By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
Not only is Fred Cobb playing the game he loves, but the former Washington Pam Pack standout is getting rewarded for it as well.
Cobb, a 6-3, 313-pound mini-mountain, played offensive line and defensive line for the Carolina Stallions last year. His play in the United Football League opened some eyes, as Cobb was chosen to play in the UFL All-Star game on Saturday in Richmond, Va. The game will kick off at 7 p.m.
The All-Stars were chosen by the league’s head coaches.
Cobb, a teacher at P.S. Jones Middle School who also helps out with coaching the middle school and Washington High School football teams, will line up on offense and defense during the game.
It’s something Cobb is used to, though he admitted it wasn’t an easy adjustment.
Cobb’s All-Star teammates will meet and practice Friday. He’s hoping to leave a mark on Saturday’s game.
Cobb and the Stallions have been practicing two to three times a week, which will continue until the season-opener June 28 at Fayetteville.
Cobb, who is looking to wear No. 52 this season — the same number he wore in high school — said having a year of experience under his belt will help him immensely this season.
The Stallions will play a 16-game season, with their home games being played at North Carolina Wesleyan’s football stadium in Rocky Mount.
Cobb, who runs a 5.0 40-yard dash and can bang out 24 to 26 bench press reps at 225 pounds (with hopes of getting that up to over 30 reps), is hoping for a better outcome this year after the team just missed out on the playoffs in 2007.
Cobb will go into the season as an All-Star, a captain and a veteran that the younger players look up to in practice.
Cobb is hoping that his football career doesn’t end with the Stallions.
For now, Cobb is appreciative of the fact that he gets to play the game he loves.