Herds Vinny Curry meets fans, awaits NFL draft

Monday April 9, 2012

Herd's Vinny Curry meets fans, awaits NFL draft

Marcus Constantino

BARBOURSVILLE, W.Va. -- As Marshall defensive standout Vinny Curry travels the nation, hopping between NFL cities, he can't forget the thousands of Herd fans who supported him in Huntington.

Curry signed autographs Saturday?at Collectibles, Etc., at?the Huntington Mall.

"I could have had different signings like this, but I wanted my first one to be here in Huntington,"?said Curry, the 2011?Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year. "It meant a lot to me and I thought it would mean a lot to the community."

The popular Curry was a natural guest for Collectibles, Etc.?

"We're trying to get more involved with the local community here in Barboursville and Huntington, and we heard nothing but great things about Vinny," Collectibles, Etc., owner Chad Rogers said. "You can't do much better than a guy who was named to six different all-American teams and is getting ready for the NFL Draft.

"He's been great with the fans, he's just been real personable and made sure every person felt special."

J.D. Francisco, a young Herd fan from Huntington, came to the signing event dressed in a Kelly green Vinny Curry jersey that Curry signed for him after The Herd's 17-13 upset victory over the Louisville Cardinals on Oct. 1, 2011, at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium in Louisville. Francisco said he has talked to Curry on several occasions and "loves him a lot."

Francisco explained Curry is his favorite Marshall player "because he's the bestest player."

Connie Jordan, of Huntington, brought memorabilia to get autographed?for her son, Bobby?Combs, and her grandsons, Simeon Combs and Rashan Combs, all of Denver. She said?the keepsakes meant a lot to her son because he attended Harmony Community School in Cincinnati with Curry.

"I think it's really nice, especially with all the young kids who look up to him," Jordan said of Curry signing autographs. "He's going to go a long way with his attitude and his spirit and his kindness."

As Curry signed autographs and greeted fans, he still was taking in the fact that he is only weeks away from being selected in the NFL Draft, which begins April 26. He already has visited seven NFL teams, and with seven to go, his pre-draft schedule will keep him busy.

"It's been really wild," Curry said, laughing. "Just yesterday, I flew in here fresh off a team visit, so I've barely been asleep. But it's a blessing. These are some things that you've been chasing since you were a kid, so just to be living it out, it feels weird, but it's all going to pay off here in 19 days though."

Rogers said Collectibles, Etc. will host West Virginia University standout Kevin Jones for an autograph signing from 2-4 p.m. Saturday at its Nitro Marketplace location in Cross Lanes.

BARBOURSVILLE, W.Va. -- As Marshall defensive standout Vinny Curry travels the nation, hopping between NFL cities, he can't forget the thousands of Herd fans who supported him in Huntington.

Curry signed autographs Saturday?at Collectibles, Etc., at?the Huntington Mall.

"I could have had different signings like this, but I wanted my first one to be here in Huntington,"?said Curry, the 2011?Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year. "It meant a lot to me and I thought it would mean a lot to the community."

The popular Curry was a natural guest for Collectibles, Etc.?

"We're trying to get more involved with the local community here in Barboursville and Huntington, and we heard nothing but great things about Vinny," Collectibles, Etc., owner Chad Rogers said. "You can't do much better than a guy who was named to six different all-American teams and is getting ready for the NFL Draft.

"He's been great with the fans, he's just been real personable and made sure every person felt special."

J.D. Francisco, a young Herd fan from Huntington, came to the signing event dressed in a Kelly green Vinny Curry jersey that Curry signed for him after The Herd's 17-13 upset victory over the Louisville Cardinals on Oct. 1, 2011, at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium in Louisville. Francisco said he has talked to Curry on several occasions and "loves him a lot."

Francisco explained Curry is his favorite Marshall player "because he's the bestest player."

Connie Jordan, of Huntington, brought memorabilia to get autographed?for her son, Bobby?Combs, and her grandsons, Simeon Combs and Rashan Combs, all of Denver. She said?the keepsakes meant a lot to her son because he attended Harmony Community School in Cincinnati with Curry.

"I think it's really nice, especially with all the young kids who look up to him," Jordan said of Curry signing autographs. "He's going to go a long way with his attitude and his spirit and his kindness."

As Curry signed autographs and greeted fans, he still was taking in the fact that he is only weeks away from being selected in the NFL Draft, which begins April 26. He already has visited seven NFL teams, and with seven to go, his pre-draft schedule will keep him busy.

"It's been really wild," Curry said, laughing. "Just yesterday, I flew in here fresh off a team visit, so I've barely been asleep. But it's a blessing. These are some things that you've been chasing since you were a kid, so just to be living it out, it feels weird, but it's all going to pay off here in 19 days though."

Rogers said Collectibles, Etc. will host West Virginia University standout Kevin Jones for an autograph signing from 2-4 p.m. Saturday at its Nitro Marketplace location in Cross Lanes.

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