DeAngelo Hall is a polarizing figure among Virginia Tech fans. This may be an interesting look into a side of DeAngelo most of us have never seen. During the ESPN Carwash, Frank Beamer contributed to this story.
For Washington cornerback DeAngelo Hall, the stakes have never been higher. At 31, already past the peak age for most corners, Hall is working to come back from a season-ending achilles injury. When Hall burst on the scene as a rookie in 2004 he quickly made a name for himself: "MeAngelo." His reputation of being selfish, cocky and brash was punctuated by on-the-field incidents - including a physical altercation with an opposing coach. But having endured a life of heartbreak and tragedy, DeAngelo Hall might be one of the NFL's most misunderstood players. E:60's Lisa Salters explores the controversial and charismatic corner now fighting for his football life - and reveals a side of DeAngelo Hall few know about, including his love of being a Dad and collecting art by Picasso and Rembrandt.
And arguably his biggest play as a Hokie
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I had football camp at VT with DeAngelo back in 2001. I've never seen anyone with more athletic ability at the cornerback position than what D Hall displayed. Looking forward to watching this tonight.
HE SAID GIVE IT TO ME ROSCOE
Virginia Tech's had the Vicks and David Wilson, but you could make the argument that DeAngelo Hall was the best athlete to ever play for us.
He could have been an All-American at running back or wide receiver if given the time and reps.
He's the best punt returner I have seen at VT. And he was only 17 most of his Freshman season. Quite an athlete.
I watched him play for two years before I figured out he played on defense. He scored a lot of TDs.
A lot of competition. Duane Brown was the most athletic college OT I have ever seen and Kevin Jones, for his size, was a better athlete than David Wilson.
Bruce Smith, all-time sack leader in the NFL and Hokie supporter was also pretty athletic. Check him out on the sideline next month against anOSU and tell me he couldn't suit up again, even though he's over 50.
They'd all be on the "all-time best" Virginia Tech team.
Over 50, in great shape and IMPOSSIBLE to out-drink at the bar.
Spidey senses are tingling...do I sense a story?
I was fortunate to have seen DeAngelo play in HS, and thought to myself, "There's an NFL guy, right there". That was one of the pleasures I got watching HS games in Tidewater. You just knew some of these guys would be on TV on Sunday. And yeah, he probably could have made it as a RB, too.
DeAngelo endeared himself to me when he committed to VT very early and never wavered. I really hate the criticism he has gotten from VT fans. He is a Hokie, through and through, and I know he has tried to help VT behind the scenes in ways I cannot say. I CAN say that he has a huge heart, and does a lot for his community.
I have a feeling this broadcast is going to be awesome, and I truly hope that anyone that harbors ill feelings toward DeAngelo tunes in, and maybe gets a better picture of him.
This^^^
I've met D Hall in Blacksburg a few times, and he was nothing but a nice guy. A friend and I were in Sharkeys before the spring game a few years ago and he came in to meet some friends. My friend gave him a "hail to the redskins" and he came over and talked to us for a few minutes. To me, he's a total class act.
I also hate the criticism he gets. VT is still very important to him. A few weeks ago he was driving down 81 and stopped in Blacksburg just for the hell of it.
Yeah, everything I've heard from people who have actually met him has been overwhelmingly positive. His on-field persona is quite different and is the source of a lot of, IMO, undue criticism.
The film clip is the best!
Thanks for posting that he's on the show. When I looked at the TIVO listing, it's just listed as E:60, with no information available. If you hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have known.
"he said give it to me Roscoe!"
edit: don't know how I missed 8300A's post.
I thought about being a wise ass about it earlier, but I just couldnt bring myself to do it lol
I think I didn't watch the video clip until much later (after I'd already read and forgotten the earlier comments), immediately thought "give it to me roscoe" and had to post it.
I intercepted a pass meant for DeAngelo Hall in middle school.
That is all
He's probably over it, but tune in tonight to find out!
EDIT: Maybe he's not! Wow, that's quite a story, and worth a watch (he's one of three topics in the episode -- the first third of the show). I never tracked his story all that closely, but whoa! The guy has been through some major life blows (during his youth), and controversies on the field. Knowing what he's been through helps explain why he had a major attitude sometimes when he was in disagreements with officials or coaches. He's clearly a stellar athlete.
They don't talk a lot about his time at Virginia Tech, though they do mention that he played there and met his wife there, and show a little of his success there. Noteable: When the recruiter from Virginia Tech came to see him in high school, he ran the opening kickoff back for a touchdown.
And he called it. He told the recruiter that he would run it back just for him!
Gotta say that everything (with the one exception of the Len Bias 30 for 30) that ESPN has produced in the past few years has been stellar. I've even gotten my wife to watch ESPN stuff with me that's not live sports. Extremely impressed with them, and they may be one of the best produced sets of shows out there now. Not the shock and awe of Hard Knocks, not the free advertising the some of the pieces on 60 Minutes has turned into. Just good stuff.
The E:60 segment with the Bat Dogs last night was awesome!
Unfortunately, with Bill Simmons parting ways with ESPN, the production value of these segments might actually significantly decrease. The guy might be a total douche in the way he acts on air and the self serving name dropping ways of his articles, but he was the driving force behind 30 for 30 and I believe these E:60 segments. With him gone, they're going to struggle to find a suitable replacement.
Here's hoping there were enough people behind the scenes paying attention that they continue with the goodness, for goodness sake. And given that he started focusing on the NBA in the past year or so, it doesn't seem to have affected the quality of production. As another side note, maybe he'll land somewhere to produce 30 for 30 type show for another network, just adding to the quality productions out there.
He signed with HBO. Hopefully he will oversee documentaries for HBO.
For those who cannot watch it live, it looks like ESPN has an easily accessible archive system.
ESPN E:60 Archive
Starting off the show.... I'm tuned in.
How was it?
In brief summary, worth the watch. They could have done better with it, but it was only probably a 15 minute story without commercials. That being said, great insight into the man he is off the field which I found refreshing. I wish they spent more time highlighting his on the field accomplishments, but obviously that's not what E:60 is about.
ESPN D hall Clip
This was the Hokie portion of the E:60 clip from last night. Sorry, don't know how to embed ESPN videos.
I'm impressed with his art collection, multiple Picasso's and a Rembrandt.
His high school coach that they interview, David Cox, is also a Hokie, he was a punter in the early 80s.
How was it playing with those guys in High School? Ya'll were sick back then. It's sad to see that the opening of Grassfield broke that David Cox/Deep Creek to Virginia Tech connection.
Why was interview CFB did not in the segment?
They cut it out so they could say "Meangelo" 53 more times.
I think her voice over commentary could have been better as well.
wait for it...wait for it..."HE'S VISITING HIS SISTER!"
It appears that now they'll be deconstructing DeAngelo's toe.
Bummer.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/take-cover-redskins-lose...