Mark Pike’s son is trying out with Bills - heck of a story

[YoloinOhio]

This is buried in another thread, thought it was compelling. I had seen this story awhile ago about his son (and posted it here at the time) but somehow missed that he’s among the rookie invitees to minicamp this weekend

 

 

 

Rooting for the kid 

[DJB]

Excellent story. Hard to not cheer for the kid

[Hapless Bills Fan]

21 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

This is buried in another thread, thought it was compelling. I had seen this story awhile ago about his son (and posted it here at the time) but somehow missed that he’s among the rookie invitees to minicamp this weekend

 

 

 

Rooting for the kid 

 

That's a great article with a heartwarming story from 2016.

 

But then there's this, from April 2018:

https://bustednewspaper.com/ky-kenton-ezekiel-price-pike-2018-04-07-004000/

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/high-school/kentucky-high-school/2018/04/10/former-dixie-heights-star-zeke-pike-arrested-faces-ovi-drug-charges/502816002/

 

His "new beginning" and sobriety would appear to be somewhat tenuous.

[Warcodered]

4 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

That's a great article with a heartwarming story from 2016.

 

But then there's this, from April 2018:

https://bustednewspaper.com/ky-kenton-ezekiel-price-pike-2018-04-07-004000/

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/high-school/kentucky-high-school/2018/04/10/former-dixie-heights-star-zeke-pike-arrested-faces-ovi-drug-charges/502816002/

 

His "new beginning" and sobriety would appear to be somewhat tenuous.

Seems like one hell of a long shot I mean he didn't really play much at QB or TE in college with all his trouble so it's hard to know how good he might of been. Plus the longest him being out of trouble right now being what a year puts him on awfully shaky ground trust wise. I didn't think it was him since the camp roster lists his college as Cincinnati.

[Augie]

6 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

That's a great article with a heartwarming story from 2016.

 

But then there's this, from April 2018:

https://bustednewspaper.com/ky-kenton-ezekiel-price-pike-2018-04-07-004000/

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/high-school/kentucky-high-school/2018/04/10/former-dixie-heights-star-zeke-pike-arrested-faces-ovi-drug-charges/502816002/

 

His "new beginning" and sobriety would appear to be somewhat tenuous.

 

Ouch! There is no such thing as “out of the woods”, but that’s shockingly recent. 

 

But I wish him and his family all the best. Football isn’t everything. 

[North Buffalo]

One day at a time, he just has to remember non carbarudum illigitimus…. "don't let the bastages get you down" and nothing is so important that another drug will make a whole lot worse.  My brother died in his 30s due to his addiction... my prayers are with him.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

8 minutes ago, Warcodered said:

Seems like one hell of a long shot I mean he didn't really play much at QB or TE in college with all his trouble so it's hard to know how good he might of been. Plus the longest him being out of trouble right now being what a year puts him on awfully shaky ground trust wise. I didn't think it was him since the camp roster lists his college as Cincinnati.

 

Yeah, I wondered if he had been given a shot at University of Cincinnati or some other school known as Cincinnati.

But I couldn't find a draft profile on him.

 

Folks in the Shoutbox were opining it was the Bills doing a friendly to his Dad

[US Egg]

Wish him no malice, but, Zeke needs steady supervision for some time, regardless of football.

Edited May 11, 2019 by I am the egg man

[North Buffalo]

2 minutes ago, I am the egg man said:

Wish him no malice, but, it appears Zeke will need serious supervision/babysitting for some time.

 He needs some good people around him true and to be kept busy... but he needs to do the work and take the bull by the horns when he feels an itch and ask for help.  Unfortunately, no amount of babysitting can prevent him from choosing the wrong path... I and my parents know... we tried and it doesn't work.  I just hope for his sake that he hangs in there when he feels it and takes action to reach out to the right people to keep himself out of trouble.  He needs to find those people in Buffalo.

[US Egg]

I rephrased what I initially posted as it sounded a bit demeaning referencing babysitting. 

 

You put it quite well with his situation for himself, those close to him and who he chooses to be around.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

32 minutes ago, North Buffalo said:

 He needs some good people around him true and to be kept busy... but he needs to do the work and take the bull by the horns when he feels an itch and ask for help.  Unfortunately, no amount of babysitting can prevent him from choosing the wrong path... I and my parents know... we tried and it doesn't work.  I just hope for his sake that he hangs in there when he feels it and takes action to reach out to the right people to keep himself out of trouble.  He needs to find those people in Buffalo.

 

Let's see if he actually earns a shot with the team in B'lo first.

 

I will admit to being very let down after reading the 2016 SI article and then googling and finding that 2018 arrest. 

 

I hope this "cup of coffee" is a step to him making peace with his athletic talent, and not something that will torment him with thoughts of what "might have been".

[Not at the table Karlos]

1 hour ago, YoloinOhio said:

This is buried in another thread, thought it was compelling. I had seen this story awhile ago about his son (and posted it here at the time) but somehow missed that he’s among the rookie invitees to minicamp this weekend

 

 

 

Rooting for the kid 

He gave one of the best speeches I have ever heard in my life at the Jim Kelly camp two years ago. I really hope this kid succeeds. 

1 hour ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

That's a great article with a heartwarming story from 2016.

 

But then there's this, from April 2018:

https://bustednewspaper.com/ky-kenton-ezekiel-price-pike-2018-04-07-004000/

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/high-school/kentucky-high-school/2018/04/10/former-dixie-heights-star-zeke-pike-arrested-faces-ovi-drug-charges/502816002/

 

His "new beginning" and sobriety would appear to be somewhat tenuous.

Sucks that he had some setbacks. Talking to him a couple years ago he seemed like he changed his life around. Wish him the best in life even if it’s not in football

[#34fan]

Man!  Guy makes Chad Kelly seem like an Eagle-Scout.... Why are the Bills doing this again?... Seems like a high-risk, low reward proposition...  Might as well bring back Karlos Williams for that price!

[YoloinOhio]

7 hours ago, #34fan said:

Man!  Guy makes Chad Kelly seem like an Eagle-Scout.... Why are the Bills doing this again?... Seems like a high-risk, low reward proposition...  Might as well bring back Karlos Williams for that price!

There really is no risk at this point. He’s not signed. Just a try-out.

[TPS]

What position is he playing in his tryout?

[Chandler#81]

Yeah, but can he scream “Steve Christie, YOU make the tackle!!”?

If not, fuggetaboutit.

[YoloinOhio]

15 minutes ago, TPS said:

What position is he playing in his tryout?

TE

[TigerJ]

Even without the checkered past, he's an extreme long shot to make even the training camp roster.  I'm rooting for him to keep his life on track, but the odds are it won't happen in the NFL long term.

[GG]

That explains the Bills logo in the SI article.

[hondo in seattle]

9 hours ago, #34fan said:

Man!  Guy makes Chad Kelly seem like an Eagle-Scout.... Why are the Bills doing this again?... Seems like a high-risk, low reward proposition...  Might as well bring back Karlos Williams for that price!

 

It's a low-risk, low-reward proposition - just a goodwill gesture for his dad.  

 

Pike's girlfriend in the story - Dani Cogswell - went to the same high school as my daughter.  Dani was a great young lady by all accounts.  I believe she was the 3rd ranked gymnast in the country when she was 9 or 10.   Switched to cheerleading later on and led the HS team to the national finals.  Effervescent, talented girl - killed by drugs.  Very sad story.  

Edited May 11, 2019 by hondo in seattle

[EasternOHBillsFan]

I wouldn't even give him a look... it seems as if he hasn't hit rock bottom yet as the 2018 arrest proves. Sometimes addicts are given too many chances and prolongs their problem. He obviously still thinks his athletic ability may get him yet another chance, but if he was signed, unfortunately his salary might fuel another binge. He needs to find regular employment and continue his road to recovery. Unfortunately, I was one of those who gave my guy multiple chances to sober up because he was an excellent technician. Unfortunately, he still had not hit rock bottom until he was kicked out of the Navy. That was his rock bottom and he unfortunately needed to hit it and be humbled... and I don't think Zeke has hit his yet.

Edited May 11, 2019 by EasternOHBillsFan

[JerseyBills]

11 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

That's a great article with a heartwarming story from 2016.

 

But then there's this, from April 2018:

https://bustednewspaper.com/ky-kenton-ezekiel-price-pike-2018-04-07-004000/

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/high-school/kentucky-high-school/2018/04/10/former-dixie-heights-star-zeke-pike-arrested-faces-ovi-drug-charges/502816002/

 

His "new beginning" and sobriety would appear to be somewhat tenuous.

I have been there and couldn't imagine being even a minor public figure where everybody knew of how much i F'd up. I'm now 3 years sober from xanax and opiates. I still drink but only socially and attend aa, na meetings regularly . It's  a lifetime disease, and all he can do is a 1 day at a time. I'm rooting for Pike big time. I know all too well the destruction , depression , isolation and negative results this disease brings. Sending good vibes his way

12 minutes ago, EasternOHBillsFan said:

I wouldn't even give him a look... it seems as if he hasn't hit rock bottom yet as the 2018 arrest proves. Sometimes addicts are given too many chances and prolongs their problem. He obviously still thinks his athletic ability may get him yet another chance, but if he was signed, unfortunately his salary might fuel another binge. He needs to find regular employment and continue his road to recovery. Unfortunately, I was one of those who gave my guy multiple chances to sober up because he was an excellent technician. Unfortunately, he still had not hit rock bottom until he was kicked out of the Navy. That was his rock bottom and he unfortunately needed to hit it and be humbled... and I don't think Zeke has hit his yet.

Unfortunately , you may be right. It's funny because rock bottom came to me when i was "doing good" . I was working, drug free and looked like I was cured . But i was still dabbling and realized it wasn't just the drugs, it was the whole lifestyle i was addicted too. The fast life, but I hit an emotional rock bottom and that's when i finally found the change i was looking for. If he can truly find that piece of mind, the strength it takes to be good at  football will be nothing compared to fighting addiction. 

[Gugny]

10 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

I will admit to being very let down after reading the 2016 SI article and then googling and finding that 2018 arrest. 

 

I'd actually made a comment in response to reading the 2016 piece.  About 1 minute later, I saw the links to the 2018 troubles ... then quickly deleted my comment.

[hondo in seattle]

28 minutes ago, JerseyBills said:

I have been there and couldn't imagine being even a minor public figure where everybody knew of how much i F'd up. I'm now 3 years sober from xanax and opiates. I still drink but only socially and attend aa, na meetings regularly . It's  a lifetime disease, and all he can do is a 1 day at a time. I'm rooting for Pike big time. I know all too well the destruction , depression , isolation and negative results this disease brings. Sending good vibes his way

Unfortunately , you may be right. It's funny because rock bottom came to me when i was "doing good" . I was working, drug free and looked like I was cured . But i was still dabbling and realized it wasn't just the drugs, it was the whole lifestyle i was addicted too. The fast life, but I hit an emotional rock bottom and that's when i finally found the change i was looking for. If he can truly find that piece of mind, the strength it takes to be good at  football will be nothing compared to fighting addiction. 

 

Congrats on changing your lifestyle and best of wishes in your continuing sobriety!

[That's No Moon]

10 hours ago, #34fan said:

Man!  Guy makes Chad Kelly seem like an Eagle-Scout.... Why are the Bills doing this again?... Seems like a high-risk, low reward proposition...  Might as well bring back Karlos Williams for that price!

I was wondering why they'd take on this kid and not Kelly, then I got to the part of the 2016 article that referenced the ministry he'd started and it made sense.  Not to me mind you, but to the people who make such decisions at OBD.  

 

McDermott is on the Andy Reid tree and Reid spouts this BS (IMO) also culture, culture, faith, blah, blah, blah.  Then you look at the turds Reid has enabled over the years and the hot mess his own kids are/were and I start to look at it skeptically.  Frankly, I'm skeptical of most people who clothe themselves in religion as a methodology to cleanse themselves.  This Pike kid started a ministry? Dude, get your own house in order.

[hondo in seattle]

5 minutes ago, That's No Moon said:

I was wondering why they'd take on this kid and not Kelly, then I got to the part of the 2016 article that referenced the ministry he'd started and it made sense.  Not to me mind you, but to the people who make such decisions at OBD.  

 

McDermott is on the Andy Reid tree and Reid spouts this BS (IMO) also culture, culture, faith, blah, blah, blah.  Then you look at the turds Reid has enabled over the years and the hot mess his own kids are/were and I start to look at it skeptically.  Frankly, I'm skeptical of most people who clothe themselves in religion as a methodology to cleanse themselves.  This Pike kid started a ministry? Dude, get your own house in order.

 

I get what you're saying and agree that little Pike needs to get his own house in order. 

 

But when McD worked for Reid, he didn't become Reid.  

[JerseyBills]

7 minutes ago, hondo in seattle said:

 

Congrats on changing your lifestyle and best of wishes in your continuing sobriety!

Appreciate it! It even made me pursue a career in helping those fight this deadly disease. Right now it's truly an epidemic where i'm at,North Jersey , it's unreal how young and how hard these kids are going. I guess we gotta keep fighting but the Gov't also has to step in and make some big changes because it's not normal for 20 somethings to be dropping like flies.

[Warcodered]

15 minutes ago, That's No Moon said:

I was wondering why they'd take on this kid and not Kelly, then I got to the part of the 2016 article that referenced the ministry he'd started and it made sense.  Not to me mind you, but to the people who make such decisions at OBD.  

 

McDermott is on the Andy Reid tree and Reid spouts this BS (IMO) also culture, culture, faith, blah, blah, blah.  Then you look at the turds Reid has enabled over the years and the hot mess his own kids are/were and I start to look at it skeptically.  Frankly, I'm skeptical of most people who clothe themselves in religion as a methodology to cleanse themselves.  This Pike kid started a ministry? Dude, get your own house in order.

When I read the article I was thinking the same thing, finally someone for people to latch on to the stupid Christian angle again. I mean it's been a while since they cut Peterman and I need my fix, hope he makes it to training camp so we can see this all damn summer.

Edited May 11, 2019 by Warcodered

[JerseyBills]

5 minutes ago, hondo in seattle said:

 

I get what you're saying and agree that little Pike needs to get his own house in order. 

 

But when McD worked for Reid, he didn't become Reid.  

Good point, I recently saw a Brian Dawkins little documentary and McD was coaching the secondary, I'm certain he gained an enormous amount of knowledge and perspective on the game from Reid but ya he's a completely different coach , different energy, different approach to the game. McD is a natural, I've said this so many times, we struck gold with him and Beane as well

[DCbillsfan]

1 hour ago, JerseyBills said:

Appreciate it! It even made me pursue a career in helping those fight this deadly disease. Right now it's truly an epidemic where i'm at,North Jersey , it's unreal how young and how hard these kids are going. I guess we gotta keep fighting but the Gov't also has to step in and make some big changes because it's not normal for 20 somethings to be dropping like flies.

It's pretty bad down here in DC too.  It really is an epidemic.  Stay the course JerseyBills!!

[YoloinOhio]

2 hours ago, JerseyBills said:

Appreciate it! It even made me pursue a career in helping those fight this deadly disease. Right now it's truly an epidemic where i'm at,North Jersey , it's unreal how young and how hard these kids are going. I guess we gotta keep fighting but the Gov't also has to step in and make some big changes because it's not normal for 20 somethings to be dropping like flies.

Same in Ohio

[HansLanda]

Pills are a thing no matter where you live. It's crazy/scary. 

[LSHMEAB]

"Recovering" addict myself so I always root for these kids/grown men. The struggle is real. I don't think Pike has a future in the NFL, but I'm glad he's getting a shot.

[YoloinOhio]

I think it’s probably a situation where this kid has one more chance to play football, and the Bills are doing him a favor because Pike is his dad. The Pegulas and the FO/staff don’t have any ties to Pike but marlon kerner is over alumni relations and Zeke Pike spoke at Kelly’s camp, so there is still some connection. Try out players rarely get signed but they needed a bunch of guys for this weekend so why not. 

Edited May 11, 2019 by YoloinOhio

[LSHMEAB]

Just now, YoloinOhio said:

I think it’s probably a situation where this kid has one more chance to play football, and the Bills are doing him a favor because Pike is his dad. The Pegulas and the FO/staff don’t have any ties to Pike but marlon kerner is over alumni relations and Zeke Pike spoke at Kelly’s camp, so there is still some connection. 

Ahh. Terrific connection. Kerner and Pike played together from 95 to 98. 

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

7 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

I think it’s probably a situation where this kid has one more chance to play football, and the Bills are doing him a favor because Pike is his dad. The Pegulas and the FO/staff don’t have any ties to Pike but marlon kerner is over alumni relations and Zeke Pike spoke at Kelly’s camp, so there is still some connection. Try out players rarely get signed but they needed a bunch of guys for this weekend so why not. 

 

...major, MAJOR hurdles to overcome recidivism.....hope he can.....Kelly's nephew faces the same challenges but continues to stumble..only the strong survive...good luck lad....

[Hapless Bills Fan]

39 minutes ago, HansLanda said:

Pills are a thing no matter where you live. It's crazy/scary. 

 

Yes.

 

This may sound unrelated, bear with me.  A couple months back I was reading a book, "Secrets from the Food Lab" by Traci Mann.  Psychology professor at UMinn.  It's about her studies on the psychology of how people relate to food and how group dynamics influence this, but she does get into some practical suggestions for improving one's eating habits.

 

One of her points about why diets don't work and willpower isn't enough, was the difference between eating and most other activities: if you ignore distractions and focus on work 90% of the time before giving in and cutting loose, you'll be pretty successful because you'll get a lot done in that 90%, and those accomplishments will remain while you're off partying or what-have you.  But if you ignore a plate of donuts 90% of the time, and give in and eat 10% of the time, the donuts you gobble can completely undo or reverse the effects of that 90% restraint.

 

The relevance to the difficulty of struggles with addiction seems clear.  90% or 95% or even 99% clean isn't enough, and 100% is damned hard.

 

15 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

I think it’s probably a situation where this kid has one more chance to play football, and the Bills are doing him a favor because Pike is his dad. The Pegulas and the FO/staff don’t have any ties to Pike but marlon kerner is over alumni relations and Zeke Pike spoke at Kelly’s camp, so there is still some connection. Try out players rarely get signed but they needed a bunch of guys for this weekend so why not. 

 

I think you've found the connection.  Pike and Kerner were teammates for several years in the 90's.

 

And it may go further than the weekend in that, if they can help the kid cut some film and give him a hands-on, eyes-on evaluation from a coach, perhaps he can get a further chance elsewhere, in the CFL or something.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

8 hours ago, TPS said:

What position is he playing in his tryout?

 

TE

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

2 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Yes.

 

This may sound unrelated, bear with me.  A couple months back I was reading a book, "Secrets from the Food Lab" by Traci Mann.  Psychology professor at UMinn.  It's about her studies on the psychology of how people relate to food and how group dynamics influence this, but she does get into some practical suggestions for improving one's eating habits.

 

One of her points about why diets don't work and willpower isn't enough, was the difference between eating and most other activities: if you ignore distractions and focus on work 90% of the time before giving in and cutting loose, you'll be pretty successful because you'll get a lot done in that 90%, and those accomplishments will remain while you're off partying or what-have you.  But if you ignore a plate of donuts 90% of the time, and give in and eat 10% of the time, the donuts you gobble can completely undo or reverse the effects of that 90% restraint.

 

The relevance to the difficulty of struggles with addiction seems clear.

 

...GREAT point Hap....isn't the societal push that pills for whatever reason, be it diet, depression, et al are the "magical end all cure all"?....establishing a stoic mindset towards the goal comes first and foremost with meds being the ancillary helper.....not the other way around IMO...

[Nuncha]

Mark was a great special teams player...the play he made on the onside kick during the greatest comeback was the turning point of the game.