Bill Snead/Journal-World PhotoLake Buena Vista, Fla. ? Of all the trash-talking college football players have done this season, the most unusual exchange might have taken place Thursday on Main Street, USA.
One group of Kansas University players — outfitted with brand-new, personalized mouse-ear hats — met with another group of Jayhawks wearing their new Disney character hats.
“Our hats are better than yours,” said senior offensive lineman Danny Lewis, outfitted in his yellow Pluto hat — complete with floppy ears.
“Ours have our names on them,” answered red-shirt freshman offensive lineman David Ochoa, representing the mouse-ear contingent.
Have no fear, KU fans. Things didn’t get ugly during the Jayhawks’ visit to the Magic Kingdom.
KU (6-6), which will meet North Carolina State (7-5) Monday in the Tangerine Bowl at Orlando, Fla., took a break from practices, meetings and film sessions Thursday afternoon to spend a few hours at Walt Disney World theme park.
Ochoa, who was joined in wearing the more traditional Disney souvenir by sophomore linebacker Darren Rus and junior defensive back Johnnie Watkins, pointed out that their hats cost only $8 each.
Lewis’ group paid $16 to $20 for theirs. Freshman linemen Bob Whitaker and Cesar Rodriguez each sported different styles of Goofy hats.
“We’re never going to see these people again, so we might as well look like idiots,” Lewis said.
The Jayhawks will leave town with plenty of other souvenirs that they won’t have to pay for. While college athletes aren’t allowed to accept gifts — per NCAA rules — during the season, they legally rake in the loot at bowl games. The Jayhawks already have received new sweat suits, Nike shoes, Nike sunglasses and silver Tangerine Bowl watches. They were expecting camcorders sometime this week.
“It’s like Christmas,” Lewis said. “Everyday you go in and there’s something different in your locker.”
The Jayhawks also receive per diem. Each player was given $130 when the team arrived Wednesday, and that was supposed to last them until Saturday.
“We didn’t know we were going to get that wet,” senior offensive lineman Adrian Jones said. “I was expecting water, but not that much water. It was pretty good for a kiddie ride.”
What ride did the Jayhawks like best?
“Pirates of the Caribbean was my favorite,” Lewis said. “It’s awesome. Space Mountain was up there, too.”
A large group of Jayhawks headed toward Haunted Mansion, but they later retreated.
“Too scary. Too scary,” junior defensive back Tony Stubbs said. “No, we just didn’t want to stand in line.”
“I think he’s going to be ready to go based on what I’ve seen on the field,” coach Mark Mangino said after Thursday morning’s practice. “He’s not exactly 100 percent, but he feels pretty good, and he’s good enough to play.”
Watkins said he didn’t know if he would reclaim his starting role from senior Sid Bachmann.
“If it were up to me I’d let Sid start, but it’s not up to me,” Watkins said after a spin on Splash Mountain. “He put in all the work all year.”
After a difficult season, Watkins was clearly enjoying a day in the park.
“It’s fun being here at Magic Kingdom,” he said. “It’s a lot better than being at home watching bowl games on TV.”
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