As you may know, the Greatest App Ever will be at Scott’s Collectibles Saturday signing autographs and kissing babies showing the guns demanding a Jason Hunter card inspiring sighs from any App fan in sight.
We plan to be there. And we plan to give something away.
AE will be autographing just about anything sensible for $20 a scribble. Tickets have to be purchased for the write right. Thanks to Scott’s, we’re having a contest for two of those black and golden tickets.
One winner will be selected from this here post on our humble $5 blog. The other at our Facebook page.
The rules? Simple. Post a comment to either/or/both pages with your favorite AE memory. It can be on the field, off the field, in the classroom or your own imagination (references to lawns by law prohibited).
Friday we’ll randomly select one winner per site to get a free ticket for an AE autograph. (If you want it personalized, it’s still gonna cost ya $5).
So have at it. When you think AE, what flashes in your mind? His name called on draft night? Going airborne in Ann Arbor? Posing with the Walter Payton award? Reading to kids in a classroom? Getting his hair done? What makes ya smile?
walked past him as he crutched his way into KatHarper 2nd or 3rd day of class last year, said "raise hell this season!" he laughed and just said "i'll try."
My favorite was the Richmond playoff game on 12/7/07 when he ripped them for 313 yards on the ground with 4 TDs, and another 163 in the air. I was at sports bar in Matthews yelling, screaming and enjoying the show with friends. He was in another zone that only special athletes can reach.
I was at the Michigan game but watching the highlights a thousand times brings up a great quote from him on the field.
When asked "One word to describe what happened out there" he said "We just beat Michigan, plain and simple."
I will enjoy my Sundays watching him win for the Panthers!
Gosh I have two, Ill put one on each. The Wofford Halloween game. The greatest App ever dropped back and let one one fly from about the 32 or 33 and hits Quick in stride about the Wofford 5 for an easy score.
My favorite AE item, is just how he carries himself. He hasn't let success go to his head, treats everyone with respect, and a family man to boot. Imagine the pressures of class and football and through in family business. A very tremendous young man
while i was in band sophomore year in 2007, Armanti had just been taken off the field during the national title game. He walked over to Dr. Tobias and asked if he could conduct the band. Dr. Tobias, let him up on the stand, and the next play Trey Elder scored a touchdown. With a big smile on his face Armanti conducted Hi Hi Yikas to celebrate his friend running in a touchdown.
The first one that comes to mind has to be watching him take flight like superman at Michigan and going in for a TD. Watching it from the opposite side of the stadium made it all the better.
Second best is when he laid his head down and blasted the GA Southern safety, knocking the guys helmet off.
There are too many moments to pick just one. But the first one to pop into my mind was the play against Samford last year, when he lost the football in the rain and stop in stride, turned and picked the ball up and as he was being tackled, threw it to Baker for completion and a gain (after the run) of about 15yrds. The guys amazing! I remember thinking "did he really just do that?"
My favorite AE moments occured during his weekly press conferences. He responded to each question either "yes sir" or "no sir". Very well mannered and classy young man. His mother raised him well.
How about the time Armanti tackled the guy from Louisville, and threw him into the stands?
Not sure how I feel about a guy signing a multi mill deal then asking his biggest fans for $20 for ink
Now the real one.
Emotion
He plays with passion and anger but, he keeps it in check. He isn't a RAH-RAH player that does a lot of jumping and screaming. He displays his emotion when he runs over a linebacker or dives for the end-zone. A more excitable player doesn't march us down the field in the fourth quarter.
I am not sure it gets better than knocking the GSU LB's helmet off as a freshman on 4th and goal diving into the end zone. That was 160 lb Armanti, not this 190 Armanto that the Panthers say plays for them.
dang blackberry and fat thumbs…
Armanti has signed tons of free autographs. He'll sign many more free ones. But, if he's going to a collector's store, he's going to be paid.
Seeing him walk off of the field the final time….and my wife (a Western grad) tear up.
The go-ahead TD against JMU in 2007. Running left, then spinning into the end zone with the ball over his head.
One of my best memories of Armanti was in our 2nd National Championship game. Their was lots of talk about UMASS's star linebacker and the matchup problems he posed for APP and Armanti. During a run it was just Armanti and the linebacker, Armanti lowered his shoulder and the pop from the collision could be heard all over the stadium. Armanti jumps up and heads back to the huddle, the linebacker is helped off field.
The final drive against Michigan will always be my most vivid memory of AE. I was with around 300 of my "closest" friends at Stool Pigeons in uptown Charlotte and witnessed the man take over on the biggest stage in college football. His poise and leadership as ASU marched up the field can only be rivaled by the likes of Favre and Elway. At no point did I see any hint of panic as he lined up the offense and picked apart the Michigan defense. Keeping plays alive long enough to find receivers, and knowing when to tuck the ball and run for the yards he could get were key. At every snap the entire bar was silent and then erupted as we picked up more crucial yards. I can honestly say that I feel as though we all watched a legend be born that afternoon. Still gives me goosebumps to watch that drive.
That's where I was that day too, Jamey. Started the 'block that kick' chant on the last play, can't believe it worked!
I was at an App bar in Burlington for the Mich game. When we won everybody was going crazy. Some Ohio State fan was there and he picked me up and carried me around the bar. Awesome day. My wife thought I was going to pass out I was so excited.
Non-football, when he ussed his Facebook page to try to get people to vote for his daughter in a cutest kid contest. Great dad!
How can it not be the Michigan game? Everytime I think about that game I get chills all over, truly one of the best experiences of my life. I don't think i will ever see a more exciting game.
There were a million memories I could take away from that game but the one that sticks out the most to me was a simple play with time winding down on the final drive. Armanti takes the snap with 43 seconds to go and immediately gets pressure from the Michigan pass rush, he rolls out left keeping his eyes down field and makes a great throw on the run to CoCo Hillary setting up the winning field goal. That just sticks out to me as the day he proved just how clutch he is on one of the biggest stages in college football.
My freshman year in intro to theatre with him. The teacher new he played football but didnt really know much about it (confusingly). She asked how he did at a game the prior weekend and he very quietly (and humbly) says he "threw like 3 touchdowns and ran for another". The entire class is just blown away at how we spoke about it, after we all had no voice from cheering him on. Absolutely ridiculous
1.Walking across the stage to get his diploma with his daughter.
2. UM victory, pass to Jackson for TD's, pass to CoCo to set up the winning field goal, the scramble right befor that pas to avoid a sack, the run up the middle diving into the end zone for the TD, Playing hurt the rest of the game after that…….
3. Halloween Night against Woffford…..all 70+ points…….
4. 4 years of smiles for me watching him play.
There's so many, I'm still in denial that he's done with the black & gold. I don't think I saw a comment about the last drive from the Richmond game last year, which is a little surprising. But for me, having had the chance to be in MT for his final game I would have to say his composure and ability to play so level headed in some intense moments. I've never been in a stadium so loud (maybe KBS, but the fans aren't as close to the field – and that's another discussion) and he was so collected and I thought he managed that game so amazingly well. If only our receivers could have held onto a few more passes…He was that composed throughout his ENTIRE career at ASU from the first year and the title game against UMASS to MI to MT. Amazingly composed.
1. Michigan
2. Richmond home night game
3. Halloween Wofford game
4. Richmond away night game
5. Youngstown state game
Having the fore sight and the discipline to not only be great in his chosen sport, but to get his degree in 3.5 years. That is a testament to the kind of person Armanti is. Simply amazing!!
At the NFL combine a reporter asked AE if he regretted going to ASU and not playing at Clemson (I think). His response was something like: "I'm standing here now, ain't I?"
2 Drives.
(1)The final drive with no time outs against Michigan in '07 for the eventual game winning field. What poise….never rattled….and the pass to Coco just before the field goal. Cold Chills every time I watch that play.
(2) The game winning drive last year at Richmond in the cold. There was no way he was going to be denied that night.
I remember mine. I'll keep it to myself out of respect for AE. I wish him luck…
The Samford scramble, the final drive against Richmond 2009, the crumpling of the Georgia Southern safety are all stand out individual plays or play sequences for me. The entirety of games played against Michigan and Richmond 2007 are also, of course, tremendous efforts.
Two things not yet mentioned, however, are particularly memorable for me. The first is the Elon game 2009. Riddle and Hudgins, et al, thought that game was going to be their moment. AE (and the defense) very quickly and methodically demolished Elon's aspirations on that day. Efficient and composed, AE led smart drives that gave us an insurmountable advantage on that day.
The other memory has nothing to do with a single moment or game. I just remember how much I enjoyed watching AE distribute on run option plays at the correct moment, and then continuing the play by blocking — really blocking — the nearest inside defender with an angle. It always conveyed a sense, to me, of team success triumphing over individual stardom.
Though we lossed, the final drive against Montanta in the Blizzard. In particular, the pass to BJ Frazier. Staying composed, perfectly placed, another App first down with about a minute to play.
Also, I respect that though most NFL "experts" were pleading AE to run with the WR's at the combine, Armanti still wanted to prove himself as a QB. In my mind he will always be under center, hopefully the Panthers will prove his worth there sooner rather than later, maybe some custom Armanti-Cat type offense.
My most vivid memory was when Armanti and I were flying our unicorns (Feathers & Tom Cruise) on our way to the Candy Forest, when Armanti said, "Hey best friend Craig, "let's make a little pit stop in Ann Arbor." I wasn't in any rush, so I happily agreed. We landed in the stadium and it was filled with tons of overweight midwesterners who were eating cream-of-mushroom casseroles. Chad Henne was in the middle of the field just laughing and laughing, when Armanti dismounted from Feathers, walked up to Henne, and proceeded to punch him square in the throat. Now this is where it got weird. In the endzone a big stage appeared and Bruce Springsteen was up there belting out Dancing in the Dark. He looked down at Armanti and myself,smiled, put his hand down, and pulled the two of us up on stage. Get this, Appfan Midwest then comes out from back stage and starts blathering on about moving up to the next level. That's when Max Weinberg decides to beat the hell out of Appfan Midwest with his drumsticks, and then Clarence Clemmons starts wailing on Appfan Midwest with his sax. Bruce, Armanti, and I were laughing so hard, and then Bruce suggested the three of us should go to Klondike for beers, because after all we were best of friends. All was really cool, but I couldn't understand why I was naked.
Ah, the memories.
Armanti was an unbelievable AppNation great. The thought of going to Kidd Brewer on a Saturday afternoon to watch him perform his magic always gave me an incredible feeling. Watching Armanti on television and knowing that thousands of others across the country were getting to experience what we Appalachian folks knew was something incredibly special was awesome. Now the thought of getting to watch Armanti on the field with the Panthers is unbelievable. I always wished it would happen, then woke up Saturday morning with texts from everyone that he went in the third round to the Panthers. Can't wait to see him in action at wide receiver and prove the doubters wrong!
I knew we had something special in 2006, national championship game against UMass. Leaning heavily on the legs of Kevin Richardson, the Apps are faced with a 3rd & 10 at the UMass 37 in the 4th quarter. Nearly out of field goal range, a first down was sorely needed. The Mountaineers had run the ball on 18 straight plays. Armanti dropped back and found a receiver open across the middle for a 16 yard gain. That was the final dagger for UMass.
Michigan game….I was at Stool Pigeon's in Charlotte too with my boyfriend, a huge Michigan fan who grew up in Ann Arbor. He was wearing a Michigan hat and jersey. He leaned over at a bout the 2 minute mark and said "You guys are going to beat us, and you all are going to kill me. I'm out of here, I'll meet you at the car". I don't even have to say say anything anymore, he just rolls his eyes and says "I know….the end of Lloyd Carr."
Does anyone from Stool Pigeons remember the guy who stood at the front (may have been your boyfriend Kim) in his Michigan jersey the entire game and tried to taunt the entire crowd? That guy was a ghost by the time Lynch went out of bounds on the blocked kick.
I went to the Chattanooga regular season game a few years back (after we won trophy #2) and of course there were no 'Nooga fans there so my buddies and I walked down to the seats on the wall. We were killing the Mocs so Coach Moore pulled AE from the game to give the younger guys some experience. We kept trying to get AE's attention but he wasn't turning around, finally one of my buddies yelled "Hey Armanti, Lauren wants you to sign her boobs!" AE turned his head, gave us a little smile (probably hoping that Lauren had her boobs out) and turned back to the game. Classic.
yeah, Jamey, that was him. You should hear him at Bobcat games. I thought Sean May was going to come into the stands one night!
It was the Samford game. We had been tailgating heavily in the very heavy rain with friend who's children go to App with my daughter; only my wife and I were App Alums. The whole crew packed up and left me to watch the game with a few thousand of my good friends. I told them Armanti was just going to play a few more home games and I just couldn't miss seeing him lead the team, no matter how nasty it was outside.
To my great pleasure I got to witness right there in front of me the Houdin play unfold. Amazing and perfect in defining Armanti's tenure as QB for the Black and Gold: "Pure Magic!"
Our group was sitting along the glass wall, when we saw him walking by, we started banging the glass and screaming "where you going Tom Brady!!?"
Jamey, I too recall the dude at the front with the Michigan Jersey. He did vanish without a trace……..
Jamey, our annual fantasy football league is up btw. You should have a message on facebook. We'll see how long it takes someone to draft Armanti.
Reading these comments makes shivers run up my spine! I am blessed to have had the opportunity to watch him dominate for the past 4 yrs…and that's a damn fact!
Favorite AE memory?
Our little boy frequently would spend time after each game locating AE and several other players to give them a high five or a hug.
We had planned a birthday party for our 4 year old and it was at a room at the Holmes Center before one of the basketball games.
For the heck of it, we invited several of the App football players via email to attend his party – to our surprise, Coco Hillary, Leonard Love, Robert Welton, and Jerome Touchstone all showed up for the party that was 2 hours before the basketball game was to begin. Once the game started they went their separate ways as we all went and sat together with friends & family to watch the game.
Toward the end of the first half, Armanti comes strolling in alone, found us in the stands, and came and sat with our group – he apologized for being late saying he thought the party was going to be at halftime instead of before the game.
He stayed the rest of the game – talking, laughing, playing catch with all the kids; he signed some items, posed in pictures and just interacted with everyone as if he'd known us for years.
As much as I relished every chance to see him play football – that day said more about his kindness, humility and genuineness than could ever be shown on the field.
My Favorite: Halloween 08 – 70 to 24, but the best part? The 60 yard bomb dropping into the waiting arms of Quick on 5. Truely awesome!
The Samford game last season… In the pouring rain Armanti takes the snap, rolls out, fumbles, recovers his own fumble, and still completes a 20 yard pass to Cedric Baker while falling backwards. Simply amazing.
The on the money pass in the Michigan game. High pressure situation, scrambling, thorws accross his body for a huge first down. I get chills everytime I see it on video, especailly in slow-mo. It looked so big time; calm, cool, and collected . . . that play was Armanti!
My favorite memory can't really be one memory. I was at every single home game and 80% of the away games, cheering for my hometown hero. I didn't come to Appalachian until a year after he debuted, but through the past 5 years, he's blown my mind. So in all honesty, my favorite AE memory is when Armanti played football. He inspired people on the field. Watching him run, pass, jump, spin, and play was just amazing. Every single time he touched a field, I shivered.
All in all, my favorite AE memory is every single one of my AE memories.
My favorite… and believe me there have been a ton of good ones… is probably the Wofford Halloween game. That was one of the most electric football games I've ever seen and to be a part of that was incredible. The fans were rowdy and it was deafening in there. And, of course, AE put on a clinic.
What made that even sweeter was that it was a revenge game from the previous season. We all knew before kickoff that it was going to be a massacre. And it was.
Every year, the ASU Staff Council collects donations and sponsors a Christmas shopping trip with financially needy Watauga County children who otherwise would not receive Christmas gifts. One year, two of the little boys on the trip said all they really wanted for Christmas was to meet Armanti Edwards. A phone call was made, and Armanti drove to campus during a busy day between finals, and provided that memorable gift to two ecstatic little boys.
A lot of people in North and South Carolina are really going to be kicking themselves they never went up to see him play for App.
70 points and over 600 yards of offense against Richmond on ESPN was nothing short of amazing.
Evry snap he took at the ROCK!!
My favorite memory was when Armanti and I were flying on our unicorns, Feathers and Tom Cruise, and Armanti said, "Hey, best friend Craig, before we pick up Erin Andrews, I need to stop by Ann Arbor for a sec." I was like, "Ok, best friend Armanti," so we made a detour in Ann Arbor, where we landed smack in the middle of the Big House. The stands were packed with overweight midwesterners, who were all eating casseroles, and in the middle of the field Chad Henne was giving mouth-to-mouth to a dolphin. Weird, I know. Well, Armanti dismounts, walks up to Henne, and proceeds to punch him in the throat. I was like, "Man I didn't see that coming," and Abe Lincoln who was standing next to me replied, "Ah, the entire Michigan program deserves to be punched in the throat." Now this is where it gets weird: there's a huge stage set up in one of the endzones and Springsteen is up there belting out "Dancing in the Dark." He looks down and me and Armanti, reaches his hand out, and pulls both of on stage. I look at Armanti, and he's like, "Dude this is so awesome!" And I'm like, "I know, it's crazy!" But then Appfan Midwest comes out from backstage and begins yelling out something about how Appalachian needs to move up a division instead of wallowing in the Southern Conference. A couple security guards tried to pull him off stage, but he kept shouting something about Napoleon and Appalachian joining the Big Ten, and that's when Clarence Clemmons comes from behind and beats the hell out of App Fan Midwest with his sax. Springsteen, Armanti, and I our laughing hysterically, when Bruce says, "Man, let's get out of here and go grab some beers at Klondike. My treat!" That's when Erin Andrews appears with Cousin Oliver from the Brady Bunch, and she's like, "You guys weren't going without me?" And I was like, "girl do you think we'd forget about you?" It was absolutely crazy!
Craig,
I really like that list you have going on that other website.
These are all fantastic memories of AE's magic! A few more to think about: the "flip" into the endzone against Richmond, the "take that" TD pass near the end of the '08 playoff opener with SC State. All those QB draws right up the gut back when he relied more on his feet! I could watch highlights of his saturday afternoon accomplishments over and over. One special memory I have is how stoic and business-like Armaniti was as he walked up the steps heading for the makeshift press tent at Richmond. He had just orchestrated the winning drive to exact revenge on the spiders and close down their dank, dated venue. All the App faithful there were so excited and, well, relieved. Armanti had the look of a man that knew there was still work to be done. I was celebrating and talking with my mom on the phone. As he walked by me, I handed him the phone and ask him to say hello to my mom. He did and I then had to spend the next five minutes trying to convince her that it was really him!