More wild ways USF is getting exposure from the Super Bowl being in town: the Gramatica brothers -- former Bulls kickers Bill and Santiago and ex-Bucs kicker Martin -- taped a segment in Tampa on Thursday with Conan O'Brien.
The kickers taped the bit at Tampa's Jefferson High -- it should be part of NBC's pregame show on Sunday, and should also air on Late Night -- no word on whether it will be part of Thursday or Friday's show. In the photo, left to right, that's Martin, Santiago, Conan and Bill.
"That was amazing," Santiago said Thursday. "We're all fans, but after meeting him, we're even bigger fans. He's just a naturally funny guy."
NBC called USF asking for help for a segment showing O'Brien how to kick a field goal, and the Bulls suggested the Gramaticas. As for O'Brien's kicking ability? "Absolutely, he's a great athlete," Santiago said. "He's more the size of a punter, but he did a great job."
(photo courtesy GoUSFbulls.com)
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
What the "clan Grammatica Family"???
the relations with your parents....??
Posted by: corleone | February 01, 2009 at 09:00 AM
I believe they have one more practice on Saturday at USF ...
Posted by: Greg Auman | January 30, 2009 at 04:29 PM
Greg,
Are the Steelers done practicing at USF? Or will they be back out there on Saturday?
Posted by: Steelers | January 30, 2009 at 03:13 PM
I'm guessing these guys were showing how to kick a FG, not how to MAKE a FG...
Judging from Martin's season in New Orleans he could still use someone's help in that facet...
Posted by: Jonny | January 30, 2009 at 03:11 PM
I saw Mar-teen try and take on half the Louisville squad when they roughed up Santiago on a late first half FG. They didn’t call a penalty, but Santiago got sweet revenge by kicking the winning FG in double overtime after a Stephan Nicholas INT at the goal line.
Posted by: Don Corleone | January 30, 2009 at 02:41 PM
I just LOL at the "Dilbert and Teachy" comment.
Literally LOL like a lunatic.
They could show Teachy dropping the ball and whiffing on the punt while trying to punt from inside his own 10 against Elon 2 years ago (the night Greg Auman was fortunate enough to meet yours truly).
Posted by: Steve Stacy | January 30, 2009 at 02:33 PM
Taffy pull.
Classic.
Posted by: RR | January 30, 2009 at 02:23 PM
I'm coming over to Greg's house to watch Conan. I will bring the popcorn and you get the taffy pull going, mmm kay?
Posted by: Mike Lakeland | January 30, 2009 at 01:30 PM
Watched the first half of last night's and didn't see it, so I imagine it's on tonight's show. It should be part of the pregame show on NBC as well.
Posted by: G.A. | January 30, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Sorry to hear that Windbane... Whenever Martin was on the field or hanging out with Bill or Santiago when I ran into him, he never carried himself like he was above the non-superstar athlete. He's always been down to earth and took the time to acknowledge my existence (unlike my random meeting with former Hoyas coach John Thompson). Maybe Martin was having a tough day. I ended up at Hooters many times back in the day after some long days. That's what I chalk the John Thompson experience too instead of slamming him in a public forum. Iverson and Othello Harrington were nice enough to stop and talk with my buddy and I... so it caught me off guard that Thompson acted like we didn't exist. Santiago though always seemed the most grounded and always went out of his way to say hello. Just my two cents.
Posted by: Terry Lucas | January 30, 2009 at 12:13 PM
any word yet on when the segment will air on Late Night? Or did it air last night?
thanks folks
Posted by: Jason | January 30, 2009 at 11:26 AM
So his name IS IN FACT Guillermo!!
I have wondered about that for a long time.
I mean, you've got Mar-TEEN, Santiago, and Bill? BILL?? I was wondering how in the world that happened. I have been calling him Guillermo for several years as a joke, but it's nice to know that's what his name actually is!
Thanks, Terry.
Posted by: RR | January 30, 2009 at 10:19 AM
true story: Martin was a jerk at hooters.
Posted by: Windbane | January 30, 2009 at 04:17 AM
Have to disagree with you on that one Herm... If there were more families who's kids turned out as genuine, respectable, and successful as Martin, Bill, and Santiago, I'd say our country would be a better place. One moment will forever follow Bill unfortunately, but for those of us who were on the field that night, it's the amazement in the 63-yarder he nailed, not some celebration gone wrong three years later.
True story... Recently appraised Bill's old house in Chandler, Arizona, for the owner who bought it from Bill. The owner, not the most knowledgeable sports fan in the world, struck up a conversation after seeing my USF Gridiron Alumni shirt. He's like, "...a former football player owned my house." I had the tax records on me and looked at the name... Guillermo Grammatica. The owner never brought up how Bill got hurt, he did though bring up how Bill left all this autographed stuff for him and his kids, including mini-footballs, some Cardinal stuff, etc. Owner never asked... Bill just went out of his way and did it for him.
Definitely not my definition of a turd.
Posted by: Terry Lucas | January 30, 2009 at 12:35 AM
The Grammaticas give the term "turd" a new definition.
Posted by: Herman Momart | January 30, 2009 at 12:13 AM
Don't let Bill show Conan his quirky celebration routine.
Snap!!!! My kneee!!!!
Posted by: Don Corleone | January 29, 2009 at 10:22 PM
Tony, I don't really have much to do with the pics on the USF page, and the folks that do are about neck-deep in Super Bowl stuff ... I'll try to get it changed out -- the story ran in Wednesday's paper, so it's only really a day stale ...
Posted by: Greg Auman | January 29, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Sorry for this post on a non-related topic. Don't you think the Mike Mercer picture and caption has run it's course?
It's Super Bowl weekend and the sports worlds watches. We've concluded the Mercer story angles. I'm wndering why the Times continues to run the Mercer story/photo?
Posted by: Tony Grier | January 29, 2009 at 08:38 PM
Delbert's kicking would have provided all the comedy they were looking for....even without Conan.
Posted by: RR | January 29, 2009 at 06:46 PM
They didnt suggest Dilbert or Teachy?
Posted by: | January 29, 2009 at 06:28 PM