Tag: Japan Bowl

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Brooke's response

My dad posted a question to Brooke while we were in Japan asking: What was Brooke's most memorable experience.

(Brooke and I on a suspension bridge next to Ty Harbor in Tokyo)

Yesterday she posted this in the comments: "to: papa Phee!  my most memorable experience of the trip was being blessed to be with DC in a new context with new people. He is the greatest husband in the world- truth be told. I loved having a front row seat to hear his teammates and coaches share their respect for him. Some of them have even given him the nickname “role model”- that did my heart good. He makes an impact wherever he goes- it is inspiring! He really is an amazing man and treats me so wonderfully- I thank God everyday I get to spend with him and do not take the integrity of his character for granted. Please know that I love you very much and can’t wait to see you! God Bless, ~Brooke Curry"

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The greatest hotel on the face of the earth

THE GREATEST HOTEL ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH! I know that sounds like a bold statement but I tell you, The Ritz Carlton Midtown Tokyo in Japan is by far the best hotel Brooke and I have ever stayed in.  It was "Sugoi" (Great/wonderful) or "Utsukushii" (Beautiful)! The people there really made a positive impression on me.  Every person who worked there was sincerely nice.  They were so accommodating and they went out of their way to make sure we had a great stay.  I felt like we got the 'Red Carpet Treatment", which was sweet but even better than that, as I watched them...EVERYONE got the Red Carpet Treatment, which was so great!!! Another thing I noticed was that they seemed to really enjoy their job, which is something I find to be uncommon in the states. Every person i encountered who worked there performed their job with excellence as if they loved being there.  Sometimes it's the 'way we go about things' that makes the biggest difference to those around us.  They weren't merely concerned with punching a clock and getting a paycheck. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to stay there and if I ever get to go back to Tokyo, Brooke and I will definitely try to find a way to stay at the Ritz Carlton Midtown Tokyo!  As far as I'm concerned there's no other hotel in Tokyo!

To the Ritz - ARITGATO GOZAIMASU!!!!!!

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Japan Bowl trip observations

We're on the bus headed back to the airport in Japan. I'm drafting up this blog on my iPhone and i'll post it when we land in Chicago. Brooke's taken a nap next to me and I'm trying to keep myself awake so I can sleep THE WHOLE WAY HOME!! A few reflections on the trip: -This has been a great experience for Brooke and I to have together. -Being coached by Lou Holtz is one of my greater highlights in all of my football carrier. It definitely ranks in the top moments! -it was great to play with some of the older Notte Dame guys -Hanging out with Tim and Sherice Brown was awesome! So down to earth with great wisdom. -I wish Japan would have ran towards my side more. Only two run plays to my side the whole game and they sprinted out away from me EVERY TIME! -Playing D-End was fun at times but I am DEFINITELY a linebacker. I need to have more freedom to roam around on the inside and outside. -I didn't get to do as much sightseeing as I would have liked because Lou had us on a pretty tight schedule but I'm happy Brooke and the girls (the other wives & girlfriends) got to do a lot. -it's great that even though I haven't talked to some of my old teammates much since we played at ND. We can pick right back up where we left off. Notre Dame is a special place. -I was more tired later in the week so I didn't blog more.

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My game face!

Once the game starts I'll look like this until it's over.

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Answers to your questions tonight

The answers to your questions will be posted tonight when we get back from the Notre Dame Club of Japan dinner tonight. I didn't even realize there was a Notre Dame Club of Japan.  I guess what they say is true: Notre Dame IS a world renowned school. I feel blessed and honored to have went there and call myself and Alumni. "...what though the odds be great or small, ole Notre Dame will win over all, while her loyal sons are marching onward to victory!"

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It's almost game time, my routine.

(Japan Bowl PR event I was doing with the other captains)

The game is tomrrow afternoon at 4:00 but don't forget t it will be televised in the USA on August 10th on CBS as part of their countdown to kickoff for College Football.  I'll blog more details about the game closer to the to the 10th. I'm fired up like old times again. I have this anxious restlessness that lets me know "i'm ready".  I don't get nervous at all, particularly because I love the game and know there is nothing to lose, but I love the feeling of anticipation. My usual routine is like this:  chill out Monday through Thursday, about Friday afternoon get restless and ready to play, friday evening get anxious and excited, Friday Night get FIRED UP, Saturday morning zone out and go over my assignments, Saturday late morning until 30 minutes before warm up is the calm before the storm, warm ups poised and relaxed, coming out of the tunnel and game time GO FREAKIN NUTZ!!!!!!!! Then I black out for the entire game with a passion and intensity that blinds me, after the game I pretty much return to my normal self. There you have it.

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The evening that can't be explained

Brooke and I had an evening that I literally couldn't explain if I had to write a book about it. Just put like this, Me, Tim Brown (THE Tim Brown), Hoyte, Bobbie Howard, Melvin Dansby, our wives, a Japanese public relations event, a dinner that takes the cake of ALL DINNERS, and fatigue.  Enough said. I know there are some people out there who want to know details but the 'mind-fatigue' I have going on right now is ridiculous so it just won't work. hahaha So much laughing, a WHOLE LOT of awkward situations, lots of moving around and being shuffled around, good food, Tim Brown, Translators, autographs, photos, NO TAKE OUT, subways, walking, cabs, humidity, sweat, angry waiter....and the list keeps going. (I realize now that I shouldn't even be writing this because everything is an inside joke but I just had to let you guys know that tonight...was...SOMETHING.) There are easily 6,000 sermon illustrations in what we experienced tonight.

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Questions about the game?

If anybody has any questions you want to ask me or Brooke leave a comment and I'll get to them today after practice. Thanks again for following along.

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One funny thing about playing this game

Everything about this game feels natural and easy for me so far.  The one thing that I was thinking about the other day was the fact that we're all trying to have  a good time while at the same time trying to bust our butts so coach knows he can count on us during the game. If there's one thing I remember from playing ball at ND was, the coaches HAVE TO know they can count on you to do your job once the balls snapped.  So i've seen it all over certain peoples faces (including mine) throughout these few days of practice.  I've personally had this soft edge of "ha ha lets play football against Japan and have a good time" to "if you line up across from me I'm going to dominate you RIGHT NOW." So that's been pretty fun to see in myself and in the eyes of some of the guys on the team.  It's evident we want to make Notre Dame proud and have a blast.  Also some of the motivation there is so that the coaches know when #49 lines up, he's got what it takes. I've always had so much "pull" with my other coaches that it's been a little weird trying to quasi-prove myself all over again. (By the way, none of this is "real", it's my competetive nature planting images of 'the job at hand' in my head hahaha  None of the coaches have asked us to do anything crazy or out of the ordinary...or even prove ourselves for that matter.  They never asked us to 'show them what we got' or anything, i'm just conditioned to go out and prove myself every time I put that helmet on...so that's what I'm doing, hahaha.  You never knew the mind game of football or competitive athletes was so messed up did you!  Pretty funny I think.)

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Lou Holtz rockin' the mic

Lou Holtz can hold a team meeting like nobody I've seen!  He's the got the perfect mix of humor, intensity, sincerity, and passion. This is the first time meeting when we got to to Japan.  We have just had dinner and all the players and wives were there for this meeting. Watch Lou in action, he's got amazing charisma.