Shutdown Corner - NFL

Wed May 06, 2009 10:29 am EDT

New Vikings signee retains his loyalty to Target

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.

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1349 Comments

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  1. JohnnyFootballHero
    1. Posted by JohnnyFootballHero Wed May 06, 2009 11:04 am EDT

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    wow, that's a really cool piece of info, mjd - thanks for that. as much as i'd like to deride the big box stores for killing the little guy, you have to commend urban for his loyalty. any club in the nfl would love to have him on board, if only for the work ethic and discipline he'll set in place.
  2. Tanzie T
    2. Posted by Tanzie T Wed May 06, 2009 11:35 am EDT

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    awesome!
  3. Pinchy The Lobster
    3. Posted by Pinchy The Lobster Wed May 06, 2009 12:12 pm EDT

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    You must think most NFL guys would do the opposite... No Favre bashing today?
  4. jarred
    4. Posted by jarred Wed May 06, 2009 12:22 pm EDT

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    old school party at MJD's? i'm in.
  5. --
    5. Posted by -- Wed May 06, 2009 12:53 pm EDT

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    Won't see that at Walmart anytime soon.
  6. troyboy
    6. Posted by troyboy Wed May 06, 2009 1:20 pm EDT

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    I wished that I could meet his father , to shake his hand and tell him good job sir!
  7. J B
    7. Posted by J B Wed May 06, 2009 2:02 pm EDT

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    MJD covered in baby oil... ewwww
  8. Irish Bastard
    8. Posted by Irish Bastard Wed May 06, 2009 2:02 pm EDT

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    LMAO...Yea WALLYWORLD IS A FLIPPIN JOKE !
    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.
  9. Scott E
    9. Posted by Scott E Wed May 06, 2009 3:52 pm EDT

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    Didn't Brett Favre do the same thing while stacking cans at Piggley Wiggley? I hope Urban becomes a Vike before Brett.
  10. Hitman
    10. Posted by Hitman Wed May 06, 2009 4:47 pm EDT

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    This story should be the top story today on this site - but I guess there is too much competition with all of 1) the hockey fighting, 2) bashing athletes like Marvin Harrison, 3) lip service about the Fakers,4) the New Orleans weeney wagers, 5) ectera. Yeah good people doing good things can't compete with all of the other "newsworthy" happenings in professional sports.
  11. kaessner
    11. Posted by kaessner Wed May 06, 2009 5:40 pm EDT

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    I remember working for Target. After three years there, they give you a keychain. And after that, they lay you off. Probably the best thing that could've happened to me, though. Now when people ask me where the paper towels are when they're standing right next to them (true story), I can just punch them in the face. I hope this guy makes it in the NFL just so he'll never have to work for Target again. I'm rooting for ya, buddy.
  12. Jaret D
    12. Posted by Jaret D Wed May 06, 2009 9:03 pm EDT

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    Reminds me of Bernie Parmalee. He got signed by the Dolphins and still put in his 2 weeks notice at UPS.
  13. nickolaskus
    13. Posted by nickolaskus Wed May 06, 2009 9:15 pm EDT

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    I used to work at target. After a year of working there with no raise, they decide to give me a twelve cent raise. and i was doin a good job too. after that i went to the beer section grabbed a six pack and drank it in the backwhile finishing my shift, hoping to get caught and fired. well they didnt catch me but it made me feel better about the twelve cent raise. i quit soon after.
  14. YGM
    14. Posted by YGM Wed May 06, 2009 10:18 pm EDT

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    OMG. Everyone knows wallmart is better right
  15. Michael G
    15. Posted by Michael G Thu May 07, 2009 11:20 am EDT

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    Why aren't the latest comments listed first? Never understood that.
    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
  16. J. Paar
    16. Posted by J. Paar Thu May 07, 2009 1:33 pm EDT

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    "a plastic kiddie swimming pool and enough baby oil to fill it "... now, I think you've got your priorities right!!
  17. smg
    17. Posted by smg Thu May 07, 2009 8:58 pm EDT

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    thats pretty admirable those are the people you wanna see succeed
  18. arturo f
    18. Posted by arturo f Thu May 07, 2009 8:59 pm EDT

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    imagine a world were all athletes worked part-time in retail....
    this guy should have worked at Big 5, get all his equipment on discount.
  19. black angel
    19. Posted by black angel Thu May 07, 2009 9:02 pm EDT

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    Job well done Nick Urban your parents raises you right
  20. Luke F
    20. Posted by Luke F Thu May 07, 2009 9:03 pm EDT

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    God bless him for having the courage to keep up. Seriously. Humble. If you had just signed the contract, and were content with the life you had...... Give away all the Money
  21. Ray B
    21. Posted by Ray B Thu May 07, 2009 9:06 pm EDT

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    thats about as American as it gets
  22. william
    22. Posted by william Thu May 07, 2009 9:06 pm EDT

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    It's a shame that this has to be big news, he did what's right. I would like to think more of us would stay and work. This is what team sports is all about. Your team mates are counting on you at practice, in a game or at work. It's all the same. DO THE RIGHT THING !!!!
  23. chris b
    23. Posted by chris b Thu May 07, 2009 9:06 pm EDT

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    awesome job. good luck on making the team.. i wish you the best...
  24. usa/uk chick
    24. Posted by usa/uk chick Thu May 07, 2009 9:07 pm EDT

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    Hurray! for Mr. Urban. Now if we could just clone him a hundred times and let the other NFL teams have him!
  25. Jose Cantseco
    25. Posted by Jose Cantseco Thu May 07, 2009 9:07 pm EDT

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    well yeah... he's gonna need that job when he gets sent to the practice squad in a couple months

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