KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Score an off-season win for the NFL Network.
On the heels of the NFL Network's "Leon Sandcastle" commercial that aired during the Super Bowl, Sandcastle (aka Deion Sanders) held a fictional press conference at the Chiefs' training camp facility on Thursday. And, yes, two dozen or so reporters and photographers actually showed up.
We were all there presumably out of passing curiosity, and just in case Sandcastle uttered something truly hilarious or shocking – neither of which really happened.
But we were there, and you can assume we'll all be viewing the scene of reporters huddled around Sandcastle as part of some upcoming NFL Network promos.
Yes, we're suckers, guilty as charged.
In the Super Bowl commercial, Sandcastle portrays an unknown prospect who bursts on the scene at the NFL Scouting Combine and runs a 4.19 40-yard dash. The Chiefs, who have the No. 1 pick in the draft, subsequently select Sandcastle with that pick.
So, Sandcastle was in Kansas City to check out the Chiefs' facilities on Thursday, talk to Chiefs coach Andy Ried, and perhaps work on financial details of a contract.
Here are the highlights, or lowlights if you will, of the "press conference."
Q: Leon, what position will you play?
Leon: "I play them all. The question is what position doesn't Leon play."
Q: Do you think you might be able to play for the Royals, too?
Leon: "That could happen. Anything could happen. Leon can do everything."
Q: Leon, do you have relatives in Kansas City?
Leon: "Leon doesn't have any relatives at all."
Q: Well, how then were you born?
Leon: "Leon is unlike any other man. People get the Bible misconstrued. People think God said, ‘Let there be light.' What He really said was ‘Let there be Leon.' "
Q: So you think you're better than Jesus Christ?
Leon: "I'm not going to say that. Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. Leon is saved."
Q: What about Allah?
Leon: "Who?"
Q: How was your interview with Coach Reid?
Leon: "First of all, Andy Reid looks good, physically and mentally. Leon had a good interview with Coach Reid. Remember that coaches don't interview Leon, Leon interviews coaches. "
Q: Have you actually signed yet with the Chiefs?
A: "No one can write Leon a check. The last time a team tried to write Leon a check, the bank bounced."
Q: Does Leon have kids?
Leon: "Leon doesn't get down like that."
Q: So, you hate kids?
Leon: "Oh, my goodness."
Q: What kind of money are you seeking from the Chiefs?
Leon: "All. All. Did I stutter?"
Q: How long did it take Leon to grow his mustache?
Leon: "Leon was born with a mustache."
Q: Do you consider yourself a good teammate?
Leon: "Leon gets along with everyone. Leon gets along with people who haven't been born yet."
Q: Does Leon (or Deion) like to tackle?
Leon: "Leon gets to the ball before that decision even has to be made."
Q: Do you plan on negotiating for yourself?
Leon: "I have an agent. His name is Rich Blackman."
