Wed May 06, 2009 10:29 am EDT
A
lot of guys, when they sign an NFL contract, might go out and buy something
expensive, have a huge party, buy some jewelry, or maybe get a tattoo.
But if Nick Urban, former standout lineman at Winona State and brand new Minnesota Viking, is going to get a tattoo, it's going to be a red bullseye underneath the words, "Expect More. Pay Less."
Urban works (or worked) at Target, and you know what he did as soon as he found out the Vikings were giving him a contract? He put on the red shirt and worked his scheduled shift at Target.
From Access Vikings, via the watchful eye of Sportress of Blogitude:
“They were nice enough to take me on, knowing my situation and I owed them a lot,” Urban said of his bosses at Target, who gave him flexible, part-time hours so he could train for his shot at the NFL. “My parents raised me that way. They were nice enough to help out [at Target] and people that are nice enough to help you, you don’t just leave high and dry.”
That's fantastic. I'd love to think that if I were in Urban's shoes, I'd do the same thing, because I really admire the selflessness and loyalty he showed here.
I can't say for sure that I would, though. My only use for a Target right then might be to get a plastic kiddie swimming pool and enough baby oil to fill it for the party I'd throw later that night.
The next step for Urban is making the roster, and I wish him tremendous luck with that. He sounds like the kind of guy who deserves it.
Shutdown Corner is an NFL blog edited by Matthew J. Darnell. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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Worked there as a manager for 5 years and the crap they did to fire people they didnt like was criminal.....they should of been sent to jail !
I think what the kid did showed alot of class...now you know that he would be a GREAT influence for the team with that attitude..... Who wouldnt want a son or a daughter to have that kind of work attitude .
I hope the kid makes it ...
Hey MJD keep tabs on the kid and tell us what happens....or just wait till someone else writes a piece and just copy that story for the post.
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Anyway, I used to work at Wal Mart and had great management. It was a great experience. Plus, I'm about as loyal a customer as you'll find as a result. But let's be honest, it has little to do with the store and much more to do with Nick Urban's sense of responsibility and duty to his employer. How many people have this level of responsibility these days? Plus, he has a pretty good shot to make the squad at RG--and open holes for AP. Niiiiiiice.
KUDOS to Nick Urban! The Vikes got themselves a winner. All the best, Urban!
http://www.kttc.com/Global/story.asp?S=10309409
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this guy should have worked at Big 5, get all his equipment on discount.
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