafted to one of the two expansion teams that have been thrown into the mix this season? Any indications from GM's on who might be targeting you?"

"Lil Sug has said he's been contacted by a handful of GM's, but he says whatever he wants for real. But anyway, that's the kinda thing I like to leave up to fates man, I am what I am and I do what I do and I'll be where I be, ya'know? I know I need to improve, but I think I've put enough film on tape and preformed well enough at the combine. I'm gonna get drafted, and if its late or early so be it, the team that drafts me is gonna get a steal. I'll put in all the work, all the time in the gym, all the time necessary to be the best. I've been written off before, and the NCAA lost a star. Teams can write me off again, but they will regret it. As far as who drafts me, that's out of my control, but I'll be a loyal member of whatever organization that takes a chance on me first."

"I have to say Jammerson, I appreciate you talking to me and I always have a great time with our interviews, I hope you aren't to much of a stranger going forward. You have many fans back in Buffalo, and regardless with how things ended there I know the city looks forward to following your burgeoning professional career - where ever it ends up come tomorrow night"

"Hey, thanks Sal, you've always been a cool dude to me and I'm glad you could make it down here. Like I said, you'll see me around twitter and I'll be talking with you guys much more once I ink that pro deal! Go Luchadores!"

And so, on a warm Tijuana night on the eve the the season 15 NSFL Entry Draft, Jammerson Irving returns to the reunion of his friends and family at Hotel Lucerna. The 6'6'' 252 pound tight end is at the very least, mercurial - but offers tantalizing upside as a seam stretching weapon in the pros. Its a deep tight end class this year, so where Jammerson finally lands is very much up in the air.

This is Sal Crapatyabro, signing off for the WGR Sports News Buffalo.