Posted May 16, 2006

Denis Dougherty's Buzz: LU's Braier tries out for Packers as tight end

For about a day or so this spring, Chris Braier thought he might want to become a pro football player.

When a team like the Green Bay Packers shows enough interest to come down and work you out, that thought works its way into your head. As Braier, Lawrence University's all-time leading scorer on the basketball court, was contemplating his future following his senior season, he and coach John Tharp talked about the idea of pro football.

Tharp went to LU football coach Chris Howard, who suggested Tharp call the Packers scouting office. So he did. On the Monday after Lawrence's spring break, Shaun Herock, the Packers assistant director of college scouting, was on the phone.

The Packers knew of Braier's prowess as a basketball player and thought he was worth a look as a tight end prospect. So on that Tuesday, Herock came to Appleton.

"I didn't have that much time to think about it," said Braier, who had worked out only sparingly since the basketball season. "I went to coach Howard and he showed me some stuff they would test me on and I practiced it once or twice."

Braier worked out 90 minutes for the Packers.

"It was pretty grueling," said Braier, who had not played competitively since high school and passed up an opportunity to walk on at the University of Wisconsin. "Pretty intense."

He showed his best when Herock rifled several passes his way, not dropping one.

"He said my hands were real good but I was too raw to be brought into camp," Braier said. "He said if I get any football playing experience, I could get a tryout next year."

But a conversation with Howard changed his mind.

"Chris sat across from him and he goes, 'You need to realize, guys out there will try to kill you,' " said Tharp, relaying the story. " 'You need to realize that if you get into a camp …' I think Braier's eyes got that big (making huge circles with his hands)."

Yet for Braier, it was another honor in a career filled with them.

"It was great," he said. "The guy had a Super Bowl championship ring on. To be even considered to get into a camp is a great honor. It's something I will never forget."