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Hopes High As SPD Employee’s Son Signs, Plays with Eagles For the first time in years, Rose Hamiter’s 25-year-old son, “Joby,” had to skip the annual family reunion, held this year at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. But Uhuru “Joby” Hamiter’s absence from the festive gathering was actually a source of great pride for Rose, a 29-year Jefferson employee in SPD, and every other member of his far-flung family. Why? The late August family reunion conflicted with the Philadelphia Eagles’ pre-season training camp and exhibition schedule – and “Joby” had signed with the team in June as a defensive end. “I’m so happy to see his dream come true,” says his proud mother, an SPD Logistic Technician responsible for stocking supplies for all the hospital’s operating rooms. “This is a dream he’s had since he was 7 years old. Besides being proud, I don’t know yet how I feel. It’s still hitting, and hasn’t really sunk in yet.” The Eagles were one of seven National Football League teams who recruited “Joby” following his stellar stint with the England Monarchs of the World League in Europe. He chose to sign with the Eagles because he “wanted to stay at home,” says his Mom. “Joby” grew up, and still lives, near Broad and Erie in Philadelphia. In high school, he starred for Jules Mastbaum Tech’s 1990 Public League champions, then was one of the top defensive players in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference while starring at Delaware State College from 1992 to 1995. Passed by in the NFL draft, he went on to make his mark in a semi-pro league in South Jersey for two years before his outstanding play in Europe last spring made NFL scouts take notice. Besides the Eagles, Ms. Hamiter says the New York Jets, Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, Oakland Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars and St. Louis Rams all showed interest in signing the 6-foot-4, 280-pound end. Rose Hamiter went to work for Jefferson right out of high school in 1961. She left in 1970 to raise her family and returned in 1978. As JeffNEWS went to press shortly after the annual Hamiter reunion was ending, hopes were high that “Joby” would stick with the team past the final cuts before the season’s first game September 6. |