You know lately we have had so many more good days than tough days, but I have to say that yesterday has to be pretty high up there on the top 10 list, and we all know how Daniel loves a good top 10 list. After the previous ESPN articles that came out about Daniel and his sideline opportunity somehow an amazing man got news of Daniel and contacted us saying he was inspired and intrigued by Daniel’s story, well, who wouldn’t be right? Can you believe, this guy was from NFL Network and wanted to do a story about Daniel and the studio and his D[P]R show and the hospital. Well I was not going to hesitate returning this email. He said he would be in town this week and would like to move on it. He had his two guys that would be in town doing a sports segment with the Broncos and it would be a good if we had time. We set up a time for a phone call and Daniel took the first call. The connection was instant. Age and distance didn’t separate these two, they were instantly connected by commonality of Jewish day school, Jewish mothers that wouldn’t let them play football and more. Too funny. I let them chat and left my part to logistics. I kept to the details and was excited that we would be getting to meet the Sklar Brothers that have done about a thousand things on tv and internet and are hysterical comedians. They do a ton now with sports and would be here in Denver this weekend at Comedy Works and would like to come interview Daniel. Fast forward a few days and now with Daniel’s great test results behind us I picked him up early from school and off we went for a day of fun at the hospital focused on highlighting Daniel (no infusions, no tests, no doctor checks today). Wait I have to back up a second, these past couple days have been crazy, but a joy because along with Chris and Cody in the Studio I have been working with the media people at the hospital trying to get people together for the perfect picture of Daniel and let me tell you, there is not a shortage of people willing to help out. Narrowing it down has been the tough part. We didn’t want to waste NFL network’s time and we also wanted to do our best to represent the hospital and Daniel the best way possible. Daniel has made a huge impression on many people over his stay at the hospital so finding the right people was key. We often joke that he is famous at the hospital but not just because he is a common face, but because he is such a success story.
Okay, It was almost game time, or should I say show time, and it was such a special treat because aside from most days that Daniel and I go it alone, today Rob joined us. It was different to have Rob there because even though today really was unusual and special, Daniel handles all of this stuff like a pro, but it really was exciting and Rob got to be with us for a very exciting day. So we picked Daniel up. He got changed into his CHCO/Broncos rep gear and we headed to the hospital. We were early and the NFL team was a little late. Be flexible I said to myself, a thing I have totally transformed about myself. Then they texted me and asked us to meet them across the street for a bite to eat. Honestly, I have to say the second we met them it was like sitting down with old high school friends. These were guys that were my age, with more in common in background and upbringing than I could imagine. (I speak just for myself). We chit chatted but they didn’t want to know too much of Daniel’s story, because “as professionals, they knew they wanted the actual interview to be fresh. Well, most of that went out the window fairly quickly, because it is pretty hard to keep a bunch of Jews quiet while talking over lunch. Anyway after a quick bite we went over to the hospital and they saw Children’s Hospital Colorado and The Seacrest Studio for the first time. They were so impressed and I could not help but feel a sense of pride in my heart. I don’t know why, it is not like I own the place although I probably could in what we have paid in medical bills at this point, but in my heart I feel an ownership of sorts for this place, like it is such a part of me now. Within moments of Randy and Jason Sklar (did I mention they were identical twins) sitting down at the microphone in the studio, they remarked how they were amazed at how beautiful and technologically advanced the studio was and then BOOM! the show is about to start because we are so behind schedule and with no prep or fore warning Daniel informs them they will be guests on HIS show and how it will go. Daniel runs the show with ease. He makes these comedians laugh and he is fluent in his knowledge of the topic of football with these experts. He impresses with his ease in front of the camera but I can tell that as the show and the afternoon goes on and the interviews with Chris and Cody and Dr. Craddock (Daniel’s primary doctor who came off of vacation to participate for Daniel) continue, it is not Daniel’s talent that impresses them all, but his strength and character that touches them more. The connection I think he has made more with these people is not only now professional, as an up and coming kid in their profession (as Daniel may think) but these are “my contemporaries” they are parents of children and I can see it in their faces, I can see it in their eyes, I saw it at the restaurant 3 minutes after meeting Daniel, he is a kid that has overcome. He has overcome so much and done it so well. He I impressive. He is impressive for so much more than what he is showing on the outside and he doesn’t even know it. The afternoon became pretty rushed because things take longer for tv than radio as they explained. But it sure was all fun to watch and Daniel was loving it all and at ease through it all too. Dr. Craddock spent longer than he probably should have explaining a little of Daniel’s case to Randy and Jason and hopefully didn’t freak them out too, too much. I listened in and although I had heard it all what seems like a thousand times now, I realized it is still frickin’ scary. Especially to these two guys that have young and healthy kids. I bet it knocked them for a loop in the middle of what was meant to be a fun day and if they are reading this at some point I apologize for that. The afternoon wrapped up with an interview with me which I hated, BUT, I didn’t cry and I kept it together. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that I was being questioned by cute Jewish identical twin famous boys, that made me less nervous, or more nervous, I don’t know, but I got through it. In the end they were all extremely positive about how it all went and encouraging that Daniel should pursue his career in the field because he has promise. They encouraged him to follow up with them and come out maybe in the summer for an internship at NFL Network which you know he will be all over.
At the end of the afternoon we took the Sklar Brothers back downtown and I think Rob enjoyed giving them a little tour and history of Denver since he knows so much. They liked hearing about the history and family traditions and things. It was great for Daniel to have some one on one, or should I say one on two time with them. I know this is a memory he will hold forever. He can say he hung out with the Sklar brothers in the back of his mom’s car. They were also very gracious and invited Rob and I to their stand up show as special guests at night which was wonderful as a nice night out for the two of us something we don’t do often. Laugher is good and with those two it was abundant. They were hysterical.
It was so wonderful to know how encouraging they were towards Daniel and how impressed they were with him. It was also so nice to hear how appreciative Daniel was of the opportunity we were given. We look forward to seeing the finished piece maybe next week. Of course I will pass on whatever I have as soon as I see anything. In the meantime I suggest you check out anything from the Sklar Brothers on NFL Now or maybe Trendzone to brighten your day. He said He Said is my particular favorite. Thank you David Nickoll, Randy Sklar and Jason Sklar your three are mencshs.
Okay, It was almost game time, or should I say show time, and it was such a special treat because aside from most days that Daniel and I go it alone, today Rob joined us. It was different to have Rob there because even though today really was unusual and special, Daniel handles all of this stuff like a pro, but it really was exciting and Rob got to be with us for a very exciting day. So we picked Daniel up. He got changed into his CHCO/Broncos rep gear and we headed to the hospital. We were early and the NFL team was a little late. Be flexible I said to myself, a thing I have totally transformed about myself. Then they texted me and asked us to meet them across the street for a bite to eat. Honestly, I have to say the second we met them it was like sitting down with old high school friends. These were guys that were my age, with more in common in background and upbringing than I could imagine. (I speak just for myself). We chit chatted but they didn’t want to know too much of Daniel’s story, because “as professionals, they knew they wanted the actual interview to be fresh. Well, most of that went out the window fairly quickly, because it is pretty hard to keep a bunch of Jews quiet while talking over lunch. Anyway after a quick bite we went over to the hospital and they saw Children’s Hospital Colorado and The Seacrest Studio for the first time. They were so impressed and I could not help but feel a sense of pride in my heart. I don’t know why, it is not like I own the place although I probably could in what we have paid in medical bills at this point, but in my heart I feel an ownership of sorts for this place, like it is such a part of me now. Within moments of Randy and Jason Sklar (did I mention they were identical twins) sitting down at the microphone in the studio, they remarked how they were amazed at how beautiful and technologically advanced the studio was and then BOOM! the show is about to start because we are so behind schedule and with no prep or fore warning Daniel informs them they will be guests on HIS show and how it will go. Daniel runs the show with ease. He makes these comedians laugh and he is fluent in his knowledge of the topic of football with these experts. He impresses with his ease in front of the camera but I can tell that as the show and the afternoon goes on and the interviews with Chris and Cody and Dr. Craddock (Daniel’s primary doctor who came off of vacation to participate for Daniel) continue, it is not Daniel’s talent that impresses them all, but his strength and character that touches them more. The connection I think he has made more with these people is not only now professional, as an up and coming kid in their profession (as Daniel may think) but these are “my contemporaries” they are parents of children and I can see it in their faces, I can see it in their eyes, I saw it at the restaurant 3 minutes after meeting Daniel, he is a kid that has overcome. He has overcome so much and done it so well. He I impressive. He is impressive for so much more than what he is showing on the outside and he doesn’t even know it. The afternoon became pretty rushed because things take longer for tv than radio as they explained. But it sure was all fun to watch and Daniel was loving it all and at ease through it all too. Dr. Craddock spent longer than he probably should have explaining a little of Daniel’s case to Randy and Jason and hopefully didn’t freak them out too, too much. I listened in and although I had heard it all what seems like a thousand times now, I realized it is still frickin’ scary. Especially to these two guys that have young and healthy kids. I bet it knocked them for a loop in the middle of what was meant to be a fun day and if they are reading this at some point I apologize for that. The afternoon wrapped up with an interview with me which I hated, BUT, I didn’t cry and I kept it together. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that I was being questioned by cute Jewish identical twin famous boys, that made me less nervous, or more nervous, I don’t know, but I got through it. In the end they were all extremely positive about how it all went and encouraging that Daniel should pursue his career in the field because he has promise. They encouraged him to follow up with them and come out maybe in the summer for an internship at NFL Network which you know he will be all over.
At the end of the afternoon we took the Sklar Brothers back downtown and I think Rob enjoyed giving them a little tour and history of Denver since he knows so much. They liked hearing about the history and family traditions and things. It was great for Daniel to have some one on one, or should I say one on two time with them. I know this is a memory he will hold forever. He can say he hung out with the Sklar brothers in the back of his mom’s car. They were also very gracious and invited Rob and I to their stand up show as special guests at night which was wonderful as a nice night out for the two of us something we don’t do often. Laugher is good and with those two it was abundant. They were hysterical.
It was so wonderful to know how encouraging they were towards Daniel and how impressed they were with him. It was also so nice to hear how appreciative Daniel was of the opportunity we were given. We look forward to seeing the finished piece maybe next week. Of course I will pass on whatever I have as soon as I see anything. In the meantime I suggest you check out anything from the Sklar Brothers on NFL Now or maybe Trendzone to brighten your day. He said He Said is my particular favorite. Thank you David Nickoll, Randy Sklar and Jason Sklar your three are mencshs.