Festivities change honorees’ views

Rick Devereux

Dennis Conner, a three-time America’s Cup-winning skipper, said that

sailing is just the bottom line, and that his real interest is in the

“tremendous game of life.”

The real interest for Andre Sommersell -- the 255th pick by the

Oakland Raiders and this year’s Mr. Irrelevant for being the

dead-last player selected in the NFL draft -- is the game of football

and making the squad as a projected outside linebacker.

But, for now, he’ll continue another relevant quest. On Thursday,

Sommersell was a guest of the Balboa Yacht Club during a Beer Can

regatta through Newport Harbor as part of the weeklong festivities

celebrating Mr. Irrelevant.

Sommersell will be the Grand Marshal of the Movin’ and Groovin’

‘Round Fashion Island today at 11 a.m. ESPN Radio’s “The Big Show”

with Steve Mason and John Ireland will hold an Irrelevant Rally at

Muldoon’s Irish Pub.

The Miss Irrelevant Contest is scheduled for 9 p.m. at the Blue

Beet Cafe to help celebrate the first Irrelevant birthday party as

Sommersell turns 24 on Saturday. Sommersell concludes his week of fun

with the NFL rookie orientation at La Costa Resort and Spa in

Carlsbad.

Melanie Fitch, CEO of Irrelevant Week, said that the honoree will

leave with a bigger smile on his face than when he arrived.

“They transform from a humble mortal into a superstar in one

week,” she said. “It’s his week. He’s the king.”

Before the week started, Sommersell said he was a pretty private

guy and wasn’t interested in being the center of attention. Before

Wednesday’s Lowsman Trophy banquet, Sommersell said he had a fun time

and was starting to warm to the idea of being pampered.