Matt Wilhelm: Wind him up and Watch him Go!

Another new One on One debuts Sunday December 21st at 4:30 and 7:30. Here’s a little back story to the show.

Okay, Matt Wilhelm is tall, fit, and let’s just admit it, has those marquis good looks. His wife Vanessa even says he’s handsome in the interview. So, I’m just reporting the facts! Better yet, though, he is just a nice guy. It’s so refreshing to meet yet another confident but not cocky kind of guy. He was a huge star at Ohio State, then had to start over with the Chargers as a 4th round draft pick…waiting five years to start.

I formally introduced myself to Matt after Chargers practice one day and he was very excited and appreciative of my asking if we could do a One on One feature on him. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be part of a show, or a whole half-hour. But after I did the interview with him, his wife, spent time in their home, saw their game room and his office – my goodness, I knew we had enough for a whole show on him. And so it was!

I love how every person I meet is different. Some are low-key. Others high strung. Some are a bit more cautious or deliberate in what they say. Still others can go on forever. Matt was the perfect combination of articulate, energetic, sincere and thoughtful. He does have the gift of gab – which explains why he was a communications major at Ohio State and would likely be great at broadcasting when he gets out of the game.

And talk about a stylish and smart wife. Vanessa was an integrated language arts major at Kent State. But, she’s really found her calling when it comes to home décor and design. We didn’t get into it too much in the show, but she tells me she’s helping other players’ wives with some design tips. I think I’ll invite her to my house!

You know I am always up for a little challenge – even though I’m not the athlete. So, I battle with Matt in foose ball. Well, I scored once. But helped him score too. Good thing we didn’t have time to show it all. I am not very good.

The other pictures you’re seeing here are from the day I went to the elementary school where he was doing his Pyramid talk about eating well. Turns out we couldn’t use all the interviews of the kids. But, these pictures are of me “in action.” Kids are always fun. Wait until you hear from one of the girls. At 10 years old, she already is astute and perceptive. I’m sure Matt and Vanessa will enjoy knowing they really are making an impact.

Thanks for watching!

Fun One on One Pair: Eric Weddle and Jacques Cesaire

There’s a new edition of One on One playing right now featuring Eric Weddle and Jacques Cesaire. They’re such different guys in many ways – their size, backgrounds and way they express themselves. But each of their stories is interesting and worth putting in the spotlight.
When I mention the name Eric Weddle around town, Chargers fans are quick to say they love watching him and are curious about him. So were we. I didn’t know much about him because he’s just a second year Charger. But that’s what’s fun for me, too. Sitting down and hearing him talk about his life, influences, challenges and successes.
He and his wife Chanel are very nice, low-key, accommodating people. Our crew arrived at their modest, rural home to set up in their spacious but sparse house. Two game balls were just about all the decorations they have in their living room, as you’ll see on the show.
But their family room is filled with pictures and words of faith. They’re humble and appreciative and you can sense that just being around them. Their baby of course is adorable. She was quiet during the whole interview and then she entered the picture, so to speak, at the end when we interviewed Eric with Chanel. The baby loved the microphone, of course.
It’s one thing to interview Eric about how he prepares. Quite another to sit in the room at the Chargers facility and “watch” him work. It’s the side of these guys you don’t usually see. Watching film. Coming up with a system of red and black ink to study, study, study all week long? It’s tedious. Sure, they get paid a lot to do that work. But I still think it’s admirable to see how studious many are… including Eric. We were there with him about a half hour. We boiled it down in the writing and editing process to less than 2 minutes. That’s what we do in order to get as much of his story in the show.
I first met Jacques Cesaire (SEE-zaire) at the end of last season. What a big, booming personality and a loveable guy. And to think, he’s a self-professed band geek! I had heard through the Chargers grapevine (my sources are very helpful!) that Jacques was taking piano lessons. So, that turned out to be a different way of revealing who he is and his “beat.” He’s a beginner, but it was good of him to let us show him in the infancy of his long-awaited piano lessons.
Speaking of infancy, Jacques and his adorable, tiny (just 5 feet tall) wife Jill are now expecting a baby! They are quite the pair with a great sense of humor and just seem to adore each other. They call each other their BFF “Best Friends Forever.”
They don’t have a name for their baby girl yet. They’re open to suggestions. I figured it should start with a “J.” How about “Jane?” They’ll get back to me on that.
Anyhow – you’ll love both these guys and their wives.
Enjoy!