New Utah Blaze lineman Devin Wyman is one of the biggest, baddest men in the Arena Football League. The 6-8, 354-pounder was an All-Arena selection last season for the Dallas Desperados.
But he's also a romantic.
That's why he chose the day of the Desperados' first playoff game last season, July 7, 2007, to get married.
Wyman and gospel recording artist Shelby McQueen were wed on the lucky day of 7/7/07 just hours before he took the field for Dallas in its playoff game against the Columbus Destroyers.
That date was special for what it meant for Wyman's bride. McQueen, you see, had previously been married on July 7, 2002 to her first husband, who died 15-months later in an accident.
"He wanted to do the gentlemanly thing and honor the memory of that date," Shelby McQueen-Wyman told the Dallas media on their wedding day last July.
It meant getting married at 1 p.m. when he had a game that evening. McQueen-Wyman even wore her dark lavender wedding gown to the game and joked that the 15,000-plus fans at Dallas' American Airlines Arena were at the couple's reception.
Despite the fact that Dallas was upset by Columbus that night, Wyman still names it as his best day in sports — which includes being on a New England Patriots Super Bowl team in 1997 as a rookie.
Now with the Blaze, Wyman expects more good days ahead.
"We're stacked," said Wyman of the Blaze. "We have a blessed team right now. We have a lot of young guys that are good and a lot of veterans guys that have been in this game. We have a lot of talent. We have a lot to be thankful for here. Most definitely we have a championship team here."
Although he's only been with his new team for two weeks, Wyman, 34, has already become a vocal leader.
"Devin has earned respect because of what he's done in this league," said Blaze quarterback Joe Germaine. "Guys will listen to him and look up to him because they have respect for him. He definitely gets the linemen fired up for good blocks and good plays."
Wyman's size, experience, advanced age for an AFL player and outgoing personality have made him almost like a coach on the field for the offensive line.
"I was given a gift to be a leader and I utilize it," Wyman said. "I like to be verbal in a righteous way and I believe in encouraging and motivating guys. We need to work hard and hard work pays off. Our ultimate goal is to hold up that ArenaBowl trophy at the end of the year."
Wyman was a star defensive lineman at Kentucky State before being drafted by the Patriots, then coached by Bill Parcells, in 1996. He played for New England for two years and also spent time with the Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs and in NFL Europe before his arena football days.
Under the old rules in the AFL, Wyman had to play both defense and offense. Last year the league did away with the two-way requirements and Wyman concentrated on offense, which he is doing again this year. Utah coaches know, however, that he could come in handy on defense, too.
"Devin was a defensive player by trade in college and in the NFL, but he's become a very good offensive player in this league," said Blaze line coach Ron James. "We can still use him as a defensive tackle in goal-line situations, which is a big plus for us."
Wyman still likes to play on both sides of the ball, too.
"It's been a lot of fun playing in the AFL, Wyman says, "I tell people all the time that arena football let's you be a big kid. You get to play both ways."
Wyman and his wife and kids make their home in Dallas, so his trade to Utah from the Desperados took him away from familiar surroundings. He's not too upset about having to change teams, however.
"I'm proud about being up here in Utah," Wyman said. "I'm a believer. This is part of my story to walk through. I'm going to be humble and I believe that the Lord got me here in Utah for a purpose and I'm going to serve him righteously."
The Wyman file
Name: Devin Wyman
Ht: 6-foot-8
Wt: 354
Position: OL No. 72
College: Kentucky State
Previous AFL teams: Dallas, San Jose
Family: married, 5 children
Blaze opener
Arizona Rattlers at Utah Blaze
Saturday, 7 p.m.
TV: KJZZ, Ch. 14
Radio: 1320AM
E-mail: lojo@desnews.com