Now it was time to bail out Vobora.
Vobora reminded Stevenson and Harris of the Rams first-round selection in the 1996 NFL Draft.
Lawrence Phillips was taken as the sixth overall pick that year. And the former Nebraska running back fumbled away his opportunity by putting up more numbers on the police blotter than on the field.
Once Stevenson, 47, and Harris, 46, figured out that Vobora’s situation was a hoax they were relieved at the Irrelevant Week arrival party. But somehow they still believed in Vobora turning around a 3-13 franchise.
In a meet and greet with a couple of hundred fans, the two patiently waited to shake hands with the 6-foot-1, 242-pound Vobora.
After meeting with family members, hugging a dozen or so eager grandmothers, and cooperating with a couple of TV reporters asking silly questions like, “How long have they been doing this” Mr. Irrelevant, Vobora freed himself up for Stevenson and Harris.
First, Vobora assured them about the Rams future, even when he didn’t even know his own. Not every Mr. Irrelevant makes it in the NFL. Just because you’re in the latest Madden video game doesn’t guarantee anything.
“I’ll tell you,” said Vobora, wearing a No. 252 jersey reflecting where he was chosen in the draft, dead last. “This is going to be a good year for the Rams. You know the last time [quarterback] Trent Green came to the Rams they won the Super Bowl [in 1999]?”
“Yeah, because he got injured,” responded Harris as Vobora grinned.
“If Trent Green goes down in the preseason, he’ll be measuring you for rings, baby!” said Stevenson as Vobora’s smile grew bigger.
