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Who knows if the Big Guy was listening to former Dallas Cowboy Drew Pearson's invocation Friday night at the Doak Walker Award Banquet at the Hilton Anatole.
But Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones – a member of the Doak board of directors – certainly heard it.
Pearson added a little shout out in his prayer for help in making Darren McFadden, the two-time Doak recipient, a Cowboy.
The comment brought laughter to the Chantilly Ballroom, and the idea of the Cowboys making a blockbuster move to draft McFadden brought a buzz to the festivities.
Jerry Jones wasn't spotted, though.
McFadden, the only two-time Doak winner besides Texas' Ricky Williams, could only smile at all the speculation.
"If I was to be a Cowboy, it would be a great thing," said McFadden, who declared for the draft after his junior season at Arkansas. "But I don't have any say-so."
McFadden, a two-time Heisman runner-up, said he hopes to leave his mark on the NFL as he's done in college football.
McFadden had time Friday to get some advice from former USC great Marcus Allen, who was honored as the Doak Walker Legends Award recipient.
Asked if he would attend the NFL combine, McFadden said he didn't know.
"As his representative today," Allen interjected to laughter, "I don't think it's necessary."
June welcome: New SMU football coach June Jones, who appears comfortable with the shuck-and-jiving at these types of Dallas events, got plenty of love during the festivities.
ESPN's Chris Fowler, who hosted with cohorts Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit, teased that Jones coming to the Hilltop was the "recruiting job of the century."
Allen also congratulated Jones, a longtime acquaintance, on his new gig.
Heady company: The folks at the head table are always an impressive crew.
It included retired Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles, Stephen Jones, CBS announcer Verne Lundquist and football luminaries such as Larry Johnson, Dat Nguyen, Mike Renfro, Jerry LeVias, Cedric Benson and Tim Brown – the Dallas native who played with Allen for the Raiders.
Scene and heard: How much is a Roger Clemens autographed baseball going for these days? The starting bid at the silent auction was $250. But a witty fan made a statement by placing two cents on the bid sheet before staffers whisked them away. ... A dinner with June Jones for six at Bob's Steak & Chop House went for $2,000. The same meal with SMU basketball coach Matt Doherty brought $1,200. ... Forget to pack? McFadden had a belt and size-13 dress shoes delivered to the Anatole before the pre-banquet news conference. ... Allen played the Rock Band video game with kids during his visit earlier in the day at Children's Medical Center. Allen did the singing – Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive." ... McFadden chatted it up with the parents of Arkansas quarterback Casey Dick of Allen during the VIP gathering. ... Broyles plans to spend his retirement promoting improved care for Alzheimer's patients, inspired by his late wife. More information: www.alzheim ersplaybook.com.
But Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones – a member of the Doak board of directors – certainly heard it.
Pearson added a little shout out in his prayer for help in making Darren McFadden, the two-time Doak recipient, a Cowboy.
The comment brought laughter to the Chantilly Ballroom, and the idea of the Cowboys making a blockbuster move to draft McFadden brought a buzz to the festivities.
Jerry Jones wasn't spotted, though.
McFadden, the only two-time Doak winner besides Texas' Ricky Williams, could only smile at all the speculation.
"If I was to be a Cowboy, it would be a great thing," said McFadden, who declared for the draft after his junior season at Arkansas. "But I don't have any say-so."
McFadden, a two-time Heisman runner-up, said he hopes to leave his mark on the NFL as he's done in college football.
McFadden had time Friday to get some advice from former USC great Marcus Allen, who was honored as the Doak Walker Legends Award recipient.
Asked if he would attend the NFL combine, McFadden said he didn't know.
"As his representative today," Allen interjected to laughter, "I don't think it's necessary."
June welcome: New SMU football coach June Jones, who appears comfortable with the shuck-and-jiving at these types of Dallas events, got plenty of love during the festivities.
ESPN's Chris Fowler, who hosted with cohorts Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit, teased that Jones coming to the Hilltop was the "recruiting job of the century."
Allen also congratulated Jones, a longtime acquaintance, on his new gig.
Heady company: The folks at the head table are always an impressive crew.
It included retired Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles, Stephen Jones, CBS announcer Verne Lundquist and football luminaries such as Larry Johnson, Dat Nguyen, Mike Renfro, Jerry LeVias, Cedric Benson and Tim Brown – the Dallas native who played with Allen for the Raiders.
Scene and heard: How much is a Roger Clemens autographed baseball going for these days? The starting bid at the silent auction was $250. But a witty fan made a statement by placing two cents on the bid sheet before staffers whisked them away. ... A dinner with June Jones for six at Bob's Steak & Chop House went for $2,000. The same meal with SMU basketball coach Matt Doherty brought $1,200. ... Forget to pack? McFadden had a belt and size-13 dress shoes delivered to the Anatole before the pre-banquet news conference. ... Allen played the Rock Band video game with kids during his visit earlier in the day at Children's Medical Center. Allen did the singing – Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive." ... McFadden chatted it up with the parents of Arkansas quarterback Casey Dick of Allen during the VIP gathering. ... Broyles plans to spend his retirement promoting improved care for Alzheimer's patients, inspired by his late wife. More information: www.alzheim ersplaybook.com.