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2006 HUMMER/ESPN NFL Draft Pre-Party: Show Me the Money!
Imagine the intensity and nervousness you would experience knowing in a matter of hours your entire life was about to change for the better -- millions better! To alleviate those anxieties for a few hours, top NFL draft picks and current NFL players partied in New York City at the NFL Draft Pre-Party like it was 1999! Thanks to HUMMER -- the Official Vehicle of the NFL Draft -- and ESPN, the glamour filled evening was one to remember.
To set it off, HUMMER made sure the top three picks were treated like Allstate -- left in good hands -- as the trio arrived at NY's Club Sol in HUMMER vehicles including stretched variants. Heisman Trophy winner and No. 2 pick Reggie Bush has a greater interest in the HUMMER brand since he will be rolling heavy in HUMMER's for a year as part of a partnership deal with the brand. HUMMER also transported NFL players and their families all week for pre-draft activities. The sponsorship title includes print, web, radio, TV, and podcast integration for the General Motors sibling. Cameras followed Reggie Bush all week, allowing fans to become a part of the draft experience. "Last year, HUMMER and ESPN sponsored the NFL Draft Pre-Party, and it proved to be a fantastic venue for us to introduce the world to the all-new midsize HUMMER H3. We expect the draft will come through for us again this year,” said Martin Walsh, HUMMER's general manager.
The other two prospects were quarterback Vince Young, the No. 3 pick by the Tennessee Titans and North Carolina State's defensive end Mario Williams, who signed a six-year $54 million contract to become the No. 1 pick of the 2006 NFL Draft. Everyone knows the old saying •defense wins championships and offense fills the seats.' Apparently the Houston Texans are where they are because they believe in this saying! Sorry Houston, you simply over thought the entire process. Mario Williams is an outstanding player...but he wasn't the best player on the board,” said sports talk host Ryan Stewart of the nationally syndicated "2 Live Stews." The curiously surprising move by the Houston Texans allowed the New Orleans Saints to nab Bush, giving them one of the best backfield combos (alongside Deuce McAllister) in the league. "The Saints automatically become a better football team thanks to Reggie Bush. He, along with a healthy Deuce McAllister and new QB Drew Brees, will turn that losing franchise into winners,” added Stewart.
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Inside the party, everyone was filled with joy and laughter including hosts Jonathon Vilma of the New York Jets and BET personality Big Tigga, aka Darrien Morgan. The spectacular evening featured HUMMERs parked out front, beautiful women flying through the air, an open bar all night, and congratulatory chatter from draft picks and family members. Vernon Davis, the No. 6 pick for the San Francisco 49ers, made sure he was supported emotionally and spiritually by bringing 84 family members to NY for the week's festivities. With quarterback Alex Smith throwing to the University of Maryland tight end, San Fran may be able to rival the Steve Young/Jerry Rice connections of the past. "I've been dreaming of going to San Francisco. It's a beautiful place, man," said Vernon Davis. "I see myself making an impact right away." Also in the house were Donovan McNabb, Rapper Bubba Sparxx, San Diego Charger Shawne Merriman, Nia Long, and many more.
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AR's Oronde Garret & Kimatni Rawlins |
Reggies Bush receives the Keys to his new HUMMER |
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The Flying Creations |
No. 6 pick Vernon Davis, Chargers' Shawne Merriman, & Oronde Garrett |
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NFL's Adina Ellis & Kimatni |
Mario Williams arrives in a stretch HUMMER |
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Going Places |
Nicole Spence & Model Cherylann Cooke |
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Vernon Davis & Adina Ellis |
Philly Favorite Kimatni, Donavan McKabb & Aisha Thomas-Petit |
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Kimatni & No. 2 Pick Reggie Bush |
Convo with Kimatni & No. 3 Pick Vince Young |
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Happy to Be Here |
Loving Life |
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Bubba Sparxx Performs |
GM's Mike Jackson, NFL's Adina Ellis, & Kimatni |
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Vince Young |
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