VernonDavis - Yardbarker Blogs

Getting It In Before Training Camp

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:31:34 -0500

As usual, I'm coming off another whirlwind couple of weeks. First there
were the ESPY's. This was my third year in a row attending, and as
always I had a great time, especially since this year's seats were
awesome. My section was full of past and present playmakers, like Jared
Allen, Adrian Peterson, Tony Gonzalez and Shawne Merriman... It's great
to be around such inspiring players when you're not in competition with
them. Samuel L Jackson was hilarious, too. As a man of style, I had to
make sure my look was on point, so I hit up my tailor, Jack Mass. Check
out my red carpet pics online, and tell me what you think! (When Tim
Tebow goes pro, I'm going to put him on, too. That vest he had on was
too dang small. No disrespect, but I had to say it lol.) Oh, and
another thing about awards shows... gotta love the gifting suites! I
went to the one at the Standard, and they did me right. Shouts to Ian
Grubman and Miami Marketing for always taking care of me. I also talked
to reps from a couple of brands, and I hope they were serious when they
said they'd be interested in working with me. I guess we'll all have to
stay tuned on that topic.

After the awards (and the afterparties) I headed back to DC for a free
football camp my brother, Vontae and I had at our alma mater, Dunbar
High. The day before the camp I did a photo shoot for On Tap Magazine
at The University of Maryland. Don't let anyone tell you it's not the
best college in the DMV... Go Terps!!! The trip down memory lane was
pretty fun. I even got to visit my old locker, and I was pleasantly
surprised to see that they have a plaque dedicated to my 1st team All-American and 1st
team All ACC honors. They included Vontae in the shoot too, which made
it more fun. Oh, the shoot was for the September issue, so make sure
you cop that! We also did a joint interview for Comcast Sportsnet
Washington Post live. We promoted the camp and talked about both our
teams. The funny thing about some people in the media is that they try
so hard to get us to say things we may regret later. It's a good thing
my PR team prepared me for those types of questions.

Now, back to the camp... I love doing stuff like that for the kids, but
working with my little brother makes it even better. I can't wait until
we start our own foundation so that we can get even more involved and
help more kids. We came from where they are now, so I think we're able
to really reach them and set an example. The highlight of the day came
when my little brother Michael stopped by and ran routes with Vontae
and I. We all played against each other, and I think it was more fun
for us than it was for the kids lol (sibling rivalry is no joke). Man,
Michael is more talented than both Vontae and I. I just hope he works
hard and sticks with it so he can join us in the NFL one day.

After the camp, Vontae and I hosted a private mansion event. A few other
players came and partied with us, and we all had a blast. Now, that
it's time for training camp, it's time to buckle down and get ready for
the upcoming season. I think we have a chance to take the west this
year. My new motto is one play, one game at a time. See you after
training camp. I'll try and squeeze in a few tweets on twitter in the
meantime. Make sure you check me out: twitter.com/vernondavis85.

Doin it for the kids...

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:09:03 -0500

Hey YB, I know it's been a while, but I’ve been doing a lot of traveling over the last couple of weeks.

First, I went to Houston, TX to help my teammate, Moran Norris, with his foundation’s football camp. I had a great time hanging with the kids, and it always feels good to give back. Then I went back home and hosted a rooftop event. It was definitely the place to be that evening.

The next stop was Atlanta, GA. My agent had a two day football camp featuring all his clients (Leonard Pope, Takeo Spikes, etc), and I was one of the participants. I had such a great time there that I decided to stay the weekend to also support Pro Bowler, Marcus McNeil’s, foundation’s weekend. I had a lot of fun in Atlanta, but I definitely made sure I got my workouts in. I added a new boxing program to my routine, and now I do that for an hour and fifteen minutes a day. I think it’ll improve my alertness and ability to make quick decisions on the field.

Then, I went to Youngstown, OH for the 49ers owner’s private dinner, where he gave partial scholarships to underprivileged youth who were going to college. I look forward to doing things like that in the future when I start my own foundation. After that, finally I came back to DC to see my family and one of my best friends, Grandma Davis.

Now that I am back home It's GO TIME. I am working out twice a day with my personal trainer as I eagerly wait for the season to start.

Oh, and the Davis Brothers Bachelor Pad is finally a reality. It’s one of those things that makes us feel like our hard work is really paying off. Growing up with six other kids in a house is fun, but it sure can get crowded. It feels great to have our own space. You know I’m gonna put my art skills to work while decorating, but if you have any ideas, send them on over. Also, look out for the Davis brothers free football camp on July 18 at our alma mater, Dunbar High. I know- “another football camp!” Hey, I do it for the kids.

What a surprise?

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:50:40 -0500

Omg! How about my under armour ad is the one they featured in the train scene on Pelham 123! Im a movie star yall.

Quick Update: Exciting Things to Come

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:03:49 -0500

It’s been a little while since I’ve updated you guys, but I’ve been working hard preparing for the upcoming season. I feel really good about it. They’ve been using me more during practice, and I’m very excited. The offensive we’re running this year might be the best I’ve ever played. You guys should look forward to some great things from the 49ers.

I also recently did the Play 60 commercial for the team and for NFL Health and Fitness. I can’t wait to see the final edit on that… You guys should be on the look out for that commercial. I’d love to know what you think. Oh, and I just started my twitter account too. Go to www.twitter.com/vernondavis85 and check me out. Feel free to send me messages there. I’ll respond as often as possible.

One more thing… MAKE SURE YOU GO SEE HANGOVER. That movie was hilarious!!!!

Styling the Modern Man

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:09:15 -0500

I take a lot of pride in the way I dress and my sense of style, so I was honored to host the 2nd Annual Styling the Modern Man Opening Gala at the W Hotel. I had a great time at the event, talking to people and sharing style advice, etc. I would definitely attend the event again if they have it next year and would love it if they asked me to host it. While at the event I toured the different rooms they had set up. There was a gifting suite, massage table (which you know all athletes need and love after a tough practice or game), different wines, upscale apparel and Bang & Olufsen stereos. Here's video of the event:

I also liked how they showed men that it's not that hard to live like a modern man, no matter what your income is or what you do in life. The key things are to make sure you dress nicely and don't always wearing urban gear. You don't have to be flashy or all in designer clothes. Just make sure you're clean and stylish.

The different companies kept asking me different things about what I like to wear and products I like to use. I know I'm a little different from a lot of guys, but I didn't know that so many of the things I normally do are same things they're trying to teach other guys to do. There are so many ways to showcase your own style and look fresh! My advice to all the guys out there is to take pride in how you look and what you wear. Make looking good a constant habit, and try to dress it up a little. Cut it out with the rough look and the saggy jeans. Step it up!

The draft in NY with my brother Vontae

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:40:42 -0500

Hey YB,

I had a great time last week with my brother in NY. We did an interview together at Sirius Radio, did a little shopping had a great lunch at the famous Carnegie Deli. Then we had a great time at the Draft Classic event that evening. The place was PACKED, the music was great, and our booth was BANANAS!

Most importantly we went back to DC on draft day to hang out with friends and family. We celebrated and cheered as Vontae's dreams came true when he was drafted in the 1st round by the Miami Dolphins. Look out Miami, here comes my brother! I must also thank my grandmother for helping us both reach our dreams. We both love you.

Welcoming my younger brother Vontae into the NFL

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:14:02 -0500

Everyone who loves football gets excited around NFL Draft time. The 2006 Draft was extra special for me because that's when I entered the NFL, but this year will also have extra meaning for my family and I because I'll have the honor and privilege of welcoming my younger brother, Vontae into the NFL. It's really hard to find words to describe how it feels as an older brother. Vontae's worked really hard, so he definitely deserves this opportunity, and I'm glad that I'm able to guide him through the lumps and bumps of being a rookie. I've worked hard to set a good example for him, and I'm sure that he's learned a few things from me, but it's been his determination and focus that got him to this point. At the end of the day, it'll also be those things that keep him in the game. I'm very proud of him, and I can't wait to see him on the field.

By the way, you know I'm welcoming Vontae to the NFL in style with an event in New York!

Hanging Out With the Stars!

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 12:23:12 -0500

Last week, I got to go a Washington Capitals game for the first time and it was amazing. I plan on buying an Alexander Ovechin #8 jersey because he is a beast.

Then I went to LA for the NAACP Image Awards and to do a photo shoot for a car and high speed magazine (I'll let you know when it hits newsstands so you can go pick it up). It was my first time attending the Image Awards, and I thought the show was very good. I'd definitely go again. I got to see Beyonce, Will Smith, Omar Epps, P. Diddy, Terry Crews and many others who attended, were nominated or won.

I also happened to stop by Nobu one evening to say hi to some friends and ended up hanging out with Ray J, Brandy, Omar Epps, Lil Kim, Tichina Arnold, Jalen Rose, Jackie Long and Terrell Suggs. We all just hung out, talked business and had a great time.

Next, I went to Phoenix to see my brother, Vontae, who's training for the draft and workout myself at API. While in Phoenix I went to some NBA All-Star weekend events like the 944 Magazine events at the W Hotel, NBA players association gifting suite and House of Hennessey gifting suite. I got a pair of exclusive sneakers that supposedly only 500 were only made. Maurice Hennessy actually autographed them to me himself. I probably won't wear them so I can keep them as a collector's item.

Now I'm in NY for my first experience at NY fashion week. Stay tuned to hear how it was.

Getty Images

Inauguration Events, Notorious, and Super Bowl

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 21:28:00 -0500

This past weekend I went back home to D.C. to spend time with my family and attend some Inauguration events. I got a chance to meet a lot of people in business, politics, entertainment and sports- especially at the Hip Hop Summit Ball (see pic here). I also received an award at the Change the Game ball. I won't even talk about the events at Ibiza and Shadow room... INSANE! My hometown was CRAZY, but it made me proud, and the inauguration itself was a breathtaking thing to watch. I watched it from home with my family and friends, but it will still be something I remember for the rest of my life. While in D.C. I also saw Notorious, and it was amazing. I almost cried at the end because people believed Biggie was the reason Tupac got shot. It was unreal how that caused so much confusion.

The trip was a short one, though because I had to fly to L.A. yesterday so that I could do an interview for a new show that will include myself and some other prominent Black men. I don't want to leak out the network or too many details yet but I will let you know as it gets closer to air. Now, I am getting ready to go to the Super Bowl in Tampa and will hit you guys after my experience down there. I know I am from the NFC, and people in DC are used to seeing me hangout with my boy Dockett, but I am rooting for Pittsburgh Steelers because Arizona is a rival in my conference. Dockett, you're my boy, but...

Take a Player to School

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:13:59 -0500

On Tuesday, I picked up a kid by the name of Omar Navarro from his house, we had a police escort and a limo, as part of the NFL's Take a Player to School program. I was there helping the NFL Play 60 get up and play 60 minutes a day campaign for the kids to let the kids know they don't have to be an NFL player to get up and workout. Get up and do something constructive, whether it be dancing, playing basketball or football, running track. Anything to stay healthy. Not only does it keep kids healthy but it keeps them out of trouble because they have something positive to do with their time instead of doing something else. When I got to the school, I said a speech to let them know why I was there and the cause of me being there. After that, I went outside and Omar and I made up a list of activities that we put together for us to do with the rest of the kids while we were outside. We did things like throw the football, handed the ball off and let them run around the cones, jumping jacks, push ups, and high knees. When I think about why I do these types of events, I just have to think back to when I was younger and you always wanted something like this to happen. Things don't happen like this because people don't have the access and it's hard to reach out to someone who does what I do. For me, it means a lot to be able to do something like this because you never know whose heart you can touch during that time.

Big Win

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:20:42 -0500

I didn't really do anything over the couple of days heading into the game against St. Louis. I just stayed in the same routine of getting massages and making sure my body was ready. Today we just pretty much watched the film together and tried to correct the mistakes we made on Sunday. That was pretty much it. I was excited about our performance on Sunday. It felt good to get out of the whole we were in. I got a chance to score which was good. My number was called and I saw the middle of the endzone wide open and I turned around and Shaun put the ball right there. He has been terrific. He has been poised In the pocket. He gets rid of the ball and throws it to the spot where it needs to be. I think he is doing a tremendous job. I am definitely going to watch the Browns and Bills on Monday Night Football. I am going to focus on the Bills because we play them in two weeks. I am going to check them out and see how their front line looks and what kind of coverages they run.

Bye Week and Watching Little Brother

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:37:49 -0500

My bye week was interesting. I went home for a little bit, just to see the family back in DC. I tried to use that opportunity to just go back home and get away from football and focus on coming back fresh. Although I kind of use the travel time to think about some of the things that I can do better, different ways I can improve my game. Just little things instead of working out and being physical and stuff like that. I also watched my little brother Vontae play on television when Illinois played Iowa. It was good. I try to watch every last one of my little brother's games. If I can't catch it then I'll just Tivo it. He did well. He had a pick. He played well, made a lot of tackles. I just texted him after the game because I know he's traveling. If he's not traveling he's probably busy with other stuff, so I just text him and just keep it moving. I'm ready to get back at it. I'm excited just like Coach Singletary said. He's excited and we should be excited for what we are about to do. All it takes is faith, belief in yourself and your teammates and anything can happen from there. If we cut out the penalties, make plays and just be aggressive we can be successful Monday night against the Cardinals.

Hometown Heroes

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 19:08:27 -0500

Last night I went to Halloween Heroes, a charity event for at-risk youth in the Bay Area in San Francisco. Halloween Heroes is a charity Halloween party held each year at the Exploratorium in San Francisco where kids can come dressed up in their Halloween costumes and interact with their favorite athletes in the Bay Area and take part in multiple activities including face painting, arts & crafts, and science demonstrations from the Exploratorium. All proceeds from the event benefit the Wender Weis Foundation who provide charitable relief and assistance to children in need. I attended with my teammate Patrick Willis and as soon as we got in there the kids rushed us. We signed autographs and took pictures. Then we went on the stage and they introduced us and signed more autographs and interacted with the kids afterwards. I like to go to events like this because when I think about when I was young, I wanted the same thing, to interact with athletes like us. Some people are less fortunate than others and they don't have access to us, and the ones that can get it, they will cherish it for the rest of their life. Anything that has to do with kids, I'm all about it.

Talking to Coach

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 20:43:16 -0500

I spoke to Coach Singletary today. We talked briefly. I didn't really say much to him, I pretty much just listened to what he had to say. I saw the point he was trying to make as far as on the field. He pretty much told me I've got to be aware of what's going on, on the field. If someone says something to me, I can't let it bother me. I have got to be bigger than that. I agree. I shouldn't have retaliated after the guy said what he said. I should have just moved on and tried to be the bigger man. One thing about me, when I get heated, I just want to be to myself. I didn't really hear Coach Singletary call me on sideline. I didn't really hear him calling me at the time. I was just in another world because I had everybody else saying something to me. I didn't really hear anybody else talking. I didn't say anything to coach. I pretty much just listened to Coach Singletary said when he approached me. He told me to sit down and I sat down, and he told me to go inside and I went inside. I was asked today by the media if Coach Singletary and I could work together. Yeah, I believe we can make it work. Coach Singletary, he's a coach that really wants to win. He's excited and this is his first time having a big job like this so he has to get comfortable, and we have to get comfortable with each other, I think he's going to do a good job. I know that I'm a team guy. My teammates know it. I love my teammates, I love the coaches. I think that they're doing a good job around here, and I would never do anything to hurt my teammates or put them in any kind of trouble. Coach Singletary always preaches we have to stay together and he's right, team first. It's about the team, it ain't about me, it ain't about the coaches, it ain't about individuals. It's about the team. When you're playing this game, especially where we're at right now. We're at a point right now where we need to come out of a hole. It's tough. We really have to be a team at this point and depend on each other.

Thoughts from a crazy week

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:10:16 -0500

The last couple of days have been filled with highs and lows. I went to the San Francisco 49ers Academy last week and donated $7,500 worth of sports apparel. It was tops and bottoms to the kids so they can have something to wear when there in physical education. It was important to me because those kids didn't have anything to work out in. They've been wearing the same thing for years so it touched my heart just to be able to go out and reach out to them by donating some of my sports apparel that I get from Under Armour to them. They were excited. They made me cards and they told me they loved me which meant a lot to me. I definitely felt the same way. When you're young, receiving something like a gift or whatever it may be, that's like the highlight of your day being able to receive something from someone because you can cherish that forever. It's very special especially for a kid who comes from nothing, that doesn't have much, that can't afford many things. For you to give them something new, especially some new sports apparel that they see on TV day in and day out. It's a pretty neat deal. Then as you probably know by now, we made a change at head coach. My position coach Pete Hoener called me on Monday and told me that Mike Nolan has been let go. I was like wow. We were all called in for a Tuesday morning meeting and the new coach Mike Singletary pretty much said how it was honor for him to step in and fill Mike Nolan's shoes. He also said he went to Mike Nolan and asked him if it's alright that he took the job. Mike Nolan told him that if he didn't take the job he'd be a fool and then he started to talk about how we need to turn thing around and practice like champions and he meant it. Coach Singletary brings a lot of energy. His speeches, they really seem to touch the team. If you look at some of the guys faces they really are tuned in to what he's saying. They might be like a couple of feet away from him but it seems like he's right up in their face by the looks of their expressions that you see on their faces. As for the game this week against Seattle, we know it will be a revenge game for the Seahawks because we beat them at Qwest Field. We're going to have to really bring it to them this time because we kind of struggled last time with these guys on offense even though we scored 33 points. We can make it a lot easier on ourselves if we just come off from the jump, come out hard and strong, make plays and let the defense handle their part.