Nice Frye Column

[Captain Kangaroo]

Frye sizzles at Senior Bowl

By John Wallace

Wednesday, February 16, 2005 5:26 PM CST

Who had the best throws at Mardi Gras this year?

Forget about all the colorfully clad people on parade floats tossing moon pies, candy, beads and stuffed animals into the crowds lining the streets of historic downtown Mobile.

The best throws from Mardi Gras 2005 came on one day at Ladd-Peebles Stadium and they came from quarterback Charlie Frye.

Akron senior quarterback Charlie Frye shined in front of family members and a sold out crowd at the 2005 Senior Bowl in Mobile in late January.

Frye, who has family in Andalusia, led the North team to a 23-13 win against the South squad in the first Mardi Gras-themed Senior Bowl. Frye completed 10-of-12 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown in the win. The touchdown pass was a 22-yard strike to Northwestern receiver Noah Herron to seal the win.

Frye crushed the South's hopes of a late comeback win with an 11-play drive that covered 50 yards for the final score. He completed 4-of-5 passes on the game-clinching drive, including a big third-and-17 conversion that resulted in the touchdown pass to Herron.

After the 56th annual Senior Bowl, played in Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Frye received a great honor being named the MVP. Bill Swancutt was named the North's Defensive MVP. Kansas State running back Darren Sproles was named the North's Offensive MVP. Auburn quarterback Jason Campbell was named the South's Offensive MVP. Clemson's Leroy Hill was named the South's Defensive MVP.

Frye told The Mobile Register he hopes to play in the NFL.

"I'm pretty excited (about being named the game's MVP)," Frye told the Register. "I just wanted to come out and compete. I don't know if I proved anything. I'm just hoping to get the chance (to play) in the NFL."

Frye joins N.C. State quarterback Phillip Rivers, Penn State running back Larry Johnson, Indiana all-purpose player Antwaan Randle El, TCU running back LaDainian and Marshall quarterback Chad Pennington as MVPs of the past six games -- all of which are currently playing in the NFL.

Frye's Andalusia connection is the Frye family. His uncle Tom Frye and aunt Kathy along with cousins Joe, Ed, Mike and Laura live in Andalusia and went to Mobile for Senior Bowl weekend.

Tom said the family is close usually meeting three times a year at Thanksgiving, Christmas and during the summer. Tom and Kathy have a special connection to Charlie because he was born the night before their wedding and his father was still able to be a part of the wedding ceremony.

The weekend was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all of the Fryes, including the Andalusia clan.

"We had a blast. It was a wild weekend," Tom said

The family ate at Wintzell's after the "Meet the Players" event and a slight detour caused by a Mardi Gras parade. The next day, gameday, was magical.

"It was just like a fairly tale for him to have that type of success and make a few big plays and get MVP," Tom said. "It couldn't have been a better ending for him."

Laura agreed and was happy for her older cousin from Ohio.

"It was fun. It doesn't seem real since he's my cousin," Laura said. "But, it's really cool to see it in the newspaper.

"When they announced him as MVP of the whole things, that was pretty cool," Laura said.

She described her older cousin as a nice guy who has never been "fake."

"Chuck's just always been there," she said. "He's pretty cool. He's never been fake. He always actually wanted to talk."

Mike Frye said Charlie has always been a great older cousin.

"Charlie's a really cool guy. The best I can remember, the farthest back I can remember, I was 9 or 10 and we used to throw the football around," he said.

Watching the same guy throw to some of the top college wide receivers in the nation at the Senior Bowl was special.

"It was great. We've flown to Ohio and drove to Orlando to see him play. But, to see one of your blood relatives be successful at that level is awesome," Mike said.

Next for Frye is the NFL Combine where he will workout for NFL coaches and scouts in Indianapolis beginning Feb. 23.