Left tackle Jared Veldheer ’10 was a vital ingredient to the Arizona Cardinals’ O-line success against the San Diego Chargers on Monday night.
The Cardinals trailed the Chargers for nearly the entire second half, but pulled ahead with just 2:25 remaining in the game to win the tight contest by one point, 18-17.
“It was great. Being out there with a new team and getting the win like we did, it was an awesome way to start the season,” Veldheer said.
The Monday night game marked the first regular season game in which Veldheer called the University of Phoenix Stadium his home field. After playing four seasons with the Oakland Raiders, Veldheer signed as a free agent with Arizona in March.
When asked about the season’s goals, Veldheer’s answer was immediate: “the Superbowl.”
“To get to the Superbowl is always the goal. There’s definitely smaller goals along the way– basically doing what I can to help the team,” Veldheer said.
Veldheer was not the only former Hillsdale Charger to see the field during the NFL’s season kickoff weekend.
Andre Holmes ’11 suited up in his no. 18 Oakland Raiders uniform to face the New York Jets on Sunday night at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The wide receiver saw the field with special teams.
“I want to help my team in any way that I can, whether it’s with special teams or at wide receiver,” Holmes said.
During the preseason, Bleacher Report boasted that Holmes could have a “breakout year.”
Although the Jets defeated the Raiders 19-14, Holmes said the team is looking forward to having a successful season.
“We have a good team. The sky is the limit,” Holmes said.
According to Holmes, Oakland’s outlook is similar to Hillsdale’s this year, almost repeating Coach Otter’s plan when he said: “the bottom line is: you have to take it week by week, one game at a time.”
Hillsdale’s former middle linebacker Brett Pasche ’14 and All-American H-back Cam White ’13 were also involved in the NFL’s preseason.
Pasche was invited to the Detroit Lions’ rookie training camp, and Cam White attended the Indianapolis Colts’ preseason camp.
“I went into the camp very thankful that I was getting any sort of opportunity, but certainly ready to make an impression,” Pasche said. “The facilities and overall experience were very cool. It is difficult to be prepared your first time to try to learn all that you are expected to learn in a couple days, especially trying to learn two positions. It was very demanding physically and mentally, but it was definitely an awesome experience.”
During his first preseason game against the Jets on Aug. 7, White gained attention after he caught a pass in which he drew a defensive penalty and gave the Colts a first down.
“That was pretty sweet. That was my first offensive snap in that game. And I got in the huddle and I heard the play call and I had an idea that it could come to me, so I was excited. And it happened, and I got the penalty with it too, so I was really pumped after that, definitely,” White said.
Although Pasche and White didn’t make it on their teams’ rosters this year, they are added to a growing list of Chargers, 11 in the last six years, who have signed with NFL clubs, making their names both known in the NFL world and legendary at Muddy Waters Stadium.
Veldheer and Holmes gave advice to the Hillsdale football team going into this season.
“I always thought playing in the NFL was a pipe dream, especially as a freshman and sophomore, but as time when on, I saw the possibility, and its there for everyone as long as you work hard and put the effort in to keep improving yourself,” Holmes said. “All I have left to say is go Chargers.”
Veldheer advised: “Work as hard as you can, control what you can control, and keep a positive attitude.”
You can catch the former Chargers on Sunday when the Raiders take on the Texans and the Cardinals face the New York Giants.
