Whatever happened to Aaron Schobel?

[Peevo]

It's been forever since I've posted anything, but something struck a nerve when listening to Howard Simon this morning.

 

Howard and Jeremy were debating whether Jerry Hughes qualifies as a Wall of Famer, and Schobel's name inevitably came up.  Schobel has 55 more sacks than Hughes, despite being on TERRIBLE teams.

 

Schobel retired a career Bill, with 4 double-digit sack seasons, an All Pro, 2 Pro Bowl appearances.  

 

But yet, what the hell happened to the guy?  A quick google search reveals literally 0 media appearances since his retirement.  The last time his name was PUBLISHED in any sort of NFL media was 2010, regarding his retirement.  

 

The dude is a ghost.  

 

No charity events, no interviews, no signings/conventions/appearances of any kind that I can find.

 

And one could debate whether a player's community impact matters in the Wall of Fame discussion.

 

But I'd certainly argue being visible and proud of your career as a Bill SHOULD count in some ways.  Look at Stevie Johnson, Aaron Williams' social media feeds/NFL Draft appearances.  There's plenty of other examples.

 

Hell, even Marshawn Lynch "Lead the Charge" last season!  He was a Bill for like 3 seasons.

 

This dude played fulltime NFL football, at a very high level, FOR A DECADE. And never was heard from again.

 

I'd NEVER fault a man for performing well at a job he doesn't like.  That's life.

 

But I mean this sincerely, did Schobel ever actually like his job?  

 

Unless I'm bad at the internet, which is certainly possible, does ANYONE know anything about this guy since he left 12 years ago?

 

 

[teef]

he was arrested and is doing time for human trafficking.

[nucci]

Maybe he's living his life and doesn't want to be bothered. 

[DrDawkinstein]

Let the man live his life!

 

But for real, no idea. He was always a quiet, reserved type anyways. Not at all surprised he's enjoying a quiet retirement, out of the spotlight.

[Jpsredemption]

He’s a country boy who’s probably happy living a low key life. He was a very good player who was just not about the media side of things. 

[HomeskillitMoorman]

2 minutes ago, teef said:

he was arrested and is doing time for human trafficking.

 

Kind of a strange joke...

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

2 minutes ago, teef said:

he was arrested and is doing time for human trafficking.

FFS, probably 30% of the readership here will now believe that verbatim. 🤨

[teef]

Just now, HomeskillitMoorman said:

 

Kind of a strange joke...

you think you're better than me?

Just now, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

FFS, probably 30% of the readership here will now believe that verbatim. 🤨

outstanding.

[Mickey]

I believe I saw an article a ways back saying he was running a diner called "Not Bad" in Mediocre City in Oregon. He drives a Ford and plays bass in an Eagles cover band called "Could be Worse".

[DrW]

His family appears to have a restaurant in the Houston area. This guy got cards signed by him in 2020.

 

http://lee.n8d.com/2021/schobel-aaron/

[Peevo]

3 minutes ago, DrW said:

His family appears to have a restaurant in the Houston area. This guy got cards signed by him in 2020.

 

http://lee.n8d.com/2021/schobel-aaron/

 

Interesting.  Even still, this is a pretty deep dive to find any interaction with the man.

 

I guess my overall point is that, even if Aaron Schobel were to go up on the Wall, would he even show up at the stadium for the unveiling?

 

He deserves it as a player, but as a Bills alumnus/ambassador?  There's gotta be a laundry list of more deserving Drought Era players, right?

[Jauronimo]

3 minutes ago, DrW said:

His family appears to have a restaurant in the Houston area. This guy got cards signed by him in 2020.

 

http://lee.n8d.com/2021/schobel-aaron/

Yep, theres a big sign off I-10 for Schobel's.  Every time I drive past it I tell my wife how its connected to the Bills and say that one day we'll stop in for a bite but we both know thats a lie.  

 

https://www.schobelsrestaurant.com/our-story

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

3 minutes ago, Jauronimo said:

Yep, theres a big sign off I-10 for Schobel's.  Every time I drive past it I tell my wife how its connected to the Bills and say that one day we'll stop in for a bite but we both know thats a lie.  

 

https://www.schobelsrestaurant.com/our-story

I hear the restaurant hired Gettleman to make sure the patrons don't ask for second helpings.

[Allen2D̶i̶g̶g̶s̶TBD]

Schobel always seemed like a quiet, reserved guy so I'm not surprised that he doesn't have much of a media presence.

 

He has extremely productive, but the team was pretty lousy during his tenure. 

 

In my opinion, if we have to debate whether a player is worthy of the Wall of Fame, then they're not. Hughes was a productive player, but the Bills WOF should be reserved for legendary players who won championships.

 

Also, we need to take OJ Simpson's name off the wall.

Edited May 11, 2022 by Allen2Diggs

[BillsPride12]

From things I've heard/read about Schobel he was never really the kinda guy that embraced playing in Buffalo.  Certainly not the D*** Jack Eichel was but I am not surprised he's never come back around.

[Thurman#1]

25 minutes ago, Peevo said:

It's been forever since I've posted anything, but something struck a nerve when listening to Howard Simon this morning.

 

Howard and Jeremy were debating whether Jerry Hughes qualifies as a Wall of Famer, and Schobel's name inevitably came up.  Schobel has 55 more sacks than Hughes, despite being on TERRIBLE teams.

 

Schobel retired a career Bill, with 4 double-digit sack seasons, an All Pro, 2 Pro Bowl appearances.  

 

 

 

 

Schobel totalled 78 sacks. Jerry 58.

 

Now, I'm no Blaise Pascal, but that doesn't seem to subtract down to 55.

 

Just sayin'.

 

But Schobel really was good.

[\GoBillsInDallas/]

FWIW he's a rancher outside his hometown of Columbus, TX and most of his family still live there (and run the namesake restaurant).

 

Not everyone is obsessed with being on social media and LinkedIn and broadcasting themselves to the world.

 

 

[CNYfan]

I saw him in an airport once.  I did not try to interact with him, but he came over and said "Hey hippie, you ever been to Mississippi?".   I had seasons in the  third row during his years and often wore tie dyes.  Also to St. John Fischer. 

I thought that was odd of him, but just put my head back in my novel and smirked a bit.    

 

That is my Aaron Schobel story.  Donahoe traded up in the second to grab him.  Good player.  

Edited May 11, 2022 by CNYfan
spelling

[Gugny]

Schobel belongs on the Wall of Fame.  Long overdue, in my opinion.

 

Nine seasons ... all with the Bills.  Played 16 games in 8/9 seasons.  Second all-time in sacks.  Awesome Buffalo Bill.

[PromoTheRobot]

22 minutes ago, Jauronimo said:

Yep, theres a big sign off I-10 for Schobel's.  Every time I drive past it I tell my wife how its connected to the Bills and say that one day we'll stop in for a bite but we both know thats a lie.  

 

https://www.schobelsrestaurant.com/our-story

 

So it's still open. I had heard they closed. Or maybe just closed a second location.

[The Dean]

33 minutes ago, teef said:

he was arrested and is doing time for human trafficking.

 

30 minutes ago, HomeskillitMoorman said:

 

Kind of a strange joke...

 

 

And here I was going to guess Autoerotic Asphyxiation. 

[Peevo]

21 minutes ago, Gugny said:

Schobel belongs on the Wall of Fame.  Long overdue, in my opinion.

 

Nine seasons ... all with the Bills.  Played 16 games in 8/9 seasons.  Second all-time in sacks.  Awesome Buffalo Bill.

 

Sure, but I don't think the point of my post is sorta gaining traction.

 

He was a public figure for a decade on an NFL team, and now has 0 public presence.  That's certainly his prerogative.  But man, you'd think the 2nd all time sack leader would do a radio appearance once in a DECADE.

 

Has he ever come back to Buffalo for Jim Kelly's golf tournament or something?  That's what I'm talking about.  Like choosing to engage with the alumni community.  

 

It just doesn't make sense to me at all.

Edited May 11, 2022 by Peevo

[HereComesTheReignAgain]

I sometimes joke that if I ever come into several million dollars, you'll never hear from me again.  (I think I might have stolen that from a Ron White joke.) If I did not have to work or live around people, I would buy myself some remote land along a lake and surround myself with the things I liked and the few people that I want to be around.  Schobel seems to be the kind of guy that did not like the spotlight and fame.  He did his job and now gets to enjoy a quiet life on the ranch.  Good for him!

Edited May 11, 2022 by HereComesTheReignAgain

[Gugny]

8 minutes ago, Peevo said:

 

Sure, but I don't think the point of my post is sorta gaining traction.

 

He was a public figure for a decade on an NFL team, and now has 0 public presence.  That's certainly his prerogative.  But man, you'd think the 2nd all time sack leader would do a radio appearance once in a DECADE.

 

Has he ever come back to Buffalo for Jim Kelly's golf tournament or something?  That's what I'm talking about.  Like choosing to engage with the alumni community.  

 

It just doesn't make sense to me at all.

 

I worked at the same place for nearly 19 years before I left and since then (2014), I've associated with/seen 5-6 former co-workers.

 

My guess is that he viewed football as his job and once he retired, he put it in the rearview mirror. 

 

[jletha]

if we put him on the wall would he even show up?

[Fan in Chicago]

1 hour ago, Peevo said:

 

 

Unless I'm bad at the internet, which is certainly possible, does ANYONE know anything about this guy since he left 12 years ago?

 

 

Brady offed him and dissolved his body in lye for sacking him so much. 

[1ManRaid]

59 minutes ago, Jauronimo said:

Yep, theres a big sign off I-10 for Schobel's.  Every time I drive past it I tell my wife how its connected to the Bills and say that one day we'll stop in for a bite but we both know thats a lie.  

 

https://www.schobelsrestaurant.com/our-story

 

I heard the food was "above average overall, won't knock your socks off but a good reliable staple".

[Just Joshin']

1 hour ago, DrW said:

His family appears to have a restaurant in the Houston area. This guy got cards signed by him in 2020.

 

http://lee.n8d.com/2021/schobel-aaron/

It is in Columbus Tx.  Go into the restrooms and there is his Bills jersey and maybe a helmet.  His brothers also have their own restrooms.

1 hour ago, Jauronimo said:

Yep, theres a big sign off I-10 for Schobel's.  Every time I drive past it I tell my wife how its connected to the Bills and say that one day we'll stop in for a bite but we both know thats a lie.  

 

https://www.schobelsrestaurant.com/our-story

Food is average with buffet or aka cart with large portions.  If driving by and hungry, worth the stop.  That stretch of road is lacking quality restaurants.

 

[MJS]

Schobel was a good player. Better than Hughes, and the stats show that. I don't think either should be on the wall of fame.

[EasternOHBillsFan]

48 minutes ago, \GoBillsInDallas/ said:

FWIW he's a rancher outside his hometown of Columbus, TX and most of his family still live there (and run the namesake restaurant).

 

Not everyone is obsessed with being on social media and LinkedIn and broadcasting themselves to the world.

 

 

This isn't about obsession, this is about showing up every once in a while actually acting like you played for the Bills instead of nothing, ESPECIALLY someone who played for the team for that long. It's just very bizarre...

[Patrick Duffy]

1 hour ago, teef said:

he was arrested and is doing time for human trafficking.

 

Lol, you remember back a few years before he retired some posters complained about DE's were white guys and wanted black DE's (Bills message board).

 

 

[Shake_My_Head]

1 hour ago, Peevo said:

A quick google search reveals literally 0 media appearances since his retirement. 

Which would be the same number he made when he was playing.

 

Aaron was not into the 'NFL media machine" thing.  He was a quite, hard working guy who let  his playing speak for itself.

[Steve O]

1 hour ago, Allen2Diggs said:

Schobel always seemed like a quiet, reserved guy so I'm not surprised that he doesn't have much of a media presence.

He has extremely productive, but the team was pretty lousy during his tenure. 

In my opinion, if we have to debate whether a player is worthy of the Wall of Fame, then they're not. Hughes was a productive player, but the Bills WOF should be reserved for legendary players who won championships.

Also, we need to take OJ Simpson's name off the wall.

This will take care of itself in 4 years, no need to take it down, just don't put it up in the new stadium.

Edited May 11, 2022 by Steve O

[Snappysnackcakes]

Funny…I just moved to Houston and made an overnight trip to San Antonio. On the way there, there was a sign for a restaurant- “Schoebel’s” and I thought…maybe it is. So I stopped and, sure enough, it was his family’s place. 

[Steve O]

1 minute ago, Snappysnackcakes said:

Funny…I just moved to Houston and made an overnight trip to San Antonio. On the way there, there was a sign for a restaurant- “Schoebel’s” and I thought…maybe it is. So I stopped and, sure enough, it was his family’s place. 

So don't keep us guessing, give us a review of the food

[WhoTom]

1 hour ago, Allen2Diggs said:

the Bills WOF should be reserved for legendary players who won championships.

 

So Jim, Thurman, Bruce, and Andre don't belong there?

 

[Shake_My_Head]

10 minutes ago, EasternOHBillsFan said:

 

This isn't about obsession, this is about showing up every once in a while actually acting like you played for the Bills instead of nothing, ESPECIALLY someone who played for the team for that long. It's just very bizarre...

 

Oh boo hoo.   Schoebel is no different than Phil Hanson, Jim Ritcher, Shane Conlan, Joe Devlin, Nate Odems, Henry Jones, Ted Washington, Will Wolford....

[K-9]

1 hour ago, Allen2Diggs said:

Schobel always seemed like a quiet, reserved guy so I'm not surprised that he doesn't have much of a media presence.

 

He has extremely productive, but the team was pretty lousy during his tenure. 

 

In my opinion, if we have to debate whether a player is worthy of the Wall of Fame, then they're not. Hughes was a productive player, but the Bills WOF should be reserved for legendary players who won championships.

Per the bold, if that were the case then nobody would be up there, except the players from the AFL championship years. 

[MJS]

33 minutes ago, Fan in Chicago said:

Brady offed him and dissolved his body in lye for sacking him so much. 

That may be the topic of Brady's next tik tok video.

[uticaclub]

Dude worked his ass of us, made millions and now hopefully is enjoying his life. 
 

Who the ***** cares if you arent updated with his life.