Succop’s in spotlight

NEWPORT BEACH — Rowers led a future NFL player to his party Monday.

In the background, a drum beat more appropriate for a powwow played. Girls dressed in Pocahontas outfits waited for the player to arrive on the sand.

An old woman chanted “Suck-up! Suck-up!” while clapping.

The player’s name is Ryan Succop. “Suck-up” is the correct way to pronounce his last name.

Succop never wore the headdress onboard because he isn’t totally a Kansas City Chief yet.

Chief “Suck-up” just doesn’t sound right.

The organizers of Irrelevant Week XXXIV needed a way for partygoers at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort to recognize Succop because he sure doesn’t look like an NFL player.

Succop is a kicker.

Kickers sometimes aren’t considered football players. They just kick, and the founder of Mr. Irrelevant, Paul Salata, definitely got a kick out of Succop and his grand entrance.

Right through the middle of small-scaled uprights Succop arrived. Hundreds gathered to celebrate the last player selected in April’s NFL Draft.

Instead of playing the role of Chief, Succop wore a navy blue polo shirt, khakis shorts, and no shoes.

The last kicker Salata saw without shoes on was Mike Lansford. He kicked for the Los Angeles Rams, a team no longer here, and he was one of the last barefooted kickers in the NFL.

Salata later found out Succop wore a shoe when he kicked for the University of South Carolina.

Salata still plans to give Succop the same treatment his gives his good friend Lansford.

“They’re kickers. They’re a unique group,” Salata said.

“We don’t allow them to sit with the public.”

Salata made one exception for Succop on Monday night. The lifeguard tower was Succop’s seat, and Salata played Santa Claus, quite well for an 82-year-old.

Succop received so many gifts he said it was “like a Christmas on steroids.” Some of the gifts might come in handy if the 256th pick makes it in the NFL.

Whenever Succop misses a game-winning field goal in the final seconds, he has that stuffed Dalmatian to hold at night.

The case of beer to drown his sorrows can help.

There’s the luggage, just in case the Chiefs cut Succop and he has to find a new team to kick for in the NFL.

A soccer ball, because if the NFL doesn’t pan out, there’s Major League Soccer.

Succop is confident about making the Chiefs. Both sides last week agreed to a three-year deal worth $1.2 million. One reporter looked surprised, stating, “That means they have plans for you.”

“I hope so,” said Succop, looking like a professional athlete.

Fans actually asked the kicker for an autograph.

A bakery made cookies with Succop’s face. This was supposed to be his football card.

Fans ate them, rather than have him sign the cookies.

“Being here for the week, you definitely sign more than you’re used to,” Succop said.

A TV news van from Los Angeles showed up for Succop. Before the newspaper reporters asked quality questions, someone interrupted.

“Guys, we’ve got TV deadlines,” he said before adding, afterward, “you can have him all you want.”

Everyone wanted a piece of the kicker.

The best question of the day was asked by one of the individuals holding a heavy camera.

“Now, were you disappointed being the last one [chosen in the draft]?” he asked.

“No,” Succop responded. “I look at it as a blessing. It gives me an opportunity to try and play in the NFL.”

The opportunities keep coming.

Last week, Kobe Bryant celebrated his fourth NBA championship at Disneyland.

Today, it’s Ryan Succop’s day. Mickey Mouse can’t wait to party with a kicker.