dragondawg
06-06-2007, 06:22 AM
All roads lead to roam
Broncos’ Veal gives in to wanderlust
By FRANK SCHWAB THE GAZETTE
ENGLEWOOD - On a whim this January, Denver Broncos defensive tackle Demetrin Veal got online and started planning a European vacation. He put some clothes in a backpack and a few days later he was touring Spain, Italy and France.
Veal, an avid fan of the Travel Channel, has been all over the world. He has surfed in Australia and celebrated carnival in Brazil. Backpacking in Europe fit well in his world tour.
“If you have the time and the means to do it, why not?” Veal said. “You see the same things every day in the States, so why not see something new?”
Veal spent about a month in Europe. He got around mostly on foot or on Eurail public transportation, finding places to stay as he went.
Veal hit some of the biggest cities in Europe, such as Monte Carlo, Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, Venice, Milan, Florence and Rome, and was impressed with the European lifestyle and hospitality.
“Everybody is relaxed,” Veal said. “It’s just the coolest time. If you’re cool, then everything is cool. They’d invite me into their home to eat with them and meet their family. Everywhere you went, if you’re nice to people they’re nice back to you.”
The people he met were usually impressed with him as well. Veal weighs 288 pounds, so he didn’t blend in. And even though Veal isn’t as famous as some of his teammates in Denver, he was a big hit with folks in Europe.
“Walking down the street they look at me first, and I open my mouth and they know I’m American,” Veal said. “And with my size, they ask what I do — American football? After that, people gather around, or I go places and they point me out. A lot of people just wanted to be around me.”
American football is becoming more popular in Europe. The NFL’s developmental league, NFL Europa, has been playing 16 years. London will host a game between Miami and the New York Giants on Oct. 28, which will be the first NFL regular-season game played overseas.
Veal said he was impressed at how much Europeans knew about the NFL. He was in Italy during the Super Bowl, and couldn’t believe the interest in it.
“It came on at midnight and the place was filled,” Veal said. “They know about it.”
Veal met some of Italy’s most famous athletes. He met a man who was running security for a function that would be attended by the Italian national soccer team, the 2006 World Cup champion. Veal is a big soccer fan, and even though he cheered for Brazil in the World Cup, he was thrilled to meet the Italian team and hang out with the players.
The Italian players knew about the NFL, too, and asked Veal about Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick and Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning, among others.
“It was funny to see they actually knew what was going on,” Veal said.
Veal said he plans to visit all the continents aside from Antarctica. He has visited four, and wants to visit Africa next year. Veal said he doesn’t know how he got the traveling bug. However, he will make a spontaneous decision to get on a plane when the urge hits and he has some free time, like he did earlier this year.
“If I ever see something about a place, I’ll go check it out,” Veal said.
CONTACT THE WRITER: 476-4891 or frank.schwab@gazette.com
TRAVELING with DEMETRIN
TIPS
Talk to the people
“Don’t be closed mouthed. Be friendly. Most people you meet are friendly anyway.”
Experience the local culture
“Be open, and try things.”
Don’t be scared to travel alone
“I go everywhere by myself. It’s easy that way. You don’t have to worry about anyone saying ‘I don’t want to do this, that and the other.’ You just go, dude.”
LOCALES
Veal’s favorite place abroad: Brazil
“That’s where I want to live when I’m done. Culture wise, there are certain cultures you feel comfortable with outside your own. They’re all about having a good time and being yourself and expressing yourself.”
The next stop on his world tour: Africa
“That’s one place I’ve always wanted to go. I want to go to Jerusalem also. I think in the next year I’m going to go.” List of places he has been to: France, Spain, Italy, Panama, Brazil, Trinidad, St. Thomas (Virgin Islands), Australia
http://www.gazette.com/articles/veal_23295___article.html/people_europe.html
Broncos’ Veal gives in to wanderlust
By FRANK SCHWAB THE GAZETTE
ENGLEWOOD - On a whim this January, Denver Broncos defensive tackle Demetrin Veal got online and started planning a European vacation. He put some clothes in a backpack and a few days later he was touring Spain, Italy and France.
Veal, an avid fan of the Travel Channel, has been all over the world. He has surfed in Australia and celebrated carnival in Brazil. Backpacking in Europe fit well in his world tour.
“If you have the time and the means to do it, why not?” Veal said. “You see the same things every day in the States, so why not see something new?”
Veal spent about a month in Europe. He got around mostly on foot or on Eurail public transportation, finding places to stay as he went.
Veal hit some of the biggest cities in Europe, such as Monte Carlo, Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, Venice, Milan, Florence and Rome, and was impressed with the European lifestyle and hospitality.
“Everybody is relaxed,” Veal said. “It’s just the coolest time. If you’re cool, then everything is cool. They’d invite me into their home to eat with them and meet their family. Everywhere you went, if you’re nice to people they’re nice back to you.”
The people he met were usually impressed with him as well. Veal weighs 288 pounds, so he didn’t blend in. And even though Veal isn’t as famous as some of his teammates in Denver, he was a big hit with folks in Europe.
“Walking down the street they look at me first, and I open my mouth and they know I’m American,” Veal said. “And with my size, they ask what I do — American football? After that, people gather around, or I go places and they point me out. A lot of people just wanted to be around me.”
American football is becoming more popular in Europe. The NFL’s developmental league, NFL Europa, has been playing 16 years. London will host a game between Miami and the New York Giants on Oct. 28, which will be the first NFL regular-season game played overseas.
Veal said he was impressed at how much Europeans knew about the NFL. He was in Italy during the Super Bowl, and couldn’t believe the interest in it.
“It came on at midnight and the place was filled,” Veal said. “They know about it.”
Veal met some of Italy’s most famous athletes. He met a man who was running security for a function that would be attended by the Italian national soccer team, the 2006 World Cup champion. Veal is a big soccer fan, and even though he cheered for Brazil in the World Cup, he was thrilled to meet the Italian team and hang out with the players.
The Italian players knew about the NFL, too, and asked Veal about Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick and Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning, among others.
“It was funny to see they actually knew what was going on,” Veal said.
Veal said he plans to visit all the continents aside from Antarctica. He has visited four, and wants to visit Africa next year. Veal said he doesn’t know how he got the traveling bug. However, he will make a spontaneous decision to get on a plane when the urge hits and he has some free time, like he did earlier this year.
“If I ever see something about a place, I’ll go check it out,” Veal said.
CONTACT THE WRITER: 476-4891 or frank.schwab@gazette.com
TRAVELING with DEMETRIN
TIPS
Talk to the people
“Don’t be closed mouthed. Be friendly. Most people you meet are friendly anyway.”
Experience the local culture
“Be open, and try things.”
Don’t be scared to travel alone
“I go everywhere by myself. It’s easy that way. You don’t have to worry about anyone saying ‘I don’t want to do this, that and the other.’ You just go, dude.”
LOCALES
Veal’s favorite place abroad: Brazil
“That’s where I want to live when I’m done. Culture wise, there are certain cultures you feel comfortable with outside your own. They’re all about having a good time and being yourself and expressing yourself.”
The next stop on his world tour: Africa
“That’s one place I’ve always wanted to go. I want to go to Jerusalem also. I think in the next year I’m going to go.” List of places he has been to: France, Spain, Italy, Panama, Brazil, Trinidad, St. Thomas (Virgin Islands), Australia
http://www.gazette.com/articles/veal_23295___article.html/people_europe.html