Stoudamire signs contract with 49ers

FOOTBALL – The Centennial graduate will battle for a cornerback spot in the NFL

By David Ball

The Gresham Outlook, May 1, 2010

photo courtesy / WESTERN ILLINOIS ATHLETICS

Patrick Stoudamire Jr., was named a second-team All American during his senior year at Western Illinois where he finished his career with six interceptions.

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Patrick Stoudamire Jr. has seen the world of professional sports up close for years, and now, he has the chance to dive in and experience it himself.

His cousins Damon and Salim have each enjoyed successful NBA careers, while another cousin Chris Mims spent eight years as a lineman in the NFL. Stoudamire, a Centennial graduate, will test his football skills at the highest level after signing a free-agent contract with the San Francisco 49ers over the weekend.

The second-team, all-American cornerback out of Western Illinois was hopeful of hearing his name called Saturday during the later rounds of the NFL Draft. His phone buzzed a few times, but a card with his name on it never made it to the podium.

But just because the custodians were sweeping up in New York didn’t mean that NFL teams were heading home for the night.

“A lot of teams were calling,” his agent Rodney Edwards, with Goal line Football Management said. “Ten minutes after the draft we were negotiating contracts.”

The most interested parties were San Diego, the New York Giants and San Francisco. Edwards had studied the rosters of several potential suitors, searching for the best spot for his client to land. The Giants had eight cornerbacks in the fold, while San Francisco had just five on their roster – one being seventh round pick Phillip Adams out of South Carolina State, who was taken about an hour earlier.

In fact, Adams and Stoudamire are expected to battle for one of those final spots on the 53-man roster through off-season workouts and the preseason in August. The first steps on that journey begin this weekend with the team’s rookie mini-camp.

“I walk in faith and God had a plan for me,” Stoudamire said. “This is about a love for the game. I wasn’t asking for millions of dollars, I just want a shot to get my foot in the door. I’m pumped up to show my value and get that spot. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

His first stop after the draft party was to a local sporting goods store to purchase some 49ers’ hats for friends. He didn’t get out the door without being recognized.

“It’s been great. I’ve been getting all kinds of texts and phone calls,” Stoudamire said. “I went out to buy some hats, and people started coming up to me for autographs. I’ve never had people do that before.”

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